Sigmoidoscopy

Good morning I am due a sigmoidoscopy next week...in other peoples experience is it necessary to have full sedation or just gas and air?

[b1b1b1]

I have never had one, so don't know. Ask the nurse in your doctor's office, or ask the doctor.

[Dia89]

I had a flexi sigmoidoscopy and it was painless for me

[dedeottie]

Neither. It is painless and quick. X

[ouch421]

I've had two nhs 'oscopys. First 10 years ago was a little uncomfortable. Last year was utter agony. Its a choice you can make at the time in discussion with the nurse/surgeon. I was in agony and the gas option worked for for me in a few seconds. The team told me to grab the pipe and breath heavily. Plan for no driving after.

[Convertiblegirl]

Hi! I have had 2 sigmoidoscopies without any sedation, both times were fine.Good luck!

[SueMount]

I had one without sedation but if I had another I would have it but I have a kink in my colon which wouldn't let the scope past. It was quite distressing at the time. I think generally its painless.

[Blueboy1946]

It was painless for me although they gave it to me to hold just in case i needed it....i didn't.I was quite contented looking at the monitor seeing the red spiders web effect which apparently was radiation proctitis .

At least I got answers for my problem..

[Trec]

I didn’t have anything and wasn’t offered anything as it isn’t necessary. It only goes as far as the top of the left colon so no corners to turn and doesn’t take long. Even though I had dreadful pain with a full colonoscopy this partial one was fine as it will hopefully be for you too.

[villafrancesca]

I have had a very recent sigmoidoscopy and found the discomfort bearable without any sedation. There is something less than sedation called 'entonox' which can be self-administered if the discomfort becomes painful. I suggest you have it on hand, but if the endoscopist carries out his procedure properly, you should find that you do not need entonox. In short, the procedure is not pleasant but should not be really painful, and you can watch it on a CCTV screen if you wish. Good luck,

Patrick

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Thank you all for your reassurance...mainly!

[Lfc4ever]

I had one a few months ago. I was ok with gas and air and it did get a bit painful towards the end but everyone is different. They discouraged me from sedation but if that's what you want you ask for it. Good luck. 👍

[Freydis]

Flexible sigmoidoscopy is usually fairly quick. I've had one with no sedation and no pain relief and was fine - and I'm an absolute wimp with pain! I did use gas and air for the last one, as the consultant was very thorough with digital rectal examination, and found it helped. Good luck with your procedure.

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Once again thanks for all your comments