Colonoscopy without sedation
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4 posts since
26 May 2018
Hi everyone, I’m writing this to reassure anyone that may be going for a colonoscopy and is wondering what the the prep is like, how does it feel and what to expect.
I went to the GP with changed bowel habits and some blood in my stool, she referred me down the two week cancer route, so I was scheduled for a colonoscopy within a fortnight after my initial consultation as I had similar symptoms as a person with bowel cancer would have. Now I’m a 32 year old female so it’s unusual for someone of my age to have bowel cancer as a rule of thumb it usually affects older people (not always the case but you may take some comfort in that!), even knowing that I was still petrified why they had sent me down this quick cancer route – did they know something I didn’t, I was really worried about it to a point I nearly cancelled the whole thing – ignorance is bliss and all that!
I didn’t cancel, I got given my prescription for the MoviPrep collected it and arranged the time off with Work. Now my appointment was at 2pm, so the day before I ate as normal, avoided red meat, and kind of stuck to the guide they gave me. I was meant to stop eating at 1pm the day before and I was literally cramming a chicken baguette into my mouth at the last minute. I got home around 5ish and began my prep at 7pm, I had a split dose, one litre the night before and one in the morning. Now I’ve heard real horror stories about MoviPrep, and let me tell you I didn’t experience any. The taste really isn’t that bad, it’s a bit like salty lemon, I wouldn’t go buy it from a shop if I had the choice, but it’s really not that bad, I just chugged a glass of it every 15 mins until the litre was gone. Now then even after 3 hours I only had one bowel movement and that was it. I had a bit of stomach cramp (it does make you bloated!) and I went to bed with the idea in my head to call and cancel in the morning if the second lot of prep didn’t work! The bonus with MoviPrep is it fills you up so you’re not hungry either, I went to bed woke up at 6 and began my second litre, now during the second litre is when movement began to happen. For me I found it easier to just sit on the toilet for a solid hour, I didn’t get any stinging as some people do, but by the end when you know the MoviPrep has done it’s job it is literally like having a wee through the other end where nothing but clear liquid comes out. Now I was concerned because I didn’t get rid of that much and still convinced it hadn’t worked, but reset assured it had worked and I just didn’t have a lot in my bowel in the first place!
The moviprep finished about 8:30am then I started to get hungry around 9:30am. By then everything is out and you’re just waiting, I wasn’t allowed water after midday so I kept my stomach full by drinking plenty of water! On a side note prior to no liquids and during the time of no food you can have clear liquids, so I treat myself to a glass of white wine (not red it’ll stain your bowel and may be mistaken for blood) the night before. So all in all the prep wasn’t bad.
I arrived at hospital for my appointment, waited 30 mins saw the nurse who explained everything checked my vitals that I’d had my prep, no food or water etc. I then get handed these shorts with a opening in the back, get changed into them, put my pants back over the top and wait again, I reckon by 3pm the doctor came out, introduced himself, went through the consent and asked if I wanted sedation (I didn’t) and said when you’re ready come in.
So I went in, took my pants off, they keep everything under your bed, there’s a monitor so you can watch and nurses there checking your vitals etc. So they hand me Entonox (gas and air) and insist you take 5 breaths before starting so you know how to use it, after 5 I was already light headed. So this is where it begins, you can feel it; it’s uncomfortable and rightly so as it’s not a daily occurrence but it was not painful, at some points especially the corners you can feel it, he asked if I could lie on my back at some point and my front to make the camera round into smaller corners, and the sensation I imagine (I don’t have kids) would be what a baby kicking would feel like. In total it lasted 30 mins, I was watching and chatting to the nurses during it, I think I hit up the Entonox 3 more times (singular times) but that was it and I probably could have done without it. So rest assured it is not that bad at all, now everyone’s pain threshold is different and all bowels are different so it may be more difficult to navigate through other ones. But if you’re scared about it and in debate over sedation then I hope this eases your mind a bit! I think the Entonox would be sufficient enough for me it was anyway. So we’re at the end, during he says the moviprep worked really well, had a clean bowel and there was no anomalies, they didn’t find anything what so ever! He explained that he’s taken routine biopsies as he may expect to find a minimal trace of IBS but that’s it, and that can be remedied with diet.
