Colonoscopy

I'm waiting for an appointment for a sigmoidoscopy and the consultant told me they would give me 'laughing gas'. He also said I would be sent laxative tablets and a self-administered enema. I'm so looking forward to this!

Before they did mine, they explained the procedure to me and I was told that the bowel had no nerve endings that could detect temperature, touch or pain, only distension. That being the case, if they hit your nerve endings, Hotmama, you should not have felt it. Having said that, there were a few moments where I wondered who was kidding whom!! Whether that was because they have to blow more air into the bowel to be able to get round corners I don't know. I certainly didn't have a student, and you surely should have been asked for your permission before a student was allowed to carry out a procedure.

I have had both up and down with no sedative down no problem after spray on throat colonoscopy a bit uncomfortable but I find prep for colonoscopy worse than procedure hope all goes well

I have had 2 colonoscopies without any sedation - no problem at all.

Hotmama at the hospital where I had my colonoscopy, it is only the consultant who does the procedure- how others learn I have no idea and do not care!

Everyone is different. My colonoscopy was very painful and I had a sedative and gas and air and I was still in a lot of pain. They explained that I have a very winding, twisty bowel and they kept hitting the nerve endings. I was introduced to a student when I went in and my guess is they let him have a go. I appreciate we all have to learn but preferably not on me thanks! As the majority of replies are positive, I'm guessing I'm the exception.

I had a colonoscopy at the end of August and opted for sedation, but they had entonox on stand by in case I needed a helping hand, as they put it. I did, as it happened, but only for a few moments when he was going round a corner! Apart from the discomfort (and that is all it should be) when the air is pumped in, it's really not that bad. As someone said above, it took about an hour, then you are in recovery for around an hour (I just felt slightly dozy - no change there then!) then they give you coffee or tea and biscuits and send you home with your minder. Good luck, anno. You'll be absolutely fine.

I caught a few minutes of Loose Women today and Jeremy Kyle was on. Supposedly he's doing a new programme where he's in hospital with people having various procedures done. It might be a good idea, when having such things done, to be able to think 'at least Jeremy Kyle isn't filming me' . [ps not meaning to be flippant about peoples medical problems by the way, but it made me think of various bits and bobs that I've had filmed over the past few months].

Thanks for all the advice. We do have a lot of photogenic innards on Gransnet! I am getting very tired of the low fibre diet. I hope never to have to eat white bread again.

Had a colonoscopy, no endoscopy, without sedation, in fact wasn't offered any, felt fine and really it wasn't painful, just a little undignified! Good luck, all will be well.

AS one who has just come home from 'both ends'. The endoscope man was highly experienced, and only a squirt of the anasthesia sufficed...... The Omeprazole is doing its work!

Next a turn over to the rear ,was told to take Moviprep beforehand which is the devils brew. I took as per instructions, but after 4 hours it all came up, however I had eaten carefully prior with virtually no fibrous stuff..

It was not entirely pain free as they pump you full of air. I had entonox, as he had to manoeuvre round the bends. This he managed to do as well as taking samples

Whole procedure took about 1 hour, and I felt quite disonientated, but had a bout of vertigo to add to the experience.

OH was with me , and took me home, and now about 5 hours post feel fine, but will sleep well tonight.

Good luck, .and let us know how you get on , I'm sure there are many others in our situation

I'm having both at the same time. The bumf says I should have someone with me for four hours after a sedative but I don't want my friend to have to break into her evening. If I have entinox I should be fine. If not, I will ask my neighbour to keep an eye on me.

I had an 'up' as well as a 'down' at the same time. The sedative was only mild and I was fully aware all the time and felt very little. I wish I had gone without because they insisted I have someone with me all night afterwards, which was totally unnecessary. DD was very willing to stay over, but I hated being a nuisance to her.
I hope the experience will not be too unpleasant for you. Good luck!

Anno Entonox is oxygen and nitrous oxide, as used in obstetrics.
The recovery time is quicker than with benzodiazepines- I'm sure you will be fine with it.
Good luck

I have had a colonoscopy and I did not need anything. I was absolutely fine.