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Original poster

Colonoscopy

37 replies

VLCos · 07/05/2017 10:36

Anyone who has been sent for one of these when you get the appointment through is that the actual appointment for the procedure of is that just an appointment to see a specialist about one ? Thank you !

OP posts:
viques · 07/05/2017 10:41

At my local hospital you have a pre procedure meeting with the staff on the unit where they go through the procedure with you, give you the information booklet and the preparation treatment. The pre procedure process is quite complicated and for the colonoscopy to be successful you need to understand and follow it, so I very much doubt that the appointment you have is for the procedure, it will be with the consultant and or with the colonoscopy staff.

viques · 07/05/2017 10:43

Sorry meant to say good luck. It is not the most elegant of experiences but quite interesting, and the worst part is the preparation which involves a couple of days of very bland food, a pretty disgusting drink and an evening of close attachment to your loo!

WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 07/05/2017 11:49

Have you already been given an appointment?

I didn't see anyone before mine. The receptionist talked me through the bowel prep and then the letter explained it all again. I just turned up on the day and did the paperwork before hand.

Good luck Flowers

Original poster
VLCos · 07/05/2017 12:10

Thanks ladies. I have an appointment it came with a general letter but no information on bowel prep . When I had an endoscopy I was given an appointment and it happened on the day. I am bit worried this first appointment is just a general one and I will have to wait months for the procedure and when you are feeling so horrible the waiting is not nice x

OP posts:
WhatWouldLeslieKnopeDo · 07/05/2017 12:16

It's probably worth phoning up to double check. But if there's no mention of the bowel prep then it is probably just a consultation. I hope you can get an appointment for the procedure soon.

Original poster
VLCos · 07/05/2017 12:33

Thank you ! My GP did say she would try to get it done within the 2 week scale I might have to go back to her x

OP posts:
Tw1nsetAndPearls · 07/05/2017 12:37

Mine was the appointment for the procedure. I did have a telephone consultation from gone hospital beforehand though - although I think that was to decide whether I needed a colonoscopy. I had prep to do which was sent through the post with instructions

yikesanotherbooboo · 07/05/2017 13:14

You need 'bowel preparation' before a colonoscopy so if you don't get sent the laxatives and instructions re diet you will not be having a colonoscopy on the day.
It will either be a consultation to discuss symptoms , examine you and plan investigation/ management
Or possibly but much less likely a flexible sigmoidoscopy which does not need bowel preparation but only provides a view of about 1/3 if the lower bowel .

Original poster
VLCos · 07/05/2017 13:23

Thanks all I guess I will call the hospital to find out more tomorrow . Then at least I know ! Letter doesn't say anything.

OP posts:
Downyonder · 07/05/2017 13:28

My son has had one recently. The first appointment was to see consultant. They will supply you with laxatives etc to cleanse the bowel before the actual colonoscopy.

Original poster
VLCos · 07/05/2017 13:31

How long did he wait from the first to the actual procedure if you don't mind me asking

OP posts:
3luckystars · 07/05/2017 13:32

You have to drink litres of wallpaper paste type liquid the day before, this I am told is worse than the procedure itself!

You could ask to be put on the cancellation list in the meantime while you are waiting if anyone cancels. It does happen.

I hope it all goes really well x

Original poster
VLCos · 07/05/2017 13:34

Sounds lovely ha! I will do that thank you !,

OP posts:
EwanWhosearmy · 07/05/2017 16:17

I've had several and the appointment has always been for the actual thing. In that case they do send the bowel prep mix and full instructions with it.

Waiting time will depend on how urgent they think it is. DH and DS had routine sigmoidoscopies which don't need prep and I think they were within about 2 weeks of being requested.

Meanwhile if you haven't read Agent Picolax it is absolutely hilarious. (if formatting is crazy just scroll down)

Milliways · 07/05/2017 16:23

I had one where had an appt to see the Gastroscopy consultant first, and he then agreed needed colonoscopy and endoscopy, so separate appt.
The second one was on the 2 week wait and the appt was just for the procedures, but I had a phone call asking me to collect the bowel prep and instructions, and they confirmed the date for the procedure in that phone call.
Good luck!

Original poster
VLCos · 07/05/2017 17:41

Ewan whose army Halirious read . Couldn't stop laughing !

Milliways thank you !

OP posts:
Downyonder · 08/05/2017 18:04

About 10 days from first appointment to actual colonoscopy

Original poster
VLCos · 08/05/2017 18:12

Thank you !

OP posts:
BoogleMcGroogle · 08/05/2017 20:50

Gosh, I've never been given a chance to talk about it first. The first the colonoscopies sees of me is my back end! The pre- treatment chat sounds much more civilised. You'll be offered sedative or sometimes gas and air. I hate sedatives but it turns out I love gas and air. Last time I was off my face the whole time, almost worth the indignity it comes with.

Original poster
VLCos · 08/05/2017 21:03

Ha! Gas and air sounds like the way to go !

OP posts:
Tw1nsetAndPearls · 08/05/2017 21:31

I took the sedative and can recommend that. My memory of the colonoscopy is also rather hazy which they said was the sedative. I didn't really want a memory of a tube going up my arse with an audience

worriedme04 · 09/05/2017 21:54

Hi I am hoping to have one of these at some point!(yes you did read that right!)
I have been having on and off stomach pain since Xmas with constant burping too.
Had lots of tests already and Docs are telling me its likely just IBS-however I do not get any D or C with it-just a mild pain that lasts all day for several days!
I feel worried its something more serious and I know you ahve had some tests(read one of your other threads with interest as you were having some similar symptoms to me)
Hope you get on ok.
I am going to the Docs this week to ask that I be sent for one as I can not keep getting this pain and the worry is driving me mad

Tw1nsetAndPearls · 09/05/2017 22:06

I had lots is unpleasant bowel symptoms too worried. I hope the doctor can do something to alleviate your worries.

I am healing from surgery and am hopefully now cancer free. Thanks for asking

Original poster
VLCos · 10/05/2017 06:52

Tw1nsetAndPearls that is good news you are healing. I pray the cancer has gone ! X

worried hello sounds silly but I really want to have this test to . To rule something out.
I have been unwell since before Xmas they found gallstones but that's settled and I have lots of vitamin problems and bowel problems. My gp is pretty good for testing although NHS say early detection is key it takes so long to get anywhere .are you having similar symptoms? X

OP posts:
Tw1nsetAndPearls · 10/05/2017 08:35

The hold up could be because GPs are incentivised not to make urgent referrals because if they make an urgent referral for suspected cancer there is a 2 week pathway for a diagnostic test and due to budget shortfalls this just can't happen - so rather than risk not meeting targets which would mean admitting there is a problem - referrals are being bounced back. In 2016 a report found that 1 in 3 GPS has experience of this.

It took months for me to get a colonoscopy despite the fact that my GP was concerned that I did have cancer - and she was right - and it was already in my lymph nodes.