Any colonoscopy company around? Prep starts on the 10th September 🤮

[rivalsbinge]

So I have some pretty awful random and painful symptoms that have flared for 5 weeks, and finally got an appointment for a colonoscopy and a throat one at the same time.

Ive just scared myself silly about the procedure and prep is what’s worrying me the most, I have a tiny home and no en-suite and I’m thinking I may have to set up a bed on the bathroom floor.

any tips, anyone having the same procedure at the same dates? I’m normally ok I’ve had generals and 2 surgery’s but for some reason this is worrying me way more.

Also is it true I’ll be fine in a day? I have a super important meeting on the Monday and this procedure is on the Friday morning.

Thanks and any tips advice or solidarity appreciated.

It’s make sure everyone knows you have first dibs on the loo. My procedure was in the morning and like you thought I’d have to sleep in bathroom but I’d cleared out by time I went to bed. You’ll be fine an hour or do after you have it even with sedation.

I am having the assessment on Thursday. Have been referred for assessment as have had bad stomach ache since 01 July, morning diarrhoea and am losing weight. I think (and am hoping) this is due to gallbladder but latest GP wants bowels checked too.

I have not even started worrying about it yet as I have a feeling they may not think it's worth doing as FIT test was normal. But I'll follow your posts to see what's in store if I need it done.

What exactly are you worried about? I've had a throat one a few years back. Not great but not awful.

What symptoms did you have - if you don't mind me asking. Obviously don't answer that if you don't want to.

Are you having sedation? I definitely will if I have to have it done. Had Fentanyl a few years back when had to have a metal plate put in my wrist and had it again when having the Endoscopy. Sounds bad but I like a bit of Fentanyl. Got too much to lose to start taking drugs as a habit but if I have to have a grim procedure done it's a tiny positive.

Hope yours goes well and I'll update if I have to have it done and get a date.

Mix the prep with cordial and make sure it is cold
it makes it a bit more palatable

yes you’ll need to be in the loo so get comfy - iPad and a book - it shouldn’t be all night tho - the prep is very effective
make sure do follow the low reside diet as that does make a difference
you may be a bit windy afterwards but you should be fine for Monday and most likely by Saturday (

I have Crohn's and have an annual colonoscopy. I've also had an endoscopy and flexi sigmoidoscopy. I always take the sedation when offered (and I ask for an extra dose of it for the colonoscopy). I also always accept gas and air if offered.

The hospital teams have always been so professional and put me at ease.

The prep is also absolutely fine (and I'm extremely sensitive and squeamish). I am given Plenvu and mix it up ahead of time and refrigerate so it's cold. I drink it through a straw and alternate it with sips of lemonade. I don't find the using the loo part especially dramatic. The first dose might only make me need the loo a few times, then I go more with the second dose.

If I had a procedure on Friday, I would be back in work on Monday. You'll be fine.

Oh thank you so much!

So I had my gallbladder removed 18 months ago due to stones and infection, and have been fine no symptoms all good, starting to put weight back and and smooth recovery. And next thing I know I have the exact same stabbing pain as a gallbladder attack minus my gallbladder. It’s been right sided stabbing pain for 5+ weeks now, I’ve been admitted and no stones shown on the ultrasound and bloods apparently all ok.

Im now under a consultant who has booked a more detailed MRI for that area, plus a look up and down to see if he can work out what’s going on, I just need to get rid of this pain.

I have days when it’s mild and other when it’s super painful, so can’t plan anything!

I think I’m nervous about time frame for being fine as I had some surgery and was told I’d be back to work after 2 weeks and I was still very much not ok!

I had a cervical cell removal and was again about a week before I was able to commute.

So I was just checking this wasn’t another one of those short, you’ll be fine ones!

In my case the prep was awful. It made me very ill and weak.
My procedure was early pm, so I started the evening B4.
I just struggled to drink it all, at one point near the last bit I just couldn't keep it down.
I was very dehydrated despite having loads of extra drinks in-between etc.
Not everyone has it like this of course but I wanted to be honest.
I wasn't well for a couple of days after but I would have been ok in time for the Monday you're describing.

@TcatehI really do appreciate that I find the NHS leaflets a bit “may get some tummy ache” and I’d rather be told may feel weak and dehydrated, just so I can be ready..

I’ve had a few, all without sedation.

The prep is a bit arduous due to the volume, but if the low residue diet before as advised and put Sudocreme on your bottom as soon as it starts to work and every time you visit the loo afterwards.

I’m always a bit gassy and tired for the rest of the day, but absolutely fine after that.

Hope you find out the cause of your pain

@Muchtoomuchtodoi think based on my notes I have sedation booked in, but thanks for the sudocrem tip it mentioned that in the leaflet!

@rivalsbinge you don’t need to take the sedation if you don’t want it.

