For the latest information on colonoscopy sedation and current news on other colon cancer topics, please accept a free weekly subscription to the CCR Newsletter.

Colonoscopy Sedation

Colonoscopy sedation is effective with various drugs and sometimes hypnosis

Colonoscopy sedation makes the procedure much more comfortable. Many people don't remember a thing after sedation begins.

Sedative Selection

The anesthesiologist will select the best drugs for you to make the procedure completely painless. Doctors often combine a sedative to relieve anxiety with a painkiller. Versed is the most commonly used anti-anxiety drug for colonoscopies. It brings on deep relaxation or sleep. It also causes amnesia. You may not remember talking to the doctor after your procedure. Versed is combined with painkillers, such as Demerol, Valium or Fentanyl.

Another colonoscopy sedation drug is Propofol. It's more powerful than Versed and works without narcotics. Propofol works well for people who take narcotics for pain management or other reasons. Patients recover more quickly from Propofol. Unfortunately, some insurance companies won't cover its use. An anesthesiologist needs to administer Propofol, which adds to the cost.

If you are very hard to sedate, your doctor may suggest general anesthesia. This is not common. It's much riskier and more costly. It takes longer to recover also.

Sedative Variations

There are a few variations to the usual anesthesia drugs. Most colonoscopy drugs are injected into the veins. But doctors have had patients inhale nitrous oxide - laughing gas. Nitrous oxide hasn't done as good a job at keeping patients pain-free, but they recover faster.

A new technique is called Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA). You use a small pump to dose yourself with drugs during the procedure. The pump is set to lock out at a certain volume, so you won't overdose. The technique has had good results.

A recent study also showed that people who listened to music during their colonoscopy required one less dose of sedatives!

Another colonoscopy sedation technique is hypnosis. Hypnosis works well for people who can be hypnotized. Big advantages are no risk and immediate recovery. And there are some who tough it out with no sedation. Doctors don't usually recommend this, as the colonoscopy can be very uncomfortable or even painful without drugs.

Notes On Safety

"People who listened to music during their colonoscopy required one less dose of sedatives!"

You have to be safe and let the drugs get out of your system before doing something challenging. It can take a day for the drugs to wear off. Even if you feel perfectly normal, you should not drive or operate heavy equipment for at least 12 hours after your colonoscopy. You should also avoid doing anything requiring good balance, like climbing ladders.

All sedatives and painkillers can have side effects. The sedatives cause your breathing to slow way down. Your doctor will keep a close eye on you during the procedure and adjust the dose. Some people get a rash at the injection site. Some may have nausea or vomiting. But many people have no bad reactions at all.

It's very, very important to tell your doctor about any medications you are taking. That includes over-the-counter medicines and even herbal supplements. Certain medicines can react badly with the sedatives.

Also, let your doctor know about your health history. If you have diabetes, liver problems or other conditions, your doctor may want to change the drug or dosage for your colonoscopy. And if you are pregnant or nursing, your doctor needs to know also.

Protect Yourself From the High Cost of Cancer

According to the recent studies, American men have a 44% chance of developing cancer while the chances for women are about 37%. The general risk of developing colon cancer in the United States is about 6%. For this reason, it's important for everyone, particularly people above the age of 50 years, to go for routine screening.

Whether discovered early or late, cancer is a debilitating disease due to the care, costs and the mental and physical trauma involved. Many times the cost of treatment leaves the patient in heavy financial distress.

Most insurance plans do not cover the total cost of the treatment, which leaves the patient and their family in a lurch. These days people have started purchasing supplemental cancer insurance that can help in covering otherwise uninsured expenses related to cancer illness. If you would like to learn more about supplemental cancer insurance you can click here.

There are lots of options to keep you pain-free during your colonoscopy. Talk with your doctor to find the best one for you.

