Colonoscopy

[BlueToffee]

I am due to have a colonoscopy in a couple of weeks. I have been offered either gas and air or an anaesthetic.

Which one should I go for? Any advice would be appreciated. TIA

[Sqad]

I thought gas an air was an anesthetic........depends how much i suppose.

I think you mean a full anaesthetic OR sedation.

I would go for sedation personally.......but your choice.

[Ichor]

I had a colonoscopy last October and had neither. Though a "bit" uncomfortable it was not too painful. It really isn't something to worry too much about. Lie back and enjoy watching yourself from the inside on the tv monitor!!!

[curley]

Sedation was ok for me.
The prep is the worst thing about having a colonoscopy the second sachet moves very quickly don't get caught out.
Don't worry you will feel a slight pain a couple of times when things move round bends but the pain only lasts for a couple of seconds.
The procedure is not as bad as it sounds.
Good look

[Mosaic]

I recommend the anaesthetic and I would have it as often as possible if i could buy it. Relaxing, floaty, pleasant, happy feeling.
TBH I also found the pre-procedure laxative strangely pleasnt, but I freely admit I'm a trifle odd. It felt nice to be so light.
After the shuftyscope you will get comedy flatulence for about half a day, which is another aspect to look forwards to!
Best of all luck with whatever you choose - hope it all goes smoothly and let us know how you fare.

[Sqad]

Mosaic.

\\\\I recommend the anaesthetic and I would have it as often as possible if i could buy it. Relaxing, floaty, pleasant, happy feeling. \\\

Surely you are describing the sedation NOT the anaesthetic........

[BlueToffee]

Thank you all for your answers, seems as though a full anaesthetic is a little OTT. Curly, I have been warned about the

[BlueToffee]

......continued, prep, but thanks for reminding me.

[slaney]

A full anaesthetic is rarely offered or needed for a colonoscopy.

The choice was usually between an IV injection of a sedative (usually Midazolam) and a painkiller such as Pethadine, and no sedation. I suspect the anaesthetic offered to Blue Toffee refers to IV sedation.
The majority of colonoscopies are carried out using IV sedation.
However there was a study last year suggesting that gas and air could be as effective as IV sedation in relieving discomfort during colonoscopy.

So really it's up to you - do you have a patient information leaflet which explains the pros and cons in greater detail?

[johnny37]

Does not cause pain or discomfort. You do not need anything unless you are the type of person who thinks it will.

[anneasquith]

take the strongest sedation available, helps you relax.

[BlueToffee]

Yes, I've read the information leaflet slaney, just wondering what others might have thought of, or have been through.

Think I'll just take my chances and put up with the discomfort, cant be any worse than having my hemmeroids (?spelling) done without pain killers several years ago. The thought still brings a tear to my eye!

[Mosaic]

Whatever I was given it was an injection in my hand that wafted me off in a '3-2-zzzzz' to sleep. I'd call that an anaesthetic but happen I'm wrong. I think I was given a valium beforehand as well. I'd go back just for the drugs.

[jakep]

I had no sedation or pain relief and the procedure was fine. Mild discomfort on insertion but I felt nothing from the 'exploration'.
The thought of the whole thing is worse than the actuality.

[Sparkles62]

Blue Toffee, I have had quite a few of these, with no gas or anaesthetic. It doesn't hurt, you can watch it all on the tv screen as they do it, and if you don't have the anaesthetic, you can usually go home more or less straight away when they have finished.
The nurses are usually wonderful, and they usually like you to have a drink and some toast before you leave. as people have said, the prep at home for it is worse than your time in hos. X

[BlueToffee]

Thank you sparkles.

Watch this space, I'll let you know how brave a boy I was and whether I got a lollipop as a reward.

[pixie373]

Gas and air does nothing but give you a distraction. Like being mildly tipsy. From my nursing training days, i would advise sedative, if anything.

[Eve]

I've had one and am due to have another one soon, the worse thing I remember was the "prep" - you really do need to make sure you are close to a loo once it gets going!

I had sedation last time though I don't remember feeling much different and can remember everything, was quite gutted as I wanted to see on the screen but they took my glasses off me. I was having a camera down as well though.

I'm tempted to go for no sedation this time. It wasn't painful really, uncomfortable when he said he was trying to get round a bend into something but not for long, the wind issue is to be expected so maybe avoid polite company after :)

[tamaris]

I have never had either and had several colonoscopies, worst for me is after the proceedure of the bloating pain as they fill you up with air.