Colonoscopy, anyone?

hi rowan I can only give you my experience: it was a doddle. No special diet required (perhaps I had to fast, can't remember). The laxative really clears you out and it goes on all day. You do drink a lot of liquid with it. The drug/sedation they gave me was the one that makes it so you remember nothing. So I don't remember anything other than drifting away on a cloud of bliss. I got my results straight away. Good luck!

I had two with no sedation many years ago - no problems, no pain. You will be fine.

To start at the beginning - most colonoscopies show that there is not anything serious to worry about, the signs and symptoms are caused by something minor.

You don't need a special diet, the laxatives deal with your innards perfectly well. They are very efficient. Arm yourself with a soothing cream in case your behind gets sore, and don't plan any socialising for after you have taken the sachet(s). Don't wear your best fancy underwear either, you may regret it.

Someone has posted on the other thread a description of the colonoscopy she has just had. It sounds very like the one I had.

I don't remember anything of the actual procedure. I was planning to watch the monitor to see just what the inside of my sigmoid colon was like, even got into a comfortable position where I could see it clearly while still presenting a good target for the technical stuff.

Then suddenly I was in the recovery room and it was all over. The tiny tablet to relax my muscles had knocked me out completely. They had found nothing amiss in my sigmoid colon so had gone further to look higher up the system, but I knew nothing about it. I was told there was nothing wrong there either, immediately I was awake enough to listen.

I think they will be well aware if you need a bit more sedation, and will give it you before it gets unpleasant. The last thing they want is someone who is unhappy. I suspect that some of the horrendous reports on the net are by people in countries where you pay extra for the sedation/anaesthetic - and some are by people who have not even had a colonoscopy at all, but like the thought of describing one.

Dh drove me home, where I had a cuppa then went to bed for a while - I was quite sleepy. I had no after effects at all.

I ate a low residue diet for a few days before the clear out to make it easier. I find it difficult to drink large quantities of liquid but found it much easier with a couple of straws. On the day I had the sedative but the nurse explained that would just make me completely relaxed not out of it and I watched the whole procedure on a screen, fascinating and apart from a slightly uncomfortable bit when the biopsies were taken, it was a doddle.
The consultant was lovely and was very proud of his new probe which he explained cost £30,000.
The best bit was the cup of tea and toast after I'd had a sleep. I have had 4 colonoscopies so far and that last one when I was awake was the best one. Am due another fairly soon.

I had one about ten years ago. I don't remember it being too uncomfortable; I went home the same day. The worst bit is the "clear out" before you go! I have had cameras just about everywhere you can put a camera in recent years and haven't found any of it too onerous. They will put you at your ease and you may even find it quite interesting. How often do you get the chance to see your insides (which begs the question 'how often would you want to?).

Hi Rowan, as Elegran said, I had a colonoscopy yesterday and I described the procedure in some detail on the other colonoscopy thread. I was a nurse, which I always think makes these things worse and I was quite anxious beforehand. The bowel prep was quite arduous...you have to take a litre of solution at 5pm with another 500mls of water, then another litre of solution plus another 500mls of water at 8pm if you have a morning appointment the next day. (the timings of the doses are different for an afternoon appt) . You can also only have a light breakfast the day before the procedure. You are encouraged to drink plenty of clear fluids up until the procedure. The laxative started to work about an hour after taking the first litre and pretty much continued until I went to bed at 11pm, by which time I was pretty confident that I was empty!! I lost 4lbs in weight! Regarding sedation I was given 2 drugs via a cannula in my arm, one was a painkiller and one a sedative. I was aware of some discomfort during the procedure, but nothing that deep breathing couldn't manage. The staff were also very reassuring. I could see the monitor throughout, but couldn't see any details without my specs! They told me the results after I had had a 20 minute rest and tea and biscuits. Overall it was not as bad as I expected and I would say not to worry about it. (Easier said than done I know!)

Many thanks to you all - I am pretty nervous about it, but decided it was better to do what I'd been advised than put it off. I'm a dreadful coward, but I'm hoping to experience the 'cloud of bliss' some Gransnetters describe from the sedative!
I didn't know you get a painkiller AND a sedative though. Is that universal or depending on postcode? ;)

I had it done a couple of years ago and as I mentioned on the other thread, I was offered sedation but refused it. I felt the cannula being inserted into my rectum and after that, the odd bit of discomfort. As said by others, the prep was the worst. I would not be as fearful if I had to have it done again. The staff were so helpful and comforting.