Reassurance for colonoscopy

[Threecakes]

I wonder if anyone is able to offer reassurance for a colonoscopy please? I’ve had bright red blood on toilet paper/in bowl when I poo (sorry seems silly to use another term) for past 18 months. I think related to small piles since I had DC2.

I’ve got private medical insurance until 1st Feb only, so I’ve decided I really need to face this issue directly whilst I’ve got that cover and book in for a colonoscopy. I’ve got a GP referral letter a year ago, but didn’t want to take the next step of seeing a consultant.

I’m feeling nervous/embarrassed, which is a bit silly after 2 pregnancies (both Csections though, so I’ve never had all my bits on display before) 🙈

Any advice welcome. Thank you!

I had one before Christmas. Was also V nervous. Told my DH in the car who should get my jewelry if I died!
Actually it was totally fine.
Go for the light sedation option if they have it. I actually really enjoyed being put under! It’s totally painless.
Have a quiet afternoon and make sure someone drives your home afterwards.
The prep isn’t pleasant but I downloaded a book and just made sure I was near the toilet.
I feel much more relaxed about my next one.

I've had a hemmerhoidectomy and banding on piles and trust me the drs and nurses couldn't be nicer. In the run up I had more people look at my backside than I care to mention - not one was anything other than professional and courteous. I found it less invasive than a smear as you're on your side rather than legs a kimbo.
The prep before hand isn't very nice but you'll be just fine, much better to get it sorted now than leave it.

I had one on New Years eve last year, I also used to work on one of the cancer pathways that referred people for colonoscopies, 95% of people having one do not have cancer! Please let that reassure you.
Prep is worse than the actual procedure
All your bits will not be on show, its very dignified and you're not on show and if you can take the sedation and relax

I had it a couple of years ago with light sedation.
It's a strange experience but not traumatic. There are special gowns and pants provided so you are covered and it didn't feel undignified at all.
The worst bit was the nurse who kept singing Xmas songs next to my head and I had to get the doctor to tell her to stop.

I have colonoscopies every 18 months. Honestly the prep is far worse than the procedure! Have the sedation and a big fat Mcdonalds on the way home. It’s a bit undignified but all the staff I’ve ever encountered have been lovely and put me at ease.

I had one this time last year! I opted for sedation but unfortunately it didn’t work for me so I was fully awake throughout. Although it’s unpleasant, you will be completely fine. The staff were fantastic too!

Oh bless. I felt dreadful when I realised I needed to have this done. It natural to feel embarrassed
I found the staff all lovely, I had some sedation as there’s a part in the examination that’s uncomfortable so I don’t remember much about it.
the worst part for me was the bowel prep beforehand. I made sure I was very close to the loo, and a little tip here, pop a little Vaseline around your bottom and buy the softest loo roll you can find!It eases soreness as you’ll be wiping lots. Oh and as other respondent says, download a book or binge watch a series while bowel prep works.
definitely worth having this. It sounds like you have heamorrhoid but think how you’ll feel afterwards with the peace of mind.
All the best of luck, the staff are doing this all day and everyday, be brave & try not to be embarrassed!! Xxxxx

I found it fine. The prep isn’t great but the actual procedure was a breeze. I honestly felt no loss of dignity whatsoever (as has been said , you are lying on your side, with legs slightly bent) and the doctor and assistants could not have been lovelier. I was given sedation but stayed awake through it, and I found looking at the inside of my colon on a screen strangely fascinating.

You’ll be fine, you’ll come out of there wondering what you were so worried about, and the peace of mind afterwards will be wonderful.

I had one of these and the thought of it is much worse than it actually is. You will be fine. I felt quite proud of myself afterwards for my bravery (I'm a real worrier) and celebrated with a huge slice of cake. It's not undignified at all.

I had one a few months ago and it was honestly fine, I had zero sedation as I wasn't keen on having fentanyl and midazolam. You get big bloomers to wear, mine went from my waist to me knees with a hole in the bum. It's surprisingly dignified. As others have said the prep is harder than the procedure. A friend warned me that it's like weeing out your bum, I was very grateful for the heads up or I would have freaked the fuck out as it's literally like weeing out your bum from the start!.

Please take the light sedation, it's great and you won't mind at all what is being done to you by the generally very lovely people carrying out the examination.
Yes, the bowel prep is a trial but vaseline/sudocrem around your bum will help a lot with the soreness.
They found I had a small polyp when I had mine done, the surgeon excised it during the procedure, it was sent off to the part lab and found to be benign. No more problems, like 95 percent of people who have undergone the procedure, as a PP has said.

I had one about 18 months ago. The prep was the worst as having to drink 2 litres of laxative was horrendous. I was throwing it back up by the end.

I opted for sedation but had to do without as they couldn’t get into my veins. Anyway, the gastroscopy was horrific but the colonoscopy was ok. It was uncomfortable but I had gas and air. The nurse and doctor were just telling me to try and fart as that would help, it really did. The uncomfortable bits were only a few seconds at a time and the colonoscopy didn’t take too long. You’ll be fine xx

I had one in August for blood in my poo and left sided pain. The prep (the stuff you have to drink beforehand) is the worse bit. I didn't have any sedation for the colonoscopy as I hate being out of control. Apart from a few really slight twinges half way through (a bit similar to very, very mild period pain - if that) I really didn't feel anything. The staff are amazingly gentle and caring and you are given modesty shorts to wear so it's way less intrusive or revealing than child birth. I was terrified in the run up to it but I would not be at all afraid to have it done again. I had 2 polyps which they removed there and then - and I still didn't feel anything!

I've had a few. Worst bit for me by a long shot is not being able to eat for 27 hours!

Refrigerate the prep, makes it easier to drink
I sip consomme soup beforehand (night before) as it's clear but actually tastes of something