Scared of the prep the procedure and most of all being sedated never been sedated or put to sleep before
The Prep is just like having a stomach bug for a day only you dont feel ill like when you have a stomach bug. It is annoying and a bit boring to be honest but nothing to get worried about. The sedation affects people different ways: some think they have been asleep (they haven't actually) and some people have quite good memories. I have had the procedures a few times and have had some where I have little memory and some I remember the whole thing. For most people the worst part is the worrying!
Hi,
I must admit that I a lot of anxiety prior to my first conoloscopy. After this first procedure was completed, I knew thst my fear was totally unwarrented. Just chill out and follow the instructions, I am sure that you will be fine with it all. I hope that your doctor will have good news for you.
It's not that bad really.. I've done it twice.. The prep was the easy part. I asked not to be put to sleep and that wasn't bad looking back. There's a couple of pains here and there if you're awake but you don't feel anything really because you have gas and air to suck on. I you're awake you get to watch it all on the monitor if you want to. The dentist is worse.
I'm sure thats why I'm worrying so much first time around and don't really know what yo expect..hopefully I get the nerve up to go through with it...and thank you I pray the results are good
Cindy
I had chronic diarrhea for 2 months. I had a colonoscopy in June. The unpleasant part of this procedure is drinking the liquid which cleanses your system so they can more clearly see. The liquid itself looks like water, but has an unpleasant taste. But you CAN drink it. It is mean to flush out our systems before a colonoscopy. The prep is, for me, the hardest part. Regarding the sedation, let me start by saying how 'scared I am of all medical procedures'. I understand that some doctors do not sedate the patients before a colonoscopy but it sure allows you to have it performed with no memory of it.
A nurse puts in an IV (about the same minimal 'ouch' as a blood draw) right before your procedure the anesthesiologist gives you the general anesthetic before the procedure begins. Other than telling the anesthesiologist what a nice smile he had, that is my last memory, before waking up in recovery.
Please know that I am NO fan of any procedure, but the sedation is extremely helpful for those who run to the 'fearful side.'
Good luck with your colonoscopy, as I said the drink isn't the most pleasant, but the sedation is nothing to fear. Hopefully they will find the cause of your diarrhea. Mine has finally been brought under control. Yay!
The prep is the worst thing!....i have had 5 colonoscopies and found the prep more difficult than the exam itself. As for going to sleep its actually called "concious sedation"... so you will probably be awake. Hope all goes well...they will give you the preliminary results straight after the exam.
I think the type of sedation used is up to the doctor doing the procedure. With both of my colonoscopies I was given a general anesthetic. I was not awake during either of my procedures. That said, seems that above all we 'as patients' are always kept comfortable.
Thanks for the comment glad to know I'm not the only person that has fear...glad you have yours under control ..what was your diagnosis if you don't mind me asking
Thank you I was wondering how long before you got results
Cindy
Let me start by saying I had a 7 disc fusion surgery last October, which is a 1 year recovery. I think the heavy pain meds I was on for several months contributed to my health issues today.
Lol remember, I've definitely got the biggest 'trophy for scared patients.' In late May I went to ER, as I figured this diarrhea had gone on too long. In June I had the endoscopy to help determine the cause of the diarrhea. Nothing conclusive was found. In July I finally got into see a gastroenterologist. He had undergo a endoscopy. Yes, another procedure I dreaded. This time no prep other than fasting and again I had general anesthesia. Upon waking the doctor informed my husband and I that I have a 'non bleeding gastric ulcer.' He prescribed medication and thankfully the diarrhea is gone. Sorry, long explanation, but I feel that I've experienced lots of medical issues before getting to this point. Regarding sedation just ask the doctor doing the procedure what type of sedation he uses... sedated but awake or asleep.
My results were straight away in that he told me and then sent a letter to my GP. My first one I ever had after I had really alarming symptoms was like a running commentary but luckily it was all nothing much. Curiously the clear out from the prep seemed to cure the problem...
Oh wow....glad they came to a conclusion with yours and it was nothing extremely bad...thank God I've had no blood so far just the irritating diarrhea..I would much rather them sedate where I would still be awake I'm gonna call tomm and ask before I reschedule ..thank you..I have two small children I over worry everything I know
I've heard quite a few people say they think the prep actually solved their problem....that's interesting glad yours was nothing much to worry about that's always great news !
