Just heard I've got to have a colonoscopy - help!

Good luck OP had my last one couple of months ago and there is a thread on here so won't repeat details...

I personally found that the worst part was taking the Moviprep laxative that you have to drink. The actual colonoscopy was painless, a little uncomfortable when the camera goes around a corner but I only had gas and air. It was fascinating seeing my colon on the screen and I had one polyp that was removed and sent for analysis.

I have these regularly - I guess I've had more than twenty over many years. Yes, the worst thing is the bowel preparation day. Do follow the diet guidelines and don't worry too much about hunger - after you start taking the medicine your appetite vanishes. I have found that the only thing that works for me is three sachets of Picolax, and I usually have to kick up a fuss to get the third prescribed.

If you're a novice, then the procedure should be no worse than uncomfortable, though I have found that the whole thing gets more bothersome the more that I have had done. I would recommend opting for the sedative - and I now often need gas and air as well. You will be able to watch the whole procedure on a screen, and in practice you can hardly avoid it. These days they don't give you enough sedative to knock you out completely (this is a good thing) They may find one or more polyps, which can be removed during the procedure. Sometimes they may find worse, and the doctor or nurse practitioner will talk to you about this afterwards. This is why it is really important to have someone to collect you, as the effects of the sedative make it difficult to take everything in, and you need a second pair of ears.

Now that you are "in the system", you should think of this as a very good thing, as I do. My tendency to get colon cancer has been kept virtually trouble free and in the background for over 25 years now. Hopefully, you will be as fortunate.

The system does vary in different hospitals.
When I had a colonoscopy, I was given an enema to self administer at home, which I was quite unable to do - I had to get a nurse in the department to do it and use the hospital toilets. Neither did they offer sedation, nor tea and a snack afterwards. The neighbouring hospital does offer sedation and the liquid prep.
Neither hospital gives you a diet for the previous days.

The prep is horrible- makes me feel sick to think of it. BUT, as it liquifies everything that is in your gut, it is unlikely you will get pain with 'not getting through'. that is the whole point of the prep, to clear everything so they can get a good look at what is happening in there.

The procedure is quick and painless, and you are mostly 'out of it' due to the aneasthesia.

It's not the procedure I'm worried about..
It's the prep you drink to clear you out that
I'm frightened about! I sometimes get spasms of pain that double me up when things can't get through, I am frightened this may happen. I've been in hospital for it. no ones mentioning that part!

I had my last colonoscopy three weeks ago and it was fine. I had sedation because I have permanent gut pain and did not want to add to it. The prep is not pleasant but heed the warnings and stay near the bathroom and use the vaseline.
My procedure was through my stoma so I was lying on my back and was able to follow the procedure on the monitor, helps take your mind off it and the doctor can talk you through it.
You get a print out of findings before you leave the endoscopy unit.

Agree with all the above!
I too found watching it on screen as it happened really fascinating. We’re so fortunate to be offered this procedure.

watching the progress of the endoscope on the tube was interesting

Perhaps I'll look at the dvd I was given after mine! Some day......

The Movicol prep is beyond awful. Each time I had it I was horrified. I kept thinking (wrongly) “oh I’m sure it’s not THAT bad”. Wrong. It tastes salty and mean. What a good idea to use a straw! Or maybe not. I liked to get it down as soon as so maybe a straw would be too slow? But then if you can’t taste it that would be okay.

I’ve had five colonoscopies. Family history. My father died of colon cancer at 47y. I chose not to have sedation. It ‘creases’ you momentarily but it’s truly no biggie. In fact watching the progress of the endoscope on the tube was interesting and the endoscopist chats to you and warns you ‘at up, we’re coming to a bendy bit, breathe now’. A few nd you’re fine. Truly. I’m such a wuss so if I could cope, anyone can.

No sedation meant I could drive myself home afterwards. But you can choose.

I had 3 polyps ‘snared’ at my last procedure. All sent for histology. All reported as benign. Yay!

