I have been referred to the hospital after a severe IBS flareup.
I am mentally preparing myself for the experience but my most significant question mark is whether to opt for Sedation or Entonox (Gas & Air).
What are people's experiences with them both and which do you prefer?
I was offered both and took both. They helped and the procedure was no problem at all. The sedation didnt knock me out just calmed me. The entonox eased discomfort. It doesnt have to either or. Go for both if you feel it would help you.
I had both definitely needed it.Good luck.
Fentanyl sedation for me didn't feel a thing
I have no experience with either method of sedation. But I watched a Netflix drama yesterday, and someone was going in for a re-setting of a broken bone (I think...or a bad dislocation). The nurse gave her gas and air and described it to this woman who wasn't sure how she'd like it:
"This is what it's going to feel like. Like you've had 3 quite big G&T's." The woman took the gas and air, and was happily chatting to a nurse and laughing, and asked had they started yet? The doctor said it was all done.
She then didn't want them to take the gas and air away and asked for just a few more minutes!
It was a humorous moment in quite a thriller of a drama.
Now yes, that was just a story but I imagine it may have been somewhat based on what gas and air might be like? My mother was given gas and air when I was born. That might be the reason I do like a tipple now and then. 😀
I have had dozens of endoscopys both ends and I always have the sedation. I have never even been offered gas and air. I just get the injection and i am given oxygen and I ask for the maximum dose allowed. I now actually enjoy going for an endoscopy knowing how relaxed I will feel for hours after the procedure having spent maybe only ten minutes on the procedure that I only felt minor discomfort for maybe ten seconds but was to stoned to notice anything after those 10 seconds. Next minute a nurse is rousing me with the offer of a cup of tea or coffee and some biscuits (cookies) which seems about an hour after the procedure. Once I have had them and have had my obs taken and to see if my oxygen levels are normal I can go home
I'm hearing lots of good things about the aftercare snacks and drinks, thanks for providing insight 
I had a colonoscopy last week. I was offered both, but went for the Entonox - there was only one brief moment of discomfort when I thought I needed it.Don't overthink it and go with whichever choice feels right for you.
(The preparation was far worse than the procedure in my opinion!)
I appreciate your response, I think I'm gonna ask for sedation (but not heavy sedation) and have entonox on hand in case I need a extra hit. I've managed to calm myself with the preparation, saying it can't be any worse that what I'm going from now 😂
Sedation!
I had one a few weeks ago and opted for sedation. The procedure itself isn't that bad, I just got discomfort at one point that felt just like cramps so they increased the sedation. Don't overthink it as others have said but sedation definitely helps with the nerves, just remember that you won't be able to drive for 24hrs after if you do choose that whereas with gas and air I think you can.
I had my third colonoscopy recently, with two ‘difficult’ polyps removed.
I was offered both sedation and Entonox, and took both on the basis of previous experience. The sedation is ‘constant’ by a cannula in your hand or arm; the Entonox is ‘as needed’ by breathing on a mouthpiece.
The main discomfort is from the progress of the camera around the bends of the colon - in case you were wondering, the removal of any polyps is painless, whatever the method.
I’d certainly recommend opting for both.
I just had sedation there was no discomfort at all. I did feel it moving along the colon in one section but felt like a tickle sensation if I’m honest. I was petrified before I had it done but didn’t know what I was worrying about after.
I had sedation only, worked perfectly.
When I had mine done was offered either sedation or nothing, so went for sedation and I have no recollection of the procedure or any pain. For me the prep was far worse than then the actual colonoscopy. If I had to have it done again I would pick sedation.
This is one thing that putting me off sedation and hoping that I can get a lighter dose. I would like to be able to remember the procedure and able to interact with the doctor/nurses
Seriously you can still interact as your not put out, but you probably won’t want to tbh. My Hospital doesn’t offer gas & air. Sedation definitely recommended, pain free and means you aren’t so aware but still awake, bit doses.
Thanks! Pretty confident with going with sedation now
I had 2 colonoscopies in a month and was only given the one through injection did not know about the gas and air if you over think it maybe you will get more stressed and worried than you need 2 be as the more you do the worse you get and just remember 2 take that awful prep stuff beforehand and they will get a clearer look at the bowel even though the stuff can be nasty just make sure you are as near 2 the toilet as you can OK GOOD LUCK XX
I've had sedation and no sedation many times. I prefer not to have anything as I didn't need it. Much quicker to go home etc. afterwards.
Hi,
I have had several colonoscopies, the first without anything but thereafter sedation. Never been offered gas n air, not an option given.
Sedation literally makes you so relaxed you hardly notice what’s what. I’d recommend.
It also doesn’t effect you after, maybe but query for 20 minutes so not released for a bit longer.
