To ask for your experiences of colonoscopy, super nervous

@elm26 well done for getting that down you. Believe it or not I would say tomorrow is easier than forcing litres of prep down because it’s out of your hands then!

Take the sedation - you’ll sort of be aware what’s going on around you but you won’t remember it in any detail afterwards. Take a book or something, you may be waiting around for the procedure to be done.

good luck and do try not to worry - it will be over before you know it. In case saying “try not to worry” isn’t helpful is there anything in particular you’re anxious about? Maybe one of us can help with specific advice

Had mine done with gas and air - not advisable! Take the sedation…

Have the sedation, you will feel very relaxed when you come to.
I didn't find the prep so bad. Not lovely but not awful either.

I had a colonoscopy in November and I was really terrified! I had the most horrendous piles at the time and had recently had a mastectomy of my left breast so was worried about having to lie on my left side.

I didn't find the prep that bad, to be honest. I had Moviprep which is less awful than some of the alternatives I think. I was also well used to diarrhoea having had it for about 4 months by then - but I 6th no it you follow the instructions to have a very bland, low residue diet for a couple of days beforehand, followed by a clear liquid only diet, properly, that probably helps.

I had sedation for the procedure and it worked well. I told them that I was worried about lying on my left side because it was still very sore, and they said I could lie on my back, no problem. There was one uncomfortable bit when they actually inserted the probe, because of how sore it was there anyway, but nothing as bad as I had expected, and I don't remember any other discomfort.

You will be fine. It's not a process I would like to have to undergo again - but I won't be worried about it if I do.

I was most worried about the prep but it was unpleasant not unmanageable. The solution was not as disgusting as I imagined based on others reports. I followed the advice to make it as cold as possible and to use a straw. I did not need to stay in the washroom and there was no cramping or anything. I threw up some solution toward the end but I still achieved the proper clear out. So unpleasant but not undoable. Mine was drank in 2 parts - so the hardest part was getting up at like 3am to finish the 2nd half.

I felt nothing at all during the procedure - I vaguely recall being given some extra medicine or sedative or something but that's about it - I really don't remember the procedure even. My DH drove me to and from. We went for delightful big breakfast after as I was starving.

"They could drive a Ford Cortina up your arse on those drugs! - they’re great"

😂😂😂

Having read the replies a few things :

• Everyone has a slightly different experience of colonoscopies. Though the majority have sedation, some do have gas and air (and some nothing ).
• If you have sedation you can't drive home afterwards and need someone to be with you in the eve

• In the UK , standard sedation is not propofol, so you may well not sleep but just feel drowsy and may not remember each step of the procedure
• take the bowel prep exactly as it says on the pack
• Get your partner to look after children from when you start bowel prep (and eve after colonoscopy if you are having sedation )
• Colonoscopy itself takes 15-20 mins on average. Sometimes longer if polyps need to be removed
• Polyp removal or biopsy doesn't hurt at all
• Discomfort from Colonoscopy is from the scope bending round the bowel and also from the gas being pushed in to open the bowel. Pass this wind in the procedure, its normal and you will feel better

My experience of this magic Eye exploratory medical procedure is its essential to be under sedation,
I felt real extremely discomfort sore not pleasant feeling,
like the medical tool is designed in such a way its very arkward to go through twists and turns of the body,
they the medical staff in the medical room about this,
when they did the colon aspect of this medical instrument,

It's weirdly intriguing seeing your insides of your body on a screen,
like embarrassing bodies up close and personal,

when you have this procedure they have to inflate you so they can see better,

so afterwards you can't help passing gas as you feel uncomfortable bloated feeling

the water cocoation solution to clean your insides taste is too much salty ugh 🤢,
before you have the magic eye exploratory thing,
the plus side aspect you feel squeaky clean and refreshed, and lighter like could think better with clarity.

They checked throughly too
Just found i have hitus hernia

Yeah don't do this. You may need the colonoscopy repeated due to poor bowel prep .

I had absolutely no problem with the prep: be super vigilant about what you eat in the 48 hours prior.

If you have an en suite, just stay in your room in pjs/trackie bottoms so you can dash to the bathroom without fighting your belt buckle.

I had sedation and it was fine, but I did find I was forgetful about what was said to me. So I was told I needed a follow up test that afternoon, and would not be ready for (say) 1pm collection - but I have no memory of being told this, so was angry and tearful when I was still there at 3pm having (as I thought) no notice. My sister was waiting to collect me.

I had to have a further follow up due to the GI doctor not being able to remove a polyp, but I am now ‘in the system’ and get called every three years. I’ve a family history of bowel cancer so I consider this a housekeeping job to be done, and am glad to be monitored.

Sedation, definitely sedation!

