Colonoscopy

[walkersareback]

I have a colonoscopy next week. I have been asked to cut all fibre from my diet for a week - which I am doing.

I have read the information the hospital has sent me which says the procedure could be painful and I can be sedated - I assume this goes not mean GA.

Has anyone had this? Any tips? How much pain should I expect? Should I plan to stay at home all of the following day?

Any information gratefully received.

It's an American site but this looked useful for ideas. Going to be a bit difficult with no meat or dairy or wheat but doable.

www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/low-fiber-diet/art-20048511

Just found this from Lancashire Health Board too. Maybe some more ideas.

I love Billy Connolly's description of the diarrhoea when taking colonoscopy prep. "It's like a hose that nobody's holding" 🤣🤣

I have had a few. I'd say the thought is worse than the actual procedure.
The first time I was breastfeeding so had just gas and air and managed so following that I only ever had gas and air. It was definitely better after as I could go home within half an hour (where as you have to stay longer if you've been sedated). I'm a single parent so have to get straight back into caring mode and the only thing I found is that for 24hours after I have abdominal pain and pass wind but moving around helps.
I was once told that I have a 'mother's bowel' basically because I've had dc they are apparently saggy and this made it harder to get round the corners but with a bit extra gas and air it's always been tolerable.
The prep for me has always been the worst bit.

I had one on Wednesday - with sedation, I think where I was so tired from being up the night before on the loo I was just conked out - barely remember the actual process at all, felt like being really drunk and passing out. Couldn't keep my eyes open when I got home and fell asleep on sofa then slept a solid 12 hours when I went to bed so I think whatever they gave me was amazing! I still felt groggy the next day and worked from home, I wouldn't of wanted to be in the office. Other than that had mild cramps but felt ok. Best of luck - it's no where near as bad as I was dreading!

I had it without sedation so I could drive afterwards.
the prep didn’t do anything for me. I needed 3x usual dose.
I asked to view the screen - fascinating.

This is all really useful to read.
I think 🤣

How long dod the prep ahem effects last?
I have my appointment at 8.30am so I was hoping to get at least a little sleep the night before. I also only have a bathroom downstairs so I'm presuming I will need to sleep on the sofa?

If you fancy a laugh, google Dave Barry's colonoscopy story. It's pretty accurate

@Breathmiller - it depends which prep you’ve got and when you’ve been told to take it. But a downstairs bathroom sounds tricky…

Not exactly the same but I had an endoscopy a couple of weeks ago under sedation and I was out for the count. I don’t remember a thing. When the doctor came to see me afterwards even he said I was conked out.

Found it - very funny

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

Are you sure you have to cut all fibre? You'll probably have backup of poo if you do that, meaning the prep will be worse and it may not clear you out enough...

I usually switch to a soup only diet a week before, then a clear liquid diet 2/3 days beforehand.

Have the sedation. It never makes me sleep, as they still ask you to move certain ways to make the moving of the camera easier. It just make you not GAF.

I've never been offered gas and air, and I've tried (and failed!) to have it without sedation. I have to have them annually, so have had a few now!

Ive been given Plenvu. And I have to take it at 2pm (I think , I'll have to check) and 6pm.

Sorry for the next TMI question

Is the diarrhoea "with force"?

That was so funny.

full Fire Hose Mode according to good old Dave so I'm going to presume yes! 🤣

Although, one of the reasons I'm going for said colonoscopy is that I do that naturally at the moment if I dare eat certain food. Its obviously a super power. We've all got to be good at something

I didn’t have sedation, I’m not gonna lie it wasn’t a pleasant experience but was done and dusted quickly

The prep takes time to drink. If you start it at 6pm it may well take you a few hours to finish it. Then you may feel the urge to go to the loo until maybe 1am (in my experience).

To start with it’s like an upset stomach but gets more liquid until it’s pretty much just water.

Don't quite know how to answer this without being too descriptive. It draws water into your bowel, so by the end there will be liquid instead of stool. It's like weeing from your bum, but in large quantities and with no control over it.

I have virtual ones in a CT scanner. I can't have the prep. Most describe the prep as the worst part. Sedation is not a GA but make sure you take it.

Me too - I have to poo every time I consume something- regularly poo 6 or 7 times a day - we get through a lot of toilet roll- and it's rubbish for my sex life as am definitely not in the mood when constantly worrying about pooing - no accidents at all yet luckily.

I had never considered it to be a superpower – it's all about perspective and I will use this from now on.

One more TMI question - do you bleed afterwards?

You shouldn't, no

"It's like weeing from your bum, but in large quantities and with no control over it." Made me laugh - I can't wait!

You shouldn’t bleed. Make sure your phone or tablet is charged up or you have a book to read. By the end you get rather bored sitting on the loo!