Colonoscopy. How bad is it really?

[MrsMigginsCat]

I have a genetic condition which makes my risk of bowel cancer higher than normal. I've already had endometrial cancer as a result. Anyway, I now have to have regular colonoscopies and my first one is on Wednesday. Can't say I'm looking forward to it.

How bad are they? I've got Moviprep to take - two litres before my 1.30pm appointment. Any tips to help it go down? I'm opting for sedation I think, but I do have quite a high pain threshold so not sure if I will need it. I got through a hysteroscopy with no sedation or painkillers so thinking I may be ok.

I've had a couple, I didn't think they were too bad and my pain threshold is non existent! The clearing out process prior is a drag though.

I worried so much about having a colonoscopy but honestly though as previous poster said, the prep is a drag the actual procedure was painless. I had two moments that were uncomfortable but they were moments not minutes. If I had to have another one I would be completely fine with it. I went on to low residue diet for a few days before starting prep. Top of the list of allowed foods was ice cream, ice lollies and chocolate . The prep solution was pretty disgusting as you have to drink so much of it. Tastes salty with artificial fruit flavour. I definitely heaved a couple of times. The actual elimination wasn't as bad as I expected. I didn't get sore though I did prep with Sudacream!

The prep was worse than the procedure
I also opted for sedation and would recommend that
I mixed the moviprep with orange barley water and made it pretty cold - it was very effective
stay in or near the loo for sure … that lasted a couple of hours or so

I had the sedation and would definitely do so again. I was dreading it and it was ok. I felt the staff were encouraging me not to have the sedation but there was no way. You could have sedation the first time and see how you feel subsequently.

I didn't have sedation - it was fine just more uncomfortable than sore and intense pressure. Also afterwards be prepared for the farts.

Got to agree with others the prep is the most grim part! I've had two and just had gas and air (which I loved, I want some for nights when I can't sleep!). You just need to really relax and just tell yourself it's good to get it done especially given your family medical history. I reckon you'll do fine if you managed the hysteroscopy.

I didn’t have sedation and coped fine - I chose not to have the sedation as then would have made the whole thing longer and needing someone to stay with me after etc.

It was not painful for me, I’d go as far as saying it wasn’t even really uncomfortable. It was done in about 6/7 minutes maybe. In and out of the theatre(?) in 10 minutes definitely.

I was also being screened for genetic cancer reasons and the man performing the colonoscopy was able to tell me everything was clear and healthy looking during the session. So that was a relief too.

the prep was disgusting yes, I think having it with really cold water and using a straw helped a lot

If you've had a hysterectomy the procedure may be more uncomfortable and sedation a better idea. You can ask on the day.
Mine was fine without sedation, but was quite painful in parts

My family also has a high incidence of death from bowel cancer. I started routine colonoscopies at age 50, and have had 6. (I'm now 75) The prep is the hardest bit; tastes disgusting. Stay home near a toilet, use a timer to drink the prep at regular intervals, watch a DVD, don't plan anything else that day. Just make sure you follow the instructions to the letter, no cutting corners/shirking; as a perfectly prepared, clean empty bowel makes the procedure easier for you and more effective at detecting.

The procedure itself is fine. My clinic has it down to a fine art conveyor belt; the team are so kind and friendly, a nurse holds your hand throughout, and the tea and toast after wards is the best ever..

I don't bother with any sedation as any little moments of teensy twinge discomfort as the camera goes round corners is very minor (and I like to stay alert and watch it on the screen). On two of my exams they found early cancer polyps which were fried off on the spot. Utterly painless, no further treatment required. and it really made the colonoscopies feel worth the effort. Peace of mind, worth it all. I owe my life and health to colonoscopies.

No after effects (other than farting out the gas they put up there) but I take some probiotics for a few days after, to recolonise my immaculate gut with friendly bacteria.

I also do this every 2 years

www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-cancer-screening/

Good luck, you'll be fine.

Thank you @2bazookas

I have Lynch Syndrome so I know this is going to be a regular thing for me now. I don't think I'm that worried about the procedure itself, more what they might find given my previous medical history.

I've heard that mixing the prep with Coke Zero and making it really cold makes it slightly more palatable. Struggling to think how I might manage to down 2 litres by 8.30am though!

