Is a colonoscopy that painful that sedatives are still used?

This question was asked in Irvine, California on 04/20/2012.
They said that a colonoscopy is not that painful but I read that there is sedation. Is it normal for there to be sedation during a colonoscopy? If it is such a minor procedure then why am I going to need it?

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Doctors Answers (2)

David Pound, M.D.
Answered on: 4/25/2012

Colonoscopy is the American Cancer Society recommended procedure for colon cancer screening. The procedure is not painful, but it may be uncomfortable. Sedation is used to make the patient more comfortable during the procedure.

Harsha Vittal, M.D.
Answered on: 3/15/2012

Most people prefer small amounts of sedation to make the colonoscopy procedure comfortable.