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Original poster

Colonoscopy. How bad is it really?

67 replies

MrsMigginsCat · 13/05/2022 19:03

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.

OP posts:
Babymamma192 · 13/05/2022 21:52

Like everyone else has said the prep is definitely the worst bit if I remember correctly you can mix it with a clear fluid I used sprite (tastes better cold) and I managed to drink quite a bit of it but then when I was struggling with the taste I switched to drinking it through a straw which helped.

I sat in bed drinking it and put a film on to distract me and then I was close to the toilet too.

Hope all goes well for you!

Theforest · 13/05/2022 21:56

I had sedation and it is great as I remember nothing about it. Even though the consultant speaks to me and I don't remember so one of the nursing team goes through it after too.

I apparently have a lengthy colon with a loop along the top section (which obviously I had not idea about beforehand!!) so it may have been more uncomfortable with that. I'm sticking to sedation and the nice sandwich they give afterwards!!

Moviprep is not pleasant. I will start mine a bit earlier next time as I didn't get to bed til very late as too scared to get in bed. But I was fine.

You will be fine.

hattie43 · 13/05/2022 22:05

Mine was horrific and despite gas and air they had to stop the pain was so bad . My problem apparently is that I have a really twisty bowel so they couldn't reach the Colin because I couldn't cope with it .
I have a pretty high pain threshold but this was like nothing else .
Sorry OP not what you want to hear and I hope it goes much better for you .

KosherDill · 13/05/2022 22:07

Prep grim - the less you eat in days leading up the better. Have the solution very cold.

Procedure a no brainer and the after effects of sedation very enjoyable, frankly. Took a great nap.

RosesAndHellebores · 13/05/2022 22:14

I had picolax and it wasn't horrid at all to drink. The bowel clearing wasn't so bad either but I started the special (white) diet about 36 hours before recommended. My procedure was at 2pm and I had to be at the hospital by about 12.45 I recall. In the end I decided to drive myself to the hospital (I bought some tena pants, just in case) and dh got a cab to collect me and drive me home. Funnily enough all was well re the evacuations from about 10.30am until I got to the hospital when I needed the loo desperately a few more times.

I had sedation and except for the anaesthetist and Dr saying hello I have no recollection at all from the feeling the tube being inserted to feeling it come out. They kept me in recovery longer than usual because my blood pressure went v v low. Very nice Dr chatted to me there.

Had a little rest then a pot of teas and some sandwiches. Surgeon came and told me there was nothing to worry about.

DH arrived and took me home. The only surprise was that I was far more tired the next day than I was expecting.

I threatened the grown up dc with framed pictured of my brightly coloured bowel for Christmas but they declined.

LouScot · 13/05/2022 22:23

@MrsMigginsCat I've had one and didn't opt for sedation and honestly, it was fine. I followed the "emptying" instructions to the letter and remember it being noted that my colon was lovely and clean 😂

GettingStuffed · 15/05/2022 14:43

Mine was fine, no sedation or painkillers needed. It's fascinating to watch.

Onlyrainbows · 15/05/2022 14:51

I did mind it! And the prep was a decent detox!

TinaYouFatLard · 15/05/2022 14:52

I must be slightly weird as I found d the prep oddly satisfying - like a really thorough spring clean! I had sedation but do have a vague memory of seeing my appendix.

The biggest shock was the sight of the giant paper bloomers with an opening in the back!

Workinghardeveryday · 15/05/2022 14:54

I have had loads because I have ulcerative colitis.

have the sedation definitely! I had one about a month ago. Had to be at hospital for 8. Went down to have it done about 8.40. Back at about 9.15.

by 11 I was fine, we even went out for lunch!

the prep is the worst because of the shear amount of liquid you need to drink and the time to drink it in. Get a big jug and make it up, put it in fridge, much much easier to drink.

you will be fine, it’s just the fear of the unknown. Have the sedation, it’s great stuff 😁

Workinghardeveryday · 15/05/2022 14:57

second The advice on being close to a toilet. You don’t get much warning…. Then you feel like you have poo’d a months worth and surprised your body actually has so much stored inside. Then you do just as much again 😂.

sorry tmi 😂

SunshineLollipopsAndRainbows · 15/05/2022 15:04

Agree with pp’s that the “ clear out” beforehand is the worst bit. Felt like I was living on the loo! I can’t remember if I had sedation. It was a bit uncomfortable but not as bad as I’d anticipated. If you’re having an endoscopy, definitely have sedation for that.

