Colonoscopy

[Pancakeparlour]

I have a colonoscopy coming up and dreading it.

Although I had one about 5 years ago I think I’ve mentally shelved the experience deep to the back of my brain.

And I’m dreading the prep, I remember the last one being vile to the point that I couldn’t get the last litre down me. I do have a different one this time which is in much less quantities but I’ve got to take the second sachet only 4 hours before the appointment so fretting I’m going to soil myself on the way there (I’ve purchased some incontinence pants just in case 😳)

I am worried about every aspect of the whole thing - what if I’ll react badly to the prep, vomit or pass out. I worry if I decide to go for the sedation that I’ll react badly to that, I worry the colonoscopy will perforate my bowel and of course I worry about the outcome of the whole thing (I have been referred due to my daily IBS symptoms).

Has anyone had a colonoscopy? How did it go? I’m so very anxious which isn’t helping my existing anxiety, my IBS or my sanity!

I think you need to accept that this is something you have to do and although it is unpleasant, thousands of people have this done every day. Make sure the hospital doesn't rush you and you are properly sedated before the procedure starts. Good luck. 🙂

Luckydip1 I do, I find if given enough time to stew over something, my brain will lol. Just need to accept it and go for it!

FIIT test, low iron, constipation, scared www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/4818018-fiit-test-low-iron-constipation-scared

Have a read of my thread from earlier for lots of support. It wasn't a fraction of how bad I thought it would be.

I had one last year and honestly, the prep was not really a big deal. Everyone says it's the worst part, but it was definitely not has bad as the actual colonoscopy (sorry, that's probably not reassuring). I make it really cold and drank through a straw and it was fine. Go for the sedation. I can't imagine doing it without. Personally, I wouldn't be thrilled to do it again, but it was definitely not the worst medical thing I've had to do.

You posted this a couple of days ago didn't you.

You've already had a colonoscopy so you know that you can do it.

Check out the threads on Mumsnet about colonoscopy - not being dismissive but there's a huge wealth of information on the preps, the good bits, the bad bits.

I've had 2. The sedation was fab. The prep, tiresome and definitely the worst bit.

Thanks mindutopia I did have it without sedation last time as I don’t like feeling out of it and it was fine but I honestly don’t feel I can do it without this time tbh.

I did MidgeMainCourse 😳. I was jhoping to get more replies via Chat as I’m getting myself so worked up about it. Silly, I know but I’m overthinking like crazy, urgh! I will have a look at past posts, thanks.

I have Crohn's disease so I've had about a dozen colonoscopies over the years. The prep is by far the worst bit. It's worth asking for Picolax rather than Moviprep, as it's a lot less volume. I also vomit the prep back up; can't get litres and litres down!
Treat yourself to some nice loo roll, a tub of Sudocrem and have a good snack for when you get home. They usually let you sit for a bit and give you tea and toast in the hospital. I enjoy watching the scopes tbh; it is fascinating!

The thread I've posted for you will give you lots of information and support. I was terrified because I'd been referred due to suspected cancer. The thread saved my sanity.

Thanks BobbinThreadbare123 luckily (?) this time round it is Picolax which I did have last year for a pill camera endoscopy but was just one sachet then (although it did work very speedily and all through the night!). Last colonoscopy was Kleanprep and I can honesty say it was bloody evil stuff, like you, I vomited and just couldn’t get the last litre down it was just impossible. Luckily, as I’d hardly eaten for a few days I was clear.
Thank you painintheargh, I have just been reading through it. Glad it went well for you.

painintheargh Reading through your replies, I remember with my last colonoscopy, I naturally assumed that my gastroenterologist was going to perform it and was shocked to see a complete stranger standing there, he was similar to the one who performed your colonoscopy, really brusque and hardly spoke a word to me, it would have been quite an unpleasant encounter had it not been for the most wonderful endoscopy nurse, he was fab and held my hand tight and spoke to me constantly the whole way through. Found out yesterday my regular gastroenterologist isn’t going to be performing this one either so God only knows who it will be, just hope and pray I get a lovely nurse again.

I had one on Tuesday. It was absolutely fine. I had sedation but wasn't out of it at all. I found the actual colonoscopy fascinating lol

I had picolax too. Because I had an afternoon appointment I took it at 2pm and 6pm. I didn't use the loo after going once on the morning of the appointment.

Could you change to an afternoon appointment?

painintheargh we have similar stories. I also have IBS, low ferritin (mine as 3 until I get an infusion last year) and I also care for my mum!
I also have ARFID so have a very restricted diet. I was also ‘told off’ for my heart rate going up during the endoscopy I had just before the colonoscopy, how the heck are you supposed to have control over that?

That’s reassuring tothelefttotheleft my appointment is at 1.30pm on Saturday. The leaflet says to have a light breakfast and lunch tomorrow (it’ll be very light as my anxiety takes away my appetite!), then stop eating at 1pm and take the first dose of picolax at 5pm and 4 hours before the appointment take the second picolax so that’ll be about 9ish. I’m thinking of taking the first dose an hour or two earlier tomorrow and the second around 6 or 7am? I’m so worried I’ll need the loo on the way to the hospital!

I had one a few weeks ago.

Best tip for me was to make up the drink, put it in fridge and when having it, have with lots of ice and drink through straw. Made it much more palatable. I hate the taste of things like lemsip and throat sweets - found the moviorep much easier than that.

I drank whilst watching TV/on MN and had the litre in an old squash bottle. I had lots of ice. I filled a glass (250ml) and took large sucks whilst watching the TV or mumsnet and was able to down the glass in about 2 mins. It was the ice and the straw that meant I could do that. Was then able to have another glass a few mins later. Paced myself so I drank the litre across 30 mins, but could have done it faster. Was surprised I found it so easy as I don’t usually. I also had lucozade and other drinks (apple juice) at hand to swig if I needed to get rid of the taste. So basically, prepping ahead, esp making ice and chilling the mixture made it all manageable.

TMI but I put Vaseline on my bum after drinking and before the ‘action’ started. Did lots of patting rather than wiping (it’s all that’s needed once it’s all water) and didn’t suffer from sore bum either.

Good luck - it will pass. …..literally!

WombatChocolate Thank you for the tips, I’m going shopping tonight so will get straws, a big bag of ice and a load of super soft loo roll and wipes. I’ve got a massive pot of Vaseline on standby as I remember only too vividly what happened last time, I am prone to haemorrhoids and can not explain how bad they were, I just know it will happen again this time!!