Martian

I have Crohn's Disease. Doctors like to stick things up my butt. It really is an unpleasant circumstance, for me at least.

The reason you can't find names is because the actual sedative used can vary. As a rule it's going to be an IV sedative. They'll put in a catheter (no trees or hanging bags) and shoot you up with a syringe full of happy juice. I know for a fact I've had valium during these procedures, but I also know that it's not the only one used on me and couldn't tell you what others have been employed for this.

For clarity, that would be an intravenous catheter. Not a urinary one.

The Demerol (again, not necessarily the only drug used for this) is because they're pumping air into your colon. This can be quite unpleasant, so having something to dull the sensation is a good thing. Bottom line is that once they get the right meds into you you're not going to care.

Grump's experience is quite common -- many patients fall asleep during the procedure. It's possible that you'll remain awake, but even if you do you're not going to care about what they're doing. An interesting aspect of a colonoscopy as opposed to an esophogastroduodenoscopy (same thing, other direction) is that if you're awake you'll be able to watch the procedure. The doctor typically sets the monitor up on the far side of the patient, for obvious reasons. When the camera's going down your throat you'll be facing the doc and won't be able to see the monitor, but when it goes the other way your insides will be on full display for you to admire. This may or may not be a selling point to you -- I found the concept of watching the procedure interesting, but by the time they got me on the table and full of drugs I didn't particularly care anymore. I remained awake during my first one and have vague memories of it. For all subsequent procedures it's been hit and miss. Sometimes I pass out, sometimes I don't.

Whether you sleep during the procedure itself, you'll probably sleep afterwards and you're going to be groggy for the rest of the day. Having a ride home is important, but equally important if possible is to have someone else present while discussing the results with the doc. If that's not feasible, make sure to get stuff written down (seriously) because you probably won't remember.

The prep really is the worst part. One aspect about the colonoscopy that makes me almost but not quite prefer it to the gastroscopy is that they don't freeze anything. When they're going down your throat they'll freeze it first with a local anesthetic administered in spray form. The taste is like nothing else I've ever experienced and for the next little while you end up drooling like an idiot. So be thankful you don't have to experience that, I guess is my point. Or maybe I'm just bitching now.

EDIT - And about feeling things 'wiggling around,' assuming you remain awake yes, you'll feel it. It's not painful, but it is.. strange, to say the least. Honestly, feeling something poking about in your stomache is the stranger sensation. Either way I can promise you that you're not going to care particularly. Drugs really are a modern miracle.

__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said

- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame