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Original poster

how unpleasant is the preparation for a colonoscopy?

48 replies

boaktheloo · 16/11/2013 21:54

have got the infomation sheet in the post today.
appointment next week.
am shitting myself (not yet literally)

OP posts:
Clobbered · 16/11/2013 21:56

Well it's not exactly fun, but if you follow all the instructions, you'll be OK. Whatever you do, don't skimp, or they won't get good views and you'll have to do it all again!

Original poster
boaktheloo · 16/11/2013 22:01

I don't plan to skimp, but am worried about taking the laxative.
I hate having d&v (which is part of the reason why I have to go through it).

OP posts:
MrsPnut · 16/11/2013 22:05

It isn't great but when I had my last one, I was having a huge flare up of my ulcerative colitis and had to poo about 20 times a day anyway so it wasn't any different.

It is fun seeing your beautifully clean colon though whilst they are doing it, and if like me you have some awkward bends then you can watch the doctor sweat a bit. Final bit of advice, take the sedative - you can't drive afterwards but it makes it bearable.

MrsPnut · 16/11/2013 22:06

I forgot, sudocrem on your bum after every bowel movement will help with the soreness.

BellsaRinging · 16/11/2013 22:10

Not bad honest. And yes really fascinating watching it!

Original poster
boaktheloo · 16/11/2013 22:11

good tip with the sudo cream, wouldn't have thought of that.
hope I don't neec sedative, could only take half a day off work...

OP posts:
pepperrabbit · 16/11/2013 22:11

It's not quite the same as D&V - there's no sprinting Grin just a sense of urgency.. and I agree with the sudocrem plan. I had mine done under a general so have no idea about the actual process, but I was absolutely fine after, no discomfort at all. Though I did have a hernia op at the same time which did hurt so I may just have been distracted.
The reality was a lot less hideous than the expectation.

Original poster
boaktheloo · 16/11/2013 22:13

I hope I can see the screen. and I hope they find nothing sinister

OP posts:
tallulah · 16/11/2013 22:14

You are taking the day off before the procedure though? There is no way you can go to work while actively taking the laxative.

Original poster
boaktheloo · 16/11/2013 22:15

no, take laxative the evening before, procedure is in the morning. (at least that is my plan)

OP posts:
ipswichwitch · 16/11/2013 22:21

I'm sure when I had mine I had to take laxative throughout the day before (8am and 8pm iirc) so I had to take the day off as I spent most of it on the toilet!
The worst bit was the diet I had to follow before - only white food, chicken cup a soup and rich tea biscuits. I can't look those biscuits in the face ever again!

Original poster
boaktheloo · 16/11/2013 22:23

instruction say take laxative from 6pm the night before.
maybe it's because they only look at the first 20 cm not the full thing?

OP posts:
Original poster
boaktheloo · 16/11/2013 22:26

white foods, I never eat white foods usually.

OP posts:
Twighlightsparkle · 16/11/2013 22:27

Is it picolax?

It didn't work for my 4 year old at all!

Had to have enemas!

You will be fine. I had it about 15 years ago and can't remember it being awful

EagleRay · 16/11/2013 22:33

I took the laxative at work - I had no idea what the consequences would be Blush Really don't recommend this!

I was sedated as soon as I arrived in theatre, and then next thing I knew, I was coming round back on the ward. Apparently I chatted throughout the procedure although have no idea what I said..

Good luck - and will keep my fingers crossed for you that you get the all clear

Bunbaker · 16/11/2013 22:39

"no, take laxative the evening before, procedure is in the morning. (at least that is my plan)"

Hmm. Not sure that's a good idea. It takes a couple of hours before it kicks in and then you are on the loo for hours and hours. I had to take mine the afternoon before and be at the hospital at about 10 the next day. And don't even think about going back to work the same day.

I was sedated but I could feel and was aware of everything. How come some of you manged to get knocked out by the sedation?

Original poster
boaktheloo · 16/11/2013 22:42

hmm, maybe I should reschedule, as need to be in work in the afternoon...
(private so should be possible)

OP posts:
joanofarchitrave · 16/11/2013 22:43

Bloody hell, only half a day off work? Is that possible? I know that my dh wouldn't have been able to work straight afterwards, he needed to eat apart from anything else.

PosyNarker · 16/11/2013 22:49

It's not great fun, but it's not awful. I had a huge flare of UC last time I had one, so the diarrhoea wasn't exactly novel Hmm

Worst thing for me was the taste and consistency of the osmotic laxative. I found chilling it helped immensely.

Also I had some ginger ale next to me for when the taste got truly unbearable.

Meglet · 16/11/2013 22:53

I had picolax. Prep all day on the thursday, colonoscopy with sedation on the friday, and I perked up around saturday lunchtime. The picolax made me puke once I'd hit 24hrs with no food, I was wiped out and bunged in a wheelchair on arrival at hospital.

I seriously wouldn't think you can get away with half a day off work. You need a day for prep and a day for the procedure, then possibly a little longer depending on sedation and when you can eat again.

Meglet · 16/11/2013 22:55

And yy to using chilled water to make the mixture up.

And buy every glossy mag in the newsagents. They will keep your spirits up during the endless toilet visits.

Bunbaker · 16/11/2013 23:07

"as need to be in work in the afternoon...
(private so should be possible)"

I don't think for a colonoscopy it will be any different whether you are private or NHS as basically the procedure is the same, You need to be realistic about how you will feel afterwards - the laxative might still be taking effect, you will feel crap from not eating and you will have terrific wind. Besides, you may want to change your mind about the sedative, in which case you won't be able to drive afterwards.

Your health is far more important than your job.

Original poster
boaktheloo · 16/11/2013 23:10

oh shit.
the dr told me it will take 10-15 min and I could go straight to work.
have something important that afternoon so it would be very akward to take the day off...hope I can reschedule...

OP posts:
MrsCakesPremonition · 16/11/2013 23:10

I had mine done on the NHS and woke up from the sedation in the recovery area - to the sound of everyone farting mightily and repeatedly. At least we were all in it together.

joanofarchitrave · 16/11/2013 23:12

Well I guess if the dr told you you could work afterwards, they should know. I'm quite Confused about that though, especially since if you have to be there, presumably it's an important thing you are doing - board meeting, putting out an oil rig fire, flying your first time on the route to Sydney???

TBH I would reschedule if you can.