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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask how was your colonoscopy?

61 replies

Bawse · 31/08/2021 21:00

Hi, posting for traffic. Have a colonoscopy booked for tomorrow and the clinic (private provider outsourced from NHS) only emailed me an info leaflet last thing this afternoon outlining the (relatively high) risk of perforation, the option to be sedated, etc.

It doesn’t explain on what basis you might decide to go for sedation – it just says some people do and it’s your choice ConfusedHmm

So wondering how uncomfortable/painful it is, if sedation helps with with, if other painkillers are advisable, etc.?

Also, if damage does occur, what the long-term implications of this are?

Feel a bit cross to be honest as I would have liked to discuss this with someone like my GP, however seeing as it’s tomorrow, if I cancel it might be another month or so before I can get an appointment again.

Any info or experience appreciated.

OP posts:
legoriakelne · 31/08/2021 21:21

Perforation would be treated with surgery, but the information sheet should have explained that.

Ibleedibreedibreaatfeed · 31/08/2021 21:21

You could take it in the morning but not very practical. As I had two sachets starting early evening before. And followed the strict no dairy etc? Have you had any dairy products?

Tereseta · 31/08/2021 21:21

Mine was fine, had sedation, chatted throughout but can't really remember it. Mildly discomforting is how I would describe it.
The prep empties your bowel and you are basically on the loo all day before you go.

turnthebiglightoff · 31/08/2021 21:23

You won't be having a colonoscopy without the bowel prep. Maybe a basic sigmoidoscopy. When you do have the procedure, it's really not that bad.

Pazuzu · 31/08/2021 21:23

I didn't bother with pain relief for mine. Just a very odd full sensation especially with the extremely cheerful consultant giving a running commentary. Wasn't painful at all.

Got picked up but could have driven myself home after no problem. Good luck OP.

The prep is fun as the stuff doesn't half clear you out (even more so as frankly I was pretty damned cleared out anyway with whatever it was)

Chloemol · 31/08/2021 21:25

This is from the nhs website

www.nhs.uk/conditions/colonoscopy/getting-ready/

You will be given laxatives to take, not nice tasting and you end up with a sore bottom!

I had sedation, although you are still aware of what’s going on,

Never heard of having an enema first

Original poster
Bawse · 31/08/2021 21:27

@MaMelon

I’ve just seen your update - you won’t be able to have one without the prep. Are you sure it’s a colonoscopy you’re having? Confused
I’ve just checked the info sheet, it’s a flexible sigmoidoscopy. I thought it was a type of colonoscopy (lower colon). Sorry if I’ve got that wrong and wasted everyone’s time with a daft drip feed Confused
OP posts:
serialname · 31/08/2021 21:28

I'm guessing you will be having a sigmoidoscopy rather than a colonoscopy as you haven't had bowel prep in advance.

SiobhanSharpe · 31/08/2021 21:28

I had the IV sedation and it was bloody fantastic.
i was really, really nervous but the consultant himself came and fetched me from the waiting room.
He said it wouldn't be nearly as bad as i feared, I didn't believe him but he was right.
Honestly, I felt almost no discomfort and the one time I shifted a little on the table they immediately upped the sedation. I was embarrassingly chatty throughout.
I was so impressed I even wrote to the hospital telling them what i good experience I had. This was at Addenbrookes, Cambridge, which is considered a centre of excellence for bowel investigations.
(Everything was fine, no problems showed up at all. The bowel prep beforehand was indeed the worst bit.)

legoriakelne · 31/08/2021 21:28

Bowel prep refers to the preparation to ensure your entire colon is completely empty ready for the procedure: it means following a modified diet starting a week or two before the procedure that gradually becomes more restricted the closer you get, and then drinking 2-4 litres of laxative solution over a period of several hours starting about 24 hours before the procedure.

The modified diet is to make the final stage easier and more effective. It also ensures there are no traces of anything that might be mistaken for bleeding in your gut (e.g. Blackcurrant).

serialname · 31/08/2021 21:29

Sigmoidoscopy doesn't look so far into your bowel so is easier and takes less time

Backtobacktheyfacedeachother · 31/08/2021 21:29

No sedation, there was a point when he was (it felt like) up under my ribs. That made me wince a little! It was uncomfortable rather than painful overall.

