Colonoscopy question

[Emsky]

Hi,

I'm on the waiting list for this and I've never had one, I'm just wondering how you get sedated as I'm absolutely terrified of needles and having a cannula during surgery last year was a really horrible experience so would rather avoid that if possible, but at the same time if they do that I would rather just be completely knocked out, I have a small bum and I know I'll experience pain with the procedure itself and if they need to do biopsy I don't want to feel that either, just want to know what it's like and how you're sedated

[FRreedman]

I'm afraid it is normally with a canula, however they are really good at keeping you just where they need you to be as far as sedation is concerned, and you should remember very little, and feel very little pain.

[Emsky in reply to FRreedman]

I would really rather avoid cannula as it was so horrible last time, and I'm hoping the feeling no pain is right as whenever I get told something won't hurt its always painful for me

[FRreedman in reply to Emsky]

You sound like a warrior after my own heart. Why do they say a little scratch, and then, almost, rip your arm in two? I always tell them, that is no little scratch, it bloomin' hurts, and their reply is generally: If we said this is going to really hurt we'd never get anything done. But if you read again what I said it is very little pain.

[Emsky in reply to FRreedman]

I hate being told little scratch, I don't get why they don't just say it may hurt a bit, I'm now even more scared about going as I didn't know that's how they sedated you

[FRreedman in reply to Emsky]

Honestly, you won't even remember the pain. Unfortunately they have to use a cannula, otherwise you wouldn't have enough pain killer and sedation, and I can assure you, that would be worse. Look at it this way, the pain will last about 20 seconds (maximum), and it will mean that you can go out with your son later. The alternative is you will have no colonoscopy and will need to return at a later date, and go through the whole lot again. Just tell yourself the price of going out with your son is a pin prick in the arm and a little scrape, surely the evening with your son is worth that?!?

[Emsky in reply to FRreedman]

I remember getting the cannula last year and I remembered getting it in 1999 when I was 4, also I don't have any children? I just want the colonoscopy to get answers for my problems as I can't keep living like this

[FRreedman in reply to Emsky]

Sorry, I was answering two of you, about colonoscopies, at the same time. It is possible to have a colonoscopy without sedation (A friend of mine had it), but she said it was really painful. My own view is the initial pain is worth it in order to get a definitive answer to the IBD/IBS problems. I think you just have to bite the bullet and go with it. (Sorry I can't be more positive for you, but I won't lie and say something I know is not true.)

,

[Emsky in reply to FRreedman]

That's OK, thanks for your reply and I would rather honest answers

[Louisa50]

Hi I had one done all I can say is nothing is as bad as you think it is hope you get the answers to your problem 😀

[SydneySider123]

I had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy last year. It was 'twilight sedation'. I've had full sedation about 5 times and quite honestly, I couldn't tell the difference. I don't remember a single thing. Although I will say that coming out of the sedation was far easier with the twilight. I had no pain after the procedure nor did i have loads of gas to pass. It was super easy. I don't even remember them inserting the canula....i do remember breathing from a mask once I was in the operation/procedure room. Honestly, it was all a bit of a non event.

I hope that helps. If not, ask any other questions you like and I'll do my best to answer them.

[Emsky in reply to SydneySider123]

Sadly I remember the cannula last year and I remembered it from. 1999 when I was 4 years old, that was all I could remember from getting my tonsils out was how horrible it was getting that

[Susiiscute]

Hello,

I had a colonoscopy a few days ago. I would definitely recommend you have the sedation, it was perfectly bearable with the drugs, I wouldn’t attempt it without. When the nurse gets the canular ready, tell her you had a bad experience before and that you’re anxious about it. This time it will most likely be different and fine. To be honest though, I found it was a relief to be getting on with the hospital experience, it was all over very quickly and you can get a lovely hot chocolate and biscuits afterwards.

[Emsky in reply to Susiiscute]

Only ever had one twice and both really horrible experiences they used "numbing" gel which made absolutely zero difference I think they just say they to make me feel better, I thought I would be given gas or like valium I didn't realise it was intravenously 😭

[Trab1964]

One tip is make sure you drink plenty of water beforehand I was really dehydrated last time and it caused its own issues with cannula.

[Emsky in reply to Trab1964]

Last time I had one I wasn't allowed any fluids after 6am before my surgery

[Trab1964 in reply to Emsky]

you can drink clear fluids prior to colonoscopy just no food

[Emsky in reply to Trab1964]

Yeah I will do thanks

[sweetsusie]

I think what's much worse than the actual procedure (which you won't know about anyway, because they'll use sedation), is the PREP!!!! UGH!!! I will never have another colonoscopy because of that crap!

