Colonoscopy advice

I did the prep the night before, start early so you can get to sleep. Once it starts it really empties you totally so there is no chance of an accident. I would say start at 5pm the day before.

You can mix the Moviprep with cordial(but not blackcurrant or any dark cordial) I put Robinsons lemon barley in mine and yes drink what you can through straw.

The Moviprep tastes awful, drink it through a straw and you will miss most of your tastebuds. Goodluck

Due to have a colonoscopy in a few days time. Quite frankly I’m terrified. I am a worrier and it’s been difficult over Christmas trying to hide it and be “normal”. Any advice?

Wobbly. Glad it wasn't as bad as you feared.

That's excellent news, wobbly.

Glad it went well, wobs.

Procedure was a non event. no pain, discomfort, embarrassment etc. I cannot praise the Colchester Elmstead Day Unit enough.

Everything was normal, so waiting to see what torture they have planned for me next to locate the cause of my pains.

Hope the surgeon was able to put your mind at rest about the procedure and preparation, wb. Soon be done. The end of August for your hip will come soon enough. Wishing you well.

I have seen the surgeon now, and they are giving me the colonoscopy next week.
Sod's law, the hospital phoned to offer me a near date for my hip replacement, but the stomach problems are more important, so my hip op is now scheduled for the end of August.

I think it depends on what is wrong with u as to how painful the procedure is. Son had problems with it and in fact they had to stop.

I had my first colonoscopy during my first pregnancy 44yrs ago and diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis so have had many in the intervening years. The procedure has changed over the years and although not very pleasant it is soon over and hospital staff are very reassuring. If you follow the advice given above you will be fine on the day for travelling but I would recommend you take the sedative as you will be tensed up. I watch my bowel habits like a hawk and this year had to have a polyp removed which was harmless and again was so grateful for the attention I received.

My 16 yr old son has had crohns disease for the past 8 years so we are old hats at colonoscopies.
From my understanding [ from son ] the bowel prep is pretty vile, but has to be got through. He is also given senna cot to use as well. It varies with him how long it takes to clear him out
But you will need to make sure you are clear otherwise they can't do the test.

As he is a child my son gets a general anesthetic, but you will have sedation. I would ask for the strongest possible sedation. My sister had bowel cancer last year and her scopes were quite painful without sedation.
You will also not be able to drive home, so need to make sure you have someone with you who can drive.

Good luck

I had this done about ten years ago. The worst part was drinking all of the vanilla flavour prep drink. My bowels were well emptied before I left home. The colonoscopy itself was fine. I watched it on screen, no sedation.

cornergran - I had the same experience. Watched it on the screen like you.
It was part of a mass screening for anyone over 60 who wanted to take part. Back in the 90's.

As others have said follow the prep instructions and you should be OK. I had a mild sedative and was able to watch it on the screen - VERY interesting having a look at one's insides! Not pleasant but the fear was worse than the actual procedure. Everyone was very caring. Good luck

DH has a condition which increases his chance of developing cancer, he has a colonoscopy every other year. And always has a sedative as they usually take biopsies.

You will be told you will feel like to need to 'go' whilst it is happening it's a little uncomfortable but not painful. And I agree that the prep side on it is worse than the actual procedure.

The sedation aspect is interesting. I wasn't offered any and it didn't occur to me to ask. To be honest didn't need any, dignity was preserved, the staff were kind, the consultant talked me through the process as it happened, I opted to watch on the screen and found it interesting, no pain and little discomfort. Maybe I was lucky. Certainly there had been no previous bowed surgery. In my case the preparation was far more uncomfortable than the procedure.

Please make sure you have a sedative if you have had any kind of abdo op in the past and may have adhesions
It's not painful but is unpleasant if insides are "normal"
Having had major major abdo/bowel surgery mine was done without sedatives and aborted since my insides are horrible
Consultant actually asked why I wasn't sedated !
As long as bowel prep taken properly all should be well when traveling although I too would take precautions for my own piece of mind

Wondered what had happened to u wobblybits haven't seen u post recently. Good luck with the procedure.

Angela1961, To a similar family history I have a yearly scan. Sedative is strong, I must be driven.

Sorry to ask a question on someone else's post but to all those that have to have one every year can I ask this........ My grandfather,grandmother,uncle and mother all died due to bowel cancer, my mother dying in 2013. I had a colonoscopy in 2014 and was told will have one every 5 years. Do you think that is too long between/ and also thoughts from anyone medical greatly appreciated. Thanks. Good luck Wobbly bits !

I had one in August. The prep is horrible but though I was okay on the way to the hospital throughout a forty minute journey I did make extra contingency just in case! You will feel groggy afterwards due to the sedative, but they give you time to rest and come round properly, tea and biscuits, and won't let you go until they're happy that you're okay. You'll feel fine by the time they let you go, and although you may feel perfectly able to, you certainly shouldn't drive for twenty four hours. Good luck, wobbly and gillybob; it'll be over before you know it.

That is correct Wobblybits. I elected not to have a sedative and certainly did not need one but I had asked a friend to take me there and pick me up afterwards.