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> I had some unforgettable experiences in Norway, such as a colonoscopy without sedation or anaesthesia in case I can tolerate the pain. What pain? I have had

> I had some unforgettable experiences in Norway, such as a colonoscopy without sedation or anaesthesia in case I can tolerate the pain. What pain? I have had a colonoscopy without any sedation, also in Norway. It was uncomfortable, occasionally very, but I wouldn't have called it painful. I think you must have encountered an incompetent doctor. Can't imagine why you would want general anaesthesia unless it was strictly necessary as it gives an additional risk of dying.

cameronh90 4y ago
Arguing over whether something is painful or merely very uncomfortable seems like splitting hairs. That said, I had a colonoscopy with alprazolam and fentanyl, and it was, if anything, a moderately enjoyable experience. There was the odd slightly painful moment as they went round corners, but the drugs made me feel great throughout and I walked home afterwards with a mild afterglow. However, while I personally certainly wouldn't have requested general anaesthesia, I think it should be down to patient choice. I'm from the UK, and we often take a clench your teeth and bear it attitude to patient suffering, which I think can often be borderline inhumane. Ultimately if a patient wants to accept a 0.001% chance of dying to avoid experiencing pain or discomfort, mental or physical, that is up to them. You also have to consider the second order effects of people avoiding treatment due to fear of pain, as well as people who may have been raped or otherwise have very valid reasons to not want to experience having something inserted into their rectum.