Wellness

[marip]

This time for my colonscopy procedure I was thinking doing a low volume prep and for the procedure having it done without being sedated.  Anyone here had it done like this?

[LindaSal]

I'm not sure I know what you mean by a low volume prep??  And no I would never do it without being sedated.  It's not the most comfortable procedure as I woke up during mine last time with terrible abdominal cramping........they had to give me more sedation.

[marip]

A low volume prep is a prep you don't drink as much liquid as the other preps.

The sedation would be a twilght conscious sedation.

[kindred cats]

My opinion is don't mess with the Gold Standard.  It does save lives.  Do the whole prep and get sedation.  Easy peasy.  Been there many times.  Know too many people with regrets. 

[GingerHead]

@marip 

I believe twilight sedation is the one that's usually used.

That's what I had, you're still basically out and don't experience the procedure or remember it when you wake up.

[NEvans2]

@marip I'm just curious, why would you want to have that procedure without sedation? Having had three colonoscopies, there's no way I would want to be awake for that.

[millieshops]

@NEvans2   I'm with you.  I lost my mother and my father's sister to colon cancer years ago before I ever remember hearing there was a test to catch the disease early. 

I want the best procedure available, so when the doctor gave me the options, I asked which he'd prefer as the surgeon.  Full prep and sedation, too, at the discretion of the anesthesiologist because when you're out, you're less likely to move or tense at all and the procedure is more complete and punctures are far less likely. 

The same doctor did all the colonoscopies I ever had and I never asked  to try a different prep procedure.  He spent lots of time with me for my last one because it would be my final routine one.  That was 5 years ago, but so far no symptoms and I will not test again unless my system calls for it!

[3blackdogs]

The procedure isn't as big of a thing as I thiught it would be.  The sedation isn't heavy, and as to the  prep.....you want to have clear results so I would do the full prep.  

[chrystaltree]

I had the low volume prep.  It made the prep process much more comfortable because you don't have to drink as much of the solution.  I never could drink a gallon of Golytly.  There's no way in this world I'd ever forgo the sedation.  I don't know why anyone would do that.

[BirkiLady]

Consult with your physician and take his/her advice. They are the ones doing the procedure and know the issues encountered and pay the insurance required.

I've never understood a patient who thinks they are qualified to make such a decision unless they, too, have a great medical degree and know the risks to both the patient and the MD doing the procedure. It's not just about the patient!