Colonoscopy advice?

[FaithAscending]

Got a colonoscopy booked a couple of weeks to investigate ongoing abdo pain (? Colitis, I've had an IBS diagnosis for years). I'm geared up for it all but just wondered what I'm in for with the prep? I'm finishing work early afternoon so I can do the prep at home and DD is staying elsewhere. My advice leaflet said it might be worth getting incontinence pads. Is it really that bad?!

I'm torn between having/not having the sedation. When I had an endoscopy they would only give me a half dose of the sedation so I remembered it all anyway. I'm weirdly interested in this sort of thing (I'm
a HCP) and kind of want to see it anyway! Or would I be better not really knowing? Any advice appreciated.

The citromag is the worst part, the actual investigation is a piece of cake in comparison.

And you can look forward to a nice piece of cake too when it's all over

I'm so hungry! Looking forward to food and I'm hoping to have a bath before bed. Thanks everyone 😊

Hello, all done. All ok as well, just some biopsies taken but not expecting to find anything. Lots of sleep now and tomorrow I will feel like a normal person again.

Was about to ask how you were! Sorry, not been on MN all day!

Glad it's done. I suppose it's good news (I was the same). I hope you sleep well.

Glad its all over for you. I had one years ago, every consultant goes about the bowel clearing thing a different way, some give you picolax a few days before. I had an enema just before, asked the nurse how long I needed to keep it retained, she said Oh, you wont be able to, how very true, the only downside, was 3 toilets and a lot of us, had had enemas, awaiting the proceedure. Not a bit painful, the only thing was the consultant looked down at me, and said "I know you from somewhere", I was a Nursing Auxiliary at that Hospital, and because a different GP from mine had sent me for it, the sent the review to him, it didnt reach my GP, for 3 months, I rang to be told the results of the biopsies werent back, so of course I thought the wost, it was only going for a smear and wellness check, mentioned it to the Nurse who did a physical check and came back and told me.

Mine was horrendously painful, I cried like a baby and had to be held down!

Hi just wondering what do us ladies wear for this?-lol I am not talking full pearls and makeup...more thinking about my modesty!
Is it a standard backless gown?
I think I read somewhere that some places provide pants with a hole in the back-dont actually know which is worse!!!!!

Just wear your normal clothes as you change into a gown before hand as they need to get a line in your arm etc...

With mine you took off your bottom half of clothes but they gave you two gowns, one you wear back to front and another you wear like a dressing gown to protect your dignity. Once I got in to the procedure room I removed the 'dressing gown' and got on to the table.

With mine you took off your bottom half of clothes but they gave you two gowns, one you wear back to front and another you wear like a dressing gown to protect your dignity. Once I got in to the procedure room I removed the 'dressing gown' and got on to the table.

I remember now, I was told to bring my own dressing gown!

Taking your own dressing gown makes sense.
I remember when I had my endoscopy I was told in the leaflet no make up/nail polish/no contact lenses etc...and none of that was ness.
I am hoping to go for a colonoscopy so just wanted to know these things beforehand.

You need to take someone supportive with you, preferably someone to drive you there, wait for you and drive you home.

An update from me: Been to see a Rheumatologist today (not the nicest bedside manner I have to say). He said he doesn't think it's a rheumatological issue (guess that's good news) so he's bumping me back to the GP and said he thinks I should see a gastroenterologist. At least most of the tests the gastros would do have already been done. Mystery continues..unfortunately so does the pain.

Well I thought I’d update this thread in light of recent changes. In July the pain went from moderate to severe. I was admitted again with ?appendicitis It’s not my appendix. Again USS and CT was pretty normal. CT showed some thickening of the pyloric region which sent us off on a wild goose chase having a gastroscopy which showed gastritis and a Hiatus hernia - which was irritating but not causing the pain down by my lower right abdo. Anyway, I went back to the GP and said as much. Nice GP gave me stronger painkillers and agreed to do a Gynae referral. Gynae referral was another 10 weeks away so I ended up going private...Gynae consultant said he couldn’t see anything from internal examination but agreed to do a laparoscopy to look for endometriosis. Long story short I went on the NHS waiting list for the op, had it yesterday (2 weeks before my initial consultation was due!). I do have endometriosis! They were able to treat there and then. I am sore now but glad it’s done and so relieved to finally have a diagnosis! Thank you to everyone who was lovely to me while I was going through previous tests, I really appreciated the support.

I'm glad you finally ha e some answers Faith wishing you a speedy recovery!

I had one a couple of months ago. I had put it off for ages because I was so worried about the prep, but actually it was fine. It gets a little sickly after a while and just stay near to a toilet.
I set up my iPad in the bathroom so I could watch something and take my mind off it!
I didn't have the sedation as I hate the drunk feeling and got through it fine (they were very impressed, and kept telling everyone on the ward). It was painful but I just tried to manage my breathing.
I had one done many years ago (before childbirth) and they couldn't finish it because I was in so much pain. I think giving birth has really raised my pain threshold!
Good luck, you will be fine.

Should have read the whole thread....doh!