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Original poster

Colonoscopy advice please

60 replies

EachandEveryone · 18/08/2018 15:59

I cant blinking believe it. I had a total abdo hysterectomy in June and just thinking about going back to work when a throw away comment about my poo to my gp has led to an urgent colonoscopy next week! I saw the consultant withing two days. I cant beieve it i feel fine. Im in shock he was so blunt with me. He said "your gp thinks you have cancer so you are here now" gave me a form and im waiting to hear from the clinic.

After the hysterectomy i was worried as im on my own but i coped really well. The clinic are telling me i cant get a taxi home on my own or be left on my own! I cant ask any of my friends they did enough last time.

Anyway, please tell me what its like? Theyve sent be a big box of something that i darent even look at.

OP posts:
JamAtkins · 18/08/2018 16:14

The actual procedure is ok. The prep needs to be followed otherwise they can’t do it. They will have given you info on what you can eat in the days leading up to it - stuff like white bread and no fruit and veg or anything with fibre. They you have to drink the prep stuff to clear your bowel out. I think you are allowed clear soup, tea without milk and squash (not red coloured) during this time but I’m not sure so check the leaflet. Don’t start the prep late, it takes ages. The most important thing is to stay close to the loo and have lots of vasaline or sudocreme to put on your arse because you will have the shits and your skin can get irritated. The actual procedure is a walk in the park but they won’t let you go home alone.

Walkingthroughawall · 18/08/2018 16:23

If you're having sedation for the procedure you need a sensible adult with you for 24 hours to make sure you're ok/ get help if you do have any problems after the procedure. Most people do have sedation. Some don't (it's not terribly pleasant without, but it is usually do-able). If there's literally no one who can be with you for 24 hours the hospital need to know in advance so they can plan for you being in overnight (but not wanting to ask friends for help, particularly when they've obviously cared enough to help before, is not a great reason to fill a hospital bed overnight).

The box of stuff is probably your bowel prep - it's important because they won't be able to see everything clearly if your bowels are full. Once you start taking it I'd plan to not leave the house!

Hope it goes ok.

GreenthoughtInAGreenShade · 18/08/2018 16:24

The actual colonoscopy is fine - i had one last summer and am due for another soon. You eat light/white food for a few days before (white rice, white bread, eggs, cheese etc - basically anything that is not high in fibre and colouring - it’s like the opposite of every healthy eating advice you’ve ever been given).

About 24 hours before the procedure (i think) you start drinking the laxative drink they’ve just sent in that box to, um, empty everything out. Stay close to a loo during this - some people find it better not to be at work for this.

On the day i went in by taxi and was given a sedative so you’re relaxed but awake so it’s not too uncomfortable. The whole thing takes less than 20 mins and is only a bit weird/uncomfortable, it doesn’t hurt. There’s a bit of recovery with tea and a biscuit afterwards, then i got a taxi home and spent the rest of the day on the sofa feeling justified in watching crap. I was back at work the following day no problems, but word of warning - as i was eating “properly” for the first time in a week i got raging trapped wind that first day and it was properly painful. It passed within a day though. Basically the whole thing was tedious but not particularly scary and didn’t involve needing anyone around particularly. I’m sorry you’ve been told it is for scary reasons, but at least you’ll know more for sure after this - for me it ruled out anything scary and was just polyps.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General health
edwinbear · 18/08/2018 16:26

amp.miamiherald.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/dave-barry/article1928847.html

A lighthearted article on what to expect. The colonoscopy is absolutely fine, the worst part is the prep. I hope it’s not what the consultant is worried about.

GreenthoughtInAGreenShade · 18/08/2018 16:27

Ps - meant to say i was never told i needed anyone to stay with me. I told the hospital i was taking a taxi home and my partner wouldn’t be back from work until late that night and they just said okay.

DPotter · 18/08/2018 16:33

Don't panic! There are NHS guidelines that state anyone with a potential cancer diagnosis must be seen with 14 days. The vast majority do not have a cancer. I had a poo sample test which showed blood and hence referral. The consultant said the tests were so sensitive that if your gums bleed slightly on washing your teeth, the test was positive.

The colonoscopy itself is fine - I grant there are better ways of spending time but an enema is worse.
The box will contain instructions for bowel prep - basically so the doc seen see the lining of the bowel to check for any dodgy looking bits. The final day / 36 hrs are liquid only if I recall and you have to take a medicine to clear you out. The stories surrounding this stuff are legend but I didn't find it so bad. You need to be very very near a loo all day. The procedure itself is fine - can't remember a thing and felt absolutely fine after a few hours. Like pp I was back to work the next day.

Good luck

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 18/08/2018 17:10

It was the gp that was worried I wouldn’t say the consultant was particularly. He said I could have an ultrasound but that it would be best to have the colonoscopy

OP posts:
Original poster
EachandEveryone · 28/08/2018 14:50

Its getting closer now i wonder what i should eat plain pasta or rice sounds terrible!

OP posts:
viques · 28/08/2018 15:03

You can eat stuff like mashed potato and plain white fish, it should all be on the list they gave you, yes it's boring, bland food but its only for two days. I think rich tea biscuits were on my list, I hadn't had a rich tea biscuit for years but managed to scoff nearly a whole packet that day.

