Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Advice

[MrsCrazyKidsMummy]

Hi everyone, first time posting here so I'm really hoping I've done it right and in the right place. I'm booked in for a flexible Sigmoidoscopy next week as approx 6 weeks ago I think I strained a little too hard when trying to pass stool and ended up doubled over in pain. Over the next week or 2 the pain came and went, and I was very uncomfortable, felt like a pressure in my rectum. When I passed stool it almost felt like it had to get past a certain point then the pain wpuld subside just before stool would then come out (sorry for such a graphic explanation!). Over the last month or so I've focussed on drinking lots of water and eating lots of fibre and things are pretty good now. I have occasional discomfort but it's fleeting. The gp would still like me to have the procedure. The main thing I'm worried about is this pain returning when I have to take the pixolax laxative. It's almost like a muscle spasm but it's excruciating! I wonder if I over strained and caused a muscle sprain up there or weakened my already weak pelvic floor even further. I just wanted some advice from anyone who has taken the laxative whether it makes the bowel muscles spasm quite hard and whether it might continue even when I'm empty. Sorry for all the waffling but any advice would be appreciated x

I took MoviPrep rather than Picolax, but I think the effects are quite similar. I didn't have any pain.

Did you take any medication for the cramping when it occurred? You could buy some Buscopan or Colofac to take if it gets uncomfortable.

Good luck with your sigmoidoscopy. It's good that your GP is taking it seriously and investigating. Better safe than sorry!

Thanks so much for your response. No I didn't take medication. After further research I think I might have something called levator ani syndrome. I might get some painkillers ready just in case.

Do the laxatives just carry on trying to get rid of anything or when there is none left does it stop? I'm so nervous about it All!

Yes, they basically just flush everything out. Once you're empty you might pass some water. You will be on a restricted diet for a day or two beforehand. I found it difficult to find anything suitable to eat so I didn't eat much, which I think helped reduce the side effects.

There's some information about Picolax here which might help.

That's great thank you

A flexible Sigmoidoscopy is what they use to do the preventative bowel cancer check ups when you are 55. I have had one done. It is not the same as a colonoscopy it is only a partial examination. They sent me a kit to give myself an enema. I was really worried about it but it was actually really easy. Are you sure they are giving you the laxative because it is not necessary unless you are having a full colonoscopy.

I had bowel prep for a flexible sigmoidoscopy.

Yes they went me 5 sienna tablets to take in the morning after breakfast and then I have to take the picolax at 4pm and my procedure is 11am the following day. Hoping the laxative is kind to me!

I had an enema at hospital just before my flexible sigmoidoscopy. I had to eat low fibre food a week prior which made me feel a bit uncomfortable. I found the enema to be the most unpleasant part of the whole procedure. Good to be offered the test though OP.

It's maybe not levitator ani but another condition called proctalgia fugax, OR you have a bowel prolapse. This can stop the stools coming out easily. Google it. I've had PF and it's agony- like being in labour. With me it comes on after a lot of stress.

If it's a bowel prolapse you need a referral to a gynae as it's not a bowel problem as such. I think I'd research that and ask for a referral before having the camera as it may well not show up a prolapse.

I had a sigmoidoscopy a while back - other than not eating after a certain time the night before, the only prep I had was an enema at the hospital. Pretty gross but over and done with swiftly.

I refused all sedative and gas and air, just gritted my teeth and did some deep breathing during the procedure. It's quite a hard metal tube so it was extremely uncomfortable, but not for long and if you're fairly stoic it's manageable.

Good luck, it'll be over before you know it. Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks very much for your advice. I had thought it might be protalgia fugax too as the symptoms are so. I'm just really worried that the strong laxative I have to take will cause the muscles to go into a spasm like state and cause severe pain! Sounds like a good idea to get a gynea referral as it might be something like that or a prolapse as you suggest

If the OP is having a flexible sigmoidoscopy, it won't be a hard metal tube, but a smaller bendy plastic one (hence the word flexible) so please dont worry about that. A gynae referral first sound a really good idea.

OP How often are you getting the spasms? Your GP can prescribe something- l look it up online. With me, it's maybe 2-3 times a year and sometimes at night.

If you are left with an odd feeling after straining, it is quite possible you have a prolapse of your posterior vaginal wall. This makes it hard to poo and some women have to insert a finger while pooing to support the bulge to make it easier.

Based on your symptoms I'd not go for the sigmoid yet. Pain like that is not a symptom of bowel cancer without other symptoms like a change in bowel habits, weight loss etc.

You can make up your own mind; I think personally your GP needs to have a re-think.

Hi everyone , I have been reading your posts , I have been petrified about having a flexible sigmoidoscopy, I have been suffering with horrendous haemorrhoids anal fissure and skin tags , been climbing the walls and I just wanted to let whoever knows who needs info on the procedure, I had 2 barium meals yesterday and the procedure today , opt for entinox as it’s absolutely so uncomfortable, I had about 16 hemerroids after procedure 2 left the rest burst with the enema as I was stuck to the toilet for about 12 hours and still feel the need to go today, have cream for my fissure skin tags they couldn’t remove have a surgeon appointment but been told have a 90% chance of inconsistency, the meal enema us by far the worst bit, have so much wind after the procedure I advise taking a mat for the car as loose stools occur with the wind , I thought I was just going in for banding but they check the bowels and the 2 hemerroids that’s left were not suitable for banding , back to suppositories, the nhs staff were lovely and calming as I got myself into a bit of a state , leaving the tags as been advised , any questions I’m happy to help.