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Dysautonomia and Procedure involving Sedation
Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 | Last Active: Aug 19, 2025 | Replies (9)Comment receiving replies
shirljk,
I never have anesthesia for colonoscopies. You have to ask ahead, but many doctors will oblige. It is a little uncomfortable, but much better than wasting a whole day recovering. It is also more interesting. I always get the full tour, watching the screen and asking questions. I've watched them hot flare and cold flare polyps, with no sensation. The discomfort is when they move the probe into the small intestine. You can have Fentanyl, if you want it. I don't know how great, or if there is a risk in using cologuard instead, But I can say from experience about GI cancer, don't risk it. I recommend the tour.
Replies to "shirljk, I never have anesthesia for colonoscopies. You have to ask ahead, but many doctors will..."
Thank you for your input. Very helpful for me to make my decision.
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Yes, many years ago I had a colonoscopy like that, and I got to watch while just lightly sedated. I actually found it rather interesting and entertaining (no doubt the light sedation enhanced that).
I had one about a year ago, and that time I was pretty much "out", not remembering anything. Disappointing, LOL.
The takeaway here is, I think, that you can request to have the lighter sedation of you're nervous about something heavier, and it really shouldn't be painful at all.
Really, the worst thing about the procedure is the prep--having to drink all that nasty bowel cleanser.