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.

I had a colonoscopy a couple of months ago and was told the following:

Complete the bowel prep even if you can't stand it or don't think anything else will be on there!
Avoid iron heavy food/drink - it can deposit in your bowel and skew any view the dr has
Avoid blackcurrants/blackcurrant juice- it stains the bowel walls and makes it harder for the dr to judge the healthiness of the bowels
Eat a less fibre rich diet for a week before (my referral was a 2 week referral due to sudden severe unexplained anaemia)
Drink a lot of water

I also requested sedation as I had a gastroscopy as well and had gas and air during the colonoscopy. Don't be worrying about being brave and toughing it out! Take the sedation!

Honestly, you'll be fine. I once had to take the prep in hospital. There were 2 other people taking it as well. So there were 3 of us with explosive diarrhoea and only two toilets 😂.

I couldn't cope with it and they had to stop . Even with gas n air it was unbearable. They did say I had a twisty bowel though so that may explain why the pain was intolerable

Thank you all for your advice, kind words, explanations, replies to my TMI questions and the laughs.

My procedure is on Friday and I feel I have a better idea of what to expect now.

Oh dear - sounds like a comedy sketch! Not minimising just trying to keep it light .

I had a flexible sigmoidoscopy recently (doesn’t go as far as a colonoscopy) and opted for just gas and air and it was really painful. I had to go back for a second and was very anxious (didn’t want to go to be honest lol). I asked for sedation the second time round; they call it ‘sedation’ (which just sounds like being relaxed) but they actually use a strong opiate (eg fentanyl) combined with something similar to diazepam.

Although interestingly, when I was researching, I did find research claiming G&A is as effective at pain relief as morphine but just by a totally different mechanism.

I wish I could tell you how the sedation compared but they didn’t go ahead with it in the end. But was given to understand by the staff that the sedation would be stronger pain relief.

Flashbacks of being sedated?!

My DH had the sedation, but it was painful as it was discovered he had diverticulitis. He also wasn’t allowed gas and air due to having a perforated eardrum. The prep for him was awful, he spent so much time on the loo, he thought he wouldn’t make the appointment as he was still needing the toilet at 8 am. He only ate clear soup, jelly and ice cream the day before, but if he needs to have another he says he would do it for 3 days and maybe not take all the prep medicine. The consultant thanked him for doing the prep properly as it really helps them with the colonoscopy. Luckily you cannot get through to dept before 10 am and by the time of his appointment at 11.30 am, he was fine (and empty).

I thought people on the internet were being wimps about the prep, but it really was awful. The diarrhea was fine, it was drinking 2L of the most god-awful drink that was nearly unbearable for me. I managed about 3/4 of it and was in tears and retching and gagging at the end.

The procedure was delightful by comparison. I had midazolam and it was glorious. I asked if I could do it with just G&A but the doctor didn't recommend it - apparently the female colon is twistier and it's more painful for women. I conked out and then slept for a solid 3 hours when I got home. I felt totally refreshed afterwards and there was no grogginess. Honestly I'd quite happily have another colonoscopy just for the sedation! Made me wish I'd had morphine during childbirth, I think I would have loved it.

I'm watching this with interest as I have just been referred for a colonoscopy. Please can anyone advise how long I would need to take off work. I know obviously the day of the procedure but what about the day before and the day after?

You definitely need the day before off work. You'll be on the toilet all day. You'll probably be fine the next day.

mindymomo do you know why it was more painful because of diverticulitis? That's what the consultant thinks I have.

Good luck for Friday walkersareback . Let me know how you get on.

Mine is the Monday after you.

@Breathmiller will do - and good luck to you too.

Have just been out and bought soft white loaf, white sourdough, crumpets and chocolate croissants/ feels weird as we are a brown bread family

I have to say I think I'm going to struggle with the low fibre thing too when my time comes! We are very much brown bread, lentils, beans and pulses (very necessary in my case 🙂). Best of luck @walkersareback. Will be thinking of you Thursday/Friday. Hope all goes well

Yes mrsdolittle my basic diet of beans, lentils, brown rice, lentils, veg and fruit is going to be missed.

My husband had had this. He's usually a huge coward about health related stuff but has sedation and it was fine. Prep not as bad as comedy blog suggests, just a clean out. Sedation made actual colonoscopy very easy and not painful at all. Made me quite happy about the prospect of one!

Husband just pointed out that I only needed to avoid seeds, seeded bread, watermelon, cucumber, grapes, kiwi, melon, nuts, tomatoes sand popcorn for 7 days. Fruit and vegetables only needed to be avoided for 2 days - I have been living on white bread, meat, cheese and pitta for a week - must learn to read things properly.

Just had my first plenvu - it's salty!

Also - now farting like a trooper!

I had pixolax for mine. The prep worked beautifully but I was sick on the night and again the next morning. And fainted when I got to hospital. I was utterly wiped out.

Was sedated for the procedure. I did flicker and wake up in pain for a moment when they had to wriggle it round a corner in my bowel, but they were very calming about it.
Recovery was fine. First time in years I didn't have IBS stomach pains tbh. Had really healthy food at home and a couple of days off work.

I had Plenvu in August - took a bit of getting through the second lot, I thought, but I did it. Best of luck.

Good luck. Remember to also drink plain water. Keep near the loo!

Good luck OP, hope it goes well for you!

I think you've done the right thing. They told me today it was better to avoid fibre for a week if possible so that there will be less residue. Best of luck for tomorrow and good luck with the Plenvu. It's not pleasant.

It is EXACTLY like this

@walkersareback good luck for tomorrow, please let me know how it goes as I have an endoscopy and colonoscopy on Monday and I'm so nervous!