Colonoscopy tips

[bananaapplepears]

I had a positive FIT test with a result of 13. I'd had one episode of bright red bleeding earlier in the year (following constipation) and one other episode of constipation. I'm early 40s. Now I've been referred for a colonoscopy. I've heard people vomit with the prep. I have emetophobia so need to know how common this is. Did you vomit during colonoscopy prep?
Any other tips except cooling the liquid and drinking through a straw?

My 96 year old dad donated to me a few pairs of his big blue Tena Man type knickers! I didn't need them and gave him a great laugh when I returned them to him the following week. He doesn't use them either, he has them just in case!

This is perfect advice 🙂
I didn't vomit, I'm emetophobic too and didn't feel like I would be sick.

If you're anything like me you are hyper vigilant regarding the "going to vomit" signs so at the first Signs of nausea I do the things that settle it.

OP you should be ok

Hi can I ask what you do to "settle" nausea? I occasionally get nauseous from a stomach issue. I hate the feeling, but it usually goes away with deep breathing some fresh air. I need something a bit more convenient than running outside ha ha!

Unfortunately it's air, deep breaths through my nose, a nap if I'm home (but propped up) nip to the loo to sit in peace for 10 minutes...

Nothing groundbreaking Im afraid!

I didn't vomit, or feel like it, but I agree with other tips about having something else to sip in-between the preparations.
Once you get there the staff were amazing and your dignity is their top priority.
I had gas and air and I actually enjoyed watching the camera as it worked its way around. I remember remarking on how beautiful the architecture of my colon was, but I think that was the gas and air talking!

Good luck, OP. The whole thing will be over before you know it.

You sound like you’re having g the better type of prep. My first time I had to drink 4 litres of liquid that smelt like petrol. The 2nd was just 2 much smaller drinks and that was a dawdle. Sounds like you’ve got that one ☝️

I was terrified before starting my prep a few months ago for the same reasons but it was totally fine - I wasn't sick and I didn't feel sick. I had Plenvu as well. I think it's the best one to have as you don't need to drink as much of it as you do for some kinds. Here's some tips that made it easier for me -

1. As others have said, get a bag of ice cubes in your freezer so you can make it cold.
2. Use a straw so you don't taste it as much.
3. Get some squash or similar to drink straight after - I found Robinsons Peach & Raspberry tasted remarkably similar so it hid the taste of the prep well!
4. Your poor bumhole WILL be in tatters at the end of it - vaseline throughout.
5. Order a detachable padded toilet seat from Amazon - you will be praising the lord for it by the second session.

It's not that bad a taste. Certainly not vomit inducing. I just glugged it back, job done

Same as me. Absolutely dreading the endoscopy gag reflex isnt great.

Marking place as I have just been referred...

Those of you who had it done, did they remove any polyps etc then and there? Found any fissures/internal hemorrhoids? Any recommended treatment?

Is that why it's all so painful to sit down afterwards?

My brother had polyps removed there and then. I think they cut them off. They tell you if they see hemorrhoids but they can't do anything about them.

It doesn't taste nice and there's a lot of it. If I ever had to do it again I would make with much less liquid, then take a swig and wash down with a glass of plain water or squash.

I had a colonoscopy and am also emetophobic.

I actually just couldn’t face doing the prep in the end. The fear was too great. Instead I did the diet and fasted for 24hrs and then the day before the procedure I paid privately for colonic irrigation. And after that, only drank clear fluids until the morning of my procedure.

When I told the nursing staff what I’d done, they weren’t happy with me and almost cancelled the whole thing. But the lovely consultant said we should go ahead and in the end my bowel was clear enough that they could see everything they needed to see. it wasn’t perfect, but good enough.

I sympathise so much. Over the years I’ve had loads of therapy and hypnotherapy for this bloody phobia. It ebbs and flows. I’ll have long periods of feeling almost completely cured. But when I’m stressed or anxious (like having to have a colonoscopy for example!) it comes right back again. I fucking hate it and wish it would fuck off forever.

It sounds like you did everything to clear the bowlel. I'm surprised they thought the prep could do more

Colonoscopy is tomorrow at 3.45pm. First lot of plenvu is at 7pm tonight. When can I expect to be stuck in the toilet? Will I be in there all night?

The prep just causes squits ... I have never earned or even felt sick with it.
Tip for the procedure itself ... use your labour breathing techniques and focus your whole mind on that.

Been, not earned ...

First lot doesn't do much, it's the second lot when it starts.

Thanks. Will continue to hope to get some sleep tonight then!

Just started my prep. Appointment at 10 am. I’m sooooo hungry.

Good luck! I'm now drinking the first dose of plenvu. Isn't as bad as I thought. Alternating it with sips of lemonade.

Done my first dose. Agree wasn’t as bad as I thought also alternated with water but feel so sick now and no movement down there yet. I hate being hungry and it makes me feel sick anyway without stomaching something I didn’t want to.

You can have boiled sweets and other stuff that I can't remember now!

This wasn’t my experience… first flushed everything away. It kick in 1-2hrs after finishing the formula and then you’re living on the toilet for a couple of hours. I started my prep at 8:30pm and went to bed at 11:30pm. The second dose for me wasn’t getting rid of much , just water.

You could try full fat/sugar Sprite or lemonade in between. It worked for me to keep me from that empty feeling, must have been the sugar in it! It's not for long and you will devour the tea and toast after the job is done! Are you taking sedation?