You’ll be fine OP. It’s not pleasant but (hopefully) for peace of mind (wishing you ALL THE BEST) it’s worth it. We are lucky to be offered screening when you think about it. Technology is pretty wonderful isn’t it? The alternative is walking around going ‘la-la’ whilst perhaps something nasty (and treatable when caught early) is growing inside of you.

Exactly, stay on the loo, don’t move off of it until you haven’t ‘been ‘ for 20 minutes, usually after 4/5 hours.

Take a good book or crossword puzzle, learn a foreign language, you’ll have plenty of time. Because believe me you will not make it into the loo, by the time you think you need to go it will be too late.

I didn’t mind the taste of the prep, I had worse when I was pregnant, Cod Liver oil and Orange juice yuk,yuk,yuk.

Someone (who had been through it) suggested my husband just stay on the loo till it was all over!

Oh poor you Dotty.
Yes, more advice Macarena stay close to the bathroom.

The laxative certainly was strong. I felt an urge to go, ran from lounge into kitchen to get to bathroom. Didn't get to the bathroom in time and ruined my slippers and the kitchen rug. Never heard the last of it from my boyfriend!

Best wishes to you too Naanyinthekitchen.
You'll be fine.
I had several polyps removed too. No problem.

I didn't suffer from the prep either, no burning. Lucky me.

I agree, the prep was the worst part. My rear end was on fire when I had the colonoscopy carried out. I decided not to have sedation and I did not need it. I only felt a sharp pain for a second when the tube was inserted into my rear.

I also had 2 polyps removed and I did not feel a thing.

It took a couple of days for my rear to return to normal and I still needed to know where the loo was but there were no frantic dashes.

Many thanks for your best wishes Macerena and good luck to you in return.
Thank you so much to everyone who posted with the helpful advice.

I had a colonoscopy a few months ago. My partner is a doctor and she managed my prep for me. I spent 3 days devising interesting meals consisting of mashed potato, egg and bovril!
The Moviprep on the day before is evil. I added a lot of lime cordial to it to make it palatable and used a straw to drink it through. I spent 5 hours on the loo. The lowest point in my life was when I managed to get to the bedroom, realised that I needed to get back to the bathroom very quickly, slipped on some very watery poo, hit my head in the wall and ended up in the laundry basket.
Colonoscopy was fun compared to this !

nadateturbe

Ah, I get it now Macerena.

Hope all goes well. Straw sounds like a good idea.

Thank you.

Ah, I get it now Macerena.

Hope all goes well. Straw sounds like a good idea.

Had my 3rd one 3 weeks ago and as they say the worse part is preparation, first the diet of mainly. Living without eating fruit or veg for a few days and then the awful laxative drink that I had to take twice. But once through all that and with sedation given with a pain killer it was quick and easy and I was given the result straight away. So try not to worry.

Use the vaseline before any problems and invest in some gentle toilet wipes . My husband recommends the Andrex Aloe Vera.

He says drink your horrible mix through a straw so you taste as little as possible.

Thank you so much everybody. Good luck Nannyinthekitchen. I suppose it does sound odd, but whilst in hospital they found my blood pressure is all over the place and that was responsible for the fall and the broken shoulder. Blood tests led to stool test (they found blood) and so here I am. I live on my own and talking to all of you makes such a difference. I might have to get in touch again if the result is bad. I hope that's ok.

PollyDolly

"That’s an odd thing to have for a broken shoulder." Perhaps not so odd Oops, I was recently told that I needed an MRI for a scabby knee.

I can understand an MRI for your knee, but how is the colon related to the shoulder?
Nevertheless don't worry about the colonoscopy. I have had two and other colon tests. If you relax, do controlled breathing you'll be fine. You will also be offered a sedative to breathe in as needed from a mask.
The prep is worse, but you'll survive it.
Don't worry. ?

Nothing much to add other than be careful afterwards as you may feel fine after sedative but waves of grogginess can come from nowhere and affect your balance.

As regards the superstrong laxative, you will probably be advised to have Vaseline handy in case your bottom gets a bit sore.

Afterwards you should be offered a cuppa and a light snack which will be very welcome after the period of "fasting"! Best wishes.