Referred for a colonoscopy

[KittyScratch]

I wasn't feeling well last month and the same happened again this month. The doctor feels the issues I'm experiencing is gut related because the pain was over the colon when she pressed on my tummy. She is due to get in touch with the hospital and she is referring me to the outpatients department for a colonoscopy. I don't need to worry about it yet. I'm in the public system and there will be a wait involved.

I did a search for colonoscopy. Reading about it, apparently the preparation for the procedure is supposed to be horrendous. Laxative drinks are supposed to be used followed by moving into a bathroom and sitting on the toilet for a few hours.

I'm not worried about the procedure itself. It is the preping that I'm not looking forward to.

You see I had some monthly periods where I had never ending tummy cramps for days and only a poo will ease the cramps and then it happens all over again. Basically there has been times when I was going to the toilet every hour or more for days. In the end my bum was so sore because there was nothing else to come out.
Will the prepping be like this?

Is there any way I can make this easier and quicker to pass? If I was to eat a clean and bland diet 3 or 4 days before the prepping will that help?

I want the prepping part to go smoothly and most importantly quickly. I just want it to come and go and pass within an hour or two. I don't want to loose sleep sitting on a toilet.

Thank you so much for all of the lovely replies. It absolutely helps. I found the idea of it all is a little bit daunting but the nerves are settling now. I don't need to worry about it yet. It's great to plan ahead and I am planning on following to the low fibre and low residue diet a few days in advance of starting the prep day. I want everything to go smoothly for the evening of the prep day. I don't want to suffer on the toilet. I want things to go easily and smoothly. Also I don't want any shitstorms on the day of the procedure when I will likely be traveling to the hospital. The idea of being cleared out kinda feels OK now. I will probably feel lighter.

I have gas and air instead of sedation - means you don’t need to stay for ages after and have someone with you etc.

Thank you for your reply Forstarters,

I want to go down the route of gas and oxygen and leave out the sedation. I'm not nervous about the procedure itself or the idea of getting poked and prodded up my bum and inside of me. I would like to get it over and done with quickly.

I will be on a waiting list so it will be a few more months away. I am going to try and loose some weight from now til then. It might be a little bit easier without extra weight.

I’m pretty overweight but I think a colon is a colon! You’ll be fine, it’s honestly just an inconvenience

I’ve had them twice now.

The prepping for me was a walk in the park compared to the colonoscopy.

I really struggled both times during the colonoscopy. And I thought my pain tolerance was high!
I know everyone’s different.