At Yale Medicine, anesthesiologists caring for patients who want deep sedation for their colonoscopy typically use a drug called
Most often, either moderate sedation or deep sedation with the anesthetic propofol are used for colonoscopies.
The colonoscopy usually lasts around 30 minutes or less and is typically performed while you are under a general anaesthetic.
The medication commonly used for deep sedation is propofol, which is not an opioid. It acts fast, wears off quickly, and is safe for most patients. Because the drug may lower your blood pressure and slow your breathing, it may not be safe for everyone.
The entire procedure usually takes 20-30 minutes. Thanks to the sedatives you were given, you'll likely sleep through the whole thing. Most patients don't remember anything from the actual procedure. If any abnormalities were noted during the colonoscopy, your doctor will discuss these with you after the procedure.
A typical screening colonoscopy for a generally healthy adult will take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes. Since the entire colonoscopy (from start to finish) is performed with sedation from the anesthesia physician or CRNA/CAA, this means you will be asleep for 15 to 45 minutes.
Thinner and more flexible endoscopes may cause less stretching of the mesentery, which is one of the principal sources of pain during colonoscopy.
Moderate sedation.
The medications are usually midazolam and fentanyl – a mild sedative and a pain killer. This is a nice, safe combination, and usually causes amnesia for the procedure.
Overall, the sedatives used for colonoscopies are very safe, but there is a small risk of side effects, such as drops in blood pressure, breathing problems, vomiting and prolonged sedation. These are avoided by having a sedation-free colonoscopy. The third benefit is lower cost.
I had the colonoscopy without sedation and for someone with the lowest pain threshold there is it was fine, uncomfortable but not painful, the gas and air worked for me. Bear in mind they insert air into your colon during the procedure, that could be the reason for the ongoing wind and bloating.
Unlike many other countries, all patients (except for rare circumstances) undergoing colonoscopy in Australia should be given sedation to make them very comfortable during the examination.
On the day of the procedure, you will likely be given an anaesthetic so you don't feel any pain or discomfort. As you may feel drowsy or weak prior to and after the colonoscopy it is best to arrange someone to drop you off at the hospital before the procedure and take you home afterwards.
Most colonoscopies take only 15-30 minutes to complete. As a reminder, most patients recall feeling minimal to no pain or discomfort during the procedure. After the colonoscopy is done, you will be observed in a recovery area until the effects of the anesthesia wear off.
The sedation used for colonoscopy is very different from general anesthesia used for many surgeries. While some anesthetic agents may have greater risk for cognitive decline than others, the risk for the sedatives in colonoscopy appears to be very small. There are risks to a screening colonoscopy.
The process of waking up from anesthesia is known as emergence. During emergence, the anesthesiologist will slowly reduce the amount of anesthetic drugs in the body. This helps to reduce the intensity of the effects of anesthesia and allows the patient to regain consciousness.
Propofol sedation is nothing at all like sleep. Sleep is reversible with external stimulation - if you shake somebody, they wake up.
Most colonoscopies in the U.S. happen when a person is sedated or under general anesthesia. In both scenarios, a person will feel no pain during the procedure. This is the case even when a person chooses to be awake during a colonoscopy.
Your body is completely covered during the exam.
You may be wondering how much of your body is exposed during a colonoscopy. But don't worry about being embarrassed or exposed — you will wear a hospital gown, and a sheet provides extra covering.
AS The main advantages of sedative agents are that they allow patients to feel comfortable and relaxed during the endoscopic procedure and to experience little to no pain. Deep sedation, in most cases, allows patients to sleep through the procedure without remembering any medical activity upon waking up.
The medicine you received during the procedure may stay in your body for up to 24 hours. You may feel tired or sleepy and have difficulty concentrating. Once you get home, relax for the rest of the day.
Technically, you'll be “conscious” during the procedure and able to respond to questions. Some people may wake up towards the end of the procedure. You may even watch the procedure on a monitor. If needed, sedatives can be increased.
Once you start to “wake up” from sedation, you may find yourself feeling a little sluggish and bloated. For relief from your cramps during the first hours after your colonoscopy, you'll be encouraged to pass gas, and—until you stop feeling groggy—your doctor may recommend you limit your activity.
The First Week after a Colonoscopy
After polyps are removed it can take up to a week for the patient to fully recover. During this time, patients should avoid all strenuous activities, which includes lifting anything over five pounds.
You should get a letter or a call with your results 2 to 3 weeks after a colonoscopy.
As a general rule, it is best to take the rest of the day off from work after a colonoscopy and give yourself 24 hours to feel 100% normal again.