Colonoscopy

[endocolonoscopy]

MN hive mind. I have read through the various colonoscopy prep threads as I am due to have the procedure done on Thursday afternoon - started the low residue diet today. I’ve asked for sedation and was wondering if anyone could akin the level of sedation to IVF egg collection sedation (I was out my tree with that!) as I have a lot of trauma with people rummaging around with my undercarriage due to endometriosis (stage 4 with bowel involvement) suspected cervical cancer, difficult pregnancy and birth along with gallbladder removal in the mix too. I know I carry a lot of scar tissue and I’m absolutely beside myself if I think too deeply about the colonoscopy (the prep fluid is freaking me out as I know this should be the worst part!)

Any helpful words of encouragement, advice and wisdom appreciated 💖

How are you doing @endocolonoscopy ?

Go to your GP or call the Consultants secretary and ask whether you can take Diazepam prior to going. I took 7mg (I have 5mg for ad hoc extreme stress) and then whatever they gave me and I can’t remember any of it. I too have PTSD from a horrendous experience about 40 yrs ago when I endured cervical laser treatment for pre-cancerous cells and they told me it was only a little ‘uncomfortable’. It was fucking horrendous and without Diazepam I wouldn’t even make it through the hospital doors these days.

I took my first lot of prep at 1715 (started it a little earlier as would really like some sleep tonight). Chugged it down with a chaser of lemonade. In the grand scheme of things it didn’t taste too awful!

so far I’ve been 3 explosions so far with some abdo pain and lower back grumbling. Slight headache but I’m keeping my fluids up. Using wipes instead of loo roll and reapplying DD bum cream. It’s aggravated my pile ever so slightly - secretly hoping they’ll maybe clip it off tomorrow while I’m there 😂

feeling quite cold - got warm socks on and about to try and get comfy to watch traitors

Not looking forward to the 5am wake up to take the second lot that’s currently chilling in the fridge!

Ooooo I do have some diazepam lurking somewhere in my medicines box - will definitely give them a call in the morning to see if I can take it (have it for when I get things done at the dentist). Thank you

I point blank refuse any gynae procedure minus a smear at the hospital without being knocked out for it. Far too much trauma gets triggered and it winds me up the gas lighting of ‘oh it’ll be like period pain’ my aye!! 💖

The cramps have started 🥴 🤢 feel like someone is squeezing my stomach like an accordion 🪗 I feel emtpy(ish) just pressure in my bum like I really need to go but nothing is moving 😣

I've had quite a few. The prep is the worst! Like another said, drink it with a straw, and if you don't like the taste, put the straw further back in your mouth - I find nothing tastes as bad then.
Ask for the sedation, I usually just say give me all you've got! Nice deep breaths and relax. It could be a little uncomfortable, but I've not felt any real pain during any of mine.
I wish you all the best x

Up for a trip to the loo sounds like I’ve swallowed a brass band 🥴

Second part down 🤢 this one is definitely more fizzy / acidic tasting - at least that’s the drinking part over ✅ 😮‍💨 managed to get back to bed 4-5:45 and hopefully get more snooze time once this lot has done its thing 🤞🏻

Good luck today.

Hope everything goes well today.

Thank you. I’m still going to the loo but managing to rest in bed between times so that’s good. Can’t remember the last time I had such a chilled and indulgent relaxing day 💖 alarms set to remind me when to stop drinking and when to leave for hospital

Thank you 💖 trying not to think about it as a whole - focusing on the here and now which is trips to the loo still and resting in between!

I got home 6:30pm they took biopsies and results will take 6-8wks. Sedation was good and they also confirmed I have adhesions as parts of my bowel weren’t as mobile as they should be. Apparently I did very good prep ⭐️

Absolutely exhausted had a dominos chicken pizza for tea as was ravenous DH hadn’t bothered to think about tea for us 🙄 wrangled toddler into bed and now my turn to crawl under the duvet with hopefully a good sleep 😴

Thank you everyone for your support, hints, tips & wisdom.

if anyone finds this thread in the future my top tips are:

Chill the prep - mine was PLENVU mango
Pinch your nose and glug in 2 glasses with a chaser of lemonade in between
Keep up with fluids in between I had some lemon & lime jelly as it was on the permitted clear fluids list but check with your own hospital
Hot water bottle and laying out on my left side really helped as well between visits to the loo
Definitely plan a quiet day before and day of
Moist wipes - I got mine from Home Bargains (UK) sureness adult personal hygiene wipes in a blue packet good size and not too wet
Hang a nappy sack on your loo roll holder for ease of disposal and stay away from loo roll to reduce soreness!
Weleda nappy cream applied after every movement
Tena inco knickers - high waisted version also meant I could keep them on till last possible second underneath my hospital gown
soft sports bra again so I could keep it on and not have the twins roaming around
Moisturiser for after each hand wash as you’ll get raw skin from amount of handwashing you’ll do

I took an overnight bag just in case, I didn’t need to use it thankfully 😅 in it I had
Dressing gown
Charger
Kindle
Medication
Basic toiletries inc ear plugs
Hairbrush
Spare undies (tena and regular)
Cosy socks
Water bottle

Do it step by step rather than think about it overarching as a colonoscopy 💖

Was anyone else who had a colonoscopy with sedation super emotional the next day? I’ve been all over the place 🤪 😵‍💫

@endocolonoscopy it sounds like it went as well as it could of done.

Hopefully your tips will help others
I took my dressing gown too , and my phone and power bank but was told i wouldn't need them then sat around four hrs waiting to be seen.

We're you allowed to keep your undies on until you were wheeled in ?
I had to strip off completely apart from my socks, I had some very sexy ( not ) blue shorts with a large slit in the back and two theater gowns one worn back to front one the right way around.

I didn't have GA for this but have had it the past and yeah my head and emotions were all over the place the day after so I tried to sleep as much as possible.

Hoping so 🤞🏻

Yes I kept my knickers on until last possible second shimmied them off and popped them in a nappy sack I had brought with me then the nurse popped them in the bin (disposal tena ones). They were happy with this and also ok with me keeping a sports bra on underneath my gown - the nurse had originally said keep your tshirt on underneath however I was feeling very flustered so did t want to overheat even more! I then turned to me left and the coloniscopist just lifted the flap open on the back of the gown. I also had my fluffy socks on to keep my feet warm.

I’ve had some crampy pains today but buscopan has soothed them and I’ve been very careful not to do my usual 110%

Last time I had a GA I was super emotional and anxious afterwards so putting it down to having sedating drugs!

Early bed tonight again hoping I sleep through 🤞🏻

Wishing you well as far as the results go, OP - glad the procedure wasn't too bad. X

UPDATE
Colonoscopy was thankfully clear and the samples taken were as well. Gastro now leaning towards BAM (bile acid malabsorption) that can happen to some people post gallbladder removal. Have a follow up appt next week to discuss the plan going forward 💖