To ask if I can go to a colonoscopy alone?

[Lutherant]

Just that really, posting here for traffic. I have to have a colonoscopy (not urgently). I have a young baby and absolutely no support network nearby - none - except my husband. Husband would have to stay with the baby so there is no one to come with me. I wouldn't drive myself, I would get a taxi there and back.

Is this OK?

He can collect you after in a taxi.

I wouldn't do it without sedation TBH. I have a tight corner in my bowel and even with sedation it really hurt.

I get people are saying its fine without sedation but I have form for finding medical tests that others have told me are not painful to in fact be very painful

This sounds like your best option. I would have it under sedation- the option is there for a reason! X

It’s very doable with no sedation, nor gas and air. It was barely uncomfortable at all from my experience. By far the worst part is the bowel prep beforehand.

Have the sedation.

If money is no object then you get a taxi there, your DH gets a taxi with baby to collect you and you all get a taxi home.

If money is an issue then you get public transport there, your DH brings the baby on public transport to collect you and you all get a taxi home.

They'll ask you who is with you when you go, if no-one they won't give you sedation. My partner was in for an hour and half. The only other alternatives is you lie when you go in and he comes an hour later, or hangs around the hospital.

I am pretty sure most hospitals only need someone to come and collect you, they don't need someone to drop you and wait the whole time???

DH and baby come to collect you and get taxi home together.

It's fine, however you cannot be sedated

I had first procedure during lockdown and had nobody to collect. It (and subsequent procedures) were painless

I was surprised as I am a complete wimp

Not being sedated also has some benefits

It may be marginally safer with a lower probability of injury / perforation

If they put too much gas in you, then you can tell them and they can release some - this is much easier than you trying to fart it all out over the following days

If you are conscious you will also be able to watch what is happening on the monitors and the doctors will explain what they are doing / their holiday plans and so on

Best of luck

I think he'll just have to come and get me in a taxi, it seems the only way. I don't love having my baby driven by a taxi driver but can't be helped!!

I’ve had lots of colonoscopies over the years - all under sedation. I’ve gone home alone several times. As long as I am getting a taxi and tell them there is someone to look after me at home, it’s been fine. I imagine it varies by hospital so you could ask them in advance what the policy is and how flexible they are with it?

Yes I'll see when the letter comes through. It'll be at southmead in Bristol.

I always have Gas and air, so I can leave quickly as I hate hospitals. It can be painful so I would suggest a sedative. I have them regularly due to UC.

Sadly they won't know until they are in that position though.

My dad dropped me there and I got a taxi home. I was absolutely fine.

Mine is to do with crohns. I was diagnosed as a teen but never had any imaging since except for an MRI in 2017, as I've not really had symptoms since diagnosis.

This is the solution . Your husband also needs to stay home with you for the next 24 hours and look after the baby.

Could all three of you drive to the hospital and they accompany you for the check-in. Then they leave and you/the hospital call him when you’re ready to be collected.

I had a colonoscopy last year and that’s what we did. My DD (19) drove me, confirmed that she’d be picking me up, and then left.

My husband can't drive.

Ah, that changes things.

If you have sedation they'll check you have a lift home, if DH can't collect you just say taxi and he's waiting for you with baby at home.

@Lutherant I tend to flare due to stress. I flare at least twice a year. I was diagnosed in my early twenties. I've been fortunate though as when I'm in a bad flare, steroids help. I also use Salofalk enemas every day which keeps my symptoms under control.

Thank you for posting this I was wondering similar and can't decide whether to have sedation and need collecting or drive myself and manage with no sedation. The GP said to have sedation as I've had three c-sections and the scarring might make things a bit tricky so calling on in-laws for help with lifts.

I got the bus there and they gave me sedation with no issues.

Friend picked me up at the end and stayed with me until my husband got home.