colonoscopy fear.

[BlueDevon]

Can anyone tell me why you can’t have a general anaesthetic to have a colonoscopy?

I have asked the Doctor this and he said well you can be sedated.But this is not what I want.

He said they need you slightly awake to listen to their instructions to move your leg etc.

I think this is rubbish.America and France and other countries give you a General anaesthetic to have this procedure.

I wonder if I went private I could have one?

Just wondered if anyone had actually had a general for this procedure?

[Hidden]

Hi, I have a real fear of choking due to an incident when I was a child. I told the hospital of this but they insisted they’d only sedate me. They had to find out the hard way and when I couldn’t tolerate the tube it had to be rearranged under GA. Unfortunately the first appointment was a waste of the NHS time and money . You just need to persevere. Hope that helps.

[mistyboo]

I have had 2 colonoscopy's and at least 4 sigmundoidoscopys each time i have had sedation.

It really knocked me out and I never felt anything. You don't have a tube down your throat for those procedures its administered through a cannula. A tube down your throat is for a gastroscopy. I suppose a GA is more dangerous and a lot more expensive in terms of staffing time etc.

[Nat68]

Hi. I had a colonoscopy about 2-months ago at Southampton general. I was given a "relaxant", not a full sedation as you must be able to move your legs, etc. Yes it is unpleasant but not painful. The test does not last long and it is well worth the discomfort to find out whats causing the pain. Try to relax and think about something nice! Good luck 🙂

[missymo in reply to Nat68]

yes I had “ slight sedation “ waste of time!! It’s a horrible procedure but we need to know what’s wrong so hopefully mistyboo will be able to cope💕

[richv in reply to missymo]

In the US patients are given Propofol which is short time anesthesia and works great

[BlueDevon]

Thank you for replying.Ive not been offered one and the Doctor said there are no red flags so he won’t refer me.But it is there in my mind for the future like a cloud of doom.

Kind to find the time to reply.

[missymo in reply to BlueDevon]

i alwa say we know our own body but they DONT!!

[casares8]

Its money i think. I lived in Spain and Malta, had general anaesthetic for my colonoscopies in both places. In fact in Malta the doctor refused to do it without anaesthetic! Came back to UK and they gave me one with just sedation, and it was not good as i have a loopy bowel and it was painful and the doctor nearly stopped the procedure. I think you can keep pleading for anaesthetic one, and hopefully eventually you might get one. Definitely you could get one private

[eliz45]

Hi. I live in America and have had many colonoscopies. They do not give you a general anesthesia. They give you some drug through your IV that sedates you and keeps you from remembering the procedure. I would never be able to have colonoscopies if it were with general anesthesia. I am too old and it is dangerous to have general anesthesia because of the chance of getting dementia. Oh, and I have never had to "be awake" to listen to instructions. They get you in place before they put the drug in the IV.

[richv in reply to eliz45]

Yes. The only bad thing is the prep. Once in place the anesthesiologist told me to " have a good sleep" I woke up after and no issues

[Antiques72]

I had it done with very light sedation … was brilliant.. I had it years ago with no sedation.. but it’s better to have the light one .. it’s amazing

[grandylynda]

I had a colonoscopy with sedation but they had to give up. Instead I had a ct virtual colonoscopy with contrast. Whether they would do this without trying the camera first I don't know

[AnnaBeee]

Hi there, I'm so sorry you are understandably anxious about the procedure. I had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy last November in the same session. I chose not to have any sedation at all. On reflection, if I needed an endoscopy again I would choose sedation for that as the tube into the stomach is quite uncomfortable. However, I would keep the same decision (no sedation) for the colonoscopy. The staff were extremely good with me in the procedure room. I felt my dignity was important to them and they really looked after me. Sometimes they do ask you to move to assist the tubes movement. It did not hurt at all and if you're alert you can watch the screen which is very interesting and can be reassuring. I know that my decision would not suit everyone and I advocate personal choice however, I just wanted to say it's probably nowhere near what you fear and a general anaesthetic carry many risks with it. Good luck with it - I hope the procedure and results go well.