Colonoscopy

I not J!

I had one 2 months ago, and it was fine. The diet in the 5 days leading up to it was pretty boring, but worth doing properly so they get a clear view, as it were. I used a metal straw (from Lakeland) which seemed to help the laxative drink go down more easily. For the first hour I thought it was having no effect, then wow!! And I would have used Sudocream if I knew it was allowed! The actual procedure wasn't at all painful and the staff were all friendly and professional. Please don't worry.

Have the sedation offered.
Good luck

I've had a colonoscopy so I can tell you that I barely felt a thing and there was no discomfort whatsoever. I'd previously had a barium enema so was quite worried because I did find the final bit of that horrible but by comparison, I enjoyed the colonoscopy!

I was really worried when I needed a colonoscopy but needlessly. I had a sedative and barely remember it, stayed in recovery for about an hour and then given a sandwich and coffee before going home. It's a little undignified but not painful, I wouldn't be worried if I had to have another. The worst bit ,as others have said ,is the Moviprep. It tastes vile, but on advice from a friend,sipped it through a straw, chilled and alternated sips with Bovril drink which helped me get it down. Cleared me out well, and use sensitive toilet wipes!

As others have said the clearing out prep is the worst bit but important to follow the instructions carefully . I had the jug of mixture next to my chair and sipped it slowly. It can make you sick if gulped down. The other point is if you have a mild sedative as I did you need to have someone to drive you home and be with you. The lady in the next bed was not allowed a sedative as she lived alone and was not allowed to drive home if she had been given the sedative. Hope all goes well.

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

youtu.be/Gs6oG-cvSgY

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!

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.

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.

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.

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 !

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

...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!?

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!

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.

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

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

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

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 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!!

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

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'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.

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