to ask you about colonoscopies?

[deadduck]

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?

I have had a fair few colonoscopies. I had my first 4 with the sedative, which didn't make me sleep, just made me drowsy and groggy. I felt quite a bit of discomfort if I am honest, but that could be because they removed so many polyps.
My last one was so much better, I had Entinox (gas and air) instead of the sedative. It was better than I could have hoped for. I felt very little of what was going on, just the odd movement, despite having a huge amount of polyps removed. I just kept puffing on it till I drifted off. So if Entinox is an option it is worth considering, though I understand some people may react better to the sedative than I do.
The worst part is definitely the prep, especially the Moviprep (it used to be Citrafleet which was easier to drink!) as it tastes so bad and there is so much of it!
The test its self isn't that bad. It is uncomfortable, and when they pump air through the tube it does become more uncomfortable. Just pass the wind and the discomfort eases a bit. (though I felt none of that with the Entinox)
DH tends to wait in the waiting room for me, though last time he was waiting a long time (lots of growths to be removed!).
It will be over before you know it.

the Kleanprep was definitely far worse than the procedure, for me. That and the horrendous headache I woke up with the morning of the procedure, because I was so empty and lacking in sustenance! Once I got to the hospital it was easy. Sedative made me feel really relaxed and content, and I actually quite enjoyed watching the screen as the camera did its work

I had one without the sedative because they forgot...

It was surprisingly fine, but I hated the trapped feeling of miles of pipe up my guts while I was lying bum out on the table - you can feel a bit vulnerable. Right as rain immediately it ended.

Corygal - were you at least given Entinox?

I had every intention of having a sedative but sort of got talked out of it by the nurse. It was certainly uncomfortable but just when I thought I couldn't do this any more, it was over. Yes the prep wasn't a pleasant experience!

Just a word of warning, drink all the prep as the time that I didn't they could get all the way round with the scope as there was still some 'debris' as they put it in the way

I've had one and was scared but it was fine :) Don't remember much about it as I was sedated and I slept a lot after. No sickness or bruising, I was fine after :) My brother took me and brought me home, he was hoping I'd be entertaining like people who've had sedation at the dentist but I was just sleepy!

Oh and the sedation was fine - I'd rather not have felt it!

I second drinking all prep and plenty of water. I opted for no sedative and it was fine. Bit like period pain.

I had two. The first being a full one and the last only half way and both took biopsies.
The first, I cannot remember anything of it except at the end when they showed me a photo of the ulcer. I was on the verge of having my entire large colon removed but thankfully didn't!
The second, I chose not to have sedation and didn't feel a thing - even the biopsy and watched the whole thing on the TV screen.
I think some people have different paint threseholds (mine is awful - I faint at being stitched or the thought of a local!) and some people worry more than others.
Go with an open mind. They wouldn't do it if it was painful. (I find smears more uncomfortable!!!)

Hi! I had one a few years ago and it was totally fine. I have a vague memory of the middle of it when they were either pushing the tube into or out of my bum and they were doing it quite forcefully. It was just of something being shoved in my backend, but I didn't feel any pain or anything. When I woke up I was happily sedated, relaxed and quite merry. I was a bit dizzy on my feet as I tried to walk out with my then DP, but other than that, it was a totally fine experience.