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Original poster

I'm having a colonoscopy on Saturday

26 replies

ChiefWiggumsBoy · 07/03/2022 18:58

And I'm bricking it. Went to the GP with some bleeding from my back passage, she was lovely and referred me and appointment is Saturday. I was ok about it until I got the pack on Saturday and now I'm borderline panicking I'm going to be told I have cancer and be dead in a year (which unfortunately happened to someone I know who was almost the exact age I am now (39)).

Blood tests were all ok btw and nothing immediately sprung out, no pain no weight loss just some bleeding, but like I say I'm panicking.

Can anyone offer me any advice on what the actual procedure is like or even just a handhold please?

OP posts:
devildeepbluesea · 07/03/2022 19:00

Take the pain relief and shout if it’s not enough. Mine was rather painful because I’m unusually tolerant of pain meds and felt every bloody second.

Don’t leave the house when you’re taking the laxatives the day before.

Apart from that - it’s nothing really. Over before you know it.

SB1971 · 07/03/2022 19:03

Hello.

I had this procedure a few years ago due to a change in bowel habits.
I was sedated and wasn’t really offered the option not to be but to be honest I would have wanted it anyway.
It was absolutely fine and I went home and was back in work (from home) the next day.
I really hope yours is a straightforward as mine.

Petrarkanian · 07/03/2022 19:04

I would not have it without sedation. Have you been offered sedation?

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General health
Fireflygal · 07/03/2022 19:06

I've had a few!

Good blood results is positive and also no weight loss so realistically the chance of something very serious is low.

The worst part of the procedure, by far is the process to clean out the bowel. However it doesn't last too long. I found having to go to the loo through the night the meant I was then tired.

You should find out fairly quickly, often they will say if all clear after the procedure but sometimes they might find polyps which they will test. It is scary but be reassured you will be in good hands

Original poster
ChiefWiggumsBoy · 07/03/2022 19:06

Thank you both. I think the sheet I was sent that says I MUST have someone to collect me was a bit alarming! I will be sedated which I've never had before. And annoying as DH doesn't drive so he'll have to get a cab to the hospital to come and get me if FIL can't help.

Also unrelated really but it's landed on the day I have the kids having eye tests, which have had to be rearranged three times so far (Covid Hmm) so that's annoying. Ah well, can't be helped.

OP posts:
Amichelle84 · 07/03/2022 19:12

I've had a few and they aren't too bad but if you are nervous have the pain killers or you can be sedated but you'd need to be picked up.

For the prep - I didn't find it too bad and down it, have chewing gum to hand. Be near the toilet and maybe have some sudocreme to hand incase you get a bit sore.

The most painful part I find is when they blow the air up, it hurts more if you try and hold it in so feel free to fart away.
A nurse will usually sit with you through the procedure.

If you're awake you can watch it on the screen. I like watching.
They will take some biopsies which doesn't hurt, you can just feel a little tugging. Bowels can also twist just general day to day so sometimes getting round corners can be a bit awkward and painful.

You'll go to recovery and will get a cup of tea and biscuits, you will probably go to the toilet a bit to let out the rest of the gas and probably pass some blood from the biopsies.

I always treat myself to a big fat Chinese for dinner.

Good luck :)

Florabelle · 07/03/2022 19:13

Had a few. I know people say the prep is awful, but I found it ok. Obviously you can’t leave the vicinity of the toilet! Like previous poster, I appear to be a bit resistant to the light sedation so kept asking for more. They were amazed that I was fine to get up and dressed immediately after as apparently most would be zonked ! Fine though, and if you’re not one of us weirdos that appear resistant to the sedation it’d be a breeze. I found it uncomfortable but would so again in a heartbeat if required x

northerncrumpet · 07/03/2022 19:15

It’s really not as bad as you’re imagining I promise, if they offer conscious sedation (awake but not quite with it), do that, if they offer gas and air, do that, and if they offer both then do both.

Do the prep properly and make it even easier by having just low fibre foods - white bread and rice etc- for a few days before you start. You’ll know you’re clean enough when it feels/looks like you’re just weeing from your behind, you’ll know when you get there!

The procedure itself is ok, bit uncomfortable occasionally but manageable…and if you want them to stop they will.

I had unexplained bleeding on and off, turned out to be a benign polyp which they removed during the procedure.

Really don’t fret, whatever they find they’ll deal with, and that’s much better than not knowing or ignoring something.

Best of luck Smile

FleurDeLizz · 07/03/2022 19:17

I’ve had to have a couple of them both done privately both under sedation. You’ll be aware of what’s happening but it’ll be woozy and your memory will fade pretty quickly. The procedure is quick and relatively painless the only time I felt anything was when they were bringing the camera out and even then it was just a bit uncomfy. They fill you with air so you will probably have trapped wind after - I found that really painful until I could pass some of it.

The worst bit is the moviprep you have to take, if you’re lucky you might have picolax. You have to drink tons of moviprep (less when it’s but that is picolax but that’s less effective) and you might think it’s not working then it will - by morning you’ll be pooping water.

Best tip for getting the prep down you is to get a straw, angle it to the back of your throat to miss your tastebuds and chase each mouthful down with some strong lemonade like 7up.

Good luck op it’ll be worth it to put your mind at rest. Mine turned out to be internal piles

Original poster
ChiefWiggumsBoy · 07/03/2022 19:19

Thank you all SO much. Silly but it's reassuring to hear quite a few people have had it done - you don't tend to talk about such things in polite company do you?!

