Colonoscopy
I’ve passed the recommended age threshold, so I made an appointment to get my first colonoscopy, and I’m dreading it. People tell me that it’s not as bad as I fear, but what I fear is not what other people seem to fear. I’m not looking forward to the prep, but I’m not scared of the prep. I’m scared of being under anesthesia.
I am scared of all anesthesia — I didn’t want an epidural, I don’t get novocaine at dental appointments, and I once stayed awake for oral surgery. There’s nothing I can do to make that part easier. I don’t want to be in pain, but I also don’t want to be asleep. Or partly asleep. I just want to be on the other side of this and not need to repeat it for ten years.
Dreading it and will be happy when it’s over. Though accepting all advice for things to ask for or do to make this process easier.
10 comments
There are places, at least where I live, that give you the option to stay awake. I don’t know the details though, so you’d have to investigate and see if that would help you or not. I also don’t like the idea of anesthesia but I did just do this myself a few months ago and I made it through. And the relief of not going back for 10 years is huge. Sending you virtual high fives because you can definitely do this and celebrate when you’re done – I ate the most enormous and delicious sandwich and went home and took a nap. Good luck!!
I was semi awake for mine. I had all the drugs but I remember watching the whole thing and being fascinated. Also they can tell exactly how good your prep was when they are cleaning any excess poop out of your colon. Just FYI. There are no secrets there. because the drugs they give you make you forget stuff I had completely forgotten that I had a polyp removed until it came up in my doctors review of my records. I would ask for the least sedation necessary. You don’t have it have it as far as I know. I don’t know how much the sedation affects your pain level having a camera up your butt so the jury is out there. I felt so good afterwards with my pool health. So clean! And empty! Also when you are doing the prep I would find a drink that you like and that has a distinct flavor and drink it in between chugs of the prep. For me my drink that worked was Peach Izzie. Don’t know why but it worked and it broke up the nasty taste of the prep, make sure the prep is cold – it tastes better than room temp. Good luck! I’m sorry it’s so stressful!
Call & talk to the clinic before your appointment. As Beth says above, I don’t think you HAVE to have anesthesia if you don’t want it. In fact, I heard the government/clinics here might make anesthesia optional (i.e., pay out of pocket if you want it), which pisses me off, but that’s another story… They may be able to give you something to minimize any pain/discomfort but still keep you awake. I actually woke up, or at least gained some semi-consciousness, in the middle of my last one — I could hear voices and feel a few nudges internally, which was kind of weird (but no pain), and then I opened my eyes and I could see a screen and thought “I guess that’s the inside of my colon??”
Truly, the prep is the worst part about a colonoscopy. I’ve had two so far, and I’m due for another in a couple of years — my last one turned up a couple of polyps — all benign, but that’s the protocol, to send you back in 5 years and not 10, just in case. I find the prep makes me nauseous, but everyone is different (dh was just fine). As Claire says above, keep it cold/in the fridge before you have to drink it, and it goes down easier — I did, and I also added an ice cube.
It’s not my favourite way to spend a day or two, but it’s really ONLY a day or two, and it’s certainly better than the alternative…! Good luck!
I need colonoscopies every two years now. I’ve had it with and without anesthesia. The worst is the prep, I always throw up, regardless of what I try to not to. I prefer it with anesthesia, it is really awkward without, plus I don’t enjoy the jargon, nor the small talk.
This too shall pass. You will feel better after that. I always do, especially since until now I only got the “see you in two years” speech, unlike my younger friend who was told “clear your schedule, next week you’re getting the surgery”. Colon cancer has the higher chances of survival if detected on time.
Good luck!
I’m also scared of anesthesia and was looking into doctors in cities that do colonoscopies without it. Most of the colonoscopies in Europe are without anesthesia, but generally only a few doctors in major cities in the US are practiced in it. Apparently for doctors who have practice they are really good at making it not hurt without anesthesia (I read a bunch of articles about water ablation?).
I do get Novocaine at the dentist, but have an irrational fear of anesthesiologists otherwise.
BUT– turns out since I’m low risk I don’t have to do colonoscopies? They’re now recommending cologuard for people who are low risk, which is basically sending in some poop. My DH is not low risk so he had to do an actual colonoscopy. You do have to do cologuard more frequently, I think every 2 years instead of every 5 with the colonoscopy.
I was also terrified of the anesthesia – not any other part. I spoke with the doctor ahead of time and that helped. And the prep was so bad that I was kind of numb by the time I got to the procedure. The actual anesthesia was fine – it was fine. One second they were giving me the drug, the next I was waking up in recovery. Yell if you want to talk.
I have an absolute fear about being put under anesthesia also. I have declined “elective” surgeries (gallbladder issues, bad tonsils, deviated septum, tubal ligation) because of this fear. No
Good advice, just know you aren’t alone.
I am so proud of you for getting a colonoscopy soon! I hope that the sedation feels like drifting off to sleep and that the anticipation of the anesthesia is the worst part. Double-checking the day and time of your appointment would be good so that you only have to prep once. The consent may sound off putting, but you will do great I believe.
You can request no anesthesia, I know people who did that on purpose. My last colonoscopy had no anesthesia NOT on purpose and it made me mad but I would classify as more uncomfortable than painful. The sedation is light, when done right before I could see the screen but cared not at all and was pleasantly floaty but conscious.
If you have to do long prep, the after can be painful for a couple of days. I would invest in really cushy toilet paper — I got the fanciest, plushest stuff I could find and it made a HUGE difference. Much less unpleasant.
Good luck! I hope it’s behind you soon (ba-dum-bump).
I have them every five years due to a family history. My first was without anaesthesia, and I got to watch it all. Interesting! Uncomfortable at times Each one since I’ve progressively been given a little more pain relief/sedation when I’ve been uncomfortable, so I’ve drifted in and out, but I’ve been awake for most of it. I hate waking from anaesthetics after surgery. I feel terrible, groggy, takes me hours to feel better. But this didn’t affect me at all. I hope you can be given something similar. Good luck!