The worst part of a colonoscopy is the preparation Thanks all I am definitely going to ask for sedation. One thing that is worrying me is that I have read Colonoscopys are dangerous. This is really concerning me and is making me worried about having it. Am I allowed to be put completely asleep for it? There isn't a medical procedure in the world that is free from risk.
Even taking an aspirin can be harmful. The risks from a colonoscopy are very low indeed and when compared with the risk of an undiagnosed bowel cancer they're negligable. By the way, if you ask to be put completely to sleep then there's also a risk from the anaesthetic! Before you can have any procedure, you have to get to the hospital, and getting there is probably riskier than the procedure itself.
Do you worry about driving? Catching a bus? Crossing the road? Climbing the stairs? If you don't worry about these things why do you worry about the risks from a colonoscopy or anaesthetic? I'm afraid that once you find yourself on the cancer bandwagon and no-one gets on by choice! If you need a procedure then you need it, and not having it because it carries some low risk could end up shortening your life by many years if you get untreated cancer.
You have to trust your medics to give you the best advice - and if you don't trust them then find some different medics who you do trust! To put it in context, last year I had a radical prostatectomy. Risk of dying within 30 days from that surgery is relatively high: about 0.
What would you do? To answer your specific question, before you have any general anaesthetic you should have a full pre-op assessment at the hospital. Once you've had a complete medical, any risks will be explained by the anaesthetist. Judging from my wife's reaction to her colonoscopy, you don't really need a general anaesthetic, but if you really want one then ask for one, and accept the additional tiny risk involved. Skip to main content.
Post to forum. Search Search forum. Do you have a cancer chat password? Yes, I have a password. Remember me. Sign in. I would be happy to receive news and updates from Cancer Chat. Create new account. Leave this field blank. Already a member? With general anesthesia , patients need assistance maintaining their airway. An anesthesiologist helps the patients breathe. What is MAC sedation or anesthesia?
MAC stands for monitored anesthesia care. It is a specific service in which an anesthesiologist has been requested to perform sedation for a patient undergoing a procedure like colonoscopy. Having an anesthesiologist administer anesthesia instead of the gastroenterologist increase the overall cost of colonoscopy.
An anesthesiologist is however necessary for certain colonoscopies. Rarely is general anesthesia used for colonoscopy. Several medications are available for sedation in the U. These include midazolam versed , diazepam valium , diphenhydramine benadryl , promethazine phenergan , meperidine demerol , fentanyl , and propofol. Midazolam and propofol are the most commonly used sedatives. Fentanyl is the most commonly used analgesic. Propofol can be used alone whereas midazolam is often used in combination with fentanyl and benadryl.
Benadryl potentiates the effect of midazolam and fentanyl. It is particularly useful in patients that are difficult to sedate. What are the adverse effects of sedatives during colonoscopy?
Some adverse effects are universal. These include drowsiness and impaired cognition for up to 24 hours after the procedure. This is the reason you need a an adult person to drive you home and why you should take the entire day off from work.
These medications can cause respiratory depression meaning your breathing may slow down. To prevent this complication, you are given oxygen during the procedure. Also, you are monitored throughout the procedure. In addition, the medications are given a little at a time to gauge your response.
Midazolam can cause retrograde amnesia which is not bad for the procedure itself. It can also cause nasal itching and hiccups.
All drugs may cause adverse reactions. Life threatening reactions are rare. Julie Abbott answered. Preventive Medicine 45 years experience. Yes, you can: A minority of patients prefer no anesthesia and with proper information and instruction, most specialists will perform a colonoscopy without anesthesia. You are correct Good wishes:. Ask U. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. For these, please consult a doctor virtually or in person.
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