Colonoscopy

[colonoscopytime]

I’m having a colonoscopy, just wanted to hear about others experiences?

I am nervous about the prep, the sheer volume of it, the taste, the results! I’m nervous about cramping and pain (can you use haemorrhoid cream as it’s numbing or will it affect the colonoscopy? I’ve seen Vaseline recommended but it is enough?), will you continue to have cramping even if you’re empty, do you recommend a low residue diet for longer or will it make no difference and you’ll just be passing water / mucous if there’s no stool left?

I’m also worried about dehydration but I also don’t want to drink so much I make myself ill from too much liquid, is lucozade recommended for electrolytes?

im hoping ill be ifffered sedation for the procedure as i dont get on with gas and air. What’s it like coming round?

and I cant find hardly any info on the days afterwards other than you may bleed.

what’s the pain like from the gas? Does it really pass within a few hours? How long after can you expect to pass stool again, is it liquid / takes a while to firm up, any colour changes etc?

do you need probiotics to sort out your gut flora or anything like that?

im worried about the risks too, infection and damage to the bowel. Will they know about ant damage there and then or is it possible it gets discovered days later? What’s the likelihood of infection? I’m so worried about having it done and being relieved to find out everything is fine but having it done then causes damage in some way so it was an unnecessary invasive procedure iykwim?

im having it done due to ongoing abdominal pain, calprotectin and fit test is negative so it’s not like it’s urgent due to extreme bleeding etc. I’m just worried I’m having a test I don’t need and the potential risks happen to me and I end up in a worse place than I started from.

I had one last year. I didn't even think about all the things you list.
There was a special diet a few days before which was tedious but otherwise fine.
The prep wasn't nice to drink but you have to grit your teeth and get it down. The emptying process was the worst bit. You will be confined to the bathroom for a few hours. No gas.
The test itself was uncomfortable but no worse. I had sedation but felt fully aware and alert so can't tell you what it was like "coming round" as I never lost conciousness, plus some painkiller I forget. Also gas / entonox for some of it.
Afterwards I was absolutely fine. Back to normal within the day.

The prep is far worse than the procedure. The volume of prep and the need to be on the loo for extended periods isn't pleasant but manageable. I had sedation and woke up with no memory of the actual procedure and had a lovely nap in the afternoon once I got home. I'd happily have this done again if needed

I had one a couple of years ago. I was much more worried about the prep than the actual procedure and it wasn't even as bad as I imagined.
You'll have a low residue diet for a few days, then I think it's liquid only for the day prior to the prep - when you drink the prep make sure you're very near the loo - some people it starts straight away, others not for a while, but don't leave the house! I would advise making the prep up in advance and putting it in fridge -more palatable cold, and you can drink clear drinks inbetween.
Put vaseline or sudocrem on your bumhole before you start and don't wipe between poos - just sit on the loo - or it'll get really sore there. Get some wet wipes if you can as well rather than just loo roll. You don't have cramps, it's not like having diahorrea - it's more like weeing from your backside!
I was sedated but I wasn't out of it, I remember it quite clearly! It was a bit uncomfortable going round the corners but nothing too painful. You get the results straight away as well. I even saw my bowel on the screen (I had it privately, not sure you would view it on the nhs).
I think the likelihood of damage is minimal as these people do colonoscopies day in, day out.
I may have one again soon as getting a FIT and calprotectin test again.

He's right ... the world does really fall out of your bottom!!
Just get set up for a 2 hour stay in the loo

Hi, yes the prep is the worst part, trust me.

I had mine about 2 years ago, just had gas & air, several biopsies done.

The endoscopy staff are amazing, They will talk you through everything and you can even see it on the screen!

You will be fine.

Just here to agree with everyone else that drinking the prep solution is the worst bit.

The staff are amazing and I was absolutely fascinated by the screen and being able to see inside my body. Maybe I am weird.

You will be fine. I hope your test shows that all is well.

I had one 3 days ago, the prep is definitely the worst part. I had sedation for the actual procedure and it was uncomfortable but not painful. I just laid there watching the screen and it was over in about 10 mins. The prep does take a few days to come out of your system so expect to be a bit runny the day after

Thank you all

i assuke you all didn’t have any side effects or anything from the procedure? Did you bleed after?

can you eat a normal diet straight away or do you have to be gentle with your system?

I didn't have any issues afterwards (well nothing that I wasn't already having that required the colonoscopy in the first place.)