Colonoscopy

[NCNC71624]

Hi

Sorry to post.

I've been referred for a colonoscopy, they suspect IBD.

The hospital just rang and said they have an appointment for me next week.

I have no idea what to expect, I've chosen sedation.

She said she'll send me laxatives and I need to stay near a toilet... Is it going to be bad because I have a concert booked 2 days before this appointment, will I need to cancel or can I go but use their toilets? Or is it just a 24 hour thing before hand?

My DH will come with me due to sedation/going home/support. Will they let him in the room with me or wait outside? How long does it take and will they tell me results the same day? Or do I wait for a biopsy or letter?
And what is the sedation like?

Thanks. Sorry for all the questions!

The prep is usually 12-24 hours prior so no worries about the concert. You drink a fairly unpleasant drink (top tip - chill it first!) which starts working within the hour and keeps you on or near the loo for 3-4 hours. (Another top tip, use vaseline on your anus to keep it from getting sore).

Sometimes you have to do this in two batches – depends on the type of drugs. Normally you have a bland diet for up to a week beforehand, no fibre, white bread, chicken, eggs, etc. The prep is lot worse that the procedure...I danced out of the clinic after my last one, high as a kite!!

Hi! I have Crohn’s so have had a few.

The worst part for me is the hunger. I find the enemas for frexi sigmoidoscopies to be much worse than the prep for a colonoscopy.

You’ll be absolutely fine for your concert but just might have to adjust what you eat (low residue diet) a couple of days before depending on the prep instructions. The food you’re allowed to eat is incredibly boring then the fasting is unpleasant but the actual prep isn’t awful. I mean, it’s not the best day you’re ever going to have but set yourself up near the toilet with a good book/good tv series, drink loooooooooads of fluids then wait. It starts within a hour and a half for me generally (Moviprep) and doesn’t take long for everything to… clear out. I can usually go to bed fine, sleep all night without needing the toilet then just start again in the morning (but your prep instructions might be different). I usually have to start to low residue diet two days before but that doesn’t affect my plans. It’s just REALLY boring 😂

Sedation doesn’t seem to work for me because of my psych meds and it’s fine without really. It’s over quickly. It’s a bit uncomfortable but really not terrible at all.

Your husband won’t be able to come in the room because it’s a bit like an operating theatre. For me they talk me through what they’re seeing on the screen (which you should be able to see while it’s happening too) and tell me and give me a report straight afterwards stating what they have seen and where biopsies have been taken from (these are completely painless by the way! Just a bit weird to watch on the screen because you can’t feel them). The biopsies will be done at the same time.

Don’t panic! It won’t be the most fun you’ve ever had but it’s really not awful at all.

Good luck!

I have had two over the last few weeks. At different hospitals.

My carer was shown to a waiting area.

The prep I had for the first one I just could not get down. I had to start it at 7pm the day before then a second one in the morning.

I couldn't really move from the toilet for a few hours in the evening.

They couldn't get the full procedure done because I hadn't managed the prep but they did find some polyps.

For the second one I had a different prep, laxatives over 7 days and a low residue diet. Then a final prep, that I threw up. But the bowel was clear enough for them to see everything, they removed the polyps and tattooed where one had been so they can check on it in three months.

The advice from people on here was to chill the prep. It was also suggested that I use a straw. I did chill the second one but the taste wasn't as vile. The first prep had an aftertaste so even taking a sip of prep then a sip of pop didn't work.

I had the sedation.

Both times I had a conversation with the Dr/Nurse performing the colonoscopy and I actually liked watching the screen.

I had a nurse sitting by my head telling me what was going on.

Oh and I took tea and biscuits for the staff.

I had a colonoscopy last weekend, I must admit I was terrified, but apart from the bowel prep, which isn't the most pleasant, the actual procedure was fine. I was given a report on what they did. I had 4 polyps removed and diagnosed with Diverticulitis. They send the polyps for biopsies, so you have to wait for results.
I definitely won't be as worried about having another one. I had sedation, and felt fine after. I hope everything goes well for you.

Very often you need to limit or stop certain foods for 2 or three days before your scope (a low residue diet), but the prep is just the day before, so you should be fine for your concert (but probably won’t be able to drink alcohol).

If you look on your NHS trusts website they might have their colonoscopy prep leaflet online so you can get an idea of things. It can vary from trust to trust, so don’t be concerned if you read something in one place that’s different in the advice they send you. Just follow the directions from your own team.

My DP has always just dropped me off and then gone off and waited for a call from them to say pick me up. It’s worth taking a book or magazine, as it can sometimes be a bit of a wait from arrival to the procedure. The prep is the worst bit, the scope is fine. It’s become painful once or twice, but they have quickly given pain relief to stop that. I’m not sure the sedation had much effect on me to be honest, I’ve been awake and watched the screen for each one. My consultant (who I had already seen in clinic) did my first colonoscopy, and told me at the time he thought it was very likely crohns. I got a printed report of the scope details, but had to wait for my next appointment (a few weeks later) for my official diagnosis once the biopsies were back.

With the prep (if it’s moviprep or plenvu) getting it really cold helps tolerability. I usually use a couple of straws so I can chug it to the back of my throat and avoid a bit of its taste. I then take a quick swig of something like appletizer to cover the taste. Simple face wipes are less irritable on your behind than baby wipes (throw them, don’t flush, obviously) and bepanthen cream is soothing (just in case your butt gets sore). Good luck.

I had one a couple of weeks ago.
I was given the prep to take the evening before, in two batches. Definitely go on a low residue diet for a few days before, less to come out if you know what i mean.
I camped in my bedroom, next to the bathroom, for the evening, with my laptop and phone and just went through the prep. Have something clear to drink between mouthfuls, I had lucozade sport, the lemon one. You do get really thirsty, so have a lot handy.
I started the first one at five and by midnight it was done and I went to sleep. The first dose seems to get the main job done and the second one felt like it was rinsing everything out.
On the day, my other half dropped me off at the ward and then went away until he was contacted. I had sedation. It doesn't really knock you out, just takes the edge off and makes you relaxed. It only took about 20 mins if I remember. They then take you to the recovery room and give you a cup of tea and biscuits. I rang my partner and they brought me down to meet him and gave me the report, so you don't have to wait for it.
It really wasn't that bad, as others have said, the prep is the most daunting but even that wasn't as bad as I expecting . I wouldn't worry if I had to do it again but we all build things up in our heads, so I understand why you're nervous.
You will be fine X

Thank you all so much :)

I've had about 6 of these and every time I've gone out like a light!

Thanks all. I've just started my Moviprep as per instructions.

So far it's not too intolerable but I am so hungry!

@NCNC71624 do let us know how it went.

Thanks for asking @sashh

Well not that great. They found a 'suspicious' polyp/lesion which has been sent to pathology.
And took 4 other biopsies but I believe that's standard procedure.

Needed a bit of oxygen but otherwise it was ok. I mean, I won't lie I did cry at one stage as going round a bend was so so painful.

I just have to wait for 2-3 weeks for results from pathology and biopsies.

I asked the nurse what pathology do and she said 'look for cancer ' so I'm about freaked out to be honest!

As a side note they said my prep was 'excellent' so pleased with that 😅