How bad is a IV?getting a colonoscopy AND endoscopy.?

Question

Its not the operation I'm really worried about its just that I have a phobia of needles and have never had a IV before.I read that it only hurts for a few seconds but they are drawing blood before the procedure to rule out some things I may or may not have, is this going to make the IV hurt even worse?I also read that Versed has some bad side effects, if that's what they are going to give me then how do I request a alternative?Any tips & answers would be appreciated!

Answer 1

an iv is no big deal unless you get someone inept who blows your vein. hehe  dont worry that rarely happens...that's the easy part anyway.  sticking your rear in the air is gonna be the interesting part for you with the colonoscopy.  im not sure about the endoscopy...is that where they go into your throat thru to your stomach?  or is that looking into your small or large intestines from your belly?  i forget.  either way...all the procedures are just that you are getting closer to a resolution of some kind.  good luck with all that.  the field of medicine is just fantastic and over before you know it.  feel better quick!

Answer 2

The IV isn't that bad.  The blood tests before will have little or no bearing on the IV; however, drink lots of fluids up until your cut-off time.  This will keep you hydrated and make it easier to find the veins.

I had a fear of needles in the past.  I never used to be able to watch.  I take the IV so they can keep me hydrated with Saline though the procedure.  I don't do any sedation so I avoid the risks associated with the side effects of sedation and Versed.  I don't have an incredible pain tolerance level; but, I figure I can handle a little pain/discomfort (level 6 or 7 out of 10) for a few minutes in order to avoid the sedation.  The discomfort will be from the air they inject to make it easier to navigate your colon with the colonoscope.  After it is over, I drive myself home and do as I want for the remainder of the day.

If you do choose to be sedated, do not allow them to use Versed or any of the other similar amnesia producing drugs.  They generally want to do conscious sedation so that you are aware of the procedure (and sometimes pain) and then forget it (does that sound familiar).  It's your choice; but, you have more to fear from sedation side effects than from the IV.

Answer 3

Well I guess that since you have a phobia of needles, if you tell the doctor/nurse that you are and ask for anesthetic then they can put you to sleep and then do the IV.  I don't know of any side effect other than if your allergic to it (I don't know if that's possible, but I suppose it could be) and maybe a bruise if they had trouble getting it in. Or worse case scenario, the nurse is REALLY bad and just keeps putting it in you in different spots trying to remember the right one. That would be EXTREMELY rare though.

Answer 4

no worries mate. you have nothing to fear but fear it's self. and besides, once they give you a bit of happy juice, you won't mind at all. I've had one and it was no biggie. The only hassle is the 2 days before; not eating...   ;-]