I'm WFH exclusively so luckily won't have to go out at all the few days beforehand. It's conscious sedation they offer, not sure on gas and air I will re-read the letter.

OP posts:
Original poster
ChiefWiggumsBoy · 07/03/2022 19:20

Fleur that's a great idea for taking the prep - I'm not good at all with tastes I don't like!

OP posts:
Theforest · 07/03/2022 19:26

Chilling moviprep in fridge helps as does the straw. I wasn't used to drinking so much so it was a struggle.

Didn't remember any of the procedure as was sedated thankfully.

Itsbackagain · 07/03/2022 19:32

I've had loads as I have Crohns disease. Take the sedation, you won't feel anything nor will you remember anything. If you've got moviprep its bloody disgusting. Chill it and drink as fast as possible. I fully suggest eating as little as possi be a couple of days beforehand in case you don't manage to finish the prep.

purplesequins · 07/03/2022 19:36

you will be fine Smile

the prep is the worst - I was given picolax which is only one large glass full of vileness and manageable.
make sure to follow the diet before.
sedation - personal choice. I didn't have it and it was ok but unpleasant.

good luck!

FurryBandito · 07/03/2022 19:46

I had one for the first time last November and was dreading it. The sedation was nothing like I thought it would be. I was totally aware, able to talk (sensibly) and felt no pain whatsoever and just very nicely relaxed but not in a drugged up way if that makes sense. I just didn’t care about anything going on. It was a very light sedation but did what it needed to do. I also had to have someone collect me and drive me home.

The most unpleasant bit was the taste of the drink stuff beforehand (moviprep) I found chugging as much down at a time rather than sipping it, got it over with quicker and had a tiny bit of clear honey after each big chug, as I found it tasted bitter. I tried a straw but found that worse as it took longer to get it down. The laxative effect wasn’t what I imagined either. I went a fair amount but there was no cramping like you get with the runs normally.

The doctor told me then and there that my bowel looked ok and I got the biopsy results back in 2 weeks which I was really impressed about. I thought they would take ages as my notes said they’d taken 8. My results were clear even though my inflammation levels on the poo samples my GP had sent off were raised. I really hope yours goes as smoothly as mine did (I’m a total wimp with a very low pain threshold btw) and you soon get some answers.

Original poster
ChiefWiggumsBoy · 07/03/2022 20:03

Thank you all I really can't tell you how much I appreciate you sharing your stories.

OP posts:
Original poster
ChiefWiggumsBoy · 13/03/2022 00:37

Just wanted to come back and let you know I had it done today and nothing at all was seen. Can only imagine I had a small painless tear internally at one point which has now healed.

The Moviprep was revolting, at one point I was retching, I literally couldn't get it down me - I finished it but it took me till 10pm. Luckily it cleared me out fine. I was SO nervous at the hospital and cried a bit (pure nerves! Annoyed and embarrassed me!) but it was fine, completely painless with the sedation and even with the air pumped in. I didn't fart at all afterwards so had a Subway, came home and napped off the sedation.

Am glad I had it done, has eased my mind certainly - not something I'm terribly eager to repeat though!

OP posts:
Theforest · 13/03/2022 13:57

Well done. It is a relief to get it over with 🌸

FleurDeLizz · 13/03/2022 22:08

Ah I meant to ask how you got on! Glad to hear they didn’t find anything

sorryforswearing · 14/03/2022 00:05

Have the sedation offered. I did and I was barely aware of what was happening. I’d been really scared and it was no where near as bad as I feared. A bit like being in a dream. I wouldn’t say the staff actually tried to talk me out of having the sedation but I did get the impression they were encouraging me to not have it. I stuck to my guns and was so glad I did.

sorryforswearing · 14/03/2022 00:07

Haha. Sorry. Just seen you’ve already had it. Glad everything was well.

Original poster
ChiefWiggumsBoy · 15/03/2022 18:56

@sorryforswearing the sedation was so weird - the doc said “do you like gin?” And I thought he was just trying to distract me Grin but then he said I’d feel like I’d had a couple! And I did for a couple of hours but also sooooo tired.

I have a follow up tomorrow with the consultant just to draw a line under it but so relieved doc was able to confirm all looked fine.

OP posts:
MrsTaytodarling · 15/03/2022 19:13

Nice to read your stories. I'm having the moviprep now for same tomorrow. Will be my 3rd so know what's happening but still nice to remember that it is ok

CookPassBabtridge · 15/03/2022 19:34

Hey OP glad it went well! Can I ask if the blood was light or dark? The usual advice is to ignore light blood as will just be a scratch inside the bowel. Just wondering if they take light blood seriously?

Original poster
ChiefWiggumsBoy · 16/03/2022 00:03

@CookPassBabtridge it was bright red but quite a lot of it - I've never had bleeding before that was more than a little smear on the toilet paper but this was a lot, in the bowl and also almost like a small clot when wiping. It wasn't painful, no other symptoms like weightloss or anything - but when I went to the docs and told her all that, she had a feel around and said better safe than sorry and put me on the two week plan. She said at my age (39) it would be very unlikely to be anything, and was likely to be just a small tear inside or maybe even a pile but better to be safe than sorry.

I'm really glad she took me seriously, it was literally my first appointment at a new surgery so I had to have a phone consultation first as well. Oh I also had bloods done and aside from slightly elevated white blood cell count (probably from recently having covid) all was well.

OP posts:
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