Thank you Cindy. I guess after my second endoscopy in October, I might know if I've improved. ... I don't look forward to another procedure! Guess, sometimes in life we have to do things we don't like, if it's too help us out in the long run. U will be ok!!
Hopefully you have...I'll send prayers your way..your right I've had to do lots of things I was scared to do guess this will get added to the list..I always think the worst hopefully once I get it done its something that's not so bad
Cindy
Thank you, prayers are always appreciated! Well, like you've heard, 'the prep' is the worst part. Not scary wise, just 'taste wise.' But who knows, you might think it's not that bad. Again, whether you have conscious sedation or general anesthesia, you will be comfortable and calm. Thank goodness for sedation.
Please let me know how it goes for you. From one fearful person to another, you will be just fine.
Thank you and I will once I get it done
I was extremely nervous for weeks before the procedure and suffer from anxiety as it is.
The prep isn't that bad just hold your nose and drink slowly as the it starts to make you gag after a while. Also managing hunger is annoying but once you get past a certain point it's bearable.
Tip: Use toilet wipes instead of paper (Andrex Aloe Vera and Vaseline in between!) and try and find the funny side of it all!
On the day, I refused sedation as I don't like the idea of it but was offered Entonox (gas and air) which I self administered when needed/was in total control of.
The procedure was uncomfortable and in some places v painful but only as it's going in and around. On the way out its not bad at all. Gas and Air was effective but I barely used it. Its over fairly quickly so grin and bear it, it's worth finding out what's wrong in the long run. Good luck you'll be fine X
Trust me when I say I am likely the most scared person of hospitals and procedures, until now. Let me explain. I had a virus a few weeks ago, plus tonsillitis. That started to clear up, but there was blood in my urine. Doctors did some further tests, and took bloods. A few days later they ask me in, apparently my kidney is damaged. Another urine sample that looked normal to be had blood in it. They referred me to Hospital for Camera in the bladder. At this point I was very worried , lost nearly a stone in 2 weeks. I was convinced I had cancer, after looking online. Luckily I had private healthcare and seen a consultant. More blood in urine again. They booked a Cystoscopy and CT scan that week. I have never had a procedure before as too scared, I failed to attend 2 times to have my tonsils out due to fear of being put to sleep. I reluctantly turned up for Cystoscopy, camera in bladder (I am male), I did however try to leave but my consultant wouldn't let me so I went through with it, and was relieved to know my bladder was fine. I felt I could conquer the world. The next day I went in for CT scan in bladder/Kidney. The fear set in again, I tried to get out of having the iodine injected in to me, 3 nurses and a consultant trying to talk me around, it worked. Had the Scan and got a phone call the next day. My kidney was fine, relief, however they inadvertently picked up a Mass in my bowel, and thick lining. Shock horror again, feared the worst. Seen another consultant at the Christies Cancer hospital in Manchester, he booked me in for a Colonoscopy for 2 days later. Conquered the other stuff now faced with this. Told about sedation , read up on it and did not want it or to be put to sleep, these are my red lines. Went through the prep the day before to empty bowels, pretty gross after the first few glasses but carried on. Only use baby wipes, nothing else, worked well. Turned up at the hospital with my wife absolutely petrified, having palpitations. Nurse setting me up couldn't find my veigns as arms covered in tattoos, she prodded everywhere which freaked me out. At this point I feared the worst but had to go through the procedure as I felt it's do or die. Was scared in the room when they took me in but they made me feel at ease. They told me what they where injecting, buscopan, pain relief and sedative. When it went in I had instant relaxation. I purposely shut my eyes but then must have fell asleep. I had zero pain, zero discomfort. I woke up just before the end, started watching the screen and chatting to the doctor, unbelievable. They found 4 polyps, 1 benign, 3 suspected benign and cut them out. I felt nothing and no blood. I am told I have nothing to worry about. Although the biopsy goes off for testing, I am glad they are out. I have gone from an absolute fear of anything health related, to having 3 or 4 procedures in the last 2 weeks. My Colonoscopy was Friday just gone, now I feel on top of the world. People don't understand your fear, my fear, I am a cage fighter, yet had an unbelievable fear of procedures and the Unknown. I can tell you know, I would do it all again, I have not got those fears any more.