Colonoscopy tomorrow

[GenericDietCola]

I have a colonoscopy tomorrow due to symptoms and a positive FIT test. I’m feeling a bit anxious about the outcome, although I know cancer is less likely than some other benign causes. I’m also not looking forward to the bowel prep tonight as I suffer a lot with nausea (recently diagnosed as gastritis via a gastroscopy). Hopefully I’ll be able to get the laxative down!

Anyone got any words of advice or experience to share?

The prep is the worst part - but manageable and take any sedation offered. Drink as much water as you can - I ended up with a banging headache through dehydration! Good luck!

I've had two colonoscopies as I have a long history of digestive issues.

I can honestly say the whole procedure is so much easy than we all think it's going to be. I got myself into quite a state the first time but it was absolutely fine in the end and the staff (both times) were so kind, they know most people dread these procedures so go out of their way to keep you calm.

I'll be honest, the prep is the worst part, once you are through that it's a breeze. I suffer from daily nausea so understand your concerns. My tip with regards to the prep (I've done prep 3 times as I've also had a pill camera endoscopy) is to chill the drink as much as possible (or use chilled water) and drink it with a straw, it's much more palatable cold. In-between the prep I drank ginger cordial to ward off the nausea and sucked on clear mint sweets (those foxes glacier mints).

Honestly, you will be fine and the first meal after is wonderful as you will be starving.

I personally would rather have a colonoscopy again than a gastroscope, I do not do well with those at all!

Good luck, it will be all fine.

Lots of luck OP, will cross fingers for you. My tips for the prep: don’t plan to do anything else this evening (including looking after children); drink it cold if you can and use a straw (I found this helped reduce the unpleasant taste). I think you can also add cordial (but double check).

Definitely use a straw - it helped me as I didn’t like the taste.

The fear of it is worse than the reality of it.

💐

Thanks for the tips- I will use a straw! I also have ginger cordial ready for the occasion.

If you have sudocrem or Vaseline available apply it as a barrier cream otherwise you will end up sore.

Also if in doubt head for the loo - once things get going they really get going.

How is the prep going op? Good luck for tomorrow

Colonoscopy is a doddle compared to a gastroscopy! Good luck you will be fine

My experience was everyone said the prep is worse than the procedure, to be fair the prep drink is awful. But I went on thinking oh it'll be fine but luckily they put a just in case canula in as I went in thinking oh it'll be fine. Half way through the pain was awful and they gave the sedation as the pain was worse then any prep drink. Listen to your own needs as everyone is different, the prep isn't always easier than the procedure

I’m similar to the others. The prep is definitely the worst part of it.

But definitely use a barrier cream on your bottom or you will get sore. And take the sedation.

Good luck with it OP

Take the sedation!

Thanks for all the advice, all went ok. Prep was unpleasant but I’m glad it’s over!

Hopefully you've been able to have something nice to eat now, I was absolutely starving by the time I got home when I had mine.

Glad it went well for you.

Glad it’s over and done for you OP. I have mine coming up in a few weeks 😞

I have a question about the second dose…is it as bad as the first and how long does it last? I have been told to take second dose at 6am but need to take kids to school for 8am and wondering if this is even possible.

The second dose tends to be just water coming out as most of the solids will be gone by then. I don't know whether I would be brave enough to risk it! Anyone else who can take them?

Oh! I’d better arrange some help then.