Colonoscopy

For the past 20 years I’ve had regular colonoscopies (usually yearly, sometimes more frequent).

I would recommend that if you are offered sedation (as opposed to ‘just’ gas & air) that you accept it and you will probably have very little recollection of events.

Wishing you a positive outcome.

I am waiting for the same operation but it will be my fourth or fifth time so i am now an old hand. Please don’t worry, you will either have a very light general anaesthetic or sedation. I have had both, sedation is interesting you can see what’s going on in your insides on the tv screen but don’t feel anything, or GA which is so light you are awake almost immediately.
I too have my small Store of diazepam which I use with great care. Save one for Tuesday night perhaps, but you really don’t need to worry. You won’t feel a thing.

Mine was a hundred times easier than I thought it would be. I decided to go without anaesthetic as I wanted to be able to go home straight away afterwards. A good friend had done the same and was encouraging. It was uncomfortable but painless. Odd and weird but over sooner than I had expected. The medical staff were superb. If you have a sore bottom after the many loo visits caused by the night before concoction, you can ask for a soothing gel to be applied first. If you are really stressed you can opt for an anaesthetic. In my case they were prepared to use anaesthetic at any point during the examination if I felt stressed. I had 2 nurses in attendance, one watching the doctor and the monitors, and one watching me.
Whatever the results, you are doing the exact right thing. You’ll either be clear of worry or put onto immediate treatment. In my case, the rigorous cleanse seemed to clear up my problems!!
This exam is a great way to rule out serious problems and help your GP diagnose the issues.

Cannot, unfortunately, give any advice re Diazepam. However, I found that the colonoscopy was quite bearable. Not something I would look forward to but the 2 or so days before when you drink prepared were worse to deal with! Not painful just annoying. I hope the results are favourable.

Alypoole I've had a colonoscopy and I can honestly say it was a really easy procedure. What wasn't much fun was the preparation where you literally have a colon cleanser. However, I told myself needs must and it is only one day. I was pleased to have the consultant/technician tell me that my prep was really good! (I'm very good at following instructions).

I know it's easily said, but don't be scared, the actual colonoscopy is no big deal. I was given a drug beforehand that put me in a sort of a 'twilight zone' and I couldn't remember a thing afterwards.

Good luck.