Colonoscopy, really scared

[Tiny37373]

I'm booked in for a full colonoscopy next Tuesday for investigation with some ongoing IBS issues I've been having. I've had my prep through the post which I have to start on Monday night so that I'm fully evacuated for the procedure on Tuesday morning.

I'm really scared. I've never had anything like this before but I have heard from friends who have had it that it's quite painful. Didn't like to ask too much as it's quite a sensitive subject. Can anyone give me any idea of what to expect? I will obviously have the day off work but will I be ok to work the following day? Is it likely to be very painful during and afterwards?

I've had a couple of these, one with moviprep and one with picolax. With moviprep and have to drink litres of the stuff, it just tastes like lemon flavoured medicine but there's just so MUCH of it. Picolax you have to drink about 150ml of it but the hospital tried really hard to talk me out of using it. I had to insist I wanted it. It didn't work as well as moviprep and I was quite worried it wouldn't be good enough but it was fine. When I drink the prep I have 2 glasses, take a big slug of the prep through a straw (so it misses your taste buds) then a big drink of icy cold 7up.

You might wait and wait and worry that its not working but it will. Make sure you Google the colonoscopy diet and follow it for a few days beforehand.

If you have sedation you won't remember most of your procedure afterwards. The last one I had, the absolute worst bit for me was the trapped wind afterwards because of the air they pump you full of. Really painful for a good few hours.

Good luck op. I wouldn't volunteer to have another one done but it's not that bad

I've had a few and totally agree with others that the absolute worst bit is the prep. I really struggled getting those vile drinks down. I'm awful awful at things like that and it just made me gag constantly. It took me ages to get it down doing it in small amounts. Mixing squash in didn't help. I don't think I ever managed absolutely all of it.
The actual procedure wasn't painful. Ask for sedation, it takes you pretty out of it. I've never worried about that part.

Wouldn’t be surprised if they gave you more of that vile drink than was necessary. That way if people say they can’t drink anymore but they’ve drunk most of it they’ve probably drunk enough anyway.

I had a colonoscopy without sedation and it was fine (and apparently I have an awkwardly shaped colon). The whole thing is a bit weird but it's not awful.

Hi, as others have said drinking the prep is the worst bit. First few gulps are okay but when your drinking loads of it it makes you feel a bit sick. About a hour later for me it then hit, I was on the loo. This bit wasn't painful. It will come out of you like water.

I took sedation, i had about 9 samples taken (I have a lot of polyps) and it was all fine. I will need more in the future and wouldn't worry at all about it, the procedure isn't at all painful.

i've had it twice OP.
was ok. not painful, but i was a bit apprehensive, esp the first time, which i mentioned to the doctor, and he said im not surprised, i think i'd be apprehensive too if i was having it done.
this actually helped me a lot. perhaps because he was honest, not patronising, and validated my feelings. i felt i could trust him.
i had an injection in the back of my hand.
the procedure was not painful. rather dreamlike feeling.
follow the prep instructions exactly.
might need baby wipes to dab rather than wipe. and soothing cream.
but remember never put wipes down the toilet, even the so-called flushable ones. they are not. ask water council. they block drains.
i used to tie up in nappy bags and dispose in rubbish.
you'll be ok.
there was no option re sedation where i went, two different london hosps, north of thames. perhaps if someone had an aversion it would be an issue. but having the injection was standard procedure.
can someone drive you. good luck.

Hi. I had one at 16 with no sedation. They encouraged me not too because I had an exam the next day. Said they would stop and sedate if too uncomfortable.
Genuinely felt super weird and at points the nurse supporting me got some crushing hand holds but it was actually not that bad. Once it's in you only really feel it when they need to turn

Had another and did take sedation. The one thing I would say is the sedation doesn't really make it not uncomfortable at the time but does make you drift off and forget it after.
I've had endoscopy down my throat twice and that is a million times worse. There's no fighting that gag reflex.

Had loads, all with sedation- no issues at all. Prep is worst -.moviprep is vile and Picolax is a doddle. You'll be fine

Been having them nearly every year since I was five. They never really get easier per se, and as everyone said, the prep really is the worst bit. Watching is interesting but try not to look if you see the pincers come out for a biopsy- it makes you feel it more. A few years ago my hospital starting giving pethadine as a painkiller and that was a game changer! I don’t remember the last one but apparently I had a lovely conversation about hellebores with the nurse!

Ah @Alpacamabags I agree about endoscopies. I always pass out!

Hi OP
I haven't read all of the responses, so I apologise if I repeat anything here. I've had this procedure before. It's an absolute doddle. The picolax is fine - just stay glued to the loo. Before the procedure. I told the doctor that I was feeling particularly anxious. They just upped the sedation. I didn't have a clue what went on. I had a lovely sleep, then a cup of tea and off home. No after pain or discomfort. You'll be fine.

@Tiny37373

Hope the "prep" is going well and good luck for tomorrow!

Had this last year. The consultant asked me why I thought I had diverticular disease and I said it was because I had all the symptoms and three docs at my practice felt it was this. She was very unpleasant.

Yes, the prep is the worst op. I had sedation but for some reason as soon as they started the procedure I popped wide awake. They were worried about giving me any more because I am a bit on the older side! It did take quite a long time for me and the staff were great and told me to prepare each time the tube went round a corner when I experienced a feeling of burning. They found a polyp and removed it at the time as well. You have to wear the shorts of shame. All in all op, I have had much worse. Please don't worry and hopefully sedation will do the trick for you.

My doctor was right about what was wrong with me. Strangely, after the colonoscopy my attacks reduced quite a lot. I do get them occasionally but not as bad and not as long. Maybe I have just been lucky.

Babywipes. That's what you need. Your bottom can get sore with the prep/wiping. Nothing about it is dignified...

Adding to all who say the drink prep is awful. The actual procedure was uncomfortable rather than painful, I would say. Fabulous nurse chatting to me and holding my hand helped.

It's really not that bad, at least I thought it wasn't. The prep gave me the shits, like it's supposed to, but nothing worse than the feeling of having diarrhoea. The procedure itself was fine, I'd take one over a bikini wax any day!

Hope it went okay for you today?
I am having one on Saturday for the first time and bricking it!!

So OP how was it for you?