Colonoscopy

I was told it was highly unlikely that I had cancer but went ahead with the colonoscopy, I did have cancer and I am alive to tell the tale. I could have accepted the Drs assumption but I knew my own body.
I have had seven endoscopies but given the choice I would have the colonoscopy over the gastroscopy.
Follow the prep diet and do not drink any coloured liquids may skew the results. I found sucking boiled sweets helped relieve the monotony and took the taste of the prep away.
Take the sedation it helps you relax.
I only have half my bowel now but each time I go back they find three or four polyps, they remove them and all is well.

Are you having a colonoscopy to confirm bowel cancer, or to rule it out? I was strongly advised to have one in October, even though I have no symptoms, and I cancelled it. You don't have to do everything doctors say. In Scotland you would only be offered a colonoscopy if there were e.g. unexplained weight loss or blood in the stool. The NHS are supposed to be changing to this method this year. Of course if you do have symptoms the colonoscopy could save your life, and I felt the same as you until I met an acquaintance who said it was a piece of cake, she had a local anaesthetic and it was fine. It seems to be the preparation, all that drinking to clear the bowel, that people find distasteful rather than the procedure itself....

I have not read all four pages, as I am positive they will all say the same thing:

1. It is completely understandable to be worried.
2. The prep the night before is the worst bit.
3. Ask for sedation.
4. All the staff involved are lovely, will understand your concerns and will protect your modesty
5. It is a walk in the park compared to many other procedures.
6. You'll wonder why you stressed about it!

My DD (20) had one a few months ago and like you she was terrified but she found it to be fine.

The pre med drink thing was pretty fast acting so make sure you’re near a loo and have plenty of soothing aloe Vera wipes to hand.

She opted for sedation and says she doesn’t remember any pain or discomfort although she does remember shouting out - but they instantly gave her more pain relief. Apparently young women’s bowels can be a bit tricky to navigate because they haven’t stretched as much as older women’s and she is tiny - a size 4 (not through choice, she has digestive problems hence the colonoscopy). Afterwards she was taken into recovery where I was allowed to see her. There was a far amount of wind coming out of the back door but the staff were very respectful and didn’t bat an eyelid. Her blood pressure was quite low so she was monitored for a while and then given some squash which seemed to help. Within an hour or two she was ready to go home with no discomfort or pain at all. She’s got a very low pain threshold but honestly, she had no problems with the pain relief and sedation - it was over very quickly.

Good luck

Try not to worry , I have had this procedure twice and it’s really fine. The preparation just means staying close to your loo, but is ever so easy really . The actual procedure is not painful, there is a sedation beforehand so you don’t feels anything , although you are aware enough to watch on the screen if you would like to, if not it is easy to just ‘zone out’.
You are given appropriate underwear to wear at the hospital to keep your dignity, I usually take a book or magazine whilst waiting. Afterwards everything is explained to you which is interesting and reassuring. You will be the other side of it in no time, and will be absolutely fine. Sometimes if I am not looking forward to something I plan a treat afterwards to have something to look forward to. Good luck xx

I work in bowel screening and have a lot of people coming for colo. if you have someone who will take you home and be with you for 24hrs ask to have sedation. Use a barrier cream while taking the prep. Feel free to pm me if you wish and we can have a chat through

I wish I could have said that I woke up! I was never asleep. That must make a big difference.

I've had this done and did need light sedation. My stool test from GP was 10 times normal result and I was convinced I had cancer. But I got the result from the nurse who did the colonoscopy straight away and it was completely clear. So probably a combination of IBS and sugar free drinks.

Just follow the instructions to the letter and you will be fine. I stayed in bed next to the en-suite loo all day as my appointment was late afternoon. The procedure was far less problematic than I anticipated and I was so well looked after. The outcome was positive and I am fine. Please think positive about the whole thing as it is a means to an end . You will be well cared for I am sure

I agree with all the previous responses. I’ve had several now as the first one diagnosed bowel cancer. Which was operated on very successfully. Had a few more since as follow ups. I do take the sedation and although not a pleasant experience considering it probably saved my life I don’t regret them for a second

Oh guineagirl you've got me quaking wirh fear now. I've been trying to pluck up courage for mine. There's actually a thread for the upper endoscopy and no one has said anything so bad. Oh dear!!

Alypoole - don't worry - this is a simple procedure as you can see from all the other contributors, and the staff involved appreciate your feelings and will be kind. I would just give you a tip and that is to take some extra knickers with you and if possible a sanitary pad as it's inevitable that some leakage occurs after the procedure. I don't think any of this advice is given by the hospital to day patients but when I took my Mum for the procedure a few years ago this did happen and fortunately one of the nurses found her an incontinence pad which we slipped into her knickers. She would have been mortified had she leaked on the way home. You will be fine and barely feel it, and just think of the relief afterwards.

