Colonoscopy following Bowel resection.

Marianne26

Hi Marianne 

I'm sorry that no one has responded to you I hope I can be of help, I had to do a bit of delving into driving laws and colonoscopy, hence my delay in getting back to you.

I have found a lot of information on having sedation with the colonoscopy and would think it is the normal practice to be given it or at least offered it and with sedation you are legally unfit to drive for 24 hours after the procedure and as such would invalidate your insurance.

Please see this Public Health England leaflet.

I have a large library of colonoscopy leaflets issued by various hospital trusts in England and each one mentions that it is possible to drive home after having a colonoscopy without sedation without an adult to accompany you.

But you may not feel like driving because your bottom may feel a bit sore, or you maybe sick or bloated.

Your insurance company would be the best people to ask about this but this could have a drawback as you would be effectively notifying them of your bowel resection.

Many members over the years have advised that after the tea, toast and a short rest they have driven home safely and others have said they've gone straight back to work, we are all different..

I've had 5

The first one cancelled on the table

The second one no sedation a bit uncomfortable but bearable

The third one no sedation a bit uncomfortable but bearable 

The fourth one with sedation, gas and air great no discomfort and there was a nice perk that went with it!

The fifth one cancelled on the table 

If I ever have another, which would be through my stoma, I would definitely go for sedation.

You also have to be aware that you may request at the beginning that you are not sedated but if you became so uncomfortable and feel some pain during the procedure that you asked for/needed it, how would you get home

I am very sorry that I can't give you a definite answer but I would suggest that you phone the department who carry out the procedures on Monday morning and ask them the question and be guided by them.

Could you let us know what you decide and how you got on after the procedure during the week.

Best wishes

Ian

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Hi Marianne,

I had a bowel resection in June 2018.

Before that I had my first colonoscopy and had no sedation. It was just a little uncomfortable but bearable. After the colonoscopy they asked me on a score of 1 to 5 what was the score i would give for the pain I said a 2. I can honestly say that I expected it to be a lot worse. The bowel prep they said had worked very well and they were able to have a clear picture. This I could see as well on the screen. The doctor was very gentle and spoke to me throughout the procedure pointing out everything and reassuring me where the camera was exactly and how long more  it would last.

Last week I had my follow up colonoscopy and  as the first one said I didn't want any sedation. I found the 2nd colonoscopy far worse than the first and found it hurt a lot. I had a different  doctor  doing it and this time the bowel prep was not as good and there were cloudy images on the screen even though I had followed the prep instructions exactly the same as before. I am not sure whether this had something to do with it or whether after the resection there was less room for the camera to move around. My pain score this time was  5

If I ever have to have another colonoscopy and I am sure I will then I will for sure 100% have sedation and anything and everything they offer me.  It has taught me that no  two colonoscopies are the same and that no two doctors are the same and that there is no need for me to be a martyr lol

You can always say you don't want sedation but if you feel you can't cope then let them know you want it.

After the colonoscopy I felt fine but I arranged for my hubby to pick me up as I didn't want to drive straight away.

Hope this helps 

Deborah

Hello

I had a colonoscopy last week with the IV sedation and it was fine until they got to the far end where it got quite painful. They said that the pain was probably due to adhesion's from my previous surgery but it was bearable. I was offered a choice of either IV sedation or gas and air (entonox), the same as they use in childbirth. With the entonox you can drive yourself home as the effects don't last, as others have said with IV sedation you are not allowed to drive and you have to have someone to collect you from the endoscopy unit.

Nicky