Would You Rather Be Out for Your Colonoscopy?

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I have had three UNsedated colonoscopies within the past five years. NO drugs, No intravenous "just in case," and NO horrible pain. Yes, some discomfort very similar to occasiional gas pains. And then afterward: Hop in my car and drive myself home. Find a doctor who will agree (in writing if necessary) not to put in an iV, and not to drug you, and to be as gentle as he can, and it will go fine. If you are a female, and have had children, then you should be able to breeze through a half-hour colonoscopy with never a thought of pain.

Marti Kaye of CO 3:42PM October 11, 2010

Nice post, thanks for writing!

seolace of AL 11:57PM May 05, 2010

I can't tell if Jay is joking or not, but I'm pretty sure he just stated that Versed is 'good' for date rape.

Rich of OH 2:48AM February 12, 2010

I do NOT want to or need to be "out" for the colonoscopy. How do you find a doctor who will do it without sedation? It is a fight to get them to understand. I am told "most people" have no problem with sedation. I am not "most people", I am an individual. It is not worth taking two days out of your life just for a 20-minute procedure with sedation.

Abbie of IN 6:55PM February 08, 2010

Had a cololnoscopy with Fentanyl Citrate. I was a little drowsy after and had a cramp or two after, but during the colonoscopy there was four seconds maybe of pain.

H of UT 8:22PM January 08, 2010

I am freaked out by the use of Versed for a colonoscopy because of the loss of recall of what went on during the procedure. Modern colonscopes are marvels of technology and it is truly fascinating to see inside your own body. Using Demerol or fentanyl and Valium instead of the evil Versed you are relaxed, comfortable, even euphoric and can see just is going on and remember it. The doctors love Versed because of a problem you won't remember what they did or if they missed a polyp. During my last colonocsopy the Dr. almost missed a polyp which I happened to see and he removed it. Nice to be aware what is going on.
One good thing about Versed is it is a good date rape med.

Jay Harford of MD 10:38AM January 05, 2010

I had a horrible experiance yesterday with the combo. of versed and fentanly. They burned off two polyps and maybe that is the part the hurt the most but it was a experience that I won't forget and will never repeat.

KATHERINE of TX 6:03PM December 17, 2009

I just had my first colonoscopy today using versed/fentenyl. It was great for me. I was so scared and anxious I could of never done this without the drugs. I just remember the nurse telling me to take a few deep breaths and the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room. No pain, no memories of anything at all which is just what I wanted. If I have nightmares or any memory problems in the future, I will repost but this evening I just can't believe how totally easy this procedure was and I wish I could take back all the worry and anxiety I experienced leading up to it. I now know there is nothing to fear and will have another colonoscopy when needed (I had no polups at all) For someone like me who is so terrified of Doctors, hospitals, nurses, and needles, versed was a godsend for me today.

kathy of CO 9:46PM October 26, 2009

I'm a pharmacist with 30 years expreience; I always laughed when patients told me about the horrible experiences that they had with Versed; after all, it's only "like valium" isn't it? wrong! I'm sick of talking to patients who have long-term memory loss and nightmares from this garbage..............if your gastro "INSISTS" ON sedation, find another gastro who trats you like a person, most if not all, health-care professionals have colonoscopy done unsedated....why not you and me?? because the unsedated exam takes a few minutes longer.......they don;t want to waste time...just got an unsedated colonoscopy; the "secret" option, it was great!! but you won't have this option unless you are an insider...drug you up, you lie impobe and in pain then go home to nightmares adn they don;t care.........glad I'm an insider.

jerry of MO 9:53AM September 02, 2009

I told the doc "no sedation" because of personal preference and because of all of the Versed horror stories that I have heard from nurses in the hospital where I work. He agreed to no sedation, but when I reported for the test, out popped a chatty CRNA who tried to get me to sign a consent for propofol, which I refused; she said "I though that you only objected to Versed sedation?" i again told her no sedation. Then she tried to sell me on fentanyl, again I said no. This continued until I finally told her "honey, you don't have anything that I want" and she tried to start an IV! I told her to get lost. Then the GI doc came in and had a hissy fit because I wasn't drugged up; he said that the unsedated patients slow him down too much. So I said I guess my wishes and the fact that you agreed to no sedation is meaningless? Again no meaningful answer until the CRNA asked point blank if he promised to do the exam unsedated and he said that he did but that sedation was a better idea. The CRNA then told me to wait and wheeled me into the waiting room, then she returned with another GI doc who apologized for the first GI jerk and she asid that she would do the exam unsedated. The CRNA again asked if she could start an IV just in case so I agreed (she was now my only advocate). The CRNA said that she would have painkiller ready to go, only if I asked for it during the exam. The unsedated exam was easy, painfree and it was great to watch the CRNA berate the first GI doc for lying to me.

Joe of OH 8:26PM July 09, 2009