CT colonoscopy

[Suzy55]

Hi there has anyone had one of these? What was the prep like? Pain better than a colonoscopy? Did you have sedation? How long after do the preps last for? (Will I be alright to go out on the night of a colonography that’s been done first thing in the morning?) many thanks in advance!

The prep is unrelenting but does the job as you eventually poo water, the pooing stops after you've finished the prep, colonoscopy hurt me a lot but I have active crohns, sedation is rubbish but if you do the gas and air correctly it does help, I wouldn't go out that evening as I feel knackered after and a little shaky.

Hi thanks for your reply. I’ve had a colonoscopy before but this time I’m having the CT version so was wondering about the difference?

CTC involves a CT scan but with a difference - you have air or CO2 pumped in through a rectal catheter. There will also be some contrast put through a cannula into a vein in your arm.

Once those things are in place you just lie still on the bed that moves through the CT (doughnut) scanner. First face up and then again face down.

it doesn't hurt except to the extent that the insufflation of the colon can cause some discomfort (especially if you have inflammatory discomfort anyway due to e.g. diverticulitis).

And you will be fine immediately afterwards. No sedation is done (or needed). No recovery time. Just get changed and off you go.

NB small point but it's actually called CT colonography - no "scope" being involved

I agree. Prep efficient. The inflating caused me pain - due to existing problem - but otherwise was fine immediately afterwards and drove home.

Much easier than a standard colonoscopy!

Thanks all :-) so id be fine to go to an FA Cup tie that night?! :-)

Nb I had diverticula disease found on sigmoidoscopy on Monday. The pain of sigmoid was awful but over quickly! Will the pain duiring CT be as bad or last long? !

Pain should be less bad (the colon is insufflated in both procedures, but this time there won't be a scope going in). And it's pretty quick. Shouldn't take any longer than a sigmoidoscopy (in fact shorter, IME).

Oh, sorry op, I didn't read it properly!

Thanks all - so kind to take time to reply :-) I’m already on the diet now today and taking four tablets at 7!!! Eugh! :-( !!

Sorry me again. Has anyone done this process using 4 x dulcolax the night before the night before? And then gastrografin - twice- the day before? I’ve just taken the dulcolax (bisacodyl) x four - wondering how long before it kicks in? :-( !!!

Hope this went OK, OP.

Ah bless you Lark, yes thanks it was much better than the sigmoidoscopy. I felt fine after, then overdid things sat and sat night (went to an fa cup football match, standing! Then to my son’s the next morning and yesterday by lunchtime I felt so ill. Feeling much better today it’s just pretty draining, two clear outs in a week! Thanks for asking.