Would You Rather Be Out for Your Colonoscopy?

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Last year I had a colonoscopy without sedation, BUT the hospital here (Berlin,Vt.)always sticks patients with an IV "just in case" I assume. I was badly stuck and has reactions of hiving, soreness of the vein which actually bulged for almost a year.
The same year I had a cataract op. removal and the "new" doctor wanted me to be out, of course for her benefit. She objected strenuously "I'm not the doctor for you" ---this the day before, after I'd had many tests, measurements and all the necessary pre-ops. I did gt what I requested, no anesthesia etc. but again was stuck (this tie a good well-trained person did it) and I agreed to the doc's request that I take half a tablet of ativan. Ut took the lame nurses more than two minutes to break it in half!
My main point is that doctors do these procedures boom boom boom one after the other with little time inbetween and some want the patient "out" for their own convenience. So it's crucial to be prepared to ask for what you need and want. Of course I'll not use the same ophthalmologist the next time I have cataract surgery, for the other eye.

Joani Davidson of VT 12:01AM December 07, 2012

I had a colonoscopy almost 10 years ago. The doctor, unknown to me at the time, had a history of being in a hurry. He used versed and fentanyl and I was pretty much awake for the whole procedure. I even felt the biopsy of a suspected patch of bacteria, but couldn't do or say anything about the intense pain. To make a very long story short, after a week in the hospital to surgically repair the perforation he caused, I learned to check out our doctors very thoroughly and insist on being in control.
Many of the posters here indicate that a non-sedated colonoscopy is best. I would tend to agree. If I had been less sedated, I could have told him that he was going too deep for the biopsy and saved my family and myself a lot of misery.
A second experience with versed/fentanyl was for an EGD, done by a doctor whose nursing staff was out of control - rude comments, laughing when I choked on the numbing spray that is used before the doctor came in. Believe the other posters – “if you are not going to remember anything”, anything can happen. Nothing was found on the exam. Was it nothing or just that the procedure was hurried.
A third experience a few months later with the same drugs on a half-dose for another EGD that was done by a different doctor because my symptoms did not go away. He found things the other doctor did not. Fortunately it was nothing cancerous or pre-cancerous. His nurses were also great and caring.
Bottom-line. If you are not sedated, you are in control and will probably have a better exam. You will be able to communicate pain that may be caused by an ‘oops’ before it becomes a perforation. Also, the docs and nurses will know you are not sedated and will behave properly and safely. Another added safety factor – insist that your spouse or significant other or a family member is present during the procedure. You may have to search high and low to find a provider that will accommodate you, but no one else will look out for your best interests if you are sedated.

Mark of VA 2:54PM August 28, 2012

About that "vast majority" of patients who would be willing to have a colonoscopy again with "conscious sedation" - funny, I bet that correlates with the fact that roughly 90% of people sedated with Versed simply don't REMEMBER the procedure. They probably experienced plenty of pain, (unless they also received some kind of painkiller, which Versed is not) but they don't recall it.
I'm one of the 10% who DOES remember. I had Versed with Fentanyl, a painkiller, and there was considerable pain. In addition, several of the staff members were brusque to the point of being rude. They were probably gambling on the fact that I was unlikely to recall their behavior.
Next time - if there is one - I will either insist on NO sedation and painkiller only (and take a book with me, as looking at the monitor with your vital signs and the color movie of Voyage Through Your Colon gets REALLY boring after about three minutes) or else insist on being knocked out completely. I can't imagine them having any problems with my bringing a book along; it's not like they have to maintain a sterile field.
The Versed did some very nasty things to my head for several hours. I will never permit anyone to give it to me again.

Hannah of CA 5:04AM March 15, 2012

Just had 2nd colonoscopy. Versed/fentanyl both times. My experiences were very easy...i was conscious both times, barely, no pain or anxiety and had no hangover effects. Felt great rest of day both times. 51 year old woman. Just my 2 cents worth!

Lydia of OR 2:27AM February 24, 2012

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Product Placement of AL 3:38PM December 17, 2011

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David Ella's Blog of AL 2:25PM December 17, 2011

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لینوکس of AL 5:51PM November 13, 2011

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vtech camera for kids of AL 11:03AM October 30, 2011

Most patients who receive "sedation" for colonoscopy from Versed/fentanyl are NOW asleep and most are hardly realxed. Watch someone getting a colonoscopy with Versed (or better yet, call then a week after getting Versed) and you will encounter patients who seriously hate the amnesia effect (especially when many can't remember PIN numbers, birthdays for many,many weeks after gettin the standard USA sedation cocktail. Check out askapatient for many bad Versed experiences. Notice how many endo centers say: sign this consent so that they doc can keep you comfortable.." this isn't true, but giving Versed makes their job easier; you can't complain about pain (it's a patient control drug) and the chances are that they will hustle you out the door afterwards saying: "you did great" rather and "you were screaming and begging for us to stop", but we didn't since Versed often prevents memory of the procedure..until you get home. I have had lots of colonoscopies; the one with Versed was terrible. My new GI doc agrees that Versed is alousy drug, but many insurance sompanies will only pay for Versed, so they use it. If you want sedation get propofol administered by anesthesia..it's expensive. Another "secret"option is painkiller only..you get fentanyl, no pain but will likely be awake and you won't have amnesia for a long time. My clinical practice office is right across the hall from the GI suite..I take interns over to watch colonoscopies..I have seen many. My doc who also work in the same hospital understands my refusal of Versed; she wouldn't take it for her own colonoscopy. She did mine with nothing, but strongly suggested fentanyl next time..not only for the patient, but for her..if she knows that an unsedated patient is feeling pain, she rushes the exam.......Anesthesia giving me propofol is offered as a professional courtesy (a 700-900 dollar freebie) but I declined this. The CRNA wigged out (in a nice way) and insisted on allowing her to give me some painkiller for my repeat yearly exams..I still refuse all drugs.

Mindy of VA 11:41PM August 16, 2011

I work in a hospital and have heard too many negative comments about Versed and some of these have been really horrible experiences. Because of this, I have avoided getting a colonoscopy. Finally, one of the GI docs cornered me and asked: "what is it going to take to get you 'scoped"? She agreed that Versed was frequently a bad option, but that I could choose: 1.no sedation, 2.painkiller(fentanyl only), 3.propofol (you actually sleep) or any combination of the three. Lucky me; due to some problematic lesions, I actually got to try all three over a 2 year period. First I did the no-sedation option and it wasn't bad..the doctor had me almost standing on my head as she tried to advance the scope to the cecum..it didn't hurt but it wasn't easy for her. Second exam: propofol with a real anesthesiologist (not a nurse CRNA)..lights out immediately (500mg-no misprint) and I woke up minutes later, no drowsiness or hangover. Third exam: painkiller only (fentanyl 250mcg in divided doses); I was awake but painfree and it was a decent buzz. I prefer the no sedation exam, but I have a great doc...she's one of the best in the USA..I doubt that most GI docs could do an unsedated colonoscopy comfortably, but she says that the unsedated exam is harder for her to do properly. Since I'm getting these yearly, we had a discussion about how to do the sedation..I'm a control freak and want to be awake, she would prefer that I was deeply sedated with propofol. I have exam #4 in a week; I told her that she could use whatever she wanted and she tossed the ball to the anesthesiologist who told me that we would do propofol/remifentanyl via a PCA pump and I could do the sedation myself. The anesthesia doc is a young woman who joked that men often get erections when receiving propofol (true) and the GI doc added that if that happened and it was worth remembering that she would take a picture of it with the scope....It's hard to be nervous with docs like that.

mike of OH 2:19PM April 07, 2011