I'm going for one on Wednesday. First time so I can't offer any advice but wanted to say thanks. Cos this is what I came on looking for.
I'm dreading the prep. Mine's the night before as my appointment is 9am. We only have one loo in the house!
My special diet for it starts tomorrow - I'm trying to do Slimming World & it's definitely not SW friendly food!
Hope yours goes well.

Due to another medical condition im not able to have the usual moviprep, I have to have an enema before instead, and trust me, that is way worse than the actual procedure! My OH has had bowel cancer so now has regular colonoscopies, and he always says the moviprep is the worse part, and he has polyps burnt off pretty much every time he goes. We both never have sedation as we just want to be out of there as quick as poss. He usually has gas and air. It can get a bit uncomfortable when it goes around the bends, but it's not overly painful.

I've done a low residue diet before when I had my hysterectomy. Incredibly boring and bland. I did lose about 4lbs in three days though!

Out of interest, how long does it take? I'm also having a gastroscopy on the same day yay! so hoping not to be there too long. Have already told DH we are stopping for a dirty Maccy D on the way home!

I've had several because of on-going bowel issues; the colonoscopy is a breeze compared to the bowel clearout. I have the sedation which is excellent, no memory of anything but no grogginess afterwards. Cup of tea, biscuit and home

I had bowel cancer ten years ago so this is a regular occurrence for me. There is nothing that makes the prep taste better, I just grin and swig it. Some people say a straw helps so that’s worth a try. When they say don’t be far from a toilet don’t get lulled into a false sense of security when nothing happens immediately… because it will. Be near a loo. I was really worried that I would still be clearing out when the time came for the procedure but they are experts and know how the timings work so all was well.

I always have the sedative. I’m happy to have an excuse for a snooze and I now sleep through all of it. Do ask for more blankets if you get cold, I seem to get really cold so have to pile them on. You need someone to drive you home if you have the sedative but I would also suggest that even if you aren’t having the sedative get someone to drive you there and back - the surgeon may tell you the initial view after and it helps if someone else is there to remember it, plus clear out isn’t comfy and you may feel better with someone else doing the driving.

Also be prepared for the paper pants - they always used to use just standard paper pants but a couple of years ago switched to ones that come with a flap for, ahem, easy access… my Mum and I were in fits of laughter!

Time wise actually at the hospital it’s a half day at least. Plus you will need to pick up the prep a couple of days before.

@MrsMigginsCat mine have been about ten mins, my OH are longer, around 20-25 mins when he has polyps removed. You will be starving after doing the prep so Maccies is a good plan!

I had sedation, didn't feel a thing, was absolutely fine & over in 10mins. The bowel prep experience was horrible but not too horrible.

I've had numerous colonoscopies with moviprep beforehand. The moviprep obviously isn't fun but I don't actually have any trouble drinking it (even though usually I don't drink flavoured drinks at all).

The colonoscopy itself, if you opt for sedation is a relative breeze compared to what you might imagine.

Bear in mind that some people will report colonoscopies as being very painful but these people may be having the investigation because they have inflammation in the bowel in which case it's bound to be a bit painful.

I'm having one next week and I have to take one dose moviprep 7pm the night before and one at 6am on the morning of the procedure, I'm a bit worried I will be on the loo all night.

You're unlikely to spend the whole night sitting on the bog! @saveforthat

Mine have always been morning appointments for colonoscopies with the first dose at 6pm the night before and the second dose at 10pm. First dose is always slow to get working for me but even so tend to be done and dusted with bathroom trips by about 1am.

I was going to say that my DF had one without sedation and had a very very difficult time of it, but reading the comments maybe that is unusual. I'd definitely agree to have someone ready to take you home even if you opt to do it without sedation as he wasn't himself after (maybe because he had a bad time of it though).

I have sigmoidoscopies without sedation relatively easily but I wouldn't recommend a colonoscopy without sedation. It's fairly horrendous if they have to go a long way up with the scope and have to do the twists/turns into the next section.

I’ve had one due to inflammation in the bowel. I couldn’t have any sedation due to breastfeeding and I have to say I hated the whole procedure from start to finish. I don’t intend to scare you but be prepared just in case. They inflate your bowel with gas I think to see better and I found this so uncomfortable and painful (might have been the inflamed bits though) then they couldn’t intubate my small bowel so had to call another surgeon to try, he also couldn’t. It was all so horribly intrusive. I actually didn’t mind the prep, I was prepared for that and just forced it all down.