Colonoscopy

My son had it. He said the actual procedure was fine. A little uncomfortable but pain free. He said the worst part was taking the enema stuff beforehand. Good luck Clemetisa

I've had a colonoscopy as part of investigations for a stabbing pain in my side.

It's really not a big deal (or I didn't find it to be), I didn't do anything other than take the prep stuff beforehand as directed (stay near a loo).

I was given a drug that meant I didn't remember a thing about the procedure. It wasn't sore or uncomfortable and I went to work the day after (although my boss sent me home, shocked that I had turned up!) I think I went home and slept off the after effects of the drugs.

All was fine with me BTW. Eventually the mysterious pain disappeared, just as well because they couldn't find a read on for it.

Not "read on" ... reason!

Clematisa I had it done for the same reason as yourself. The bowel prep is the worst and I would suggest that you buy whatever is used now for babies because my rear end was on fire.

I was offered sedation but I declined and did not need it. I felt the odd bit of discomfort and even had a couple of polyps removed at the same time as they can become cancerous. I had a cup of coffee afterwards and in my friend;'s car within 45 minutes.

I was tired afterwards but glad that it was over. It took I think at least 2 days for my bot to return to normal, that really was the worst part of it- sorry if it is too much information! My result came back negative.

Don`t worry about diet yet. When you get the appointment for the colonoscopy you will be given instructions about what you can and can`t eat for a couple of days before the procedure. As others have said, the actual colonoscopy isn`t bad - and it`s a very good way of losing a few pounds!

Husband had one not long ago and had to prepare as per eddiecat above.
Some time ago I had one as part of a survey and had to self-administer an enema before going to the hospital. That was the worst part - we had no car at the time and I went by bus and just hoped for the best I'd already 'been' but still rumblings inside.

I have had two plus a bowel resection in the last year. They will give you a diet sheet and you start three days before the procedure. Have some nappy rash cream for the sore bum and get some Tena lady briefs, sometimes it is difficult to make the bathroom in time. Wear the briefs for your journey to the hospital and you will feel assured that you wont have an accident.
My last colonoscopy was through my colostomy and the preparation and procedure was pain free.

I've had two colonoscopies and agree that it is no big deal. I would suggest that you lather your bottom liberally before taking the opening medicine, that way you will avoid any soreness and reapply regularly. Also wet wipes are good. Place a large bath towel on the bed and so any little accidents will be catered for.

DH was doing some light gardening a few hours after his, but I am not recommending this.

Best of luck.

Grannyknot i have had a stabbing pain in my right lower side for 3 years had all the tests, nothing found so hope mine disappears .
just like you pain has.
Clemista please dont worry, it is painless, please dont let it spoil your Christmas.

Clemista - I have had 2, both with no sedation or pain relief - none needed. As others have said the prep is more of a pain!

I do hope that the investigation gives you the all clear.

Would echo the other comments, clematisa, it's not something to worry about. Mine was also after the 'poo sticks', I wasn't offered sedation and can honestly say it wouldn't have been helpful as I didn't find the procedure stressful or painful. The bowel prep was more uncomfortable. I used Vaseline to protect my skin and had very little irritation. The diet sheet made sense, the procedure was actually quite interesting as I could follow via a monitor. Please don't worry, the staff will be helpful and kind, it is soon over.

I had one and wasn't offered sedation. From speaking to other people, some hospitals offer sedation and others don't. I was supposed to self-administer an enema but was unable to do it and it was done by the nurse at the hospital which was much easier. It wasn't the most pleasant thing but not really painful. There was no special diet beforehand.

