5yr in remission

Thank you a lot for your replies. They made me feel a lot better and less worried.. :) anyways.. abotu the sedation im surprised about your replies.. my doctor told me most people do it sedation free.. and below I have posted a study about it:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15768182&dopt=AbstractPlus
RESULTS: Almost all colonoscopies (99.6 percent: 672/675) were successful. There were four complications related to colonoscopy (bleeding after polypectomy). Patients and nurses rated pain by a four-point pain scale as follows. For the patients: nil, 69.6 percent (470/675); mild, 28.0 percent (189/675); moderate, 2.2 percent (15/675); severe, 0.1 percent (1/675). For the nurses: nil, 76.1 percent (514/675); mild, 22.7 percent (153/675); moderate, 0.9 percent (6/ 675); severe, 0.3 percent (2/675). Patients rarely suffered from severe pain during carefully performed colonoscopies. The pain level of almost all colonoscopies was acceptable by patients, with only six patients (1.0 percent) stating that they would never undergo a colonoscopy without sedation in the future because of unbearable pain. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that carefully performed sedation-free colonoscopy rarely causes complications and is well accepted by most patients. Sedation-free colonoscopy is more cost-effective, may be safer, and should be offered as an alternative to colonoscopy with sedation.

It seems like most people said its not painful... and my doctor told me they use carbon dioxide instead of air and that makes it more comfortable.. moreover I did a small rectum examination in his office and there was hardly any pain.. it was only the insertion that caused slight pain but he told me the instrument he uses for the full colonoscopy is even smaller. Also, you ahve to take into account that skill of the doctor.. and the technology they use... he told me he uses a device which he developed that monitors the position of the endoscope in the colon to avoid loops.. anyways well what do you think? the nurses told me they usually start it without sedation and if the patient is in a lot of pain, they give him light sedatives that make him feel drowsy and relax his muscles.. im gonna try my best not to take them because thinking about it, every year I have to do this procedure I might as well get used to it without sedation because after all the chemicals (sedatives) are not very good for the body.. and have their added risks.

I have something else I would like to ask.. does colon cancer always start as a polyp? or are there other faster ways for a cancer to develop?

My daughters Ped. GI said most (80%) people come out of remission because they feel so good that they stop the meds.  I was told my daughter (age 5) will never be off meds.

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Joan

Thanks kelly yes i will learn from your mistake and wont stop my medication..

Anyways you guys are all scaring me about the sedation.. what about this study i read and posted about the majority saying they didnt feel any pain? I understand the the air blown inside is very uncomfortable but then the doc told me they use carbon dioxide now instead of air and that makes it more comfortable. MOREOVER, the doc told me that when theres a flare up its much more painful beacuse the colon is inflamed so badly.. but now im not in a flare up so maybe that will help? Also, you are talking about mild sedation right? not a general anaesthetic coz that would just make the risks much bigger..

I have been completely knocked out for colonoscopies. I am out for about a half hour. I have had more than 5 colonoscopies this way and have no adverse affects. Personally i would never have one without being knocked out. With a good doc and an anesthesiologist the risks are small. Mine are even done at my gi's office and not a hospital. (its a huge office with an anesthegiologist and full staff) When my Gi tells me i need a sig i ask if i can have a colonoscopy instead so i don't have to be awake!

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Kelly, 29

Left sided UC diagnosed 1/98 age 19, Pan colitis diagnosed 1/07
Currently on 4x3 Asacol, Rowasa every other night, down to 20 mg pred.
75mg Imuran starting 8/23/07---fingers crossed!
Prontonix once daily for acid reflux, zofran twice daily for nausea

I'm in Ireland. When I went in for my colonscope I was allowed to chose my sedation. The surgeon said there was different forms from mild to hypnotic. I told him I didn't want to remember anything - and I didn't!! I was also a very "easy" experience on my body. I had no reaction to this "full" sedation. I woke up not realising I had been asleep and I felt great. I wasn't under anaesthetic. Like I say he described it as a hypnotic sedation. I remember talking to the nurse and my next memory was talking to a different nurse in the same room. I have no memory of being "put to sleep".

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5 mg Pred (yuck!)

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BJI/is_3_31/ai_71632710


thats another article about it.. i dont know what to expect with the extremely cotnrasting opinions! you guys tell me its horrible and dont even try it and studies i read (as well as my doctcor) tell me most people find it fine.. i guess theres a first time for everythign hehe.

My colonscopy was without sedation, only a relaxant which was given interveniously (sp?), and this the norm at the hospital where I had mine.  I only had one small discomfort and the doctor asked me to move onto my back for a bit,then was OK.

and the prep is DEFINITELY the worst part

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katie
22
diagnosed with cecal volvulus, 2006; two colon resections in the same year
diagnosed with colitis 2007
malrotated colon
no cecal valve, removed during surgery
on antibiotics while undergoing further testing by doctor
will start VSL #3 when antibiotics are done.