My friend had an enema, I & another friend (not together) both had moviprep. Brutal 😂

Many people find he sedation doesn’t work & you have to stay longer if you have it. Hope all goes well op.

MaMelon · 31/08/2021 21:30

That’s good you’ve found out now Bawse Smile Hopefully it will all be plain sailing.

legoriakelne · 31/08/2021 21:30

I’ve just checked the info sheet, it’s a flexible sigmoidoscopy. I thought it was a type of colonoscopy (lower colon). Sorry if I’ve got that wrong and wasted everyone’s time with a daft drip feed

In which case, they will give you an enema when you get there instead of the full bowel prep being done at home.

Sigmoidoscopy is better tolerated for most people (it's generally going around the corners of the colon that hurt and are most difficult).

If it's your first one I would take sedation. Then if you have another you can decide if it was useful or whether you are happy without.

Mantlemoose · 31/08/2021 21:31

I've had maybe 10 or so (Crohn's disease). I've never had any issues with damage at all and always taken sedation. Only 2 colonoscopies I have any memory of - I remember a bit of pain and getting more sedation. I don't remember the actual pain, just being slightly 'unsedated'.

You would normally have to prep the day before/on the day (fleet/moviprep etc). If you're getting an enema then it's more likely to be a sigmoidoscopy? Personally I would say ask for sedation (I wouldn't have a colonoscopy without. You can decide on the day.

Good luck!

SiobhanSharpe · 31/08/2021 21:31

Just read OP's update.
Oh well. But if anyone is awaiting a colonoscopy -- take the IV sedation and if you can still feel something ask them to increase it!

Rubyupbeat · 31/08/2021 21:31

You must be having a sigmoidoscopy (think that's the name) not a colonoscopy if you are just having an enema. If it were the latter your bowel needs to be prepped 2 days before, total clear out. It will just be the lower part of your colon and no problem.
I have colonoscopy regularly and a perforation is a slight not a high risk.

Stripyhoglets · 31/08/2021 21:37

I've has a sigmoidoscopy and a colonoscopy.

First one was sigmoidoscopy. You get an enema just before and I didn't need sedation. It was OK. Uncomfortable at times but they don't go round all the corners so it doesn't hurt as much as a colonoscopy.

The colonoscopy involved the bleakest prep laxative and I was given fentanyl. It hurt when going round corners but I did not care about this as the fentanyl made me very relaxed.

So tomorrow you should be fine after the sigmoidoscopy.

HappyMeal564 · 31/08/2021 21:51

I took picolax and it wasn't too bad, just felt tired, went with the sedation and it was fine. Starving afterwards, I went for a massive jacket potato as soon as I left the hospital 🤣

2bazookas · 31/08/2021 21:52

I've had five, all fine, no perforation or problems.

The first three I had done by Dr's with a slightly deeper sedation (back of hand needle, , woosh, next thing I wake up back in bed. My hospital has now changed their system colonoscopies are done by a (wonderful) team of nurses with much lighter sedation so I'm awake throughout , no pain, chatting to nurses and watching the procedure on screen, journey up my own colon :-). After wards they give us tea and toast before you leave.

Good luck and don't worry.

Tooembarrassingtomention · 31/08/2021 22:10

@MaMelon

I’ve just seen your update - you won’t be able to have one without the prep. Are you sure it’s a colonoscopy you’re having? Confused
I dont have the prep as it doesnt work- partial bowel
MaMelon · 31/08/2021 22:12

That’s not the case with the OP - but I know what you mean Smile

Della1 · 31/08/2021 22:22

I had one very recently (a few weeks ago) and it was fine. I was a bit nervous about having sedation so the lovely nurse advised me to have a cannula in my hand incase I wanted it during the procedure. Opted for gas and air. It was a bit like period cramps and the bends were a bit uncomfortable but I had gas and air and the discomfort was over in a couple of seconds. The nurses and doctor were lovely and I was out within an hour and a half. It seems that everyone has a different experience and that you don’t know until you are having it done but there is the option of having sedation once the procedure has started.

Della1 · 31/08/2021 22:26

Sorry just rtft!

stonebrambleboy · 31/08/2021 22:35

I had a sigmoidoscopy in outpatients and went straight back to work (I'm a nurse).
Don't worry you'll be fine.
Also had a colonoscopy with sedation that was fine too. Though the nurse talking about her night out with the other nurse who was attending to me was rather annoying.