Unsedated Colonoscopy?

(FLORIDA)

I am in my 30's and I have had Blood from my rectum BRIGHT RED but not in the bowel movements. My doctor said i should have a colonoscopy but... MY problem is that i cant have the sedation.

Is there an 100% way without colonoscopy to rule out cancer or do you think i can do this without sedation? I have had pain in my Lower Right side as well below the belly button and to the right.

The blood has been coming and going for 3 years the pain has been going on for 1 year. Can you tell me your feelings about this..

Comments for
Unsedated Colonoscopy?

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Jan 23, 2012
Rating

Unsedated colonoscopy
by: Anonymous

Had my unsedated colonoscopy today. I was a bit nervous about it until I arrived at the facility for the exam. I was greeted by a white haired receptionist who was at least 80 years old and said she was always unsedated for her colonoscopies. My nurse ( and coach) also advised me that she was unsedated for her colonoscopy. She said it was important to be mentally and physically relaxed... Slow deep breaths, especially if you are feeling discomfort. Don't tense up. I only started to feel some pain at one point, but it was more a fear of how bad is this going to get. I was reminded to relax and take deep breaths... no problem.The Dr. Removed 3 small polyps.. Zero pain. My future colonoscopies will be unsedated. PS: my doctor did say that anyone with prior abdominal surgery would have more discomfort.

Aug 28, 2011
Rating

unsedated colonoscopy
by: Anonymous

Get the colonoscopy and get it without sedation if you desire;it's your right to skip the drugs if you want to. I was surprized at the lack of honesty with most gastros that I tried to schedule an unsedated colonoscopy with: lie-it can't be done unsedated or it too painful. truth-it certianly can be done unsedated, but it may be uncomfortable and it takes longer to do so many gastro docs tell patients that sedation is "required" just so they can do more exams quickly and make more money. Even though I was high-risk, I couldn't get anyone to schedule an unsedated exam. Then while I was at the endo center for an office visit and while still in the backless gown, a CRNA pulled me aside and told me a secret: many docs get theirs unsedated, just schedule your exam and show up without a ride and they will do you unsedated rather than lose the "slot" in their schedule. I thanked her and that was the plan until she learned that I had rectal bleeding (she actually looked!) and told me to take a seat. She introduced me to a doc that I had not met, a nice young woman who immediately told me that she would so an unsedated exam immediately and that the CRNA would stand by and not give me anything unless I asked for it. I almost fainted from their honesty and went home to do the prep and reported for the exam. My new friend the CRNA was there and asked if her student could watch my exam-sure, and she told her: "this is a guy who is bleeding and high risk for colon cancer but has skipped colonoscopy because he has been lied to about sedation being required for this exam-he's an airline pilot and obviously no idiot". They hooked me up to numerous monitors, IV's etc and reassured me that I could get propofol and or fentanyl upon demand. Before we started, the endo doc reminded me that I could get drugs if I wanted them and did a rectal exam, then inserted the scope..it didn't hurt until the turns; then the CRNA and the endo doc recommended painkiller (fentanyl)..I initially declined until the CRNA gently reminded me that she "wasn't there as a potted plant" so I agreed and nothing hurt after she injected the fentanyl. Wow, nobody has ever been that concerned about my comfort. Unfortunately the exam revealed a tumor (problematic) and I now need yearly exams. In the recovery room the CRNA asked if I remembered the pain and she was really upset when I yes. She was worried that I might not return for future exams because of pain (I guess my white knuckles during the colonoscopy were worrisome)..they treated me like a VIP and I have a repeat exam in 3 weeks..my CRNA friend still works at the endo center and called me to verify that I will report for the colonoscopy..when I mentioned my request for another unsedated exam, agreed, but suggested that I "let her do her job"..I signed an unrestricted anesthesia consent..

Jul 11, 2011
Rating

colonoscopy sedation is dangerous
by: Anonymous

Get your colonoscopy, but RUN if they want to give you "sedation"...the usual "sedation" is nothing to relax you, its Versed which forces you to forget the procedure (temporarily)..then you get home and the fun starts..can't remember your PIN. kids birthdays etc...check out askapatient.com.......why is this drug still on the market???

Aug 17, 2010
Rating

No Colonoscopy Sedation OK for Me
by: LM

I've had two colonoscopies, (2007) the second (2010) detected a poorly differentiated cancer, which was removed 7/29/10. I had both colonoscopies without sedation. It was no problem for me. I want to be awake and aware.

May 03, 2010
Rating

get a real (optical) colonoscopy unsedated
by: Anonymous

You can get a regular colonoscopy unsedated; I have had 3 with no sedation. They are a little unconfortable, but not painful. You can anso get the exam with painkiller (usually fentanyl) only. Most docs want the patient sedated because it causes amnesia; it allows them to do the exam faster and the patient usually thinks that they slept thru the exam when they were actually awake but don't remember being awake. You have to call around to find a doc who will do an unsedated exam; it takes a good doc.

Mar 07, 2010
Rating

Comment
by: Anonymous

Go have a virtual colonoscopy and they will be able to see if there is anything there with out you going to sleep

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Your Story Here Could Save A Life!