What happens in a colonoscopy?

[MonsteraAddict]

I understand the procedure in theory but how does it happen?
Are you on your side? Does the nurse do the prep and insertion?
Are you covered with a blanket?
Do they talk during the process?
Did you choose sedation or gas and air?

I have mine in a few weeks and I'm getting anxious. Any experiences that you can share will be so appreciated

ive had 2, just laid on my side. Was a dr did both of mine with nurses present. I didn’t feel a thing when it went in. Some mild discomfort going through bowel but I was nicely sedated the prep is the worst part for me tbh.
I was only offered sedation. You need someone to come to pick you up though.

I took all the sedation, lay on my side and had a great nap. I always recommend the sedation.
The prep was the worst bit.

I was sedated so I don't really remember much, I take all the drugs for every medical procedure. I do recall that I was on my side and I came too for a few moments as they were trying to wriggle the camera around a tight corner in my bowel. That was a painful moment. It's such a worthwhile procedure though. I felt fine afterwords, didn't want much food and just pottered about at home the next day while my body settled down.

The prep is the worst bit. I managed to throw up and faint going into hospital after over 24hrs without food. Try not to do this.

Prep is the 48 hours before at home. Its a bowel cleanse and is yuck, but not painful. Drink it through a straw to avoid tasting it is the tip I learnt from here!

I have had loads! It's honestly fine. The prep beforehand (the drink that clears you out) is the worst bit. If you have an enema then a nurse will do this for you.

You lay on your left side, covered over. If you have sedation then they'll pop a cannula in and give you some drugs which make you feel slow and sleeping but aware. I get oxygen too through a nasal cannula rather than mask. The Dr puts the camera in and you can watch it on the screen. You can ask questions etc and there will be a nurse there to support you. I have always found them very friendly. Afterward, you forget everything! Thats the joy of the sedation.

It will be ok, please try not to worry.

Done by a doctor but with at least one nurse as well. Laid on my side but w I had sedation but really didn't feel at all sedated. as asked to roll over part way through. Was quite painful at one point and I was offered gas and air.
The prep was the hardest part.

I've had lots of them (I have Crohn's)
The prep is the worst bit, take the sedation as it helps with the pain a lot. You are still conscious and have to move around a bit so not totally out of it (and if you are interested you can watch it on a screen, it's quite interesting in a slightly revolting way)

One word of warning, the NHS used to use MoviPrep which was fine, the people who made it brought out a new thing called PlenVu which is absolutely disgusting, horrifically sweet and so called mango flavour, makes you feel incredibly nauseous and lots of people vomit and it goes on and on AND doesn't work properly. I had a long conversation with my Consultant about it after my first ever failed colonoscopy in 35 years due to this and he said they have all sorts of problems with it but had used it because it's cheaper. If they try and give you this ask for Picolax instead which has no flavour and works quickly and is over quickly! I was up all night with terrible stomach pain on PlenVu and when I repeated it with Picolax it was a walk in the park (comparatively). He said they have stopped using it at our hospital now due to the number of failures, but thought I should warn you

Plenty of things like this online
vomiting after plenvu second dose! : r/colonoscopy

I would also get some windeze tablets as you can get a bit of painful trapped wind afterwards if they pump too much air in.

I’ve had a few (I have crohns) and the procedure itself isn’t too bad at all (can sometimes get painful, but they will give you pain relief during if necessary). You will be asked to put on a hospital gown and some (in my mind pointless) modesty knickers that have a flap at the back to allow access to your butt.

I have always had sedation, but I’ve always been awake for the procedure despite this (might be due to having red hair possibly, we can be a bit immune to sedation/anaesthesia), but it must have some effect, because though I remember it and what’s said it’s all a little foggy, like trying to remember a dream. If you opt for sedation you have to have someone who will pick you up and stay with you overnight.

It’s generally a Dr that will do the procedure but there will be a nurse or two assisting. Everyone has always been very nice. You lie on your left side (though they may ask you to roll over to get a better access or view sometimes). They will bring your report to you once it’s typed up while you wait in the recovery room (where you will get a drink and some biscuits) and explain what the next steps will be if you need any follow up care or advice.

As others say the prep is the worst part. Get it really cold before you drink it, and have something to take a glug of after each drink of it. I’ve found appletizer or 7up work for me, it just takes your mind off the nastiness of taste of the prep. Good luck.

