Flexible sigmoidoscopy reassurance

[MrsCrazyKidsMummy]

I'm booked in for one on Wednesday so have to do all the prep tomorrow . I'm really dreading it and also doubting whether I really need it (probably because I'm dreading the whole thing so much). Any useful advice or tips? Thank you x

Hi I've had one done. I won't lie, it wasn't very pleasant but that was just the prep. Vaseline helped immensely and eased some of the pain. Take a book into the bathroom with you, you may be there a while. The sigmoidoscopy itself was fine. I didn't use any pain relief at all for that (unlike the colonoscopy!!). It was a little uncomfortable but nothing unbearable. They told me the results there and then too so hopefully you'll have answers soon. Good luck

Thanks so much for your reply. I have to take 5 senna after breakfast then citramag at 4pm. How long after 4pm should I expect to stay in the bathroom? I've tried not to eat too much over the past few days to help the whole process.

I've done it twice now, once for the sigmoidoscopy and once for the colonoscopy. Both times I had moviprep so it may be slightly different. Basically for me I took the moviprep in the evening, was on the toilet about an hour later. The first time I did it I was stuck on the toilet for about 3 hours. It wasn't constant but it wasn't worth me moving as less than 5 mins later I'd be back there again.

The second time I did it, again I was on the toilet within a hour of drinking it. I was on there for maybe an hour followed by a few trips back over the next couple of hours. It was so long ago I'm not really sure what I did differently.

Both times I then had to take another lot of moviprep in the morning but nothing much happened.

Oh that's great thanks so much. Sorry one more question, I'm meant to be going out sat night, is the recovery quite quick? I'm hoping I will feel fine by the next day x

Hi, I'm an endoscopy nurse.

I know it's hard but try not to worry too much, flexisigs in my experience usually take between 5 and 10 mins depending on the endoscopist. Patients usually chat to me all the way through them and say that the prep is the worst bit.

Recovery is quick and you can eat and drink as normal after your procedure. Some people have a bit of wind and loose motions afterwards but this is usually short lived. You'll be fine by Saturday.

Thanks so much for your message that is really reassuring. I'm dreading it all but hoping it will be worse in my head than in reality x

Just for anyone following this thread. Its prep day and it's honestly not been as bad as I had thought it would be (so far!). The citramag was easy to drink. The "motions" have been sure and steady for a while but honestly ok. The worst bit at the moment is my hunger but that's about it . I will update after the procedure x

Hope it goes well @MrsCrazyKidsMummy and you get the results you want!

Good luck today @MrsCrazyKidsMummy What time are you going in?

Thank you I'm so nervous. Booked in for 11am so not long to go. The hunger nausea is awful but I'm taking some food with me. Thanks so much for checking in x

So it's all over and everything is fine, phew. The procedure itself was very quick, not more than 5 mins I would say. It did get a little uncomfortable at times and I had some gas and air but wasn't too bad. I could feel the scope moving around inside which was an odd sensation. When the scope goes in it does feel like you need the toilet but they said the brain thinks that and that's why it feels like it does. It felt like the dr was moving the scope in and out quite a lot but it must be just to look at the different areas and get pictures. All in all it was ok, not pleasant but not as bad as I thought. I think the worst bit was the prep, but not the clear out (that was fine), only in terms of hunger pains and a really bad headache, which I think was caused by dehydration and maybe withdrawal from sugar as I had to follow the low residue diet a few days before. So if you are reading this as you are having one soon it really was ok xxx

Glad your experience wasn't too bad and that everything was fine.

Thank you faelavie x

I'm so glad it wasn't too bad and they everything is okay. Enjoy your food now Just don't do what I did after my colonoscopy - I was told to avoid spicy fatty foods so I went for a spicy Chinese takeaway and felt so ill for the next few days then 🤣

Thanks for updating OP.