It’s no biggie at all tbh. It’s the prep at home that a bit more yuk.
X
Wonder if gas & air is a hospital choice then if to offer it or not. I'm more confident now about going with the sedation option
Couldn’t have Entonox as I have a lung condition, but sedation worked fine for me - time just flew by!
I’ve only had the endoscopy down my throat and I have spoken to people who have had both. Go for sedation nit gas and air. You don’t know anything and come round really quick without feeling like you’ve really had anything. Maybe a little unsteady on feet for 5 minutes but just walk slowly and it wears off really quick! Best of luck
Had a number of colonoscopies and only ever had gas, no sedation. Absolutely fine. Quick cuppa and biscuit after then drive myself home.
I dread the preparation. Its the worst bit. Made me so ill I didn't think I would make it to the hospital next day and without the help of my son I couldn't had do e it. I went for sedation and don't remember a thing.
Definitely sedation !!!
You will feel the scope go round the bends much more with just gas and air so go for sedation too! It is not worth putting yourself through extra discomfort when you do not have to! I have had 3 colonoscopies and each time opted for sedation with gas and air as and when...
I said no to both but wished I hadn’t to be honest, I had rather a lot of pain with mine
I went for entonox only and that was enough for me. Good luck!
I’ve had a few colonoscopy’s, the first one I had I just had the gas and air but as I have a very bendy bowel it wasn’t pleasant .
Other times I had the sedation as well and no problem at all, opt for both and you will be fine. Good luck.
Hi, procedure is simple and painless. I had mild sedation. The preparation was far worse than the procedure in my opinion! Go ahead n all the best.
I had a colonoscopy a few months ago and just had sedation. Told them just light sedation as i did'nt want to be knocked out too much. The nurse and me spent the entire procedure chatting about shopping. It was amazing and never felt a thing. A cuppa and lovely bikkies after and my friend drove me home. Try not to overthink it, i know its easier said than done but its such a quick procedure and well worth it. Best of luck x
I have done sedation with Propofol for multiple procedures. Really no issues whatsoever. Other than some grogginess etc.
I have had two colonoscopies and a endoscopy too. I have had both light sedation as well as entinox together, I didn’t feel a thing at my first colonoscopy. For my second colonoscopy even with sedation and entinox it got really uncomfortable as I think my bowel was bending a lot so also need some IV buscopan too. I think I would advise having both sedation and entinox. Even with the light sedation I was still quite aware of everything going on around me but found them both pleasant experiences compared to the preparation beforehand. Just do what you feel is best for you, I hope it goes ok for you
I'm really glad to read your experience. I was nervous about sedation because of how knocked out I would be. But I like the idea of going for a light-mid sedation so I can still discuss with the staff as it is happening and being aware
Hi there i had a colonoscopy i had sedation but youre fully asleep i led watching the tv what they were doing i never felt anything and they said its all done hour or so later they let me go
I had my first colonoscopy 2 months ago and had 3 polyps removed (nothing nasty). As I wanted to drive myself there and home, I had no sedation or any pain meds. Unless you're really anxious I would highly recommend this route. It's uncomfortable, especially when they turn corners, but not painful. It was all over really quickly and while others were in recovery looking like they'd been on a 24hr flight, I was ready to go! I think the fear of the procedure itself is worse than the reality. They fitted a cannula in case I changed my mind - that was more uncomfortable than the actual procedure.
I appreciate everyone is different, but I rather have that done again rather than have a tooth extracted!
I had two gastroscopies in the past and a colonoscopy last year, I have never taken any type of sedation or relaxation drugs doing them, I just get on with it, I find it not bad at all, is just me, I can cope well, i think is all in the power of the mind, if you focus on something specific and dont think nothing else you can do it without drugs. Good luck
Hi Bob, I've had two colonoscopy procedures a few years apart. The first one was at the local hospital without sedation and was unpleasant if I'm being kind. The second was at a nhs specialist hospital a few miles away being done by a specialist under sedation. What a difference. They said I was being given sedation? Was I ? Can't say I was aware ,I felt fully alert and normal. I was expecting it to be unpleasant but it was far from it. I never felt a thing as in absolutely nothing at all. I was given a hospital gown and some reverse underpants to keep me covered. I got to watch what the specialist was doing on a monitor and before I knew it it was over and I was getting dressed. Certainly not an unpleasant experience, nowhere near as bad as I was expecting.
I have had many colonoscopies over the years (& EGD scopes of the esophagus) and have always had the sedation. I have never been offered Entonox & gas, & obviously don't need it as I never feel a thing or remember the procedure at al with the sedationl. The sedation is light enough that I wake up in a fairly short period of time. My Gastroenterologist has always been the one to choose the drug used for sedation.
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Colonoscopy prep - any tips?
