Re:Notes on My Colon Cancer
by JacKTrocinskI on Thursday October 22, 2020 @04:59AM
(#24856085)
I once had an endoscopy without any sedatives or anesthesia and that really sucked. The doc stuck a large tube down my throat and had me gagging for what felt like an eternity. After the procedure I needed a few minutes to wipe the tears that started forming from my eyes and gain some composure. This was done in Poland. If a colonoscopy is anything like that then not sure I'd want to be doing them regularly.
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I was offered anesthesia for the endoscopy as well and I was glad I refused. The whole thing was over in 10 minutes, the actual endoscopy was about 2 minutes of serious discomfort. I gagged a couple time, the rest of the time I held steady, but the nurses also complimented me for powering through so I don't think it's expected to be easy. It was a weird and humbling experience.
If you feel like you're relaxed enough to be calm when someone does something to you that your body will tell you is going to kill you, then it's not so bad. They sedate your throat to kill the gag reflex, but it doesn't work 100%.
The upside for me was that it was over so quickly, and I could go on with my day, was allowed to drive, etc.
Re:Notes on My Colon Cancer
by JacKTrocinskI on Thursday October 22, 2020 @08:53AM
(#24857454)
Yeah, I didn't have my throat sedated, that might have helped. I was able to go on with my day shortly after the procedure as well but the 5-10 minutes it lasted wasn't the most pleasant for sure.
Re:Notes on My Colon Cancer
by circlefavshape on Thursday October 22, 2020 @05:28AM
(#24856248)
My wife took no sedation when she had one, so I was shamed into doing the same when I had one a couple of years later. It was unpleasant, but not actually painful, and over quite quickly. Would opt for no sedation if I had to get it again
I went for no sedation during a colonoscopy too, but after a while it got too painful and I asked for some