Scope

No it’s not. I usually get offered a choice of propofol or conscious sedation. I choose conscious sedation because I dislike the use of propofol for these procedures for myriad reasons beyond the scope of this thread.

Pouch scopes are commonly done without sedation, and are much less expensive when done in the office. Some folks prefer sedation, though.

I always ask for sedation for scopes. My scopes are done in the hospital where my surgeon created my pouch, never in his office. There is always a nurse assisting, and sometimes a resident (or two) learning, observing, and assisting my surgeon throughout my procedure. They know in advance that I prefer sedation so they are always prepared to put in an IV line. Without it, I am extremely anxious, muscles tense, and they would never be able to do the procedure. In the past, before I got my pouch, I was sedated during colonoscopies too.  If you feel nervous or uncomfortable, let them know in advance that you would like sedation so they are prepared to put in a line. Or they might give you one Ativan pill to make you relaxed and sleepy enough to drop off. I took an Ativan before a full body MRI and it worked beautifully. There is no reason to feel uncomfortable, especially if there is help for you. A lot of people don't need sedation for scopes or colonoscopies, but a lot of people do. I am under within three seconds, I wake up an hour later having had a nice nap and no worries, and they got a good clear look with biopsies, and that's the goal -- to protect your health. Do whatever you need to do.

I’ve had a scope every year for the past 37yrs. I had sedation 1 time, way back when. It’s a little discomfort,but I prefer none. In and out. 

You should really keep up with your scopes, I’ve been lucky, they’ve only found pouchitis a few times. Good luck with whatever you decide

There is no one right answer. If you need sedation, you need sedation.we are alldifferent. Next time you schedule your scope, just let them know youare requesting sedation. They need to set it up in advance, so you really cannot request sedation at the last minute, when they are not set up for it. If your doctor finds this problematic, he can refer you to another doc within Cleveland Clinic tohandle it. 

For me, it is the opposite. I prefer no sedation, and I have tokeep reminding them I am not having sedation!

Jan

I also request sedation.   They tried it once in office  I couldn't do it.  How often should the Dr. do a scope?  Just curious,  J-pouch surgery 2010  Thanks Grace

One should scope annually if there is any history of dysplasia, chronic pouch inflammation or cuffitis. Otherwise it’s discretionary. 

I have had 26 scopes in 26 years with my J Pouch and not once did I not have the option of some form of sedation. My guess is Wolfie has an older GI still living in the 1970s when colonoscopies were uniformly done with no sedation and rigid scopes, and the patient was expected to “suck it up” and “deal with it.” While there may be some sentimental yearnings back to some aspects of the 1970s (for unique things such as disco music, leisure suits and 8 track tape players), the unsedated rigidoscopes do not stoke my sentimental side. 

I have a j pouch due to stage 1 cancer that was located in a tricky spot. I was very lucky. My pouch is scoped twice a year, for now, and we will move to annual scoping, then probably every two years. If they wanted to do the exam every three months I would do it, to be safe and sure and healthy as possible. We didn't know I had cancer until it was found. I was feeling fine, healthy, no symptoms. That's why it is so important to go for your physical, or scan, or colonoscopy, or whatever else your doctor suggests, to find problems before they get really scary.

Winterberry posted:

 

We didn't know I had cancer until it was found. I was feeling fine, healthy, no symptoms.

That’s the way it usually is, not just with colon cancer but also my thyroid cancer. I was stage 3 when it was detected on a routine annual physical examination. Most people have the attitude that “as long as I feel good ain’t nothing going up my ass!!!!!!!” I personally know people who have gotten colon cancer that could have been detected but for this attitude. The key in determining the appropriate frequency of scoping is the risk- in your case high due to cancer, in my case high due to pre-surgical dysplasia plus 26 years of chronic pouch inflammation. The thing is that inflammation can develop and simmer over time so unless there is scoping the patient may never know until bad things start to happen.

CTBarrister posted:

One should scope annually if there is any history of dysplasia, chronic pouch inflammation or cuffitis. Otherwise it’s discretionary. 

I have had 26 scopes in 26 years with my J Pouch and not once did I not have the option of some form of sedation. My guess is Wolfie has an older GI still living in the 1970s when colonoscopies were uniformly done with no sedation and rigid scopes, and the patient was expected to “suck it up” and “deal with it.” While there may be some sentimental yearnings back to some aspects of the 1970s (for unique things such as disco music, leisure suits and 8 track tape players), the unsedated rigidoscopes do not stoke my sentimental 

While scopes are done without sedation all the time, it seems unusual that you wouldn't at least be given a choice in the matter.  I've had scopes in the past without sedation (always my choice) but you should have the option available to you, and if it's not offered, request it when you are scheduling your next appointment.