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.

Please don’t worry, it will be fine.The day before is definitely the worst part.
I didn’t want sedation as I wanted to watch & find out straight away if there was anything wrong, as was on the Cancer Pathway.
The procedure was slightly uncomfortable but bearable. Luckily all clear. Good Luck.

I honestly can't remember how many colonoscopies I've had, probably about 15 as I'm at very high risk of colon cancer. The prep is definitely the worst part. The procedure itself really isn't too bad.

Try not to worry.

The plenvu is still doing it's thing but less frequent now. I am going to bed as very tired and have to take my second dose at 9am tomorrow.

I hope I have finished pooing by the time I have to go to the hospital!

Thank you for all your good thoughts x

Hope all goes well today @walkersareback xx

Hope it all goes smoothly today walker. You'll be in recovery with a cup of tea before you know it.

I had one recently. I was sedated but totally awake. It was a bit uncomfortable but bearable. I nodded off in the recovery room then was fine to get up once the Dr had come in and said all was well. Dh came to take me home and I was fine the next day (I had mine around 10am).

The prep is the worst bit about it! make sure you have wet wipes for your bum and use sudocrem before you start the prep. Also take a magazine to read on the loo and don’t bother wiping after every poo, just sit!! As soon as you get up you’ll need to go again.
i got all these tips from here!

Are you sure you have to cut all fibre?

@Breathmiller Yes you do, and you can't have blended soups either.

DH had a colonoscopy last week and he had to have a low fibre diet for 5 days beforehand.

I hope you have two loos because the diarrhea is uncontrollable, and if there is anyone else in the house they won't be able to use the loo. You will be sat on the loo for several hours.

Good luck @walkersareback

Thank you everyone- my colonoscopy is at 1pm so just about to start the second lot of plenvu - having a quick black coffee first.

Good luck with it walkers let us know how you get on.

Feel a bit sick and headachey- assume that is dehydration and lack of food - not eaten anything since midday yesterday

I had sedation. I have no memory of the procedure but I think I must have been awake as I was told I tried to fight the nurse at one point . As I say, I can't remember a thing though so it wasn't traumatic.

The prep part is pretty grim. I chose the product that you drink less of (sorry can't remember the name) but which has more...erm..."violent" results because I knew I'd struggle to get the liquid down.

Yeah, I've been on a fibre free diet for this week now.

We only have one loo! 🤯

Hope it all goes well. Hear you on the other side.

Better buy a bucket then @Breathmiller, and I'm not joking.

Eeeek!!

Follow the diet advice to the letter. Follow the prep directions to the letter and drink every last drop.
Then your colon will be empty and spotless, so A ) the examiner gets the very best look into every nook and cranny and B) minimal discomfort for you.

The preparation drink is the worst part of the whole procedure; no pain but it tastes vile, there's lots of it to swallow and once it starts to work (SOON) you will run to loo in a hurry. A lot. Plan to spend a quiet day at home close to loo, lounging on sofa watching films etc.

Once that;s all done the rest is straightforward.

I've had 5 colonoscopies. The actual procedure is nothing to worry about IME. Any minor discomfort (as the thingy goes in your bum ) is so absolutely minimal I'm quite happy to have no sedation at all. I watch it all on the screen, chat to the nurse etc. You'll have a nurse whose only job is to hold your hand, and make reassuring chat. Afterwards you'll enjoy tea, toast, and farting.

In terms of "how much discomfort"; I'd rate my colonoscopies well BELOW my mammograms and dental injections / fillings.

Just to reassure everyone who has one coming up it was fine. All of the staff were amazing and I am home with a cuppa.

You will be fine - and thank god for the NHS!

The first one my mum had was without any pain relief, she said never again. If they offer you a local, accept it.

Fab. Great to hear your through it.
Thanks for the thread, it's been really useful.

• you're tsk

@walkersareback so glad it all went well.

@Breathmiller good luck for Monday

This thread has been so useful (albeit a bit alarming in places!). Still waiting for the date of mine - but do feel reassured by what has been posted on here. Thanks all 🙏

Glad you're OK. Enjoy eating again!

Good luck to everyone who has the procedure coming up. You'll be fine.

And thanks to everyone who posted tips and advice xx

I have had a couple and the actual procedure is fine. No pain and I actually like the dreamy feeling the meds give you. The prep is annoying but I get through with jelly and clear broth. The worst bit is the hunger and a saw bottom from all the ‘preparing’.

I had to wait for someone to fetch me after the camera down and the camera up, and I got a nice tuna and cucumber sandwich and more than one cup of tea while I waited.
Another person could go because he hadn't had sedation - maybe he'd had a gastroscopy and had the throat spray but no actual sedation. He could drive himself home.
Nice to know that you are through it, OP.