Oh and by the way
They pump air in to open you up when asleep so fart away to release pressure
Its discomfort not pain

You drink stuff the night before to clean you out
Next day to hospital
They give you sedative
Put tube up your bum
Look at camera
Remove tube
You wake up
Tea and toast
They tell you no cancer
You feel great
I have had it both ends
And its fine
Drink all the advised night before drink which is only nasty bit
But better to have it done than getting bowel cancer

Haven't read all the response, but as a regular colonoscopy goer all I can say it isn't that bad - certainly far better than having down the top end!

My advice if you are nervous (and even if you aren't!!) is to take the sedation offered - if you do have a stash of Diazepam, then I would take one an hour before, and then one whilst waiting - have to say I need to do this before an MRI as I now find that more terrifying! You may feel a little sore, but it's more uncomfortable than anything else as they 'turn the corners) Best of luck x

Ive had one colonoscopy approx 8yrs ago due to blood in stools over a period of time. Worst bit was imagining what was going to happen & what might be
found. The prep beforehand has
improved enormously I'm told
having a sense of humour does
help. I imagined all the
celebrities who paid good
money for the flushing out!
Thestaff were super, I was given
paper shorts to wear with a flap
at the back fastened by velcro.
Rest of clothing was my own so
you may want to arrive in
seperates. I watched fascinated
the progress through my
innards (but you dont have to)
turns out it wasnt cancer but
haemorrhoids which the
specialist kindly fastsned off
there and then to avoid another
procedure at a later date. When
faced with this sort of stuff I
close my eyes & imagine large
heads of chrysanthemums & in
my mind I examine each petal. The nurses understand. I had to lay on my side with knees drawn up. Think of it as plumbing. Very best wishes.

Alypoole

I have had two or maybe three - I forget!! I had no sedation and drove myself home the last time.

I can only ask you to listen to Grannyknot. She is completely right! It is very easy, very comfortable, the team are so kind. The room is usually darkened a bit so the Doctor can see the "TV" type screen, you will not be at all embarrassed. Remember they do several a day every day. I had terrible haemorrhoids but the insertion of the tube was painless.

The medication you take at home beforehand to clear your colon is an interesting experience. Simply follow the instructions. I did not have stomach cramps as with diarrhoea, but you must stay at home as you need the loo frequently and towards the end you are losing a kind of clear liquid. It's nothing to be worried about at all. Very clever really.

Of all the procedures I have had, this is one of the easiest.

I shall be thinking of you, and as everyone says, I know it's easier said than done, but please try not to worry! You will be fine!

...as an afterthought , I didn’t have sedative offered as I had to work in afternoon ...but if you’re able to avail yourself of one..why not!?

The first one I had I needed to have biopsies so this was done under sedation- however it was converted to a full GA as I felt the first biopsy. The second one I was awake and watched what was going on on the screen. It was fascinating and over very quickly. Both times I was discharged after an hour or so.
I will advise some nappy rash cream like sudocrem for the prep part. I found I was getting sore after the constant evacuations beforehand.
Good luck. It's over before you know it. Try not to worry as I'm sure it's exacerbating your symptoms xx

Worrying about the outcome I can understand....but the truth is the actual procedure , although a little undignified ...though not as much as giving birth.... I totally painless . Of all procedures I’ve had done , this one I definitely wouldn’t now think twice about attending. You go and get yourself sorted . Promise....painless !

I had a colonoscopy in 1975 not only it being a most uncomfortable experience was subjected to an audience of
medical students. I had been asked if I objected to this but can only hope that what they saw of my experience would help in making it a less uncomfortable experience for others.

I’ve had a couple and as most have said the prep is the worst part. On the advice of a friend I used Vaseline before every bowel movement and I didn’t end up with a sore bottom! Really does work. The actual procedure caused me very little discomfort and I made the most of what they could give me to stay calm. The staff are so caring and there’s no embarrassment at all.
You’ll sail through.

One thing if you have an endoscopy have sedation I never had it it was horrendous, being fully awake swallowing the pipe was awful. When it was over my blood pressure dropped so much due to shock and I couldn’t walk slowly, I just ran but couldn’t control myself. Never again.

As most people have said the preparation is worse than the actual procedure! I didn’t have sedation and the only very slight and brief pain was when they took a biopsy which doesn’t happen to everyone. Honestly I was petrified but it was so much easier than I had feared. As everyone has said the staff were great and kept talking to me and I watched the procedure on the screen!

Have a look at this Alypoole. Might make you feel better.

youtu.be/Gs6oG-cvSgY