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?

I just had endo and colonoscopy without sedation, they are not pleasant but it was fine and went home straight away. The prep was way worse than either procedure. I still feel nauseous thinking about it.

I had a colonoscopy earlier this year. I think I was probably only in the hospital a total of three hours or less. Under the general anaesthetic for about 45 mins. I was really impressed by how efficient it was.

I’ve had 2 both under sedation and neither did I feel out of it or sleepy just relaxed it took the edge off was still sore and I felt the biopsies the dr stopped to ask if I could feel them. But was home same day and snoozed on couch. Prep was worse.

It's light sedation but for many like me it is a total zonk out. I believe you respond to instructions. I have no idea why anyone would put up with pain with these procedures.

Yeah totally agree but there are some people (like me) who don't have anyone to go with them so need to do it unsedated - and it really is OK - uncomfortable but absolutely OK.

When I had one last year under sedation (you are awake but relaxed), they told me that the risk of perforation on a planned colonoscopy was virtually nil, due to them doing them every day. They said the risk was higher in an emergency colonoscopy, which makes sense. I’m sure you’ll be fine OP, but I understand your anxiety surrounding the procedure, I was anxious too but it was all OK in the end.

Shocked they offer sedation tbh. In comparison to a smear, or coil insertion it’s nothing. Sorry to be uncouth, but if you’ve ever had a finger up there or more during sex, I can guarantee this is nothing. There’s no way I’m being sedated for such a minor procedure. I feel those drugs would have a big impact on me, and I have kids to look after!

mine took about 10-15 mins from walking into the room to walking out. The nurse was shocked I wasn’t having sedation. I said to her - I’ve had two babies is it that bad, she laughed and said no. It was barely uncomfortable. Was great to watch it and to be totally compus mentus throughout.

preparation on the other hand…!

Thanks everyone. I honestly didn’t feel any pain with the first one which I had with no sedation but just worried I’ll be more tense this time around as I’m under a lot of family stress atm which is making me feel very nervous about the whole thing. I think I’ll do what I did last time, opted for no sedation but had the cannula put in for a just in case situation.

I’ve had three.

It’s a cost thing, the perforation risk is v low, they just don’t want to pay for it

continentallentil you’re probably right in saying that!