Written by Donna Kaluzniak - 5/2/09

Facts on Colon Cancer - Knowing the facts on colon cancer can save your life.
Colon Cancer Stages - Colon Cancer Stages describes the stages of colon cancer from zero to four. With each stage, it explains the degree of seriousness and the relative ease or difficulty of cure depending on the stage. The page also describes the anatomy of the colon and explains what a polyp is and how it can cause...
What is Cancer? - What is Cancer provides concrete information on what cancer actually is. It continues to explain what happens to cancer cells and how the cells can create a ‘mass’ called a tumor ,or even push its way through a...
What Causes Colon Cancer? - What Causes Colon Cancer discusses the various causes of colon cancer, such as how cancer cells come about and what they are. In addition it also explores various possible origins of cancer. Within each cause it goes into brief detail of what this specific issue can do to harm your body and the risk factor...
Best Cancer Hospitals - 10 Best Cancer Hospitals gives a list of 10 well respected hospitals in the U.S that specialize in treating cancer. Furthermore it gives advice on how to seek a doctor fit for you and your treatment. You are provided with valuable information on how to make your decision on which doctor will be a best fit for your particular cancer, also advising you to always get a second...
Hospital Insurance - Hospital insurance issues discusses common insurance concerns. You are encouraged to ask your health insurance provider specific questions which are listed on this page. In addition the page gives guidance on how to...
Women Colon Cancer Patients - Women Colon Cancer Patients discusses how most people automatically assume that male colon cancer patients outnumber women, but in actuality there are slightly more women diagnosed with colon cancer. The page continues to explain the benefits of a colonoscopy and encourages you to...
Types of Polyps - Types of Polyps lists the most common polyps. It goes on to describe each polyp and how dangerous the polyp could be to your body. Being aware of the different polyps is vital for cancer prevention and to...
Colonoscopy Risks - Colonoscopy risks are rare but significant. This page explains how the benefits outweigh the risks, and goes on to express how the risks should not prevent anyone from getting screened. A colonoscopy is a crucial procedure for anyone over the age of 50 or if...
Small Intestine Cancer - Women Colon Cancer Patients discusses how most people automatically assume that male colon cancer patients outnumber women, but in actuality there are slightly more women diagnosed with colon cancer. The page continues to explain the benefits of a colonoscopy and encourages you to...
Sigmoid Colon - This page describes the anatomy of the sigmoid colon. It explains the colon’s main function, which is to absorb water and minerals and make and eliminate feces. Sigmoid cancer starts in the inner layer of tissue in the wall of the colon and rectum. Some important prevention methods are to maintain a healthy diet and...
Famous People With Colon Cancer - This page illustrates the fact that famous people get cancer too! A long list of famous people with colon cancer is provided. The page briefly talks about Katie Couric and her bold attempt to raise colon cancer awareness by...
Famous People With Cancer - Famous people with Cancer answers a question we’ve all been dying to know which is, how do famous people with cancer get special medical care? The page gives us Mr. Josephs story and how he took action against the big fight called cancer. He was not famous but...
Cancer Costs - This page gives advice on how to deal with high cancer costs. It explains how essential it is to find out exactly how much your treatments will cost you and what your insurance provider intends to cover. You are encouraged to talk to your employer or explore other options if needed such as...
Cost of Chemotherapy - The High Cost of Chemotherapy page gives guidance for alternative options in support of patients who cannot afford the cost of their treatment. Statistics show that 12% of colon cancer patients spend over 25,000 dollars out of pocket and...
Gardner Syndrome - - Gardner Syndrome is a genetic disease that causes a person to have extra growths called polyps. Usually polyps are not cancerous but with this disease the polyps are 100% cancerous. If Gardner Syndrome runs in your family it is critical that you get screened as early as 10 to 12 years of age. Gardner Syndrome can also be originated from...
History of Colon Cancer - This page discusses how vital it is for one to know about the history of colon cancer, especially if you have a family history of colon cancer. If any of your direct ancestors have had colon cancer then you are at high risk. The page also talks about the history of colon cancer treatment and provides a list of alternative therapies. Alternative therapies have been effective for some but...
Types of Colon Polyps - There are 4 primary types of colon polyps. The two most common types are adenomatous and hyperplastic polyps. Polyps are not always be cancerous, and if detected early they can be easily removed. Getting a colonoscopy is the best way to prevent polyps from becoming cancerous. Polyps occur in about 30 to...
Colonoscopy Sedation - Colonoscopy sedation is effective with various drugs and sometimes hypnosis. Two common colonoscopy sedation drugs are Versed and Propofol. Versed is commonly used as an anti-anxiety drug, it causes you to go into a state of deep relaxation or sleep and also causes amnesia. Propofol is a more powerful drug and is mainly used with patients who take narcotics for pain, unfortunately not all...
Colon Cancer Prognosis - Colon cancer prognosis can vary for each stage of colon cancer. The prognosis at this point is typically a five year survival rate of less than 5 %. But keep in mind that...
Lynch Syndrome - Lynch syndrome is an inherited disease that increases the chances of getting cancer. If you have this disease it is imporatant that you get screened regularly. Some of the symptoms can include...
Health Insurance for Cancer - Health insurance for cancer is an insurance personally tailored to your situation and is usually some combination of major medical and supplemental cancer insurance. Since major medical insurance isn't always enough it's...
Polyps in Colon - This article talks about colon polyps, benign lesions on the colon that may or may not lead to cancer of the colon. Most polyps on the colon need to be removed on the chance that they could lead to cancer. Some families have members with multiple polyps on their colons. These families need careful follow-up and treatment of their polyps.
Top Cancer Hospitals - If you’ve been recently diagnosed with cancer, you have a lot of decisions to make. You want to go to the very best place available to you for your cancer treatment. A top cancer hospital has specialists that are the best in their field of cancer care. If you have colon cancer...
Colon Surgery - Colon surgery can be done to remove benign or cancerous lesions of the colon. Doctors can do laparoscopic surgery or open surgery, depending on the type of lesion to be removed.
List of Hospitals - If you have cancer, you are probably scared and want a list of hospitals that might help you. This article will help you find that list of hospitals you need to make the right choices in your care.