I didn’t have anyone to collect me on my first one so had no choice and while it can be a bit uncomfortable at times, I’ve found it very tolerable with no sedative. I can drive myself home and not need supervision.

Vile, vile stuff the prep - I got it down using a variety of methods as above, somehow. However, having to get up at 4:30am to take second lot was an evil idea on the part of the hospital - so horrible a thing to get up early for - apparently it was an ok time as folks get up for planes at that hour!

I just threw all second lot up though - but fortunately all was still clear enough - must have worked enough night before.

The colonoscopy was easier than the prep -no sedation but plenty of gas and air and all was fine. I felt ok pretty fast - not sure I’d have wanted to do a presentation that day but by day after I was good to go.

Best of luck with it 💗

i have my husband able to collect and drive me, but I’m pretty good with gas and air.

I think I’ll go for the sedation as I also have the throat one as well and I’m not to sure how I’ll react to that and can’t have gas and air at the same time.

Is it chalky? Texture or just the taste? You’d think they would find a way to mask the taste by now? Is there zero alternative like an injection or tablets?

Like sweat I thought - not that I’ve tried sweat tbf! It’s a bit claggy - but idk really it’s worse the more you drink. My daughter tried a sip and said it wasn’t nice, but not awful. The more I drank the more I felt sick. I agree there can’t be a need for it to taste so revolting nowadays - guess they don’t care haha. No alternative as far as I’m aware though I do think one prep available is slightly more acceptable than the other but you get what your hospital uses - I’ve only tried one.

Just noticed you’re having an endoscopy so you will need sedation in my opinion for sure. Gas and air fine for me on actual colonoscopy but it suits me well - the procedure was a relief after the prep and I recovered fast so at least keep thinking it will all be done soon.

Im a bit of a baby when vomiting tbh so the experience of drinking it and throwing it back up has probably coloured my view of the entire thing! My eldest dies agree it’s all vile though.

It won’t be as bad as you think (had one a few months ago).
My advice for the preparation is to get yourself some mega incontinence pads/pants and wear them just in case! Might not be necessary but gives confidence.

The most recent one I had was a mango flavour first dose and an almond flavour next dose ( or might've been the other way round)
Huge improvement on the previous ones.

I didn't find the moviprep that bad. I had a glass of lemonade and took a tiny sip after every mouthful. Also use a straw. Just stay near a toilet. Nobody was allowed in the downstairs loo while I was on it.

I’ve had a couple of colonoscopies. As PPs have said the worst part is the prep - I’ve always had Plenvu which tastes salty and sweet with an artificial fruit flavouring that doesn’t taste like any fruit I’ve ever tasted before. First one is easier to get down I always get nauseous during the second and throw it back up (but luckily still seems to do its job). You’re on the toilet for a few hours (Sudocrem is your friend) The procedure I always have done with sedation - so can’t comment on what it’s like without. I find I get a banging headache both before and afterwards I’d guess due to dehydration. An enormous strong coffee and a painkiller once it’s all done sorts it out.

I’ve had one gastroscopy again with sedation. Bit unpleasant but not painful and completed very quickly.

I've had 2 colonoscopies and both were absolutely fine and I took the sedation. I didn't find the prep that bad either. Follow the dietary guidelines to the letter though.
Haven't had the endoscopy though and I'm surprised they're doing it on the same day.
I'm sure you'll be fine. It's never as bad as you think. Xxx

@Iluvgenehunt I was as well so checked and yes they are doing both on the same day same consultant. I’m assuming one after the other.

The prep was fine. Just don’t try and do it without sedation. Ask me how I know 😬

I had both on the same day earlier this year and it was fine. I had sedation. They did the endoscopy first and I don’t remember any of it beyond them putting the mouth guard in. I was turned around and the colonoscopy most of the way through before I was aware. That was because they were pushing me around quite hard to get the scope where they needed it, but I am a challenging case due to prior surgery and they couldn’t see everything they wanted.

I was fine the same evening after I’d had plenty of tea and toast 😀

I had a colonoscopy recently. It was a morning appt. - 9:30? and that meant that I did the most intense prep the day before. The night before, I was all done so had a few hours' kip. I brought some snacks to eat afterwards - strawberries have never tasted so good. My info also said to bring a dressing gown/slippers and that is good advice.
The special drinks do taste vile. Mix them in advance, as per the instructions, and chill them. Also, use a straw and drink plenty of something else at the same time. Keep the sudocreme to hand, it really does help. Start the 'all white' low fibre diet a few days before to help clear out your system.
I had sedation, fentanyl, and it was fine but the staff are very hyped about that. You must plan for someone else to collect you - they will want to see/meet your lift.
I was fine the next day and if yours is on a Friday, you'll be plenty fine by Monday.
Best of luck!