Anyone had to have a sigmoidoscopy

[Wishfulmakeupping]

I've got to have one on Monday :(
I know I have to have it as I've been unwell for months and need this test but am worried. Also I had assumed I would get laxatives beforehand but the letter say I need an enema so I'm nervous about that too now :(

I had one in my twenties, sadly some time ago, so things might have changed but it was fine - less awkward with a consultant than all the puzzles gps at my regular gps practice (I kept seeing different gps as none of them could figure out what was wrong with me).

I had one privately about 20 years ago, with no preparation at all, as far as I can remember, and I certainly drove myself about 50 miles to the city and back. No result from this, so I assumed I was clear, but NHS scan found a "tangerine-sized" cancer a couple of months later, which made me wonder about effectiveness of sigmoidoscopy.

Thanks both I've made the no.1 mistake and googled it and people have said its awful and painful I'm chickening out now-never google!

I had one a couple of years ago on the NHS. It was ok. Not pleasant but not too awful.
They send you the enema for doing at home. You can't eat for a certain time before.
I did it without sedation so I could drive. Mostly fine apart from the very top when I asked them to stop and they did. They diagnosed colitis.
Good luck and try not to worry.

I had one in 2009.

Self administered enema at home beforehand. This is usual at our hospital.

No pain during procedure at all. Just poking and prodding feelings.

Yes it is a bit but it is over in minutes and you are just one in a long line of bums they will be looking up that day.

You lie on your side which IMO feels more dignified than on your back (for a smear for example).

Try not to worry. Honestly. DM had one earlier this year too and was also surprised by how OK the whole thing was.

I wasn't offered sedation, I drove there & back & agree it's less disturbing than a smear test. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis.

I've had one. Had the enema at the hospital. That was worst part!

The procedure itself was ok - I was given sedation, made me very woozy so felt out of it really.

Try not to worry too much and if nervous ask for the sedation (and ask someone to collect you from hospital).

Thanks all my mind was made up earlier after reading horrible accounts on google but these comments don't sound too bad. God I'm a wuss painwise and the thought of this is making me feel worse

Yes if I do have it I will have to have sedation

I wasn't offered sedation. Honestly it is over in no time. I drove myself there and back (40 mins each way).

The worst part was all the waiting around!

I had one about a year ago. I was worried before hand but it wasn't as bad as anticipated.

I drove myself there and back which was the hardest part as was in a different town ;)

All staff very professional and understanding of how embarrassing a procedure it could feel.

First nurse took me into a private room (bed and toilet) for the fleet enema. Left me in there to let it work and then use the toilet.

Dressed in a gown (had to bring in own dressing gown from home) waited in a sex segregated waiting area.

The procedure itself was ok. Quite a narrow tube. You get to watch the screen so can see inside your own bowel.

The staff kept me chatting to distract from any discomfort. Not painful but just felt a bit pushy as it got higher up. But then it was all over and removed tube.

I was then wheeled to recovery for a few minutes rest before getting dressed and leaving.

One thing I will say is be prepared for wind! ! They pump a bit of air in to get better view. I felt a little crampy throughout thw afternoon and then fine.

Good luck op. Try not to worry too much. It truly isn't as bad as you might anticipate.

I had one 3 weeks ago - no sedation, DH gave me the enema which was much easier than I thought I would be. A bit embarrassing but not that uncomfortable just a bit of pushing around but no pain. I was really bloated after, then had a deflatine and it sorted itself out.

The doctor told me there and then there was nothing to be seen but two minor internal piles...

There are two sorts of camera tests up the bottom, a colonoscopy which goes all the way round the large bowel and a flexible sigmoidoscopy which goes part of the way round.
The colonoscopy is the one that requires a full clear out with laxatives for 24hours pre-procedure, and usually needs sedation as it can be more uncomfortable. A flexi sig usually requires one or two enemas (at home or at the hosp) and can be done with no sedation.

I would recommend you prepare for post-procedure wind and possible leakage as there may be residual effects from the enema after the procedure. However, Most people are absolutely fine and Im sure you will be too, its rare for someone to not tolerate it.

Had one a few years back when I also had an anal skin tag removed (nice!), I was asleep and it was fine. It was a private hospital and I would love to have spent a bit longer ( in and out in a day) as it was v plush.

No after effects of any significance- good luck and don't worry xx

Thanks all. This thread has been reassuring I'm hoping I'm able to go through with it.
wildfire it's the flexi sig in having and the enema is at the hospital. I hadn't thought about leakage so that helpful thAnks

I had a flexi sig a few months ago.

The procedure itself was absolutely fine, the consultant was so lovely and kept me chatting throughout while I watched my colon on the TV screen. No pain at all, slightly weird pulling feeling when he took biopsies.

It was uncomfortable when he pumped air in, and very uncomfortable afterwards when the nurse was talking to me when I really needed to go to the loo for a big fart!

The worst thing for me was the prep. No food from breakfast the previous day, followed by 2litres of laxatives the evening before. Hideous. Then my appointment, which was late morning, was delayed by several hours due to an emergency, so I was almost passing out with hunger by the time I was seen. Went a full 30 hours without food. That was far worse than the actual procedure.

You'll be fine OP good luck.

Thanks count. The prep is different for mine its an enema and I haven't been given any instructions they do it there but going to double check in case I'm not supposed to eat today
Thanks again

Other question- do I need to take anything with me- dressing gown etc?

I was given an information sheet which said to take a dressing gown and slippers. (I use flip flops as can scrub hospital germs off afterwards).

I took a book to read whilst waiting my turn.

I don't recall having to fast but it was a year or so ago now.

Good luck .

I didn't take anything with me - they gave me a very attractive paper gown, and some very sexy paper bloomers to wear. I was shown a room to get changed in, which also had a toilet in there (for last minute bum checks!).

Your letter should tell you exactly what you need to bring, and whether you should fast or not.

A good book to read is a very good idea - I didn't take anything, stupidly assuming that I'd be in and out... 4 hours later I wished I'd had a book!

Good luck with it Wishful, it will be fine, and you'll be glad you've had it done and you can get some answers hopefully.

Thanks all.
All done now- it was fine far less uncomfortable than I was wxpecting . They did some biopsies so will wait for those results but so far all clear today :)

Didn't have sedation in the end as I've got dd Tomo

Glad it went well Wish once you get over the embarrassment, it's actually fine isn't it.

Did you watch the TV screen? I did, I thought it was fascinating, and probably my only opportunity to see the inside of my colon

Oh good. Glad it went okay for you.

Thanks both. I did watch the screen so weird like watching someone else's- I have a very nice looking colon apparently! Which is an odd compliment to receive but I'll take it!