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.