Colonoscopy

Perhaps it's different in different cetntres bikergran? I have an appointment next week and they have sent me prep stuff to take a couple of days before which I am not looking forward to. They obviously have to clear out bowel somehow or else the view will be blocked so perhaps you're going down the enema route?

"clever" not "Cleaver " tut... rolls eyes....

After reading the thread I am left a bit puzzled...maybe someone can enlighten me please all you cleaver gals...

Just briefly....always had problems with bowels (over 30 yrs put it down to IBS)anyway been getting much worse/more often.

Went docs Wed just gone and Doc discussed sending me for a Colonoscopy asap (I said oh must have been a premeditation as on my way here I saw the BT men threading a cable off one of those big reels ) Doc smiled and said "oh it wont be as big as those) gulp!

Today letter came appointment a week today.
But NO mention of taking liquid/light diet etc etc Just got to turn up with urine sample.!

The doc did give me some Fibrogel she said these may help with my problem.... but she didn't say start taking X amount before appointment or anything... she just sort of give me them if needed etc.

My dd had a colonoscopy many yrs ago she also didn't take liquid before hand but they gave her an enema prior....

The letter doesn't mention anything at all other than at the bottom (pardon the pun)!! tests /x rays may be required and you may therefore have a delay in your appointment.

I have had two with a sedative both times. I had just mild discomfort and watched the whole thing on the screen. Two polyps removed there and then which could not be done with a virtual colonoscopy. The prep to clear the bowel is not pleasant but just remember people actually pay for a good clearout with colonic irrigation!

I thought that would appear just under Nanooka's message!

I had sedation AND painkiller for sedation before an endoscopy. Very effective.

I had sedation and pain killers. The sedation was light and I knew what was going on but was relaxed. I had gas and air if I needed it. It was NHS.

My husband, who says himself that he has a very low pain threshold, had a colonoscopy and said afterwards that it was not at all distressing - he could hardly remember it. He must have had a lot of sedation because it was quite a while before they would discharge him to come home. All the other people that I know who have had a colonoscopy have said it was fine - not at all painful.

Though I had sedation, I really didn't feel as if I had. Like most people, I've had sedation in the past and felt rather "out of it" but this time I felt completely with it. I believe that is the reason I found it a very unpleasant experience. I think the poster who said that the idea is to give as little sedation as possible and get the patient out as quickly as possible has probably hit the nail on the head.

Given that you have had distressing experiences before, I think you should discuss it with your GP and discuss whether it would be possible to have a GA (which I think they will be very reluctant to do) or high sedation. It is definitely worth speaking to your doctor as this must be causing you anxiety and stress.

Can understand the relief harri. Hope you are comfortable today.

Update on colonoscopy, I had sedation and it didn't really work. The most uncomfortable one to date plus the equipment malfunctioned. I had four polyps removed which had grown since last year's examination. The nurses were lovely, very kind but was glad when it was over.

In some hospitals the patient is asked in advance to advise their own choice of music, not just the genre but the specific cd!

Harrigran - I had a nurse who appeared very familiar with the procedure he was carrying out. My main feeling over the whole thing was relief that I was not expected to have a GA as I'm apprehensive of them.

grumppa

I was also reminded of the film "Fantastic Voyage", but looked in vain for the miniaturised submarine and Raquel Welch.

Listening to a programme on Radio 4 the other day they were talking about a virtual colonoscopy. They did say that many/most people cannot tolerate the current one.

To do this virtual one they do a scan and then transpose it so they can travel through and see what is going on. Amazing! Let's hope they get on with making it available asap.

grumpaa

I’ve had two colonoscopies, both under general anaesthetic. I’m appalled at the thought of being awake during the procedure. Sounds horrible.

I have had a letter telling me that my colonoscopy will be performed by a nurse this time. I am concerned as all previous ones were carried out by a consultant.

Had my first colonoscopy yesterday. The preparation of dietary limitations followed by fasting was pretty grim, but the actual procedure was fine. I had painkiller but no sedation, and was able to watch the whole thing. There were two doctors, one "driving" and one "navigating", and some of the instructions "up a bit.....left a bit.......now to the right" reminded me of "The Navy Lark".

I was pleased to be told "Good news" at the end.

Good luck with yours Harri - I hope very much that it is clear.

Good luck Harrigran, hope it goes well for you.

My sister-in-law had one recently and she couldn't drink the laxative liquid that she was given - she has a very weird stomach and vomited it out before it could do its job. She didn't go into details of how they cleared her out, presumably an enema. Sorry if that's TMI.

Hope it goes well Harri gran

If there is nothing actually wrong with your bowel then it will not be as painful as those of us who have bowel disease and previous operations. My next one is in two weeks but I have had that many horrible things done to me that it is just another thing to tick off the list.

It depends what's wrong with you of course! Glad it went well corner gran.

I’m beginning to wonder if I’m unusual. I really felt no pain through a colonoscopy, no sedation, watched it on the monitor and found it interesting. The more difficult part for me was the need to drink what felt like buckets of horrid tasting liquid the day before and spending a long, long while in the bathroom. If it was necessary I wouldn’t be concerned about another. As I said, I must be unusual.