Been called for a colonoscopy after Bowel Cancer Test kit

[Moonstone1234]

Hi All,

I recently did a postal Bowel Cancer Test and have had a letter saying that I need to have a colonoscopy but before that is booked in I need a telephone consultation to discuss the procedure.

I recognise that they have a process but I would rather jump straight to having the test itself. I called the Screening Helpline and asked them what the wait times are for a colonoscopy but they said they couldnt tell me but it would be discussed during my telephone appt.

So bearing in mind Covid etc I suspect the wait time will be significant. I can travel and have someone who will be with me so am planning to say I can travel within say a 100 mile radius if required.

I then investigated the private option but the cost is over £3k which isnt the end of the world but its a cost I would rather avoid if I can.

Does anyone have any advice or guidance please.

@Moonstone1234 so glad all went well and thank you for such an informative post too.

Thanks Moonstone, such a helpful post! I plan to spend the night in a spare bedroom with separate bathroom! Like you, I am being super- proactive in doing everything exactly as I should. I just don’t need all this at the moment as I have caring responsibilities and need to be here as fit and well as possible to look after everyone else!

Sorry, last thought - someone gave me a tip, if you dont like the taste of the laxative (who does??) is mix it up throughly and then put it in the fridge for 30 mins. Then drink through a straw, it avoids the taste buds. I ended up just sucking it up through the straw in one go and you can tell the manfacturers have tried to give it a palatable taste. Then glug some water (or flavour the plain water with a splash of lime juice which helps I think). Its really not that bad but drinking it warm is a bit grim I suspect.

Having a private bathroom will be great. Could you imagine doing this marklarky in a house share??

Glad it went OK OP. I'm waiting for colonoscooy too and its been really helpful to hear your advice and experience. I will be asking for sedation now and hope my appt finally comes quickly after a mes up of referral.

Great you are feeling back to normal so quickly.

I've done the poo on a stick test, quite a bit of blood was found and I've been called for a colonoscopy. A bit worried as I've had some pain too.

I'm dreading all of it TBH.

Driving - dont worry. The colonoscopy is fine. The thought is far worse than the actual procedure. The laxative is a bit grim but do put the solution into the fridge for 30 mins, and then drink through a STRAW! It then doesnt touch your taste buds very much.

Take the first appointment they can give you. I was offered one in under 1 week. They were a bit worried about getting the medication to me in time but I offered to pick up from the hospital. Just remember going privately is circa £3k.

I am very fussy but I had no complaints at all about the whole process via the NHS. They tell you what they find on the day. You will need someone to drive you home. They told me the vast majority of people have sedation and I would highly recommend it.

My results were they found a small polyp and it didnt look cancerous but they called me a few days later and fortunately all was OK.

Please come back if you need any support or tips to get through it. It honestly isnt that bad at all. Even when the medication was working to clear your bowels out its more embarassing than painful. If you can use a seperate bathroom that might make you feel better

Thanks @Moonstone1234 I've been put on the two week pathway which is more worrying- unless this is standard. Plus part of my bowel feels a bit sore.

Two weeks is normal. My FIT test came back and they booked me in within a week but that is the norm. I am sure its nothing to worry about and you will be diagnosed quickly now. If it is less good news you are very likely to be in the very early stages.

My biggest tip is just take the first appointment you can. I had the first appointment of the day and although I didnt have a good nights sleep with all that was going on down below I was more than ready at 0700 to drive to the hospital and get it all done.

The clearing out of my bowels (sorry!) is honestly not as bad as you think. You feel a little twinge, and you will need to use the bathroom about 10 times. Follow the instructions to the letter. If you dont they might need to postpone the procedure. They did with the women next to me because she took the medicine and then didnt fast afterwards. She just carried on eating... Forget about toilet paper! Get the softest wet wipes you can. Huggies are good and some Sudocream for your sore bottom but I was literally feeling much better within 24 hours - with the sedation you get snippets of what happens but you are definitely not in any pain.

I wouldnt be half so nervous if I had to have another one.

Really pleased that all turned out so well OP, you must be so relieved, especially with everything going on with your husband

Just in terms of going private, DH had a private colonoscopy done by a consultant from a large teaching hospital last year. It was well under £2k (including consultations and lab work) so if anyone else is considering going that route, do check the costs as it might be less than you think.

Thanks @Moonstone1234. I'm so glad that all turned out well for you. Will you have to have regular colonoscopies now?.

My bowel is still very sore and I haven't received anything through the post yet. Just want it all to be over and to be told that the reason is trivial. I didn't sleep the first night and kept leaping to the worst case scenario. Did you have similar worries?

My next colonoscopy is only if I have a positive FIT test and my next test is in 2 years. They only found a polyp but I had all your worries. Joined the bowel cancer forum too just in case. Lots of good people on there.

Did you have a FIT test sent to you through the post or something else?

Bear in mind that the NHS love sending letters. They won’t send emails and that delays things. I got a letter telling me they would call me on xxx day. They then offered me an appointment in a few days. Just grab any appointment they offer and remember you will need a cv19 test, wait for the result and then self isolate for a few days. Don’t try and change any appointments. Just get it over and done with.

Everything you are feeling is completely normal.

I was given the FIT test by my GP after reporting a change in symptoms. Didn't expect a positive result.

I've not had any correspondence yet, will have to bide my time.

Thanks for your advice. Good to know that someone else has been through this.