Afterwards they wheeled me out into the recovery ward, I get dressed straight away, go sit down to a glass of water and cheese and crackers (the best cheese and crackers I’ve ever had after 28 hours not eating!). They do say if your bowel is full of air release it as it’ll cause discomfort later on, now I know during the procedure he was pumping air in for a better view so i was expecting some, but nothing. I felt 100% fine just hungry and thirsty. After 30 mins the nurse went through my report, explained a few things, asked how I felt, checked my vitals and I was free to go. You can drive after, I went home had a pizza, drinks and went to bed. Woke up fine the next morning and went back to work. I had no discomfort afterwards, I wasn’t in any pain it was like it never happened.
As I said everyone is different, but I read so many horror stories before mine which probably didn’t help prior to having mine, but if you’re trying to scour the internet for information as I was I hope this helps! Any questions just ask!
223 posts since
18 Apr 2018
Hi Annie
Sorry you had to go through this procedure but a big thank you for your illuminating description. As you said not everyone will have the same experience but I’m certain you will have assured many. I just hope the results are good.
Regards
David
3 posts since
31 Oct 2018
Hi Annie
Just had a phonecall to say I was to book in for a colonoscopy, was expecting a call for a telephone assessment first, so all a bit of a shock.
Told I would get all the instructions in a letter, mentioned bowel prep and choice of gas and air or other sedation.
No advice re latter options, just left hanging…can ring when I receive the letter to discuss.
Panic set in then found your post and cannot describe the relief.
Thank you so much for taking the time to do that and your kindness in thinking of others, it is great to have such a detailed description of the procedure.
Even if my experience is not the same, I feel so reassured having the knowledge you have imparted.
Many thanks and I wish you health and happiness
486 posts since
27 Sep 2018
Hello all,
I too had colonoscopy twice in June and had no sedation at all and was totally painless.
I chose not to have any meds or gas and just went in total lucid.
I was in hospital at the time and around 30 mins before I was given an emena which cleared out bowels and down to dept.
Details confirmed and wheeled into room where consultant explained what was going to happen.
Just told to lean over and he applied some lube or something to the scope.
Told to turn on side and face camera and nurse sitting beside me all the time as well.
Told was going in and just a sensation but no pain whatsoever and to be honest was a little facsinating watching the camera as was a bit surreal. The fact you are watching the camera and what is happening helps a lot as you are not wondering what is going on and can see.
Was talked to throughout the procedure while they took biopsy/pics and all in all must have been 10 mins/ 15 mins most in the actual room.
No pain, no discomfort and was back reading my ipad around 30 mins later with no effects.
Had another follow up procedure done 5 days later and same ..no sedation and painless experience albeit not one you would choose to have.
Unfortunately the reason I was in was due to a strong reaction to medication given for potential thoat issues which has turned out to be stage 1 cancer, which I am currently going through radiotherapy for.
Bowel came back as non cancerous and mld microscopic colitis diagnosed which is now under control after steroid treatments.
Again if it helps one person with some re assurance that i have had twice in June this year and was a total painless experience without any gas or medication at all and apart from slight sensation while done, was over quickly and fairly straightforward in terms of actual procedure.
kind regards
Ian
1 posts since
23 Nov 2018
Hi All,
I had a colonoscopy yesterday and had a very similar experience to Annie’s (good description by the way!)
I didn’t have sedation either because I don’t like taking any medication at all if it can be avoided, I would decribe it as uncomfortable with some short-lived mildly painful parts, but also parts where you can’t feel anything. The consultant tried to persuade me to have sedation beforehand as he said ‘most people do, it’s quite painful’ but it wasn’t really and I didn’t need it, in fact I just had 3 puffs on the entonox throughout the 30 minute procedure.
