How bad really is a colonoscopy?

[docku]

I'm a huge medic-phobe. Can't cope with a simple jab or a blood test. The idea of being put to sleep makes me have panic attacks. I have major anxiety and spirals just at the thought of having to have anything medical done.

But it is looking like I might need this and I cry and nearly throw up just thinking about it.

It's not as bad as the <goes blank> other one with the camera down the throat.

I have really windy bowels, almost coiled. So unfortunately for me they are painful. I think most people say the bowel prep is the worse. I asked for a different bowel prep last time as didn't have to drink so much of it.

Endoscopy. Hate them. Even with sedation I wretch a lot. Least with the colonoscopy I can use the gas and air

I concur with everyone else the prep is by far the worst part of it!

Follow the diet for the few days before then it doesn’t matter if you can’t manage all the prep. I only drank half of it.
use sudocrem before you start the prep.
have the sedatiation.

I had a simiidoscopy . Not pleasant but was over quickly.
The prep for that was not too bad. Didn't have to drink anything.

I’m going to be very honest and say I found it excruciating- and I’ve had many, many medical procedures including cystoscopies, kidney biopsies, c sections etc- I don’t know if it’s because I have really severe IBS but I really found it awful and I did have sedation as well. For this reason if I ever had to have it done again I would ask for as much pain relief as possible.

The prep is rotten too. I remember thinking it wasn’t working - I had picolax- and thinking nothing was happening and then I spent almost the entire night on the toilet shitting water.

It isn’t a fun procedure. BUT - as someone whose Mum, Gran and Uncle all died of bowel cancer it can absolutely save your life so please have it if you need it. Just ask for lots of sedation and pain relief.

It’s strange how different we all are; I can’t even really remember my endoscopy!

I have this every 5 years for surveillance due to bad family genetics. Next one is next month! Yes, I hate the diet you have to follow and the prep. I normally eat a lot of vegetables and fibre so eating low fibre foods makes me feel blah. The day of the procedure itself is fine and comes as a relief. I am always given a GA (I am not in the UK) and wake up to a nice cup of tea and biscuits or sandwiches. So I never remember the procedure itself.

I sincerely hope you posted this having read only the title and not the OP itself. This isn't a straw poll of colonoscopy experiences - it's an extremely worried poster, seeking reassurance so she can psych herself up for a medically-necessary procedure.

How odd this post should pop up. I am having this procedure very soon. They may do something to remove any internal piles they find. (My bottom is driving me mad atm).

I can’t say I’m very worried exactly, somewhat apprehensive. But fasting for 24 hours and the rectal enema which I have to administer myself sounds quite a faff. I’ll be glad when it’s over. No painkillers except gas and air.

I hope your procedure goes well OP.

Compared to a gastroscopy it is a walk in the park!

I’ve done lots.
Most people are absolutely fine, yes they need pain relief during the procedure but manage fine.
Some people struggle with the gripey pain which is related to the air put in . The feeling is like trapped wind. But the doctor will stop if you are one of those people and you need them to stop. You will be well looked after. It will be over before you know it too

I agree with this

You are talking about an entirely different procedure- a colposcopy is different part of the anatomy to a colonoscopy!

I’ve had one recently and am a needle phobe and generally nervous of anything medical.

i told the clinic of my needlephobia and they made sure the sedation was twilight sedation which knocked me out. The tricky bit was the cannula being put in. I managed it by getting the anaesthetist to distract me. It was only a second or two.

The prep is fine. I was deading it but its just like drinking slightly salty water.

I had gas and air for the procedure and had a lovely time 😅

Could have written it myself. I’ve had it once, and hated it. But I am definitely an outlier. My body processes certain drugs too fast so the procedure had to be halted - there’s a bend at the top that going round is usually fine, but I was flipping out so it became dangerous.

The prep is vile, keep hydrated (above what you have to drink) as it’s easy to forget

Took my elderly Mum for one last week, she was in and out in a short time, said it was completely fine. X

It's fine. I had no pain at all.

The prep is the worst par IMO.. I've had both ends done and didn't need sedation for either. They're really nice when you're having it done. The next day was when I felt a bit beat up on the inside.

I wore tena pants to and from the hospital because the urge to go doesn't leave for a while.

I just think sometimes you just have to suck stuff up. Get it over with and plan something nice to eat for afterwards.

Sorry CORRECTION! I am having a sigmoidoscopy not a colonoscopy!!!! Please ignore my earlier post above 🙄 Obviously slightly different procedure, though I can’t remember why exactly.

I had one , the prep was dire , the colonoscopy was fine , I didn’t have sedation as all they had to offer was Midazolam and I have an adverse reaction to that so won’t have it .

I am exactly like you medic phobia... I had to go eventually for a colonoscopy... I was terrified but staff were so understanding they gave me gel on my arm so I wouldn't feel anything next thing I knew I woke up! It was best sleep I had in ages... please don't worry.. worse part is the prep.. follow the advice on here it was very helpful to me...good luck

@AlltheFs

Ah yes sorry.