	Colon Cancer Resource Helping you find a cure
	For the latest information on colonoscopy sedation and current news on other colon cancer topics, please accept a free weekly subscription to the CCR Newsletter. Colonoscopy Sedation Colonoscopy sedation is effective with various drugs and sometimes hypnosis Colonoscopy sedation makes the procedure much more comfortable. Many people don't remember a thing after sedation begins. Sedative Selection The anesthesiologist will select the best drugs for you to make the procedure completely painless. Doctors often combine a sedative to relieve anxiety with a painkiller. Versed is the most commonly used anti-anxiety drug for colonoscopies. It brings on deep relaxation or sleep. It also causes amnesia. You may not remember talking to the doctor after your procedure. Versed is combined with painkillers, such as Demerol, Valium or Fentanyl. Another colonoscopy sedation drug is Propofol. It's more powerful than Versed and works without narcotics. Propofol works well for people who take narcotics for pain management or other reasons. Patients recover more quickly from Propofol. Unfortunately, some insurance companies won't cover its use. An anesthesiologist needs to administer Propofol, which adds to the cost. If you are very hard to sedate, your doctor may suggest general anesthesia. This is not common. It's much riskier and more costly. It takes longer to recover also. Sedative Variations There are a few variations to the usual anesthesia drugs. Most colonoscopy drugs are injected into the veins. But doctors have had patients inhale nitrous oxide - laughing gas. Nitrous oxide hasn't done as good a job at keeping patients pain-free, but they recover faster. A new technique is called Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA). You use a small pump to dose yourself with drugs during the procedure. The pump is set to lock out at a certain volume, so you won't overdose. The technique has had good results. A recent study also showed that people who listened to music during their colonoscopy required one less dose of sedatives! Another colonoscopy sedation technique is hypnosis. Hypnosis works well for people who can be hypnotized. Big advantages are no risk and immediate recovery. And there are some who tough it out with no sedation. Doctors don't usually recommend this, as the colonoscopy can be very uncomfortable or even painful without drugs. Notes On Safety "People who listened to music during their colonoscopy required one less dose of sedatives!" You have to be safe and let the drugs get out of your system before doing something challenging. It can take a day for the drugs to wear off. Even if you feel perfectly normal, you should not drive or operate heavy equipment for at least 12 hours after your colonoscopy. You should also avoid doing anything requiring good balance, like climbing ladders. All sedatives and painkillers can have side effects. The sedatives cause your breathing to slow way down. Your doctor will keep a close eye on you during the procedure and adjust the dose. Some people get a rash at the injection site. Some may have nausea or vomiting. But many people have no bad reactions at all. It's very, very important to tell your doctor about any medications you are taking. That includes over-the-counter medicines and even herbal supplements. Certain medicines can react badly with the sedatives. Also, let your doctor know about your health history. If you have diabetes, liver problems or other conditions, your doctor may want to change the drug or dosage for your colonoscopy. And if you are pregnant or nursing, your doctor needs to know also. Protect Yourself From the High Cost of Cancer According to the recent studies, American men have a 44% chance of developing cancer while the chances for women are about 37%. The general risk of developing colon cancer in the United States is about 6%. For this reason, it's important for everyone, particularly people above the age of 50 years, to go for routine screening. Whether discovered early or late, cancer is a debilitating disease due to the care, costs and the mental and physical trauma involved. Many times the cost of treatment leaves the patient in heavy financial distress. Most insurance plans do not cover the total cost of the treatment, which leaves the patient and their family in a lurch. These days people have started purchasing supplemental cancer insurance that can help in covering otherwise