I spoke to another lady in the waiting room who had had two previous colonoscopies – one with sedation and one without – she said it was uncomfortable but not painful without, and that the sedative had made her feel unpleasantly woozy on the occasion she did have it. I’m not trying to make anyone feel bad about having sedation if you need it, but please just don’t be alarmed by the scare stories; it really was not bad in my experience.
Just a note on the preparation – I am usually chronically constipated and nothing makes my bowels move! During my telephone pre-consultation the nurse had stressed that good bowel preparation was absolutely the most vital part of a successful and comfortable screening so I followed the instructions to the note, sticking to an almost fibre free diet for the 3 days before I started the prep.
My procedure was at 2pm so I just had a couple of crumpets at 10 am the day before, then had the first Moviprep between 1 and 3pm and the second one between 4 and 6 pm as advised.
Nothing happened all after the first batch but the nurse had advised me to carry on with the second batch regardless if this happened, she said that meant I should have cleared my bowels out by about 8pm. In fact although had I had a few rumblings nothing happened at all until 8pm, then it was quite sudden and I went to the toilet about 6 times between 8pm and 3 am, and again 4 times from 6 am until 11am.
I was getting worried I wouldn’t be ready for the procedure and drank as much as I could in the morning, I felt as though the Moviprep had flushed through but I still wasn’t passing clear liquid still even when I went to the toilet just before the procedure. Anyway it was ok, on my test report bowel preparation was marked fair-adequate although I had done as advised but I think if I had it again I would start the prep earlier.
I was fine to drive myself home 30 minutes after the procedure and after some tea and biscuits. The staff in the unit were all fantastic and I am very fortunate to have received an all clear and peace of mind. Please don’t worry about a colonoscopy procedure and don’t put it off – it might save your life!
1 posts since
27 Nov 2018
I wanted to say thank you for your post (and those who shared their experiences further on). I’m booked in for a colonoscopy on Monday. I only saw the consultant yesterday and was referred by my GP a couple of weeks ago. I was worried at the speed everything’s happening but feel reassured at hearing this is quite normal, so thank you for calming me down!
Regarding sedation, I rang them to check as I’m on slow release morphine for my arthritis and a couple of other conditions. I was questioning if I did want to go for sedation, whether this medication would pose a problem. The nurse said better to leave out the morning dose (my appointment is at 10am). Has anyone else had sedation whilst on Zomorph? Having said that, reading everyone’s comments, I’m thinking I might be better off with gas and air, or even nothing at all?
Thanks in advance 
1 posts since
2 Dec 2018
Hi All
Thankyou so much for sharing your experiences regarding colonoscopy without sedation. My third scope is scheduled for tomorrow at 12. I start the prep at 2pm this afternoon. The day I received the appointment I decided I wasn’t having sedation this time because it makes me really ill, that said I too take other meds for chronic pain and it could be that everything just reacted. I’m thinking better to tolerate some discomfort with gas and air rather than be sick for 2/3 days. Cancelling the procedure is not an option and I would not recommend anyone do that. These tests save lives. This is the most reassuring thread I’ve read, thanks all and good luck to campergirl.
1 posts since
8 Jan 2019
Hi All
I found these posts very useful in deciding to have colonoscopy without sedation. I had the procedure with just gas and air even though to be honest I am a bit of a wimp as far as pain is concerned
I found the prep ok but pretty salty. I think it helped eating less the day before. Also foxes glacier mints keep the hunger pangs at bay
I was quite apprehensive sitting in a room with others who all elected for sedation worrying if I had made the wrong choice.
For me the unknown was the worst part of the procedure.
Negotiating the bends was uncomfortable especially the last part but not painful. For me It was more the worry that the discomfort was going to become sharp pain. I had a few pulls on the gas and air but it was probably a bit more distraction rather than pain relief as the discomfort was in short bursts. Most viewing was on the way out which was not uncomfortable for me.
I have to have another soon and will not have sedation but will hold gas and air pipe for moral support.
