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Old 02-23-18, 08:58 AM  
donnamp
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Maryland, USA
Crazy Question - Colonoscopy Related

Ok, I have what sounds like a crazy question - this year I turned the big 5-0 and with that came a referral from my primary care physician for my first colonoscopy - what a great birthday gift! LOL!

I am familiar w/ the prep and procedure, my DH and some of my friends have already had their colonoscopies. But I started reading up on it a bit more since it is looming in my future and I am wondering - has anyone had a colonoscopy without sedation? From what I have read from various blog posts on the internet, it isn't a painful procedure (most describe mild cramping, a pain level at most of a 3 out of 10) and by avoiding sedation your time in the clinic or hospital is shorter, you don't need someone to drive you (although I would still have my DH drive me, just in case!) and you recover faster as you are not dealing w/ recovering from sedation, too. I also have to admit, that out of all the unpleasantries associated with this procedure from the starvation to the raging diarrhea to the camera up your butt the part that freaks me out the most is the sedation. I just don't like the idea of being knocked out and honestly, I do not tolerate drugs very well at all - I really can't handle much more than a few ibuprofen. I also read that in most countries outside of the U.S. it is done w/out sedation (is that true)?

Anyway - long way around the question - has anyone done it w/out sedation and what are your thoughts about doing it that way?

I have my consult w/ the gastro at the end of March and I plan to ask about it then as well, but thought I'd ask here to see if anyone had first hand experience w/ doing it this way.

Honestly, if I could do it w/out sedation, I'd feel less anxious about it.

Thanks!!

Donna
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Old 02-23-18, 09:45 AM  
MariC
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Hi Donna

According to my Doctor there is now testing that you do at home and send in samples to a local hospital that actually runs tests to see if a Colonoscopy
Is even necessary. Both my Mom (79 yrs old) and Brother in-law (52 yrs old) did it. My doctor told me she would have a assistant set me up with everything but I forgot to get the kit before I left her office. I need to call or stop by and pick up a kit.

Some doctor offices supply you with the supplies and instructions to send off.

My mom said she called her doctor they sent her a kit & stool samples were sent
To a near by local hospital for testing and results were back within a week
So check with your doctor to see about this

I hope this helps

Mari
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Old 02-23-18, 09:48 AM  
bubbles76
 
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Yes, that was one of the options that my doctor gave me as well. With the stool sample kit, you have to do it every year, whereas with the colonoscopy I believe you do it every 10 years (if results come back negative). Could be five years, I forget. Anyway, also have to see if insurance covers it yearly, etc. I am pretty freaked out about the idea of sedation as well, and do not tolerate drugs well either.
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Old 02-23-18, 09:58 AM  
sherry7899
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Donna, I think you can do those kits only if you don't have any family history of colon cancer. I know you will check it out thoroughly first.

Good luck! I turn 50 next year, and I'm dreading that as well.

My DH has had them twice due to an issue. The first time he felt pretty lousy afterwards, but the second one he was up and outside for a walk within a two hours after getting home.

Sherry
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Old 02-23-18, 10:21 AM  
ealakey
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I did it, the prep was yucky but the sedation was a breeze, and I am super hypersensitive to most medications. I've lost precious friends to colon cancer at young ages and I believe colonoscopy is still considered the gold standard. Please feel free to PM me and good luck on your decision.

Hugs,
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Old 02-23-18, 10:23 AM  
donnamp
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Maryland, USA
Thanks everyone, I will ask about the kits as well as the sedation. Fortunately, no history of colon cancer in my family and I think I am low-risk otherwise based on the other risk factors they consider. My parents never had colonoscopies (I guess it wasn't pushed back then as a screening protocol or they just ignored the recommendation) and they are now in their mid-70's with no issues. So, even if something were to develop now, I would probably not be at risk for awhile based on family history and age of onset.

If I can do the kit and then maybe postpone it for another few years, I would go for that!

Donna

P.S. Thanks Beth!! I am sorry about your friends. We have a friend whose brother developed colon cancer when he was in his 30's so I know it is possible to get it at a young age, even if most are "older".
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Old 02-23-18, 10:30 AM  
violingal3
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Colorado
oops double post
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Old 02-23-18, 10:32 AM  
violingal3
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Colorado
Quote:
Originally Posted by bethlakey View Post
I did it, the prep was yucky but the sedation was a breeze, and I am super hypersensitive to most medications.
Same here. I know most people would like to avoid sedation when possible, but I don't think I would want to be without it for a colonoscopy. Like bethlakey said, the prep and anticipation was the worst part, the rest was a breeze.
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Old 02-23-18, 10:33 AM  
donnamp
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Maryland, USA
these are some of the articles I read - about doing it sedation-free.

https://mayoclinichealthsystem.org/h...er-colonoscopy

http://commonhealth.legacy.wbur.org/...ee-colonoscopy

Donna
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Old 02-23-18, 10:40 AM  
Juliepie
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Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
I've had two...I wasn't completely sedated, it was "twilight," like at the dentist.

And I concur with bethlakey and violingal3.
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