If I remember correctly, a sigmoidoscopy is less comprehensive, only looking at the lowest end part of the digestive system. A colonoscopy goes in farther and is considered a better approach.

Before colonoscopies became common, I had one signmoidoscopy. I recall it being somewhat painful. I've had several colonoscopies since and with light sedation (I always seem to wake up in the middle of the procedures), they're a breeze.

I've had a sedated colonoscopy and it was very easy. What is it about the sedation that has you worried? My DH has asthma and they'll have to be very careful about what they give him when I can finally convince him to have one.

I had a sigmoidoscopy years ago without sedation. I remember doing Lamaze breathing during a small part of it, but when it was over it was over. I've since had one colonoscopy, and that was done with Propofol. I will never agree to being given Versed. If that's the "sedation" they want to use, keep in mind that it's more a memory eraser than anything else.

Many people are administered that drug with no adverse consequences, It's been used on me and I've had no problems. A small percentage have had side effects, fine. Nothing is free of possible side effects though low rates are usually accepted and it's a risk/benefit tradeoff that should be weighed by doctors, not patients.

I had to have a sigmoidoscopy the first time because I was under 50 and my insurance wouldn't pay for a colonoscopy. Also had to have a barium enema right afterward. I'd much rather a colonoscopy! No pain and like Elmer said it's considered a more thorough procedure. Sig isn't without discomfort.

I've had several sigmoidoscopies in the past, without sedation, and have had four colonoscopies with sedation. The sigmoidoscopies were painful (I had previously had major colon surgery, which may have caused most, if not all, of the pain). I would never again have a sigmoidoscopy, inasmuch as it is not as comprehensive as a colonoscopy...and the sedation makes the procedure pain-free.

The colonoscopy is more extensive as it examines the whole colon. I started without sedation and it was painful so I requested it. They gave me fentanyl and the only side effect I had was amnesia for a couple of hours after.

memory eraser?? as in no memory of the procedure, I assume. have had Propofol for 2 endoscopies and my carpal tunnel surgery. only discomfort was the needle being put in back of my hand. I honestly don't think I could have had a "count-down" if I had tried. I was there one monitor and next thing I knew I was fully awake - procedures done and no recall of anything.

Most certainly some here are better informed than I am but yes, some of the drugs used do induce limited amnesia covering the period of anesthesia.

memory eraser?? as in no memory of the procedure, I assume.

Yes, and often a short period of time after the procedure. Also (and this is possibly influenced by one's age), some people have found they have lingering and sometimes permanent memory and/or depression/anxiety issues. Versed doesn't eliminate the pain; it just prevents us from remembering it. But pain is registered somewhere. It might come out in nightmares or in other ways. The internet is full of Versed (midazolam) horror stories. Like these (Elmer will have a fit):

http://nomidazolam.blogspot.com/2010/07/medical-people-speak-out-against-versed.html

I don't have fits.

I see only comments from a few unqualified persons on that page. It also seems to have only biased and negative content. There were no surgeon or anesthesiologist comments at all. No supporters, only detractors. Isn't that a clue about the source?

For someone as clever as I think you are, you pulled the same stunt as a Trump supporter quoting something from Fox News and touting that as being authoritative or well informed. You can find anything about anything on the internet. The source matters.

I have had several colonoscopy's and while I have never had problems with after effects the problem that I do have with them is the need to have someone babysit you. It may be a regional thing or just the doctors I have had over the years but most want someone with you up to 24 hours after the procedure. Not a problem for some but for others it might be so ask your doctor before. Some give the instructions of having a driver but then the instructions after the procedure state that there must be someone with you for a certain amount of time.

The "need a driver to take you home" is a standard caution when someone has been sedated. No driving same day is the usual instruction.

Elmer, the comments are all from detractors because that's the whole point of the site. Look at the title: No Midazolam. You don't think any of it is authoritative because you give no credence to empirical evidence. But I do.

Elmer -- while those who commented didn't present credentials -- it was a forum after all -- it is a fact that people are more likely to comment on a negative outcome. I recently had to find a new doctor because mine has retired. I looked up the patient reviews, not too hard to find on the internet. There were quite a few negative reviews about the doctor I was referred to yet I made an appointment with him. I expect to see negative reviews and it's up to me to assess whether it's still worth seeing this doctor. I wouldn't expect medical professionals to be weighing in right and left about the great qualities of this drug -- they are not looking on the web to check on the drug. They like it; it works for them. I, myself, will probably opt for sedation because I'm a coward but I have some questions for the doctor I will see Monday, thanks to this forum.

Elmer it is not the driving home that I have a problem with it is the need for someone to be there for 24 hours. Some people are not aware of this need which is why I mentioned it.

"You don't think any of it is authoritative because you give no credence to empirical evidence. "

The opinions of a few people are not empirical evidence. That's called anecdotal evidence and it's an invalid sample to draw a conclusion from. It's known that people who are displeased speak up and people who are pleased don't. What percentage of patients given this medicine are pleased? There's no way to know from this "information". An analysis of those with side effects and those without, of a validly sized sample, could be called empirical if conducted properly. In fact, that info derived in a scientifically valid way exists for this and any other approved drug because it's part of the approval process. If side effects were too frequent or severe, permission to use the drug would be withdrawn.

Back to my comment you ducked - so you accept opinions that are based on biased sources, like this one or Fox News or any other? I doubt it. And if you don't, you understand full well and can recognized what a flawed and biased source is. You can't pick and choose which are okay and which aren't. None are.

maifleur, I think most people would have at least a friend or other person (even if located at a distance) who could stay with them or check in regularly over the recommended period of time. I'm sorry if you don't.

I have a colonoscopy every 5 years and although it is to cover the hospital's liability to have someone drive me home, I have never been told to have 24 hour watching.

phoggie my last one was 10 years ago but when I had to have a procedure last year I was told it was still a requirement. Will be seeing next year. Of course I could ask my second cousin twice removed if they are still alive.

that 24 hour thing... depends on person. when I came out of endoscopies and ct surgery, was fully awake immediately. no residual sleepiness. was told in "some" people the lingering effects would be classified as driving while impaired, if they were to be stopped. the doctors know that so they would get nailed for allowing you to drive. when I had the carp[al tunnel surgery back in April, my brother was at my house when my "driver" (worker's comp) brought me home. we had lunch, talk for a bit and then I sent him home. I absolutely was not going anywhere... except to bed.

one thing I did have to sign off on was warning not to make any "major decisions" in next 24 hours... so I didn't take off to Vegas to marry that Elvis impersonator, thank you very much!

I NEVER want to have a colonoscopy or other digestive procedure without all of the meds that the doctor/ anesthesiologist recommends. I don't mind sleeping the day away after a procedure.

Twenty years ago my mother had a sigmoidoscopy which caused her much pain; she was a tough lady too. The worst part was that 6 months later, after she fainted at church, they found she had cancer further up and it involved a couple of nodes as well. She had a rough several rounds of chemo and surprisingly the cancer did not come back. All this is to say that I always tell people NOT to undergo a sygmoid, but a colonoscopy instead.

^ this is what I was going to say. If you are going to the take the time, discomfort and expense, just get the full exam = colonoscopy. If they found something suspicious on the sigmoid, you'd end up having the full colon done anyway.