Original poster
MrsMigginsCat · 16/05/2022 08:19

Thanks all. I'm on my low residue diet now until tomorrow evening, then clear fluids only.

I am having a gastroscopy as well and I have quite a strong gag reflex so am definitely opting for sedation for both procedures.

OP posts:
Hop27 · 16/05/2022 08:32

Wait.
People have this without sedation? I was completely knocked out for mine. There is 100% no way I'd do that awake!!!
The prep stuff doesn't taste great, but it's manageable. Drink it super cold. Buy yourself some nice 'bland' foods to have as the low fibre diet. Good luck OP you'll feel great after and it's SO important to get these things checked.

Workinghardeveryday · 16/05/2022 10:28

@MrsMigginsCat don’t forget to tell them you want the max sedation you can have. They don’t always give the full amount.

INeedNewShoes · 16/05/2022 11:24

I don't agree with asking for max sedation. Some people get side effects from the sedation and I've found that being more mildly sedated is sufficient to make the procedure perfectly tolerable and means I get to see the insides of my bowel for myself as I can be awake and coherent! It's informative having the visual and hearing what the endoscopist has to say during the examination.

I was recently very heavily sedated for an operation and I struggled with residual tiredness/cognitive issues afterwards so I would never request heavy sedation.

Ghostlyfeet · 16/05/2022 11:31

@MrsMigginsCat I also have lynch so have colonoscopies every two years and have done for probably twenty years now (I'm 41) The prep is defo the worst, the procedure is fine. I've heard about the Coke Zero thing but haven't tried it yet. Take the sedation don't be brave. I also ask for the max as one time I didn't get enough and came round.

Not2bObvious · 16/05/2022 13:12

I had picolax which was a very small amount of liquid compared to moviprep, but I don't know why I got given it.
Best advice I could give is use a little sudocrem on the tissue after every bowel movement, helps greatly to reduce soreness. I felt I was sedated just enough to keep me quiet and did feel a bit of discomfort, i wouldn't entertain the thought of doing it without some sedation

Original poster
MrsMigginsCat · 16/05/2022 14:01

Ghostlyfeet · 16/05/2022 11:31

@MrsMigginsCat I also have lynch so have colonoscopies every two years and have done for probably twenty years now (I'm 41) The prep is defo the worst, the procedure is fine. I've heard about the Coke Zero thing but haven't tried it yet. Take the sedation don't be brave. I also ask for the max as one time I didn't get enough and came round.

I was only diagnosed in December so this is my first one. I am quite literally shitting it, or at least I will be by Weds morning!

OP posts:
SynchOrSwim · 16/05/2022 14:07

Take the sedation! I've never fallen asleep just felt a bit drunk and fuzzy, much more pleasant. I tried to do it without once and FUCK THAT.

SynchOrSwim · 16/05/2022 14:13

I find drinking the moviprep is the worst bit, it's salty and makes want to gag. I keep it cold and have various flavours of squash so I don't get totally sick of the same taste. A straw helps me too for some reason.

Theforest · 16/05/2022 20:45

Good luck this week @MrsMigginsCat It's a strange process that's for sure, but follow the instructions and you will be fine!!!

Redglitter · 16/05/2022 20:46

I had sedation & honestly it was fine. As pp said the prep was far worse than the procedure

mackthepony · 16/05/2022 23:31

I had one. Not that bad. The prep is worse, I'll be honest

tupperwaretowers · 17/05/2022 07:15

Hands down prep is the worst bit. Top tip…. Never trust a fart!