To ask how was your colonoscopy?

[Bawse]

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

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.

I’ve just checked the info sheet, it’s a flexible sigmoidoscopy. I thought it was a type of colonoscopy (lower colon).

Colonoscopy = full examination of your colon. You need a low fibre diet for a few days and a laxative drink beforehand to completely clear you out. Takes anything from 20 minutes to an hour for the camera part of the test. Most people have sedation.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy = examination of the first third of your colon. Same as a colonoscopy, the camera just doesn't go as far in, so you only need an enema to clear out the area that they're looking at. Takes about 5 - 10 minutes for the camera part of the test. Most people don't have sedation.

@Hobnobsandbroomstick

I’ve just checked the info sheet, it’s a flexible sigmoidoscopy. I thought it was a type of colonoscopy (lower colon).

Colonoscopy = full examination of your colon. You need a low fibre diet for a few days and a laxative drink beforehand to completely clear you out. Takes anything from 20 minutes to an hour for the camera part of the test. Most people have sedation.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy = examination of the first third of your colon. Same as a colonoscopy, the camera just doesn't go as far in, so you only need an enema to clear out the area that they're looking at. Takes about 5 - 10 minutes for the camera part of the test. Most people don't have sedation.

Thanks Hobnobsandbroomstick!

That is helpful to know!

Moviprep was grim and I opted for sedation. Procedure itself ok but nearly fainted getting up from the examination bed - take your time standing!

It’s really nothing to worry about. As PP have mentioned, the prep is the worst bit! I opted for no sedation as I wanted to be able to drive myself home afterwards. You’ll be fine, OP.

Prep wasn't the nicest, but the hunger got to me with over 36 hours of no food.
Opted for sedation as I was having both cameras done that day (down then up). Sedation didn't work at all, but it wasn't that bad.
Some pressure, felt the tugs when they were snipping bits off inside though! However I did watch it on the screen and found it really interesting

Ah ignore me...should have read all OP replies...

I wasn't given the option of not having sedation. Only pain was at the bend, it only lasted for a few seconds. I didn't feel drowsy and chatted away with the staff and watched my insides on a monitor which was kinda cool.

Well I didn’t enjoy that! 😂

Thanks again for all the messages, was a big help in feeling less apprehensive beforehand and having an idea what to expect.

Oh no…hope it wasn’t too awful?

I had sedation but I don't remember anything. No pain or bleeding afterwards. The prep was worse than the procedure itself as I had to nip out during an exercise class I was teaching 😬 and to drink that much vile tasting liquid was truly awful!

You can have one with enemas and no CleanPrep I've had both.
Last one I had no sedation, it was ok.