I was given a pair of "modesty" shorts that have a split in the back. I lay on my side and a doctor inserted the tube. There was a screen that I could watch the procedure on and nurses were in attendance. From memory it took about 30 minutes. I didn't have any sedation as I had to drive myself home, but the nurses had prepped me with a cannula in case I changed my mind during the procedure. I had 3 polyps removed there and then, but didn't feel anything apart from very minor discomfort about half way through. Everyone involved was very calm and lovely. By far the worst thing was the prep stuff you need to drink beforehand.

You will start off on your side but will need to roll on to your back, other side, and possibly tummy, at certain points. Most people don’t remember all the moving around because of the sedation. The staff help you get in the right position.

The sedation didnt work for me either. I felt all of it and was completely aware. It was painful to the point where they had to stop but I
have a weird bowel!
I had one a few years back, sedation didn't work then either

I had one for severe left abdominal pain..it was done very quickly.no oral prep,an enema just before
Late mil told me it was very painful, asked for sedation,was told it was possible because I would be required to move. Yes, firstly left side,camera inserted and some air..it was performed by the gastro consultant. He looked down at me, said he recognised me! I worked on another ward in the hospital! He said it might be painful because my gut was inflamed,it wasn't. I had had ridged proctoscope and sigmoid,they were painful . He explained everything as he went. Bit of wind discomfort afterwards.

.
.

Sedation was NOT possible

I wasn't offered sedation but I really wish I was because I was in absolute agony during the procedure and was crying my eyes out. I'm really sorry. If you get the option of sedation I would say go for it. When they was putting the air in my stomach it was like I was being blown up from the inside. I would never have that procedure again even if I needed it unless I was out of it
But that's just me, different for everyone

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5396189-does-anyone-know-about-colonoscopy-prep-posting-here-for-traffic .

This thread started by @sashh Last year may answer some of your questions.
I have had one and like pp I found the taste and texture of the prep almost as bad as the procedure.
I couldn't have sedation as I was alone.
You get to wear some ultra sexy paper shorts that have a slit in the bum and the traditional hospital gown.
You lie on your left side with your knees drawn up to chest , they insert the camera and look around

It's uncomfortable but not very painful.

Make sure you follow the diet rules beforehand or you will have to go through it all again.

I've had loads and recommend to take sedation. The consultant will do the procedure. It's over before you know it. They pump a ton of air into you, so when you come out, fart to your hearts content, they do tell you this, otherwise the next day you get bad trapped wind pains.

Thank you to you all for taking the time to tell me as it is. I am nervous..... but I'll just have to hope I'm not someone that will find it painful. I don't have many symptoms at the moment so hoping this will help. I so wish I didn't need to have this.

I’m about to have my 5th in 10 months. As previous posters have said, the prep is the worst bit. I’ve only had plenvu and ended up with a thrombosed haemorrhoid last time. The actual procedure is fine. I have sedation, but with each one I’ve become more aware during the procedure. I only need the gas and air when they are going around the bends, but it’s discomfort not pain. You will start on your side, they will move you around onto your back at one point and then back your side. You can watch on the screen or just relax and hopefully nod off. My last one we just chatted away and listened to the radio. I’ve had surgeons and doctors do mine (which part of why I need a 5th, bickering between themselves)

I hope it goes well for you OP. Please don’t worry.

How long do you normally have to go without food beforehand? Don't people get weak and faint? Are you not allowed to drink?

You are bound to be nervous, we all were the first time .
But I promise you, you'll be fine after it's all over.
I farted so much I think I could of jet propelled the bus home !

Thank you so much. It is nice to know that there are others out there that know and are supportive. I will think of how you were all brave enough and just get on with it. I am such a wimp!!

Goodness! Five in ten months - you poor woman. Some of you deserve medals!!

Actually, the idea of modesty pants has helped a bit 😂 I am going to have all the sedation and anything else on offer before the indignity of it.

You will also be in the bathroom non stop during prep day. You can't leave the house as once it gets going it really clears you out. It's a proper boxset and doomscroll day.

Once the water came out clear I knew I had a sparkling clean digestive system.

The Plenvu was a doddle for me - much better than my partner's Moviprep. Yes it hard to get down but I found that starting low fibre diet a day earlier than recommended made it easy on the night prep (based on what others had told me). As for the procedure everyone was nice - I had insisted on Propofol so it was done with an anesthetist present as well - hence being completely out of it. My partner went down the conscious sedation route done by the endoscopist and while not out of it said it was okay as well. If I need another I'd only consider Propofol but that's just my preference. Good luck, you'll be fine!