Has anyone had more than one colonoscopy?

[stirling]

And does it worsen your bowels? I had one almost four years ago for bleeding (haemorrhoids) and feeling full. I now have the worst ever heavy pressure in my rectum. It's gone on for over a fortnight. Steroid suppositories don't seem to be keeping the pain at bay.

I have a rectocele and the aching in my rectum (entire length) starts after my morning bm.. Even though its soft thanks to daily movicol use.

I'm worried as I joined a fb support group for rectal problems and many people on there talked about their symptoms worsening after the colonoscopy and even after the bowel laxative flush.
Were you OK with subsequent colonoscopies?
Thank you

I'm losing count but I think I've had three full colonoscopy and several flexible sigmoidoscopies.

I've never had worsening symptoms afterwards. I have ulcerative colitis. If anything, sometimes a colonoscopy seemed like pressing the reset button and I'd be better for a few days.

To be honest the majority of forum posters seem to love a colonoscopy horror story and whipping up into a tizz about the prep. I'm thankful that my bowel issues started before social media had really taken off so I was blissfully ignorant for my first investigations!

Ah, a big thank you ItsNotReallyChaos for sharing your experience. Feeling a little braver about having one. Sorry to hear you have UC, I hope its being managed OK

I think I’ve had two. It’s very unlikely it would make your symptoms worse.

Had two. No worsening of symptoms. Not a pleasant procedure (or prep) but I was well looked after it was over pretty quickly. Found endoscopy far more traumatic.

Had 3. No issues at all.

Brilliant, thanks for these responses everyone

I’ve had 4 now and I’m on annual checks. Never nice but no worsening of anything.

Good God I must have had at least 12 of the buggers. All horrid of course and quite painful at times, but no , it doesn't make anything worse.

Also had 3, plus a few flexi sigmoidoscopies due to ulcerative colitis too as a pp. Didn't worsen my symptoms. Good luck drinking all of the bowel prep fluids, as this tends to be the worst part of the procedure!

I have them yearly (although covid has put paid to that!). So have had a fair few now. No, none of them have made my symptoms of UC worse. I've even had them when not flaring and apart from being windy and a little bleeding from having polyps removed it's been fine afterwards.

I agree that they can act as a “reset” and things settle down for a while afterwards.
Things don’t get worse with subsequent colonoscopies, in my experience, and the procedures are easier because I know what to expect now.

I've had at least five colonoscopies (lost count over 20 + years) and none of them produced any subsequent pain, discomfort, bleeding, bowel differences etc.

Thank you everyone! This is really reassuring to me

Just to say I am similar to @ItsNotReallyChaos - I have UC and have lost count of the number of colonoscopies but they have never made things worse.

The prep is the worst bit but I always just think 'this will be over soon, I can handle this' and I always do. You will too and hopefully you won't have any issues following the procedure.

chimichangaz thank you