bbarbie1

" If your concerns are influenced by having been the victim of abuse in the past, by all means let your doctor know about this." So the only reason I would be worried about being in pain during a colonoscopy is because I was abused at some point in the past? Is that just a little stereotypical? Can't I worry about the pain and how I react to it because, say, I don't like pain, and I don't like callous, uncaring doctors and I'm unsure of what REALLY goes on in that room?

I would love to know why versed is necessary for a colonoscopy. Why isn't a pain killer (i.e. demerol) enough on it's own? The implication is there is something we must forget (pain?).

Maybe one of you GI nurses can answer a question for me: how much does an "adquately" sedated patient (healthy, mid-50s) groan and moan during a colonoscopy? Does the drug (demerol, for example) really take care of the pain or does the versed just make you forget it? This is one of major the issues I have with colonoscopies and the use of agents like versed: I cannot come to grips with the possiblility that I am on the table begging for more drugs or the procedure to stop and just don't remember it. Then the doc lies to me and says all is OK so I blithely sign up for another one down the road. Does anyone ever video tape a colonoscopy from "the outside"? How confident can I be that the doc will be honest with me about how I "tolerated" the procedure? (I have big issues with the word "tolerate" too--one could tolerate torture but it sure doesn't sound like any fun.) Also, is Propofol just another versed-like drug in that it doesn't address pain, it just makes you forget/not remember? How about Fentanyl--is it a pain killer or an amnesia drug? Thanks.

Here's one more, though not funny (sorry). Whenever I see "discomfort" on a description of a medical test, I substitute "white knuckle pain" and that usually turns out to be about right (think flex sig).

No, there were no problems. I still would not do this on my day off, please don't misunderstand me. And I still don't understand why SCREENING procedures have to be so stress-inducing and invasive of one's person, but hey, it's done. And I'm not doing it again one second before 10 years is up! I survived!! Thanks for your inquiry. Good health to you.

I had mine done MOnday (this week) and was totally terrified going in. Totally. It seems I found a wonderful doc, very reassuring, very gentle, and had no pain except a couple cramps. 100 mg demerol, 10 mg versed. I am convinced the doc makes a huge difference. I'd waste no time finding a new one for next time. I'd drive hours to another state if I had to. There's no point in trying to reason with one that doesn't understand or doesn't care. Or is pressured to stick to a time schedule, so he has to move quickly and is rough. Ask around to find out who had a good experience and start there. Word of mouth is a good way to find a decent doc. You will pay enough for the services, you may as well have a good outcome! Take care! Good luck!