First of all well done you for doing your poo sticks test. So many people are put off by what is an incredibly easy test and early diagnosis is the way forward. Even a positive diagnosis is not a death sentence as bowel cancer is one of the "better " ones to treat provided it is caught in tine
DH has a higher than average chance of bowel cancer because of other things and he has an annual colonoscopy. They usually see a polyp or two. Usually remove and biopsy to be on the safe side and usually tell him to come back in 3 months for a clinic appointment.
He also had a small bowel resection 8 years ago when it perforated because of an unspotted tumour and lymphoma. All well now, but EARLY TESTING is the first step to treatment and recovey.
It was both brave and sensible of you clematisa -good luck with the "scope" I hope everyone has managed to reassure you.

DH has had a couple. He didn't enjoy them, but at the same time he didn't have any problems. Like everyone else he found the laxatives beforehand the worst bit.

It is good to do the test but do remember it is not 100%, i had a negqtive test just months before being diagnosed with cancer. Be vigilant and if it is not normal for you get it checked out.

grannypiper 're my stabbing pain, after all investigations proved fruitless, one of the clinicians (can't remember which one now) said it might be due to adhesions from previous surgery. It lessened over time and disappeared.

Thanks everyone for all your positive comments and support. I'm on my own so no-one to "talk it over with" and I guess I am doing my usual of crossing bridges before I come to them! Scrubbed the kitchen floor and cleared out some of my heaving kitchen drawers, lol- what I was doing that for I've no idea!
I'll take your advice about all the prep and towel on the bed etc... very reassuring to know how many of you have all been through it before.

Could a friend drive you there? My hospital is only a couple of miles away but my tum was gurgling as we drove there and I would not have been fit to drive, apart from the minor problem that there are rarely any spaces.

It will also be suggested that you are picked up- you may be offered and accept sedation so you would not be able to drive. You may not need a loo afterwards but it is comforting to know where one is so again, a friend picking you up would help to solve that problem and you can get home quickly with luck.

I was told that I must have somebody to take me home and also to stay with me for the night. The overnight stay was totally unnecessary as I felt fine, and I wish I hadn't inconvenienced DD to do this.
I was very anxious before I attended for colonoscopy and gastroscopy on the same visit, but I can reassure you that there is no need to worry as I felt little with mild sedation.
I hope it goes well for you, with a good outcome.

I can only second what has been said above. I had one in August. There has to be someone to take you home. DH came with me, but my friend, who is widowed, had one and we picked her up after hers. I had to sign a form before they would let her out. Neither of us had any particular problems with the procedure, but I wouldn't climb over you to get to the prep again!!

I had one recently with a gastroscopy at the same time. The prep was really horrible but worth the effort! A friend drove me there. The procedure was painless because I had an effective sedative. I was given a reassuring summary of the surgeon's findings before my friend picked me up. No adverse effects or nasty results.

I've had this done. The prep is unpleasant only in that you have many visits to the bathroom. I had no 'accidents' and found it ok. Don't recall a sore bottom afterwards.

The only downside for me is that it was flavoured with vanilla and as there was 8 pints to drink over a 4 hour period - I now can't abide the taste or smell of vanilla

I had no sedation and was able to watch the procedure on the monitor and follow the journey of the camera through my body. A friend drove me home to save my dh taking time off work.
If it was necessary, I wouldn't worry about having to do it again.

Thanks again for all this advice - a very good friend has now offered to come for me and take me home, then stay overnight if needs be. Hospital is over an hour away - that's if I get an appointment at the closest one, will know where and when sometime over the next 3 - 4 days apparently. All seems to be happening really fast and I haven't bought Christmas Presents yet, lol! Luckily I sent off cheques to nieces and nephews last Friday so only the brothers and sistes-in-laws and various friends to sort this week... thinking I may do something easy like gift tokens for them... usually make up little gift baskets, one year it was jams chutneys and homemade vodkas etc,then I did a food hamper with Italian type things from the deli, two years ago it was toiletries and last year it was car and keeping safe, but really disorganised this year! Eeek!

I find prep worse than procedure ,think you only need someone to stay with you for24hrs if you have sedation I never have it never felt need for it but some people are very nervous and if it gets you through procedure then it's worth taking don't worry about pressies they will understand good luck