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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask you about colonoscopies?

36 replies

deadduck · 26/04/2014 16:30

I'm having one tomorrow, and I am scared stiff, so would appreciate some virtual hand holding. It is a full colonoscopy, and I will have sedation. I have read up a bit and asked people IRL, and it has been described as "uncomfortable". What does this actually mean? In what way?

OP posts:
brokenhearted55a · 26/04/2014 16:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

caruthers · 26/04/2014 16:34

I have had this done and I honestly can't remember a thing about it.

After the procedure I had the usual couple of hours of grogginess but it really was straightforward and simple.

Good luck OP.

CrohnicallyHungry · 26/04/2014 16:34

It's hard to describe, you can feel the camera as it goes in, and while they're doing it you can feel a pulling/prodding sensation deep inside.

If you're in the UK then the sedation makes you feel relaxed and kind of drunk.

The actual colonoscopy is a piece of cake, I find the prep is the worst part of the whole thing!

Good luck and I hope they don't find anything too nasty.

ohfourfoxache · 26/04/2014 16:35

Don't panic, I've had 3 without sedation and they are absolutely fine. And I have a very low pain threshold. Worst part is the prep

ohfourfoxache · 26/04/2014 16:35

X post with crohnically (love the name btw!)

shufflebum · 26/04/2014 16:37

The worst bit is taking all the prep to clean out your bowel!
I had one a few weeks ago and they have massively improved over the years. Camera is smaller send the air they use to inflate your bowel is carbon dioxide I think and is 'dispersed' much more easily.
The uncomfy bits are when they need to turn the corners with the scope but it's not painful just uncomfy like they say.
Don't worry about farting everyone does it! You'll be fine!

gamerchick · 26/04/2014 16:37

I had one but said no to the sedation as my need to leave the hospital ASAP was greater than the fear.

It was uncomfortable.. The air they put in isn't pleasant and you can feel the thing going round the bends. It doesn't hurt though.

Some people are fine afterwards.. I needed a settee day because my stomach swelled up and felt bruised.

I would also use incontinence tena nappies for on the way there till you get in the room and on the way home as you still feel the urge from the laxative and it helps with peace of mind re accidents.

Good luck.. The prep is by far the worst bit I promise.

OldFarticus · 26/04/2014 16:37

I have had a colonoscopy every year since 2006, and it's totally fine. The worst part by a country mile is the prep - and if yours is tomorrow then I am guessing you have already had that bit! It can be a bit uncomfortable when they go "round the corner" ie up into the sort of horizontal bit of your colon (I think!) but it's more like a feeling a being very full rather than actual pain iykwim.

And the drugs they give you are bloody marvellous, so don't worry! You will be away with the fairies anyway.

One final word of warning - they fill you up with air so they get a better view of the bowel. And aforementioned air has to come out again, so best avoid posh restaurants, the in-laws, etc for a few days! Grin

shufflebum · 26/04/2014 16:38

See, if you've got through the prep you're fine!

sashh · 26/04/2014 16:55

Ask for midazoln (?sp) it is a sedative, bu one of it's side effects is short term memory loss, so you won't remember.

Original poster
deadduck · 26/04/2014 17:00

Thanks all, I feel better now Thanks . I am half way through the prep already, on my second litre of Kleanprep or whatever it's called and have started to pass clearish water already Blush. Does that mean the end is in sight for this part of the process?

Away with the fairies and short term memory loss sounds great. The wind bit doesn't trouble me, got that all the time anyway, is reason for the procedure.

OP posts:
KissesBreakingWave · 26/04/2014 17:09

Don't do as my uncle did and use the video of your colonoscopy as a screensaver. I have mental scars. Scars, I say.

Original poster
deadduck · 26/04/2014 17:13

Kisses, that is hilarious!

OP posts:
KissesBreakingWave · 26/04/2014 17:15

No. It isn't. Trust me on this. The swine likes to surprise people with it.

saintmerryweather · 26/04/2014 17:18

I had one in feb. As others said the prep is the worst bit. A nurse came to see me and put a canula in my hand. Stayed in my own clothes till about half an hour before hand then put on my gown and beautiful colonoscopy shorts. I got wheeled down by a porter and my doctor came to talk to me. I had oxygen, the sedative made my vision go a bit weird, I also had the option of gas and air if I felt I needed it. The only time I felt it was painful was when he went round corners and when he pulled it out at the end. Its more of an uncomfortable sensation rather than pain. Your bowel doesnt have any nerve endings apparently so if they take a biopsy you wont feel anything. I was slurring after the sedative but I just had a lie down for a while. I had a sandwich and was sick soon after, the nurse said that can happen as youre so full of air so if you dont feel like eating straight away, dont.

You might remember a lot to start with but the memory will fade pretty quickly. Good luck op - if I was told I needed another colonoscopy I wouldnt hesitate - there really is nothing to worry about

saintmerryweather · 26/04/2014 17:21

You will know when your bowel is clean by the way, it'll be like you're weeing slightly smelly water. It wont be uncomtrollable like diarhea, I had a 35 minute journey to hospital and didnt ever feel I was going to have an accident

EddieStobbart · 26/04/2014 17:22

I've had three, the second time with without sedative (doc suggested it) which I wouldn't do again as I found it pretty uncomfortable but with sedative it's fine. Even without sedative it wasn't really terrible just not an experience I want to repeat if I don't have to! Prep is not good - I found trying to drink the foul stuff was the worse part not the time spent on the loo afterwards!

IrianofWay · 26/04/2014 17:25

DH just had his third. Although he didn't exactly enjoy it, I think he would agree that the prep is the worst!! Hideous.

Do you have anyone to go with you? I went with H.

CrohnicallyHungry · 26/04/2014 17:29

Oh yes, as I had sedation I wasn't allowed to drive and needed a responsible adult to take me home and supervise me for 24 hours. My mum came though she wasn't allowed in the room during, she waited in the waiting room for me.

passwordchange · 26/04/2014 17:32

Mine was fine. Don't remember a thing about the procedure. The Kleenprep bit wasn't great, I spent 4 hours on the loo but at least I had a good book to read! The worst bit for me was feeling really sick afterwards, but that was because they had given me a double dose of pethidine with no anti-sickness meds. Be prepared to feel a little 'windy' afterwards. My greatest moment was bejng held up my two nurses, sat on the toilet farting whilst dry heaving into a basin. Classy.

Original poster
deadduck · 26/04/2014 17:32

Saint, what are colonoscopy shorts? I'm already slightly smelly water stage, but have another half a litter to drink, does that mean I can stop now?

Iranof, my DH is taking me and picking me up, but probably won't stay. Would he be allowed?

OP posts:
passwordchange · 26/04/2014 17:34

I didn't drink the last half litre. My dictor said that very few patients manage to drink it all!

passwordchange · 26/04/2014 17:34

*doctor. Damn phone.

Original poster
deadduck · 26/04/2014 17:41

thanks, password. I don't think I can take any more!

OP posts:
saintmerryweather · 26/04/2014 17:46

I drank all mine, but if yours is clear now I guess if you dont it doesnt matter that much. I just wanted to get it over with and not have the risk that there was anything left in there! I would just drink as much as you can. I had to resort to using a straw and alternating moviprep with lemonade...its the devils drink!

My colonoscopy shorts were blue paper with a little flap in the back, to preserve my modesty I think so my gown wasnt showing everything off. My mum about wet herself laughing when I put them on. She came with me and was allowed to wait in my room but I was in a private hospital

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