Colonoscopy Nerves

[RedFatball]

I've been referred on the 2 week pathway for an urgent colonoscopy following a positive FIT test. This is after increasing feeling of being uncomfortable and bloated since about the beginning of March

My dad died of a bowel related condition, and I'm struggling to keep my anxiety under control about the whole thing.

but what can I expect practically on the day? I've opted for gas and air as I don't want anyone else there so I'll need to be able to drive myself home after.

Sorry to read of your troubles. The procedure itself is fine, I had one done under sedation and had no issues post procedure. The worst part tbh is the bowel prep meds you need to take the day beforehand. You will need to stay near a loo at all times and whatever you do, do not make the drink any larger than it needs to be. Hold your nose whilst drinking it to get it down you.

Is there any chance you could get a taxi home and opt for sedation? It would help with your anxiety and I can’t recall much about the procedure at all.

I have to drive the next day as well, and with sedation I would need someone to come with me. I really don't want that.

Supposed to be on site (building - construction manager) the day before but not sure that's a great idea with the bowel prep

The prep is the worst part the colonoscopy is fine depending on what time you start the prep you won't be able to go to work you won't even be able to leave the bathroom

You’ll be fine to drive the next day - it isn’t a GA. You are awake but the sedation means you can’t really recall what happened. Absolutely zero chance you will be able to go to work the day before I’m afraid.

I am not sure about the going into work. I didn't start taking the prep until about 5pm for a morning procedure the following day so you might be ok until about 4. You won't be eating though, which could be more of an issue if you feel hungry.

They tell you not to drive for 24 hours post sedation and that you are not insured.

I wasn't going to have sedation but it was very uncomfortable and tends to be more so for women (of course it does). But you might be ok with gas and air.

Ok, no leaving the house on the Thursday then! I really do have to be able to drive on the Saturday so gas and air it is for me...

Have used the low residue diet to justify making myself macaroni cheese for tea, which I love and everyone else hates :-)

Driving the day after is no problem. You might be able to work the day before too, depending on timing of taking your prep, have you got that yet?

Get some wet wipes and smear vaseline on your bum hole before you start going, it will prevent you getting sore.

Took the first bowel prep at 12. Absolutely nothing so far! Let's wait and see what happens with the second one at 6pm. I worked from home this morning and took annual leave this afternoon. We have a bit of a crisis situation right now so I've had my phone on but trying to get some relaxation in right now...

Sorry to hijack your thread, @RedFatball, but I have had no replies on my own.

How did you get your bowel prep stuff? Did they send you a prescription? I'm having a colonoscopy on tuesday and so far have received no instructions on how to get hold of the medication.

Why on earth did you need to take annual leave when it's a medical procedure?

I got sent mine in the post. It arrived about a week before. Maybe phone them tomorrow and check (if) it has been sent or where you collect it from?

I also had no action after the first dose, it only started doing anything after the second one - about half way through drinking it. I brought my second one forward as I was worried about needing the loo in the car to the hospital with their timings (4am!). My appointment was at 8.30am and I took my doses at 5pm and 10pm the night before. The 10pm turned into 9.30 as nothing had happened after the first dose.

Different NHS trusts seem to do things differently so I didn't go off on a frolic of my own but followed some instructions from a different trust.

@dynamiccactus I've been phoning the hospital all week but no one ever answers. I asked my local pharmacist - he didn't know. I asked my GP and I'm hoping they'll get back to me tomorrow with a solution. I'm supposed to start taking it on Sunday!

Edited to add: I might go to the hospital tomorrow and see if I can actually get to speak to someone

I've got the whole of tomorrow as medical leave, just didn't feel like working this afternoon. I could have done perfectly well, so I booked half a day last minute to laze on the sofa!

Yes mine came in the post as well. 10 senna tablets, 5 on the evening of Tuesday, 5 on the evening of Wednesday and then citramag at 12pm and 6pm today. I'm feeling pretty queasy and crap now so I think it's kicking in...

@RedFatball I hope it goes well tomorrow(?) and that you get the result you are hoping for x

Thanks. Results on the day unless there are biopsies so hopefully will know more by lunchtime...

No cancer, multiple polyps removed which will go to the lab and positive diagnosis of diverticular disease. Apparently it's common, doesn't progress or cause cancer and can be managed with decent diet with plenty of fibre, lose some weight - at least 2 stone 😳 - and get some exercise. So I'm happy nothing serious going on. Time for a nap

🥳 glad all is well. I had mine also to check for diverticulitis (negative) but was told if it had been positive to ease up on red meat. Annoyingly ten years later I had a fasting ultrasound to check for a gynae issue and they found a large gallstone which was probably the cause of the mystery crippling pain I was in at the time…!

Good luck with the weight loss journey 💪

Good news - nothing serious!