[Emsky in reply to sweetsusie]

I'm actually not fussed about the prep, I have chronic diarrhoea, so sometimes I go to the toilet and it's running clear so I don't think the prep will make a difference to my daily routine

[sweetsusie in reply to Emsky]

Tell your doctor to prescribe one of these 3 medications: Welchol, Colestipol, and/or Questran. All 3 work to stop diarrhea in it's ugly tracks. I had the same problem as you....now I have my life back. Glad you're not concerned about the prep...you must have a higher tolerance level than me.

[Emsky in reply to sweetsusie]

I have gp on Friday so will ask then, I'm very sensitive to taste, but my plan is to hold my nose and just drink it that way I won't taste it and it probably won't take long for me clear out so I'm always going anyway 🙈 so I actually think that part won't be that bad I'm more worried about the cannula and the procedure itself, worried about being gassy afterwards as well

[sweetsusie in reply to Emsky]

My friend used a straw to drink that crap..hehe...it worked very well for her because you can put the straw past most of your taste buds! Might want to try that?

[Emsky in reply to sweetsusie]

Yeah that's a good idea actually

[sweetsusie in reply to Emsky]

I thought so, too! I know it worked for her! Good luck...let us know how it goes...

[Emsky in reply to sweetsusie]

I will do I really hope they find out what's causing it I hate living like this, is a real finical stress for me right now too

[sweetsusie in reply to Emsky]

I feel for you...I truly do...ask them if you may have bile acid malabsorption? That is so common and yet most doctors don't even ever get that on their radar?? Can you imagine how many people they could help if they would simply let their patients try these bile acid sequestrants?????!!! Just unbelivable to me...anyway, mention that to them and see what they say!

[Emsky in reply to sweetsusie]

Yeah I will do thanks

[MacColl]

You don't say where the cannula was placed - I can't tolerate blood tests or cannulation in the crook of my arm. There may be larger veins there, but somehow, a nerve seems to sit on the vein and it makes it quite painful until it's removed.

A phlebotomist showed me how to have painless blood tests three years ago: the vein running over the top of the thumb joint just below the wrist. Works every time for me, and hardly feel a thing. It will bruise, but that doesn't bother me.

A registrar solved the problem of cannulation: vein on the top of the wrist. Again, hardly feel it. Same goes for the back of the hand.

Had a number since - very recently, with no problem.

I recently had sedation for an EBUS bronchoscopy/biopsies. The only soreness and discomfort was for a day or so afterwards.

[Emsky in reply to MacColl]

Cannula has been on the top of my hand they always have trouble finding my viens, blood tests have always been an ordeal for me, I just hope I don't feel anything or ever have to go through it again

[MacColl in reply to Emsky]

Oh dear, I am sorry - hoped it was something similar to the problems I'd had.

[Emsky in reply to MacColl]

No its OK, just unfortunately how it is for me, I have to get an injection on a regular basis and it always hurts getting it done 😭

[MacColl in reply to Emsky]

Being an absolute wuss myself, I do sympathise!

[Emsky in reply to MacColl]

I don't like the term wuss lol, I say I'm a sensitive soul or a delicate flower 🙈 just always seems to be when people tell me something doesn't hurt it hurts me

[MacColl in reply to Emsky]

Well, I was going to say that I'm a complete wreck with anything invasive, but I've had to overcome that a little these past two months!

True, they always say it'll only be a little uncomfortable, or won't hurt ....perhaps those like you and I are a little more sensitive than some other people

I have to have some blood tests done tomorrow prior to starting treatment next week, but as long as I can keep my hands warm, I should have no problem ....fingers crossed!

Hope things go well and easy for you, and that you get things sorted out as a result.

[Emsky in reply to MacColl]

Yeah I've had 2 blood tests done recently actually hate it! I just hope I'm sedated enough to not feel much

[MacColl in reply to Emsky]

The sedation I had recently for the EBUS bronchoscopy was excellent, so I hope yours is as good!

[dotster]

how about using some emla or ametop cream applied to numb the area before the cannula, used on children, people with needle phobias, telephone the department and ask as would need to be on about 45 minutes before to be able to help

[Emsky in reply to dotster]

Had it before and doesn't make any difference I think they just say it numbs to make you feel better

[dotster]

I have used on young children many many times and it has been fine, needs to be applied in a big blob under a film dressing and not interfered with ie squashed or moved around,

other alternative gas and air to cannulate?

[Emsky in reply to dotster]

Yeah the put something over it last time didn't help at all, I'm thinking of asking for gas