I have them every couple of years and had gas and air during two of them - one because they couldn’t get the cannula in and the other because I was breastfeeding. Even with gas and air it was very uncomfortable, and I have a high pain threshold. They had to abandon the second one and do it again after I stopped breastfeeding because it was simply too much for me.

The preparation is the worst part. Once you’re through that, go to your appointment, take the sedation and have a semi awake sleep. The cup of tea and biscuit after is the best bit!

you def need someone while you’re doing the prep. You will be peeing out of your bum for hours.
The procedure itself, I had sedation but I was fully awake and tbh didn’t feel any different but I didn’t feel a thing so maybe it did work? It was a total non event and nothing found ( also after having a positive fit test and positive for inflammation as well)

I have had this and honestly didn’t find either the prep or the procedure that bad!
prep - obviously you do need to go to the toilet but mine wasn’t painful nor did I need to rush. It was very calm so I suppose it affects people differently.
the procedure was odd but respectful and only slightly uncomfortable at the start.
I get everyone is different but please don’t fear it my experience was surprisingly good!

You shouldn’t drink blackcurrant before the colonoscopy or with the prep - stick to clear liquids

Yep this. I didn't find the prep too bad. I had the orange flavoured Moviprep but it was more the viscosity that was the worst. For me the first couple of hours was the worst in terms of not being able to leave the bog but it tailed off after that and I was able to sleep.

I've had the procedure twice. First time with sedation and 2nd time without. I have low blood pressure so had a very mild sedation but I was fully aware. Gas and air available but didn't use it that much as it wasn't too uncomfortable. It was a bit more uncomfortable the 2nd time but perfectly manageable pain although I did chuff on the gas and air a lot more. I'm not bothered about being embarrassed. They've seen it all before.

I had a colonoscopy when I had a 8 month old and 3 year old. I did the prep whilst my dh was at work. I was having a Crohns flare at the time so I had been running constantly to the loo for weeks anyway.
It wasn't fun but we muddled through. If you can get your other half to be there for childcare, do it but if it doesn't work out that way, you can just about manage. It won't be pretty but you will get through.
The prep tastes vile but is better with blackcurrant cordial.
My first colonoscopy I was told people don't need sedation. They then got nearly all the way round my intestines taking biopsies. I had gas and air but it was horrific. I will never ever go without sedation for another one.
Much more pleasant to come round in a recovery room.

Ask for picolax prep - it doesn’t work as well as moviprep so they might be reluctant to give it to you but you only have to drink 2 glasses of the stuff, not litres of it. I’ve had both as had 2 colonoscopies.

I was worried when I had mine (both times) that it wasn’t working as it didn’t kick in for a few hours but it does work. It wasn’t explosive either - I wouldn’t have gone out or wanted to be in charge of a toddler but I wasn’t camped out in the loo. Drink the prep through a straw angled to the back of your throat and I used 7up to wash it down with.

if you have sedation you’ll be aware of what’s going on but afterwards it’ll all fade and you won’t remember loads of detail. One of the worst things for me was the fact that they fill you up with sue do I had horrible trapped wind pain after - that just has to come out naturally!

take a book or something to do - when I had mine done they got all the morning patients to arrive at about 8am and I didn’t end up getting done until 3pm or so

Can't say about the colonoscopy as I paid a fortune to get knocked out for mine but the prep was a pain in the arse (quite literally)
My DH set up a little floor bed outside the bathroom for me and I spent hours either lying down or shitting! I kept flushable wipes and sudocrem next to the toilet as my backside actually started bleeding from all the wiping so the sudocrem was a godsend!

I've been told I need one of these in the near future but have been told enema on arrival? Which I think means they'll expect me to prep in the hospital? Has anyone ever had it done this way?

I had sedation, mainly because I'd been so worried I'd not slept well for ages and was looking forward to the nap. I was very cross when they woke me up.

I didn't feel anything but I do recall waking a bit at one point and saying something. Before it started I said to the guy "right, let's get to the bottom of this", he was probably glad I'd opted for sedation tbh.

@ Vinvertebrate:
"Take sedation - you’ll be awake, but won’t care what they do and won’t remember much. They could drive a Ford Cortina up your arse on those drugs! - they’re great."

😂😂😂

Yeah, as others have said the prep is worse. The sedation is nice and the procedure is fine. Gas and air is also lovely so either might suit you, you feel more in control with it but if you're too nervous for that go for sedation. Some slight cramps afterwards. Good luck xx

Ah and plenty of Vaseline whilst doing the prep! Your poor bum will be sore.

Yes prep is definitely the worst part! You won't be able to look after a baby!

I always have sedation - tried once without and it was awful - never again! I have them annually, they aren't painful (sedation helps with the relaxation of the bum hole! 😂) they are just weird