uninsured expenses related to cancer illness. If you would like to learn more about supplemental cancer insurance you can click here. There are lots of options to keep you pain-free during your colonoscopy. Talk with your doctor to find the best one for you. Written by Donna Kaluzniak - 5/2/09 Related pages: Facts on Colon Cancer - Knowing the facts on colon cancer can save your life. Colon Cancer Stages - Colon Cancer Stages describes the stages of colon cancer from zero to four. With each stage, it explains the degree of seriousness and the relative ease or difficulty of cure depending on the stage. The page also describes the anatomy of the colon and explains what a polyp is and how it can cause... What is Cancer? - What is Cancer provides concrete information on what cancer actually is. It continues to explain what happens to cancer cells and how the cells can create a ‘mass’ called a tumor ,or even push its way through a... What Causes Colon Cancer? - What Causes Colon Cancer discusses the various causes of colon cancer, such as how cancer cells come about and what they are. In addition it also explores various possible origins of cancer. Within each cause it goes into brief detail of what this specific issue can do to harm your body and the risk factor... Best Cancer Hospitals - 10 Best Cancer Hospitals gives a list of 10 well respected hospitals in the U.S that specialize in treating cancer. Furthermore it gives advice on how to seek a doctor fit for you and your treatment. You are provided with valuable information on how to make your decision on which doctor will be a best fit for your particular cancer, also advising you to always get a second... Hospital Insurance - Hospital insurance issues discusses common insurance concerns. You are encouraged to ask your health insurance provider specific questions which are listed on this page. In addition the page gives guidance on how to... Women Colon Cancer Patients - Women Colon Cancer Patients discusses how most people automatically assume that male colon cancer patients outnumber women, but in actuality there are slightly more women diagnosed with colon cancer. The page continues to explain the benefits of a colonoscopy and encourages you to... Types of Polyps - Types of Polyps lists the most common polyps. It goes on to describe each polyp and how dangerous the polyp could be to your body. Being aware of the different polyps is vital for cancer prevention and to... Colonoscopy Risks - Colonoscopy risks are rare but significant. This page explains how the benefits outweigh the risks, and goes on to express how the risks should not prevent anyone from getting screened. A colonoscopy is a crucial procedure for anyone over the age of 50 or if... Small Intestine Cancer - Women Colon Cancer Patients discusses how most people automatically assume that male colon cancer patients outnumber women, but in actuality there are slightly more women diagnosed with colon cancer. The page continues to explain the benefits of a colonoscopy and encourages you to... Sigmoid Colon - This page describes the anatomy of the sigmoid colon. It explains the colon’s main function, which is to absorb water and minerals and make and eliminate feces. Sigmoid cancer starts in the inner layer of tissue in the wall of the colon and rectum. Some important prevention methods are to maintain a healthy diet and... Famous People With Colon Cancer - This page illustrates the fact that famous people get cancer too! A long list of famous people with colon cancer is provided. The page briefly talks about Katie Couric and her bold attempt to raise colon cancer awareness by... Famous People With Cancer - Famous people with Cancer answers a question we’ve all been dying to know which is, how do famous people with cancer get special medical care? The page gives us Mr. Josephs story and how he took action against the big fight called cancer. He was not famous but... Cancer Costs - This page gives advice on how to deal with high cancer costs. It explains how essential it is to find out exactly how much your treatments will cost you and what your insurance provider intends to cover. You are encouraged to talk to your employer or explore other options if needed such as... Cost of Chemotherapy - The High Cost of Chemotherapy page gives guidance for alternative options in support of patients who cannot afford the cost of their treatment. Statistics show that 12% of colon cancer patients spend over 