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Original poster

To ask for your experiences of colonoscopy, super nervous

112 replies

elm26 · 03/04/2024 19:46

Hi

Been referred for an urgent colonoscopy due to a high result from a FIT test.

Should I take the sedation route or just gas & air? How bad is it, really? If I'm sedated will I still feel it? Please be honest, I'm feeling worse about this than I was labour! The thought of something going up my backside is just bleugh.

When I do the prep, do I need my DH home to watch baby? She is nearly 11 months and I can't exactly lock her in the toilet with me and by the sounds of it when I'll need to go, there is no stopping it so can't rush around putting her in play pen etc.

OP posts:
PriOn1 · 03/04/2024 22:17

I wasn’t offered any sedation, which was a shame as it would have been better (had sedation for endoscopy and it was great) but actually it wasn’t too awful, though it was uncomfortable.

As others have said, get the sedation, if offered (or ask if not and you want it) but my experience was that it wasn’t as bad as I expected.

I did vomit up the second batch of laxative though, which was fairly grim. 100% I could not have cared for a child at the same time.

SuperwomansAMyth · 03/04/2024 22:20

When my doctor does colonoscopies, they knock you out. You go from feeling yourself getting pleasantly sleepy to waking up in recovery. Then they come and give you results.

It's not a fun process but it's not horrible either. The best part is getting results straight away from the doctor. No nervously waiting until the next appointment.

Palacelife · 03/04/2024 22:20

The prep is the worst bit, absolutely vile, the drink is disgusting and you obviously don’t feel great.
ive had one colonoscopy with gas and air and another with sedation. The gas and air was better, I recovered faster. I had a bad reaction to the sedative and couldn’t stop throwing up, unwell for a week after.
with gas and air, it was over and done pretty much immediately

user1471556818 · 03/04/2024 22:24

I just went with the gas and air which totally surprised me as had a 3rd degree rectal tear when gave birth , followed by repair surgery so was pretty fixed on sedation .
It was OK the prep was so so much worse .
Definitely get some help arranged around both prep time and post procedure. Good luck .You've given birth so can manage this .

Fuzziduck · 03/04/2024 22:26

Get the sedation, close your eyes and go to sleep. I had a great sleep 🙃

Itsanothermanicmonday · 03/04/2024 22:34

I had the double whammy a colonoscopy and endoscopy at the same appointment and I was as nervous as hell.

I opted for sedation as I was worried that without it I wouldn’t be able to go through with it.

I was able to work from home on the day I started to take the prep around lunch time the day before my early morning appointment. I think I had to change my diet several days before taking the prep. The prep tastes absolutely awful (chill it beforehand) and I was knackered from all the running to the toilet (I was up and on the toilet until midnight the night before). The staff in the unit were all absolutely lovely and couldn’t have been nicer as I was embarrassed about it and with sedation the procedure was absolutely fine and I had a lovely long dreamy sleep in the afternoon following the procedure fortunately I took a days annual leave.

On the day I would advise wearing a slightly long top (but not too long a top) and skirt or trousers. As they get you to wear long paper blue shorts (they have these in all sizes which have a split up the back). But you do need someone to pick you up as you can’t drive home.

Lazydomestic · 03/04/2024 22:39

MichelleMcBelle · 03/04/2024 20:22

I’m confused?

Show quote history

I went to a clinic the afternoon before and had a colonic irrigation - didn’t take the prep laxatives. I did tell the consultant before the colonoscopy he just rolled his eyes but no problem going ahead with it

Amba1998 · 03/04/2024 22:40

Prep was the worst part for me

take sedation

after pains are also pretty awful

GettingStuffed · 03/04/2024 22:42

I was given a self enema to do and I really would have preferred a disgusting drink. The actual procedure was fine and no sedation was offered.

DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 03/04/2024 22:46

GettingStuffed · 03/04/2024 22:42

I was given a self enema to do and I really would have preferred a disgusting drink. The actual procedure was fine and no sedation was offered.

Ditto

Had the procedure a few times over 35 years last time was about 4/5 years ago - worst part the drink, the rest in the scheme of things, lot easier with sedation ie whilst you awake

I've even had the gastroscopy awake but that is herendos ie 10/10 stuff. However, colonoscopy, 1/10, easy sailing, they help you to relax and most rewarding is, you hear the good news there and then, "all good."

Hopper123 · 03/04/2024 22:49

I would suggest sedation. I didn't and apparently I have a 'very loopy bowel' (more 'loopy' than most people I guess) and because of this i did find it a bit painful. The prep is awful. I balanced the taste of mine by having a hot cup of bouillon next to me and having a few sips of that in between the awful prep taste it helped me get it down. Good luck with it. I think the prep is worse than the actual procedure and you'll just be glad to get it over with and have some normal food again. If you have sedation you won't care at all what they're doing down there.

SiobhanSharpe · 03/04/2024 22:55

I was shit-scared (sorry...) before mine and yes, the movicol was awful and I'm really glad we had a bidet because my bum was so sore.
The actual procedure -- the hunky young surgeon 😊came and brought me from the waiting room and told me it wouldn't be nearly as bad as I feared. I didn't believe him but he was right.
The sedation was fantastic. And if O shifted even slightly on the table they asked me if i wanted a top-up. Meanwhile I was happily chatting about Spain to the lovely Spanish nurse and it was all over before I knew it.
Tea and biscuits afterwards were very welcome too.

artfuldodgerjack · 03/04/2024 23:00

JacksonAverysEyes · 03/04/2024 19:49

The prep is fairly awful - you’re basically having explosive diarrhoea for hours. There’s no way you could look after a baby at the same time so you’ll need your DH around for that. I don’t think the colonoscopy hurts - it’s just weird so whether or not you need sedation depends on how anxious you are I think. Good luck!

