Colonoscopy and Endoscopy today- AMA

[Dreamsofcruise]

As per title I had both procedures today and I have generalised anxiety and claustrophobia which makes medical procedures more challenging for me.
If anyone has any questions I would be happy to answer.

You did good. I cannot imagine doing both in one day. Endoscopy was much easier than I feared and colonoscopy much worse. Hope you are doing okay.

Aren’t you asleep? In Australia there’s no way those things are done with the patient awake!

Thanks yes I feel fine to be honest!
i was far more afraid of the endoscopy but I tolerated that well. The colonoscopy was ok although a little painful as they were maneuvering round corners I think.

In the UK they offer sedation rather than GA. There can be variations but generally its a mix of a potent short acting benzodiazepine (midazolam) and fentanyl.
its much safer than GA and you recover far quicker. I also had entonox for the few uncomfortable bits.

Going for a colonoscopy next week and terrified. Talk me through it please.

Honestly its nothing to be terrified of, I promise! In terms of what happens when you arrive at the unit they go through the paperwork and consent forms, check your medical history and take your vital signs and you have the opportunity to ask questions. Because I am generally very anxious I discussed this and they told me they would take me in as soon as possible which was about 15 mins. You get taken to a hospital bed and I was given a pair of paper pants and two hospital gowns to put on to preserve dignity.
They wheel you into the endoscopy room, check your hospital band and go through a few details again and out a bp cuff and pulse oximeter on and then the endoscopist briefly explains the procedures again.
I had a choice of midazolam, midazolam and fentanyl also entonox to top up, you can have the procedure with nothing but the endoscopist advised me to have it all!!
I slept through most of the procedure to be honest and just roused twice when a bit more maneuvering was happening but quite honestly it was no worse than bad wind and I got immediately given some entonox!!! I had 10 biopsies taken and have had no pain whatsoever. After the procedure they wheel you back out to recovery where rhey monitor you for a bit then I got tea and biscuits and got picked up to be taken home!

Thank you!

Just be aware that the post colonoscopy farts can be rather loud and long as they blow air into your bowels during the procedure!!!

Can I ask why you were having them?

Hello OP I have these on Sunday, I'm so worried about them.

Can I ask why you had them?

Also did you feel able to work the following day? I have a 4pm appointment

@Sprookjesbos I have had the colonoscopy now and it really was OK. I opted for sedation but was able to talk about my holiday with the nurses all the way through. It was a bit uncomfortable for the first half a minute then it was OK (and I am a big baby when it comes to pain). I didn't feel woozy at all. I was even given modesty shorts with a gap in the back to wear!
I was advised to be off work the next day because of the sedation. You wouldn't be covered on your car insurance , for example.
The worst thing was drinking the prep the day before, it is foul. I made it with water from the fridge and drank it through a straw but did still gag a couple of times.

@Hippywannabe Thanks so much! My boss has given me Monday off without question thankfully! I think she felt sorry for me 😂

I'm actually not feeling too bad about the colonoscopy procedure. I had a rectal examination from the doctor and I can't imagine it's much worse than that, just longer and a bit more uncomfortable inside?

But yeah the prep I'm sort of dreading and the bit I'm feeling worst about is the gastroscopy. To the point I keep panicking and thinking I just can't go through with it at all. 😭

@sprookjesbos you can do it. Have the sedation and it will honestly be alright. I will be thinking of you. Come back and let me know x

I'm having an endoscopy next week, dreading it but also petrified of the sedation so going to try and go without. I did the colonoscopy without anything so hoping I can do this!

Thank you @Hippywannabe , I will.

@strongswan I'll let you know how I get on. I do know what you mean about the sedation, I'm not totally comfortable with it either because it's just an unknown for me. But for me it's the lesser of two fears! Best of luck with yours. X

@Sprookjesbos hope you got on ok today. Mine is tomorrow, will just be glad to get it over with!

Hi @strongswan it was ok!

I got very stressed beforehand, actually cried in the initial consultation which was so embarrassing! They were lovely though.

They did my colonoscopy first which is unusual but it was because the right scope wasn't available or something. So he said my sedation would possibly have worn off a bit and I asked if they would top me up and he agreed!

The throat spray beforehand was unexpectedly gross tasting, they put the guard in my mouth and then topped up the sedation.

I really wouldn't stress about the sedation. There is an initial feeling of wooziness and after that you feel sleepy but I still felt in control. It did just relax me and I really needed that.

I don't remember actively swallowing the scope, I do remember it going in and I did gag on it a couple of times which was unpleasant but it was all over incredibly quickly and actually once it was in position it was totally bearable for me.

Hope that helps!

Best of luck with it! X

So pleased it went as well as it could and it's over and done with for you Sprook. Don't be embarrassed about crying, I cried earlier about something really silly but think it's the anxiety about tomorrow. I'm considering the sedation now, especially after you saying you still felt in control, that's the main concern I have. Hope you have a restful evening, thank you for letting me know.

Glad you are ok!

Thank you @Hippywannabe !