Colonoscopy.

Don’t worry, before your Colonoscopy you will have an appointment at the hospital with an adviser ( I saw a nurse) who will run through everything about the procedure with you. Ask any and all questions with them when you go.

They will give you the meds to take before you go to the hospital on the day, when you take them, don’t stray more than 3 feet away from the loo, eventually you will be on the loo for around 4 hours or so, take a book in with you, because you won’t be off of it at all!
The next morning at the hospital, you will be offered Valium or similar, I had one but I know people who wanted to be aware of what was going on and they didn’t take up the offer, if you have a sedative you must have someone with you to take you home.
You will be given a gown to wear and a pair of very fetching paper shorts, I kept my T shirt on, your bag with your clothes in will be carried in with you to the room.
BP will be taken, I was given Oxygen but I have Asthma so that’s probably why.
You don’t go to sleep and are able to move around when asked, but I don’t remember much about the actual procedure, at all stages before I had it, they asked me if I was aware of what was going to happen and ( it was the week before Christmas) if I wanted the results straight away or after the holidays. I opted to be told straight away.
A nurse sat by my side all through the examination and I was in there for half an hour or so, but in total there for 3 hours, but they warn you that you might be at the hospital for some time due to delays.
Afterwards you go into recovery and get a cup of tea, when I was Ok to leave I was given some paperwork with photos of the polyps that were removed and was talked through what they had found,( large polyp, but precancerous) biopsy’s were done and the result was confirmed after Christmas.
I had a follow up Sigmoidoscopy 6 months after and another Polyp was found that was benign too, but I am now under the hospital and will have to go for another Colonoscopy next year ( no more Poohing on sticks for me!)
The worst part of it for me was the laxatives, but now I know what to expect it will be easier next time.
Try not to worry.

It really isn't as worrying as you might expect and you will be well taken care of. It really sounds a lot worse than it is . Best wishes.

I did not want or need a sedative or pain relief. I felt the instrument being inserted into my rear end but it was over and done with instantly. I tried to watch what was going on on screen.

Buy some cream to soothe your rear end because that will be the worst I think. Each hospital is different and my preparation to empty my bowels went on for many hours hence the soreness.

I had 2 polyps removed and felt zilch.
Good luck.

Agnieszka, it really isn't an ordeal at all. The worst part is in the worries in your head, oh and having to drink all that Moviprep, Picolax, or whichever depth charge they give you! Follow all the instructions for the colon prep and relax. I had no sedatives at all and it was really not even really uncomfortable, let alone painful. Love your name by the way! A lovely Polish lady is an audiologist at my local hospital and she is called Agnieszka too. Good Luck with the outcome of the investigation.

Just to support Charleygirl's advice to anoint your bum with an emollient for the Saturn V rocket that will be your rear with the laxative - I used Vaseline. I daresay some acid passes through and would make your sphincter a bit sore without a barrier.

Another recommendation for Vaseline from me. I wasn’t offered a sedative and didn’t find the procedure painful or particularly embarrassing. It was actually interesting, I could see the screen and was given a commentary. Please don’t worry agnieszka, it will all be explained to you and you’ll find the staff are thoughtful and supportive.

Saturn V rocket that will be your rear

a perfect summation of the enema process!

Hello everyone.
Thank you so much for the feedback.
I am greatly reassured and less stressed, after reading about your personal experiences.
Yes I am Polish InnocentBystander, and my name is often admired by Scottish ladies.......but actually not so much in my native country, where it is very popular and maybe a bit overused!!!!!!
Anyway, many thanks to you all, and hopefully I will have this test soon and receive a good outcome.
Kind regards.

Agnieszka. x

Can I ask if anyone has had a sigmoidoscopy ? If so how soon afterwards did you feel up to running around doing normal stuff ?

Lucca, I had a sigmoidoscopy about ten years ago. It was just done then and there by the consultant I was referred to, with no special preparation. I don’t remember it being anything unduly unpleasant, probably all the better for no advance warning. Always, always I find there seems is a wonderful sympathetic, caring nurse on hand to provide reassurance in these situations.

Ah, that sounds a bit different then ! I have a lot of preparation to do ! Plus of course Covid swab and isolation first

Bear in mind too that with a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, you need to be prepared to have lots of wind afterwards! The nurses usually laugh because you will hear it in the recovery ward. They pump your innards full of air to get a clearer picture - and of course, that air has to come out sometime!

Ive had two and drove myself home, but I didn’t have sedation. Once it was over it was over. No recovery time needed.

Glad I was alone in the car with all that farting?

Well, all the best Lucca and Agnieszka.

The bowel clearing jollop is completely pain free too! I thought there would be griping but nothing at all-just a good old empty out!

Peasblossom

Ive had two and drove myself home, but I didn’t have sedation. Once it was over it was over. No recovery time needed.

Glad I was alone in the car with all that farting?

I remember feeling jet propelled on the way home!,

That’s just reminded me of when a friend had one. It was years ago.
He told me that on leaving the hospital he had to sneak into a phone box and vigorously jump up an down to rid himself of all of the wind! ?

I had a colonoscopy a couple of years ago in Oxford. As it’s a teaching hospital there must have been half a dozen people in the room, all staring at my rear end. I didn’t have paper shorts. You get rubber shorts with a hole in. As I said to the other ladies in the waiting rooom, I felt I should be off to a Gay Club. I opted for sedation and local anaesthetic. It was slightly uncomfortable rather than painful. After a cup of tea and a biscuit I was told they had found nothing sinister. OH had to drive me there and back. Oh, I found the worst part the incredibly strong laxatives which had to be taken beforehand!

I've never been given shorts to wear for my colonoscopies, just a hospital gown with an open back. Had sedation for them all but still aware of the whole procedure. The best part was the sandwich and cuppa afterwards because you don't eat for 24 hours or so before the colonoscopy.

Lucca

Can I ask if anyone has had a sigmoidoscopy ? If so how soon afterwards did you feel up to running around doing normal stuff ?

Had one three months ago. If you have done your prep at home, it will be fairly easy at the hospital. I signed the paperwork (consent form) had the procedure explained then was ready. The sigmoidoscopy doesn’t go as far as a colonoscopy so I didn’t find it uncomfortable at all and had no pain medication, though gas and air was on standby.
Procedure took about 5-6 minutes and was over.
Cup of tea in rest room, dressed and home.
Felt fine, but bloated for the rest of the day.

Sigmoidoscopy is fine. Not a problem.
Colonoscopy for vast majority is uncomfortable but not painful. Here in NI I don't think anyone is offered valium. You can have sedation and or gas. I luckily managed with mindful breathing which calmed me and relaxed the bowel. I didn't experience any wind after. Strange that everyone on here did.
For me the bowelbprep and not eating was horrible. But no getting round it. My guess is you will be fine. I've had three. Don't worry. ?

Because my brother died of bowel cancer,in the last few years I have had three colonoscopies, thank goodness nothing was found and procedure was quite straightforward…

Thank you for the replies !

Me again. I just have an enema to do at home. I can have entonox and drive myself home, which I’d prefer or sedation which means no driving fir 24 hours. I’m hoping to be brave and opt for just entonox.