Yes prep is definitely the worst part! You won't be able to look after a baby!

I always have sedation - tried once without and it was awful - never again! I have them annually, they aren't painful (sedation helps with the relaxation of the bum hole! 😂) they are just weird

artfuldodgerjack · 03/04/2024 23:03

Ah and plenty of Vaseline whilst doing the prep! Your poor bum will be sore.

ChimneySweepLiverpool · 03/04/2024 23:03

Yeah, as others have said the prep is worse. The sedation is nice and the procedure is fine. Gas and air is also lovely so either might suit you, you feel more in control with it but if you're too nervous for that go for sedation. Some slight cramps afterwards. Good luck xx

LightSpeeds · 03/04/2024 23:22

@ Vinvertebrate:
"Take sedation - you’ll be awake, but won’t care what they do and won’t remember much. They could drive a Ford Cortina up your arse on those drugs! - they’re great."

😂😂😂

VanGoghsDog · 03/04/2024 23:33

I had sedation, mainly because I'd been so worried I'd not slept well for ages and was looking forward to the nap. I was very cross when they woke me up.

I didn't feel anything but I do recall waking a bit at one point and saying something. Before it started I said to the guy "right, let's get to the bottom of this", he was probably glad I'd opted for sedation tbh.

Thriving30 · 03/04/2024 23:37

I've been told I need one of these in the near future but have been told enema on arrival? Which I think means they'll expect me to prep in the hospital? Has anyone ever had it done this way?

IHateLegDay · 03/04/2024 23:38

Can't say about the colonoscopy as I paid a fortune to get knocked out for mine but the prep was a pain in the arse (quite literally)
My DH set up a little floor bed outside the bathroom for me and I spent hours either lying down or shitting! I kept flushable wipes and sudocrem next to the toilet as my backside actually started bleeding from all the wiping so the sudocrem was a godsend!

AnOpinionInTheHand · 03/04/2024 23:49

Ask for picolax prep - it doesn’t work as well as moviprep so they might be reluctant to give it to you but you only have to drink 2 glasses of the stuff, not litres of it. I’ve had both as had 2 colonoscopies.

I was worried when I had mine (both times) that it wasn’t working as it didn’t kick in for a few hours but it does work. It wasn’t explosive either - I wouldn’t have gone out or wanted to be in charge of a toddler but I wasn’t camped out in the loo. Drink the prep through a straw angled to the back of your throat and I used 7up to wash it down with.

if you have sedation you’ll be aware of what’s going on but afterwards it’ll all fade and you won’t remember loads of detail. One of the worst things for me was the fact that they fill you up with sue do I had horrible trapped wind pain after - that just has to come out naturally!

take a book or something to do - when I had mine done they got all the morning patients to arrive at about 8am and I didn’t end up getting done until 3pm or so

SkyeLou · 03/04/2024 23:58

I had a colonoscopy when I had a 8 month old and 3 year old. I did the prep whilst my dh was at work. I was having a Crohns flare at the time so I had been running constantly to the loo for weeks anyway.
It wasn't fun but we muddled through. If you can get your other half to be there for childcare, do it but if it doesn't work out that way, you can just about manage. It won't be pretty but you will get through.
The prep tastes vile but is better with blackcurrant cordial.
My first colonoscopy I was told people don't need sedation. They then got nearly all the way round my intestines taking biopsies. I had gas and air but it was horrific. I will never ever go without sedation for another one.
Much more pleasant to come round in a recovery room.

Crinkle77 · 04/04/2024 00:05

fungipie · 03/04/2024 19:54

Same here. It was over before I knew it.

Show quote history

Yep this. I didn't find the prep too bad. I had the orange flavoured Moviprep but it was more the viscosity that was the worst. For me the first couple of hours was the worst in terms of not being able to leave the bog but it tailed off after that and I was able to sleep.

I've had the procedure twice. First time with sedation and 2nd time without. I have low blood pressure so had a very mild sedation but I was fully aware. Gas and air available but didn't use it that much as it wasn't too uncomfortable. It was a bit more uncomfortable the 2nd time but perfectly manageable pain although I did chuff on the gas and air a lot more. I'm not bothered about being embarrassed. They've seen it all before.

AnOpinionInTheHand · 04/04/2024 00:08

You shouldn’t drink blackcurrant before the colonoscopy or with the prep - stick to clear liquids

quietlysad · 04/04/2024 00:10

I have had this and honestly didn’t find either the prep or the procedure that bad!
prep - obviously you do need to go to the toilet but mine wasn’t painful nor did I need to rush. It was very calm so I suppose it affects people differently.
the procedure was odd but respectful and only slightly uncomfortable at the start.
I get everyone is different but please don’t fear it my experience was surprisingly good!

Upinthenightagain · 04/04/2024 00:13

you def need someone while you’re doing the prep. You will be peeing out of your bum for hours.
The procedure itself, I had sedation but I was fully awake and tbh didn’t feel any different but I didn’t feel a thing so maybe it did work? It was a total non event and nothing found ( also after having a positive fit test and positive for inflammation as well)