Colonoscopy under GA

[RenegadeMasterx]

Morning all, has anyones little one had to have a colonoscopy under GA? My 5yo has got to have one next Tuesday and I am a total anxious mess. They’re suspecting she has polyps which they hope to remove at the same time. We’re doing the prep at home on Monday and travelling to the evelina for the procedure on Tuesday. I just don’t know what to expect, I’m dreading having to have her put to sleep etc. Has anyone had any experience with this cause I’m struggling to get my head around it, I’m so worried 😔 thanks x

Yes, I've had a colonoscopy under GA, I'm in my 50s though; had to have it done under GA due to previous colonoscopies being very painful. I was a bit worried about the anaesthetic but I was fine; my throat was sore for a few days after but no problem otherwise.

I just don’t know what to expect, I’m dreading having to have her put to sleep etc. Has anyone had any experience with this cause I’m struggling to get my head around it, I’m so worried

I think you are worried about the wrong thing tbh. I’ve had colonoscopies and most of my kids have had surgeries from young onwards to adulthood (one started with their first major surgery hours after birth). I wouldn’t blink at the GA but would be dreading the prep, seriously unpleasant for an adult to be shitting diarrhoea (and then just liquid when no diarrhoea left) non stop for 24hrs, that’s the bit I’d be dreading for a child. Even at my age I wear an adult nappy when getting a lift in to the hospital as still shitting liquid at that point, but to be fair the cleanse my gastro does seems over and above what others I know get so???? Still, that’s the bit I’d worry about with a child, the GA is no problem at all.

My DS had this - the prep was the bad bit, a sleepless night with constant trips to the loo for him until clear liquid running through. Also he had to drink something he was not keen on. If you're travelling to the hospital after doing the prep, I would buy some pull ups for the journey just in case.
Don't worry about the GA, she will be fine with that. I hope it all goes well & you both cope ok!

Take care

DD had one and I agree, the prep was the worst. The second lot made her sick as well as spending all day on the toilet. She had finished emptying her bowels by mid evening though. For her it was almost a relief to get to the hospital! I was allowed to stay with her while they administered the anaesthetic, the team were brilliant. She took a while to come around after, she felt very sick and dizzy and still had some diarrhoea, but felt fine after she was allowed to eat.

Should add my dd is a teen, so not little, but it's still not a nice procedure for anyone.

Thanks everyone for your replies. I have had a colonoscopy and was mildly sedated and agree the prep was utterly horrific, I was hoping it wouldn't be as bad for a child, I stressed this to a nurse on the phone yesterday who basically made me feel like I was mad being concerned about it, as we have a 1.5-2hr drive to the hospital the following morning so naturally my concern was her still having uncontrollable diarrhoea and or vomiting is the putting to sleep bit reasonably fast/easy? She hates needles due to having bloods so knows what's coming, or do they use gas? Sorry if I sound stupid I just really am stressing over it all at the moment. I feel so helpless, and wish I could take it all from her. X

My Dd had the needle although I think you can choose gas if you prefer, but make sure you check that with the anaesthetist when they see you beforehand to sign the forms. It was actually super quick, she was chatting to a nurse who was in there with us (presumably to distract her!), and suddenly her eyes closed and she was asleep! It was around 1 and a half to 2 hours when she got back to the ward. She had a colonoscopy and endoscopy but no soreness at all after.

If you're worried about accidents on the way could you take a bowl in the car? And spare clothes/knickers, just in case.

The thing is you NEED the unpleasantness of the prep. No point her not being prepped properly as they won’t get the view they need in the colonoscopy, you want them to have the best possible view and that means the palaver beforehand. My gastro makes me starve for 5 days beforehand - low residue food that is not filling at all such as clear soups, those foul 2minute noodles (without any of the shitty dehydrated veg I wouldn’t want anyway), plain water crackers etc. Then no solids, clear liquids 2 days beforehand, then prep starting 24hrs prior. As I said, he is extreme but does get brilliant view/pics. As soon as I come around in recovery/sit up I’m demanding food 🤣.

Don’t worry about the GA, may or may not be a mask before they cannulate, all are different, they will go through it when they see you prior. Let them know if your DD is needle adverse and they may save everyone the trouble and just stick the mask on first. If you don’t make this all a big deal, your DD will follow your lead and to be frank it’s a pretty simple, quick procedure in the scheme of things.

GA is fine (my son Had his at the Evalina)

prep is awful - he was in the night before for the prep, but my son Is very fussy with things like that.

Apparently haven it cold helps, she can have clear sweets too I think

she will be very well looked after .. good luck!

How long roughly were yours under for? X

@RenegadeMasterx My son had his first colonscopy when he was 8 . He is now 21 and had quite a few since then. Children are always given a GA.

The prep is awful and it was really difficult getting him to drink it all, lots of tears and bribes. The drinking of it is given so that the timings are fine to get to the hospital without accidents. I must admit that is one thing I worried about the first time we did it. But by this point they are "cleared out".

The younger children are nearly always taken down to theatre soon after getting to the hospital. The first time my son had his they put him out using gas first, then a cannular inserted whilst he was asleep. But they may put a cannular in before your daughter goes to theatre. Ask for emla cream to be used to numb the area. You will be allowed to go with your daughter to the theatre and stay until she is asleep.
They are only usually in theatre for around 30 mins, then go to recovery afterwards. They are then given some toast and a drink depending on how long they take to come round [ my son takes forever to come round ]. usually once they are in recovery you can sit with them.

You should be told results the same day. My son was diagnosed with crohns and we were told and shown the inflammation through his body.

Good luck with it all, it is horrible watching your child go through this, so I understand where you are coming from.

My son wasn't under for too long, he was one of the last to go down as they take youngest first so she won't have too much hanging around.

we were also given the diognosis there and then (ulcerated colitis) after they thought it may have been polyps

Agree with pp, younger ones get to go first, older ones after. When my daughter got back to the ward the consultant came to speak to me with his diagnosis (Crohn's, which was suspected. )