If they find any polyps or anything they will nip them out (you don't feel it) and remove them for a biopsy analysis. Even with sedation at the last little bit you might feel some firm pushing as they go round the final bend of your colon, grit your teeth and stick with it, it's only for a second. If you want you can ask them to angle the screen so you can see what's happening, I thought it was very interesting and was proud of my sparkling clean colon.

Has anyone mentioned the special paper knickers yet? the ones with the hole............

spiderlight · 28/08/2018 15:32

I've had a few of these (I have ulcerative colitis) and as others have said, the prep is far worse than the actual procedure. I've never had sedation for mine and have found them at best mildly uncomfortable. I watch them on the screen and get a guided tour of my insides, which is weirdly fascinating (although I did decline the consultant's offer to print me out pictures last time!!)

Hope they don't find anything worrisome.

TwittleBee · 28/08/2018 15:46

Hi OP I've got an upcoming colonoscopy too, booked in for Saturday, after a casual trip to GP about what I thought might just be IBS flaring up.

Got my fingers crossed for you that you find the prep and actual scope all okay and nothing bad is found! Flowers

I keep getting so confused by whether we will actually remember anything or not! It says it will be an "awake sedation" on my leaflet but it seems some people remember it all even with the awake sedation and the other half don't remember a thing (and are later told of some rather odd and interesting conversations they had...!?)

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 29/08/2018 09:58

Im on Saturday. I was away with a nurse at the weekend and she said no one remembers it.

OP posts:
TwittleBee · 29/08/2018 11:40

I spoke to my friend last night, who has had a few now due to Chrons, and he says he remembers every single one but it as just like wanting to sleep and being all hazy! FX we wont remember a thing.

You ready to start the diet tomorrow then? ugh! dreading this prep

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 29/08/2018 17:48

Yes i went to iceland and got frozen fish and mashed potato!

OP posts:
TwittleBee · 29/08/2018 19:28

Sounds more exciting than what I picked up for myself (white rice and eggs haha!)

Notquiteagandt · 29/08/2018 19:33

The prep is grim. A really odd texture.

I find the best tip for taking it is make up a pitcher put in the fridge and a Bottle ice cold lemonade.

Pour pint glass of each. Ice in it.
Then put a straw in each glass.
Push right to back of mouth and suck both at same time.

You dont even need to taste it then.

Stock up on magzines and things too keep you amused. As you will be spending alot of time on the loo.

Also 2nd all those that have said put a barrier of vaseline or simular.

Wear loose fitted clothes as you will be bloated afterwards.

But honnestly you will be fine Flowers

BoogleMcGroogle · 29/08/2018 19:45

I have one every two years. Couldn’t bear the sedative, then a consultant mentioned I could have gas and air instead. The prep is grim, but I survive this by eating hundreds of jelly babies ( not the red ones!), and drinking like ads of 7-up, confident in the knowledge that I get to spend half an hour off my face on gas and air. It’s not painful at all and interesting to see your insides. Although the consultant gets a bit exasperated by my relentless giggling.

Graphista · 29/08/2018 19:53

As pps it's the prep that's the bugger!

2 words - Tena pants!

Get a pack, because once it starts working IT WORKS!

I got them because I have OCD and the thought of poo getting anywhere but the toilet freaked me out BUT I was so glad I did because your bum gets sore too and they're nice and soft not just on bumhole but on waist area too when your tummy will be feeling tender.

I'm also remembering a tip about the taste? Can anyone help there? I think I remember vaguely being advised to make up the prep as squash rather than plain as it is?

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 29/08/2018 20:37

Is it lemon flavour or are they just teasing us?

OP posts:
LumpSatAloneInABoggyMarsh · 29/08/2018 21:01

Currently prepping for mine in the morning OP.

It is lemon flavour. In a citrus floor cleaner kind of way.

I made mine up in advance and put it in the fridge. It's not great. I tried downing the first one to get it over with but it made me feel so sick and I almost threw it up again so I went slower with the second one.

I'm repeating "the prep is the worst bit" like a mantra so I'm not currently too concerned for the actual procedure yet...

LoafEater · 29/08/2018 21:02

as others have said, the prep is horrible, but the actual thing is ok. It’s quite interesting seeing your I sides on the big telly!

I had lots of sedation as they tried to do a colonoscopy on me 2 weeks after a sever bowel o section and it too painful and they had to stop after a few minutes. The 2nd one last week was totally fine. DH picked me up but I would have been fine to drive tbh. Spent the afternoon on the sofa feeling a bit gripey and windy watching tv.

TwittleBee · 29/08/2018 21:30

OP my prep is "Vanilla Flavoured" so really hoping it's gonna be nice like a milkshake haha.

I've stocked up on coke and fruit pastles for the day and got a good book to read too.

carnitine · 29/08/2018 21:52

have plenty of wet wipes, much gentler than toilet paper.

As horrible as the prep is, I felt fantastic and so very light after it.

Much easier on the day of 'expulsion' Grin, if you have eaten a pretty bland diet for a few days in advance.

Graphista · 29/08/2018 23:06

It is a bit 'colonic on a budget' I lost 4lbs on mine! Grin

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 30/08/2018 17:51

I need to go out and buy a measuring jug! I just want it over with now

OP posts: