Colonoscopy and Sedation

[MichGuy]

So I am schedueled for a Colonoscopy in two weeks from today to investigat the abdominal pain i have been having, and I'm abit concerned about a few things, so figured i would come here where everyone is usually very helpful. I really shouldnt be worried, because my wife has had two with no issues. One of them done by the same guy doing mine.

1.  I'm a small guy. I'm 5'10 and and only weigh 110ish...my whole family is small like that. Is this going to make the sedation worse or make my colon more likely to be ruptured?

2. I've never been under sedation of any kind. Not even gas, so this freaks me out. I'm mainly afraid of not being able to breath, having some bad reaction, or waking up unable to breath and I'll need a trach or something. The fact i have had major breathng issues with my anxiety with my vocal chords and stuff makes me worry more. Irrational, i know, but it worries me.

3. I get PVCs sometimes, especially when i drink..does sedation make those worse?

4. Anone have any complications from sedation or colonoscopy? Or maybe our like me and were worried and everything went great?

Guess I'm looking for some encouragement. Thanks!

[Elodiah]

Hi there, I had a colonoscopy a week ago so I can sort of answer two of your questions:

2. I've never been under sedation of any kind. Not even gas, so this freaks me out. I'm mainly afraid of not being able to breath, having some bad reaction, or waking up unable to breath and I'll need a trach or something. The fact i have had major breathng issues with my anxiety with my vocal chords and stuff makes me worry more. Irrational, i know, but it worries me.

The sedation is nothing, seriously. It is extremely rare for there to be any complications from the type of sedation they use for these procedures. I used to be worried about it too, but in the last eight months I've had sedation five times: three IVF procedures, a laparoscopy, and my colonoscopy last week, and (hopefully) I'll be having another IVF procedure in two-ish weeks. To be honest, I pretty much enjoy the sedation now; they put the cannula in (which can hurt a little, especially the other day when the anaesthetist couldn't find my vein!), but once the drugs kick in it's such a strange feeling, you feel a couple of seconds of extreme relaxation, and the next thing you know you're waking up from what feels like a really deep sleep, and you feel nicely sleepy for half an hour or so afterwards (and residually for a few hours sometimes). :)

4. Anone have any complications from sedation or colonoscopy? Or maybe our like me and were worried and everything went great?

I've been extremely anxious about my symptoms, and was convinced my colonoscopy was going to show a huge rectal tumour or something, but my results were totally normal. Unfortuntely my symptoms haven't gone, however I am very happy that polyps/bowel cancer has been ruled out. I wish you the best of luck for your procedure, and sending you relaxing vibes!

[gcalex]

Relax.  The people who will be administering it undoubtedly have worlds of experience dealing with all sorts of folks.  I personally did mine without sedation, but if you are faint of heart would not recommend it. 

[kmwondering]

The sedation for a scope is a piece of cake.

[cbuttle45]

I went for a colonosopy last week i was worried about the sedation too. They explained to me that they have medicine in the room to reverse the sedation if there was a problem. I was fine i was awake for the whole thing no pain watch it all. I sworetheywere going to find something and it was all clear so it will be fine and let them know you are alittle nervous about the sedation they will explain it all to you.

[mollyfin]

They keep emergency supplies around whenever someone is sedated for a procedure on the tiny chance something goes wrong, so you don't need to worry! 

My friend's dad stopped breathing when he was having surgery for a hernia, and when the doctors were giving the report to his mother, they put it as "Oh, we had a little trouble when he stopped breathing, but other than that it went just fine."     (He's an elderly man and he was having surgery, not just being sedated for a colonoscopy, so don't let that story freak you out.  My point just is, they're prepared to deal with an emergency if it arises.  Heck, you think they want to get sued?! ;) )

[Hohum]

I had IV sedation for wisdom teeth removal last year. I've had not-so-great reactions to GA before when they've put me completely under, so I was freaking out about the IV sedation.

All my fears were unfounded though, and now I'm a big advocate for IV sedation. If I need a similar procedure again in the future I'd go that route without hesitation.

I think you will be fine!

[hypomom]

I was 5'3 and 89 lbs when I had a colonoscopy (and endoscopy) with sedation and did just fine. You poot a lot when you wake up and that was the only thing that bothered me  I was young and easily embarrased. And when you are sedated your HA and anxieties won't flair up.

[MichGuy]

Very encouraging to read everyone's stories so far    Thanks for all of the replies!

[dancer67]

I had a colonoscopy last year. I had not been put under any type of anesthetic since I was 20(I am 45 now) and that was a General. I have high blood pressure, so I had myself convinced that my BP would skyrocket and I would die on the table and not wake up. I was ok until they put me in the room and was getting ready to put the sedation in my IV. I cried and screamed.(Really, I did). They never let a family member into the room, but they could not calm me down so they called in my husband. He was able to calm me down enough so I didn't realize she put the stuff in my IV. I felt a tingling feeling in my head and I went to say(classic hypo in me) I am having a str......(stroke)...but I obviously didn't finish the sentence, because I was out. Next thing I know they called my name and I was awake. I didn't want to get up I was so comfortable. So it is a piece of cake. My 20 yo daughter had one a few weeks ago, and she didn't fall asleep, but she was pretty out of it but does remember no pain and seeing the TV monitor. The prep really is the worst!