25,000 dollars out of pocket and... Gardner Syndrome - - Gardner Syndrome is a genetic disease that causes a person to have extra growths called polyps. Usually polyps are not cancerous but with this disease the polyps are 100% cancerous. If Gardner Syndrome runs in your family it is critical that you get screened as early as 10 to 12 years of age. Gardner Syndrome can also be originated from... History of Colon Cancer - This page discusses how vital it is for one to know about the history of colon cancer, especially if you have a family history of colon cancer. If any of your direct ancestors have had colon cancer then you are at high risk. The page also talks about the history of colon cancer treatment and provides a list of alternative therapies. Alternative therapies have been effective for some but... Types of Colon Polyps - There are 4 primary types of colon polyps. The two most common types are adenomatous and hyperplastic polyps. Polyps are not always be cancerous, and if detected early they can be easily removed. Getting a colonoscopy is the best way to prevent polyps from becoming cancerous. Polyps occur in about 30 to... Colonoscopy Sedation - Colonoscopy sedation is effective with various drugs and sometimes hypnosis. Two common colonoscopy sedation drugs are Versed and Propofol. Versed is commonly used as an anti-anxiety drug, it causes you to go into a state of deep relaxation or sleep and also causes amnesia. Propofol is a more powerful drug and is mainly used with patients who take narcotics for pain, unfortunately not all... Colon Cancer Prognosis - Colon cancer prognosis can vary for each stage of colon cancer. The prognosis at this point is typically a five year survival rate of less than 5 %. But keep in mind that... Lynch Syndrome - Lynch syndrome is an inherited disease that increases the chances of getting cancer. If you have this disease it is imporatant that you get screened regularly. Some of the symptoms can include... Health Insurance for Cancer - Health insurance for cancer is an insurance personally tailored to your situation and is usually some combination of major medical and supplemental cancer insurance. Since major medical insurance isn't always enough it's... Polyps in Colon - This article talks about colon polyps, benign lesions on the colon that may or may not lead to cancer of the colon. Most polyps on the colon need to be removed on the chance that they could lead to cancer. Some families have members with multiple polyps on their colons. These families need careful follow-up and treatment of their polyps. Top Cancer Hospitals - If you’ve been recently diagnosed with cancer, you have a lot of decisions to make. You want to go to the very best place available to you for your cancer treatment. A top cancer hospital has specialists that are the best in their field of cancer care. If you have colon cancer... Colon Surgery - Colon surgery can be done to remove benign or cancerous lesions of the colon. Doctors can do laparoscopic surgery or open surgery, depending on the type of lesion to be removed. List of Hospitals - If you have cancer, you are probably scared and want a list of hospitals that might help you. This article will help you find that list of hospitals you need to make the right choices in your care. Back to top	Search CCR This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Free Subscription First Name Email Get the latest news on colon cancer delivered to your inbox each week! Click here to read our Privacy Policy.
Home Facts Prevention Symptoms Treatment Research Support What's New Q&A Table of Contents Subscribe To This Site [What is an RSS Feed?] Do you have a personal story about colon cancer? Please share it here using one of the following links: Colonoscopy story Treatment story Symptoms story Other Topic story Information can make all the difference, so share what you can with others and help them with this difficult time.

Free Subscription First Name Email Get the latest news on colon cancer delivered to your inbox each week! Click here to read our Privacy Policy. Terms of Use \| Privacy Policy \| About CIC \| Press Releases \| Resources \| Contact Us \| Newsletter By using this website and related services, you accept our Terms of Use. The health information on this web site is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Copyright © 2009 Cancer Information Center, LLC. All rights reserved.

Colon Cancer Resource

Colonoscopy Sedation