colonoscopy

[Blizy]

I'm waiting for a colonoscopy appointment, I may have bowel endometriosis. I'm very anxious about the procedure, what should I expect? Is it painful?

I had one in the summer and while it wasn't pleasant it definitely was not as bad as I imagined.

The prep fluid is pretty disgusting-super sweet and artificial tasting but it does the job and while I don't really want to take it again I would definitely manage without much effort-I drank it with a straw and gulped it down quickly so I didn't have to taste it too much.
The procedure itself was ok, I had sedation but it had a minimal effect and I felt discomfort and at one point it was sore but it was over fairly quickly.
It was not my best medical appointment but definitely not the worst.

I had one last week.
The prep was awful - even the nurse said "oh well the worst bits over now" on the plus side I lost 2 kegs in 24 hours
Actual procedure was fine...don't remember a thing
Good luck x

Have the sedation.

I thought I remembered pretty much all of my colonoscopy apart from a few blanks at the time, but in actual fact all I remember is the chat before sedation and the discussion we had about the recurrance of Crohns at a recent op site on the inside.

Must've been fairly awake though as I was out of hosp within half an hour of getting changed! My experience was totally painless and I would happily have another tomorrow.

My bowel prep was a mix of senna and citramag and was the easiest I've ever had - not huge volumes of liquid to drink, not unpleasant tasting and the senna did the bulk of the work meaning not much was left for the citramag to clean out overnight.

Have the sedation.

What actually happens by the way is:

You are given bowel prep medications to take a day or two before, with strict timing instructions. Follow these to the letter.

On arrival at hospital you'll be asked to change into a gown and (if like me) given a pair of blue paper knickers with a hole strategically placed where your bumhole is lol.

A nurse will check your details, take a brief history including allergies, put a name tag on your arm and you may have a chat with whoever is going to give you the sedation. (I was given midazolam and fentanyl, some people are also given buscopan to relax the bowel).

When it's your turn you'll go to the procedure room where there will probably be a few staff (three in my case, mix of male and female) where you'll be settled, a cannula will be put in your arm, you'll be asked to lie on your left side, the sedation will be administered and the doctor may just have a feel around the inside of your anus.

The scope will then be introduced (feels like having a small poo in reverse) and you will be aware of it being there but it shouldn't hurt. By now, the sedation will have kicked in and you'll remember very little of this a day or so afterwards.

They scoot the scope around your bends, take pics, chat about your hobbies or weekend, maybe take biopsies (should be painless) and pull it all out taking pics on the way.

Back to your hosp bed for a snooze if needed (I didn't) and you will need to be driven home. All done!

I had one with sedation and the prep
One with no sedation and an enema.

the prep is far far easier IME than an enema . You do it all at home so by the time you have the procedure your bowels are empty. Unlike the enema where I was pootling off to the loo every two minutes.

Sedation/Not Sedation?
Not much in it though I did have cramp in the second one (no worse than period pain really)
They are all very relaxed and matter of fact.

The thought is worse than the deed.

I had gas and air instead of sedation last time. Worked well for me.

Had one, with an upper endoscopy, not long ago. Prep wasn't pleasant but a little more bearable second time in the day with cordial to help dilute the prep fluid. Also, I drank it while listening to some totally upbeat music - that helped.

Do tell the nurses and doctor that you're anxious. The sedation I had simply meant that I was out for the count and woken up with a cup of tea and sandwich when my bed in the recovery was needed - it was a busy clinic.

Try not to worry. I did and frankly I needn't have. But do relay your worries and say, if you wish, that you'd like to be as sedated as the procedure allows. Good luck.

A few tips..
Do use cordial (not red or purple) to flavour the prep. It will make it more bearable.
Stand the prep in a jug/pan of cold water to chill it. That helps too.
I was advised to sip it through a straw....bad idea IMO! I chugged it down in one go! No issues.
Make sure you have baby wipes and Vaseline or nappy cream for your bottom. You will need this!
Do not go more than 10feet away from a toilet. Seriously.
Lots of magazines, books, kindle whatever in loo to keep you occupied.
Good luck!