Can a patient refuse sedation?

CrohnieToo · Apr 6, 2009

I would hope that you filed a complainta against the doctor and the hospital w/your state licensing board, NeverAgain. I would have. You did everything right to ensure that all involved were aware of your wishes and they completely disregarded them. Filing a complaint w/the state licensing board does NOT require a lawyer nor if found to be justified is there any remuneration due you. However disciplinary action can be taken - anywhere from a slap on the wrist to more serious discipline as warranted.

3boysmom3 · Apr 11, 2009

I've not had a colonoscopy yet, but I become very anxious at the idea of conscious sedation for any procedure- I've had a number of eye surgeries, and of course I wouldn't want to NOT be sedated but I found that Versed causes me to talk incessantly during the procedure and then not remember much of it afterward, except just enough to be really embarrassed. It probably wouldn't be as big an issue as it is for me except that one doctor made a joke about it in the recovery room and since I had no idea what I might have said, and he wouldn't tell me, it just freaks me out. I'd prefer general even with the higher risks. I can't stand not being in control of myself!!!

serialmom12 · Apr 11, 2009

You can refuse sedation. I did for two colonoscopies. Discuss it with your doctor and if they won't do it w/o sedating you, RUN LIKE HELL AND FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ThIS procedure is NOT painful. Just have the Dr give you either some Fentanyl or Demerol and you'll be fine. The only thing that is slightly uncomfortable is when they go around your transverse colon and pump air into it so the Dr can see better. Just mild cramping, that's all. It's nothing even remotely painful. Avoid Versed at all costs, that drug is dangerous. It left me with PTSD. If you feel you must have some sedation, request Propofol, it works quickly and you come out of this state quickly also, with no permanant side effects.

Best of luck to you.

diane227, LPN, RN · Apr 13, 2009

I guess you have the right to refuse. I don't know how the doctor would feel about it. I have had both upper and lower scopes, got con sed each time and it was no big deal at all.

serialmom12 · Apr 13, 2009

Yes Diane, it's no big deal with a colonoscopy, you don't need sedation for that. An endoscopy you do because you feel like you're being smothered, and you choke which causes you to panic. I hope for your sake that your Dr was compassionate enough to give you Propofol and not VERSED for these procedures.

CrohnieToo · Apr 13, 2009

My gastro underwent both the upper and lower scopes w/o sedation herself before she would agree to do mine w/o sedation - and she agrees w/me, the upper scope w/o sedation is the worst because of the gag reflex! Other than the gagging the upper w/o sedation was no problem at all. I didn't have any choking sensations but BOY! those rolling burps were something else!!! I could have played some songs w/those rolling burps! The gagging was definitely unpleasant as I so hate to gag!

neveragain · Apr 13, 2009

Thanks CrohnieToo! I have been worrying about having an endo without the Versed (or Propofol) The amnesia doesn't work for me with 9 mls of Versed but it does render me helpless. I just can't go in and have anything done with Versed. I would be totally aware "on red alert" and unable to move or speak while this was going on. I will stop worrying over this now. I just have to find an endo who is comfortable with outlier patients and can do this without turning me into a zombie and subjecting me to long term anxiety from the Versed.

CrohnieToo · Apr 13, 2009

Hey, its interesting to watch the monitor. Insist that they turn you so you can see too! And if there is something going on in there it can be quite fascinating to see! I had sudden onset really bad pain as the cause for my first upper endo. It was a yeast infection from a steroid nasal spray. Those psychodelic little fluffs looked too innocent to be causing such misery but boy was the ole esophagus RED w/irritation from them! Fortunately I responded quickly to Diflucan w/o any problems at all!!!

scared'o'needles! · Apr 17, 2009

I have to say that i have had many different investigations, flex sig and colonoscopy included and nothing prepared me for the pain that came with them....esp the flex sig which was w/o sedation. I have since been told if you have inflammation you have more chance of being in pain - which I have:-(

I could not force myself to go thru that again without proper meds. I'm in awe of anyone that can tolerate this procedure w/o anything to dampen the pain.

diane227, LPN, RN · Apr 17, 2009

I guess people have to decide for themselves what they want to do. I was just commenting that for myself, having had both upper and lower, both were easy with a little sedation. I watched my lower scope on the screen and that was neat but I was totally asleep for the upper endo. No ill effects. I guess I am lucky that I have never had any kind of negative response to any type of sedative medication and my GI doc uses pediatric size scopes.

CrohnieToo · Apr 17, 2009

Well, now, there is a difference between having no sedation and having no analgesia! I have nothing for my upper endoscopies but we do use some demerol for the colonoscopy as we tend to have some difficulties w/my transverse colon just before the hepatic flexure that can get uncomfortable. Just enough demerol to take the edge off and keep the discomfort bearable whilst "we" work "our" way past that point. And it can get uncomfortable at the ileocecal valve as well so I'm NOT a masochist! I just don't want to be sedated so that I can't watch the monitor and remember what I saw!!!

darne20 · Apr 17, 2009

ChronieToo-I couldn't agree with you more. Sedation and analgesia are often used interchangeably, but in fact many people have negative experiences with sedation (especially Versed), but they can have a comfortable procedure with just an analgesic (fentanyl).