Has anyone had more than one colonoscopy?

[Silverumbrella]

I’ve had digestive issues on/off for 25 years.
Over the last 6 years or so these issues became worse and in 2019 I had a gastroscope and at the same time a colonoscopy. I opted to stay awake for the procedures and watched my colon on the screen (which was surprisingly fascinating), they said all was normal and no further action needed.
However, my symptoms have been quite bad again this year and I must admit I have got myself in quite a stressed state over it (obviously that doesn’t help the situation at all!). I have symptoms daily and it’s really, really affecting my quality of life right now.
I have been waiting to see my NHS gastroenterologist for a follow up the last 8 months so last month I paid privately to see another, she said she thought my issues were still IBS related and wouldn’t recommend another colonoscopy due to the risk of perforation, she suggested a pill camera colonoscopy instead (she offered to do this via the NHS) but when I looked it up the prep for that is even more full on than with a colonoscopy prep (you have to take laxative boosters after you’ve swallowed the pill).
So, I then received an appointment through with the NHS gastroenterologist for last week. He agreed that my symptoms were most likely IBS but said he would be happy to perform a colonoscopy. When I mentioned what the other gastro had said about the perforation risk he said it was a low risk and pill camera colonoscopies, although good, sometimes miss areas if they turn quickly etc and obviously can not remove any polyps etc, if anything was detected the patient would still have to do through with a colonoscopy so may as well have had that in the first place.
So I’ve just had the colonoscopy appointment through for in a couple of weeks and now so nervous. On one hand I need to know what’s going on with my digestive system but on the other the worry of a perforation, complications and not to mention the god awful prep is stressing me out no end.
It goes without saying I am a very anxious person and worry about every scenario!

Has anyone on here had more than one colonoscopy? Are the risks higher the more you have? How was it second or more times around?

Oh and I always opt not to have sedation if I have any procedure as I hate feeling out of it but I’m so nervous I think I’m going to have to this time round. What is sedation like?

I've two colonoscopies and one endoscopy. I've always had the sedation - I'm amazed that you've done it without ! You're stronger than I am !

The sedation is fine, you really just go to sleep and wake up when the procedure is done. You're not aware of time passing or anything. One minute I was talking to the anaesthetist and he was putting a needle in my arm, and next thing a nurse was patting my hand and saying "it's all done, would you like a cup of tea ?" .

I've had probably 7 or 8 colonoscopies? I have to have them every 3-5 years due to polyps, and had 3 or 4 in the first year or so of my investigations/ diagnosis (I have ulcerative colitis).

I've always had them with sedation - the first lot were private so I was fairly heavily sedated (very vague memories of the procedure and then it took a good hour or so afterwards to feel normal again).

The last one I had was NHS and they did minimum sedation and I was just relaxed, remember everything and felt ready to go 5 mins after the procedure. They may have given me the very bare minimum though as, for long and boring reasons involving petrol strikes, I had to get a taxi home and normally they won't let you go unaccompanied if you've had sedation.

One of my consultants did say to me that they prefer patients to be sedated as they are less likely to make involuntary movements when they go round the difficult bits with the camera, so it is safer from that point of view.

I had three, no issues at all. On the second and third polyps were removed.

I would not even contemplate having the pill camera. I definitely couldn't swallow it, no way. Even the thought of getting that thing down my neck makes me feel ill! But I am a terrible pill taker anyway.

I also would never have endoscopy or colonoscopy without sedation. Why put myself through the procedure and possibly gag, get sick, freeze, drive the team nuts etc.! It is good for the patient and good for the "scoper". I do realise that some have no choice as they need to be able to drive or get home alone afterwards. That's not me anyway.

The sedation is amazing. It affects different people in different ways, some are semi awake and remember it but don't care, some are awake and can follow commands, some are out of it - like me! Once the cocktail goes in I'm out. But I suspect I do follow commands, but I remember absolutely nothing, which is one of the features of the drug given - midazolam.

Wishing you well, and hope it all goes smoothly for you.

I've had eight so far. I've never been sedated but I do ask if they can turn the TV screen so that I can watch (it's fascinating). I also do deep breathing exercises throughout, and listen to music on my earbuds.

I hate the prep but it's worth it. Without the procedure I'm never sure that all is well. Nobody has told me about increasing risks but from my point of view the risks of the procedure are more than balanced out by the risk of not having the colonoscopy and some growth turning cancerous when it could have been spotted and removed!

I don't have to have another unless something goes wrong, so I'm crossing my fingers and toes.

I’ve had several as I have Crohn’s disease. I always take the sedation though. It has never put me to sleep, I was able to watch and talk to the consultant through out. Just relaxed enough not to squirm.
I wouldn’t be overly worried about a second colonoscopy, but I would consider that the pill cam can also view the small bowel and other parts of the digestive system that the scope can’t. Many people have been diagnosed with IBD from a pill cam that was missed on a colonoscopy.

starrynight21
I've two colonoscopies and one endoscopy. I've always had the sedation - I'm amazed that you've done it without ! You're stronger than I am ! - no, just stupid lol although I want sedation this time, I don’t remember it being that bad but I think it was adrenaline keeping me going as I was so nervous. The gastroscope was awful, I remember that like it was yesterday!
hettiethehare I will definitely ask for sedation this time but want to feel relaxed like you say, I dont like the idea of feeling drugged up.
Thanks keyboardkat I actually had an endoscopy pill camera last year, it was like a bloody submarine and I did, momentarily, get it stuck in my throat! I will definitely ask for sedation for the colonoscopy but really don’t want to feel drugged up and woozy as that makes me panic.
FlipFlops4Me it really is a fascinating sight looking at your insides isn’t it? I do think I’ll opt for sedation as I’m going through a lot of stress atm and just a bag of nerves. I am so not looking forward to the prep, that is just evil stuff.
Thank you FawnFrenchieMum I actually had the endoscopy pill camera last year to check my stomach and small intestines, it wasn’t too bad apart from getting the huge pill stuck in my throat for a moment which was a bit panic inducing lol!

