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Original poster

Colonoscopy - calm me down about the bowel prep please!

18 replies

threebob · 28/06/2006 08:52

Okay so I need one because I have unpredictable sudden urges to go to the toilet and I've had every other test going.

So I am booking in with the nurse and we have to keep tweaking the time and date as I am self employed and it's a two day thing what with the not eating and the picolax stuff.

And then I get massively upset at the whole giving myself explosive bowel motions thing. Obviously you get emotional about going to the toilet a lot - but to drink something that will make me do this...

So the big question is is it painless - the emptying your bowels bit - I don't care about the procedure you get drugs for that.

OP posts:
Hayls · 28/06/2006 08:57

Totally painless (woefully unpleasant though). IF it is the drink you havbe then it tastes FOUL

hunkermunker · 28/06/2006 09:01

Yes, it's painless (had to do it when I had a laparoscopy). It is, however, not something you want to be doing in a ward toilet next to the nurses' station...

Let's just say it works very well...

PrettyCandles · 28/06/2006 09:01

My mum had this done and she said that the worst thing about it was having to eat the low-residue diet beforehand. The rest of it really wasn't distressing at all. Because of eating low-residue, there wasn't much to evacuate with the laxative.

Original poster
threebob · 28/06/2006 09:02

Oh, well that's cheered me up then. Do you sort of have to sit on the toilet for 4 hours, or do you feel you need to go?

It's the pain that I'm frightened of.

OP posts:
Original poster
threebob · 28/06/2006 09:03

I've just been told to avoid things with pips or seeds for 2 days - that doesn't sound so bad.

OP posts:
Pruni · 28/06/2006 09:05

Message withdrawn

PrettyCandles · 28/06/2006 09:05

IIRC, my mum had to eat white bread instead of wholemeal, white fish instead of meat and thin soups with no lumps. Can't remember the rest though.

hunkermunker · 28/06/2006 09:06

It doesn't hurt at all.

And you'll know you need to go. That I promise you.

Do not venture far from a lavatory after drinking it.

Original poster
threebob · 28/06/2006 09:09

I was trying to explain the concept that working from home was no use to me if I had to shout out "play C major now" from the loo!

I will cancel everyone from 3pm when I have to take the first sip!

OP posts:
hunkermunker · 28/06/2006 09:15

Yes, not a good plan for you to have a pupil at the same time, I don't think!

Hayls · 28/06/2006 09:15

I had no, erm, 'accidents' but I was in a side ward with my own toilet... Jus tdon't even think about leaving the house! I had to go every half hour or so and the effects lasted a good couple of days.

schneebly · 28/06/2006 09:17

I had this a few years ago and the erm...expulsion wasn't painful but I did spend most of the day on the loo - the procedure itself also wasn't too bad but you are left with awful wind afterwards ! I hope it all goes well for you.

Original poster
threebob · 28/06/2006 09:25

Thanks guys - I feel heaps better knowing that. I think the stress of my mum being in hospital at the moment as well increased my anxiety. They wanted me to go in on Friday (which means tomorrow would have been picolax day) as soon as I found that out I changed it quick smart.

OP posts:
lou33 · 28/06/2006 09:45

it's fine, i had it done a year or so ago, as well as a colonoscopy

hunkermunker · 28/06/2006 09:58

How is your mum, TB? I hope she's out of hospital very soon x x

Original poster
threebob · 28/06/2006 10:17

She'll probably be out on Friday. Classic bed management - the woman who needs to lose 2 stone for an operation is put in the next bed to the anorexic woman who needs to put on 2 stone. Both of them are wondering about a transplant.

OP posts:
Moomin · 28/06/2006 10:25

i had a few cramps before i had to go, so actually going was a huge relief. it really did feel like i'd emptied myself put by the end so i wasn't worried about wanting to go again. i think i did actually go about 20 mins later but there was no urgency if you know what i mean. i had plenty of time to get to the loo!

one thing i will say is that about an hour after the procedure (i had the same as you - i chose not to opt for sedation as i wanted to get out of hospital quicker) i had terrible windy pains. in the end i went to the loo on the way out of the hospital and did a fart so big and loud i'm surprised if you didn't hear it yourself!! when i got home i had loads of wind for the rest of the day/night so i just lay on the sofa and trumped away to my heart's content!as long as you prepare yourself those kind of eventualities you'll be fine. make sure you're not anywhere or with anyone that would cause you to try to surpress the wind or you'll get terrible gut rot. good luck, i'm sure you'll be fine!

foundintranslation · 28/06/2006 10:26

It's not nice, of course, but not painful and I didn't find it all that, erm, violent either.

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