For me It felt helpful and distracting to watch the screen and talk with the staff during. They were nhs and fantastically supportive knowing I was not sedated to help move around and get into best positions to help the person driving the scope
I felt that no sedation. No needles. Pretty immediate post procedure recovery and no restrictions for the next 24 hours was a good choice for me despite some manageable discomfort. Ability to react and move position and watch the screen whilst fully aware helped.
Discomfort for me was uncomfortable stretching,pulling and poking rather than any sharp pain. Both from the scope and the gas inflation.
I was in for around 25 mins as they had some more detailed looks in areas.
The day after I felt a bit internally bruised but not tender and able to function normally without need for any pain relief
Everyones different but I would Much less anxious for my next one unsedated again
wishing everyone all the best
1 posts since
23 Jan 2019
Hi Annie,
My experience has been exactly like yours a couple of days ago.
I have routine colonoscopy because of colitis and liver condition.
First time without sedation as I needed taxi home.
I felt totally in control and was chatting with nurses.used oxygen when I felt I needed it. It does not stay in the body long.
Great not to feel dopey afterwards, will do the same next time.
Anonymous
S o no pain unlike my husband?
After having a SIGMOIDOSCOPY I am terrified of having to have COLONOSCOPY – have cancelled once already.
I didnt actually find the staff very friendly – apart from the two nurses whom helped me with the vile enema. Well I have read so many peoples experiences and am still not happy with having to have this procedure.
4 posts since
28 Jan 2019
Thanks so much for posting this – I am petrified about my forthcoming colonoscopy and looking for reassurance like this. I am so glad I came across this post
1 posts since
7 Feb 2019
Have my colonoscopy on saturday morning & have been feeling nervous, thankfully i found this. Great write up & fully appreciate it! peace & love
2 posts since
8 Feb 2019
Annie,
Many thanks for this report of your experience of not having sedation for the colonoscopy. My appointment is on Monday 4pm and I was much more worried about the anesthetic than anything else. I was with my Dad for a few days before and after a minor op and the anesthetic really disturbed him. It seemed to switch off communication between his brain, bowels and bladder. Poor man spent the best part of a day on the toilet and had to have a catheta for a week!
I will be electing to have no sedation, but having the gas and air to hand for moral support.
Another minor concern was what to eat on the low fibre diet for 2.5 days. My local hospital gave me some printed guidlines that I found severely inadequate, especially as I’m a vegan. I found a much better guide here.
Sorry for any spelling mistakes: spell check does not function here.
Anonymous
After having read all the reviews on here I still think that I can not go through with a colonoscopy.
I have to decide by Monday 11th February and let them know.
4 posts since
28 Jan 2019
Hi – I spent 2 years worrying but avoiding the colonoscopy. I eventually (due to symptoms) agreed to gte a flexi sigmoidoscopy ….. When the appointment came through, it was for the full colonoscopy. I have a health anxiety anyway, and was beside myself with fear. My concerns were two fold – would I be in pain during the procedure and also, what would they find ? I went through every possible (bad) scenario. On the day of the procedure (last Friday) I woke up believing that I could not possibly go through with it. I am not a young terrified person …I am a huge 58 year old man !! I was taken to the hospital in a dream …. I continued to imagine the worst and told them how anxious I was. I told my partner that I would NOT watch the screen and I would only go through the procedure with heavy sedation. The reality could not have been more different to what i had worried about. The staff were fabulous. The procedure was 100% painless. I took a positive interactive role in watching the screen. I could see that there was NOTHING to be worried about and htis was so very healing. I know everyone has different pain levels., but I am a complete baby and even I couldn’t feel anything. I would have absolutely NO hesitation in repeating the procedure. Please do not put this off … you will be surprised what a positive experience it actually is. Please feel free to ask me any questions …. remember I put this off for 2 years which means that i was anxious and worried all of that time. If you have cancelled this appointment, please remake it – I absoloutely promise you … I am not super human – there was no pain and it wasn’t a bit like I imagined. Good luck xx
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