You won't panic when they give you that tiny bit of Fentanyl ! I have had 3 colonoscopies - first two with polyps removed and third one last year all good. Best sleeps ever!

@Silverumbrella I'd ask for very light sedation then. I hadn't actually realised they did different levels, until I overheard the lady in the next bay to me at my last one asking to have double sedation, and the nurse explaining that they didn't offer that any more! I much preferred the lighter sedation I had tbh - I felt much more in control but still relaxed at the same time.

I've had one colonoscopy but I wouldn't do it without sedation! In my case it just made me relaxed, and the consultant talked me through my innards while she was doing it. I actually got a proper diagnosis! I'd been told for maybe 30 years that I had IBS, but it turned out that I have severe bile acid malabsorption. I was prescribed tablets which help a lot!

I’ve had one colonoscopy- I had sedation but was still ‘with it’ - was mildly painful. People with ibd have colonoscopies regularly so I think the risk of complications must be low. And the advantage is that you can have biopsies and polyps removed.
ive had two endoscopies and was sedated properly for both - there also a risk of tearing the oesophagus but it’s pretty small. I had no side effects - bloated for about an hour afterwards- that was it. I couldn’t remember anything really - that’s the only disadvantage as the consultant spoke to me after about the results but I didn’t remember!

With sedation do you actually feel the camera being inserted.

I've lost count of how many I've had! I've never been told this.

I am supposed to have them yearly, but covid has stopped that...

DollyTheFluffyOne I certainly could do with a good sleep!
hettiethehare I didn’t know that either, thought it was either nothing or full on whacked out.
allmyliesaretrue I’m awaiting a BAM scan, should be the end of the month, I’ve been on a year long wait.
Thank you Boredofmyguts that’s good to know and your user name just about sums up my life!
MissCeltic I honestly don’t recall feeling it being inserted without sedation, it was similar to a rectal examination.
Thanks princesscaraboo it’s awful how Covid has out a stop to so many things, even this far along!

I had a failed one that was abandoned half way through a few weeks ago and will have to be re-done in the next few weeks.

Having read the leaflets thoroughly I asked the consultant what the perforation risk was and he said it had happened to him once in his career.

I opted for no sedation and won't have it for the next one either.

I’ve had three colonoscopies and one endoscopy. The second colonoscopy was without sedation and am never doing that again. No one said to me there was any more significant risk having more than one and it was fine (I assume).

SalviaDivinorum I asked the same question during my colonoscopy and they said similar. Last time I opted for no sedation but they put the cannula in for a just in case scenario. What I like about no sedation is to be able to go home asap. I hope your next one goes smoothly.
Harrythehappypig that’s good to know, thanks.

I had mild sedation when I had a colonoscopy and didn't wake up for three hours! I have no memory of it and it felt like five minutes.

I have had 2 colonoscopies. Both under sedation by the same consultant. I would never be awake for it as you never know how long it looked your colon is until the time (mine is looped).

My consultant told me that he has never had any perforations over 30 years of practice which eased my mind.

Second time prep was easier as I knew what to expect. And drank it easier and quicker.

You don't need to worry unnecessarily. It will be fine.

I didn't. I only remember before the procedure and wake up in recovery. Even though the consultant did talk to me, I don't remember it

garlictwist my goodness, that was a long time!
lemonyellows thank you. I am truly hoping the prep will be easier this time as I struggled so much last time, it was like having to force down a bottomless jug of vanilla flavoured sea water 🤢 Four years on and I still can’t stomach anything vanilla flavoured.

I think I will definitely get the Sedation

I was so sick whilst taking it - the main reason for it failing. I wasn’t able to keep enough of it down.

I did tell them that aspartame makes me throw up but was told tough….

They will give me an alternative next time which has a different artificial sweetener in it but apparently doesn’t work as well. I’m not holding out much hope of a better result as none of them agree with me although aspartame is the worst!

I’ve had two - ask for picolax prep it doesn’t work as well as moviprep or similar but you only have to drink 2 normal glasses of the stuff instead of litres and litres of it. I was still passing yellow liquid after instead of clear but it was good enough to do the colonoscopy. I did have to push quite hard to be given it though - I was very motivated by the thought of the copious amounts of moviprep I’d had to endure on my first one though so I stood my ground

I've had 5, the 4th was abandoned because it was excruciating due to surgical adhesions so I was rebooked to have it under GA. It's a higher risk of perforation because you can't tell the surgeon if something is hurting when you're under.
2 gastroscopies, the first was fine (I was fast asleep) until they brought the camera out when I started gagging and panicking, the 2nd was fine and I woke up when it was all over.
Drinking the prep is definitely the worst part of it all.