Anyone had a colonoscopy and can share what to expect?

[Todayishatmyself]

Anyone had a colonoscopy? I’m dreading it but I think it’s the unknown that’s bothering me. Any tips? Is a sedative better than gas & air? How did you feel afterwards?

That’s my plan! It says 5pm but I’m going to take it at 3pm

That was really unprofessional of the nurse. It's only a drink. It's a small price to pay for having the gold standard procedure of checking your bowels.

Good luck op. The drink is bad and hard to get through. The procedure is fine, especially with sedation which makes it very relaxing.

Chill it and chug it. I kept taking large mouthfuls using a straw every few minutes, it didn't take me long to get it down. It also didn't taste as bad as I expected it to.

1st lot done, not pleasant but not as bad as the nurse made it sound, definitely better chilled

DH had one yesterday he said the preparation was definitely the worst part of it. He got through procedure with gas and air and whilst uncomfortable and slightly painful with biopsy it was bearable.

Forgot to say definitely chill the drink and use a straw!

I’ve drunk all the prep but despite some cramps nothing is happening. Worried now as don’t want to have gone through all that for nothing if they can’t do the test as it hasn’t worked!!

Mine didn't start working until I almost finished the second part

I had a little movement after the first dose for about an hour but the second dose did the trick.

Tbh it wasn’t half as bad as I was expecting. The prep was fine - I did it over a weekend so the continual shits were not a problem. (Not really shit - more like a tap pouring out of your arse but top tip to daub with sudacrem beforehand).

I opted for sedation and was surprised at how light touch it was, it was slightly uncomfortable ‘round the bend’ as pp said but otherwise ok - staff were chill. Over in around 20 mins. Told me it was all clear. It was a nice sunny evening and I think me and DH went to the pub afterwards!

Well that was a nightmare. Prep worked fine but was up til 3am. On the plus side they said my prep was excellent. BUT, they couldn’t get a cannula in for sedation so tried with gas & air & it was too painful so they had to abandon it. So upset, all that effort with the prep for nothing & I’ll have to go through it all again.

Nooo I didn’t know it was that hard re a cannula.

They’ll have to ensure it doesn’t happen again surely.

I am so sorry. What a nightmare. All that effort for nothing.

They said your veins disappear if you’re dehydrated but that’s what the prep does to you. They tried 3 times so I’m all bruised. So so disappointing & frustrating that I’ll have to do it all again.

Oh no, how much extra water did you have?

I had to do it twice as plenvu made me sick near the end of the second dose. I changed to moviprep the following week. I was so disappointed to get that close for it to be cancelled.

Good luck next time, you’ll be so pleased when it’s over.

I had lots of extra water but the diarrhoea didn’t stop til 3am & I wasn’t allowed anything to drink from 4am, 5 hours before my appointment time. In all the years I’ve had bloods taken or Iv meds they’ve never failed to find a vein.

I have no memory of mine, I started on gas and air and remember the surgeon saying my bowel prep was adequate. I got a bit arsed and told him that I wanted it recorded that I had a sparkly colon.
I don't remember anything after that. Follow up he told me that I had a sparkly colon but nothing else was discovered.
My dh was with me and surprised by the sparkling comment

You weren't allowed to drink 5 hours before your appointment?? I was only told to stop 2 hours before mine, and that's because I was having a gastroscopy first. I think they gave you bad advice.

5 hours? I’d check this I only had to stop water 2 hours beforehand.

I followed the instructions to the letter. 5 hours is what it said.

I believe you. I’m more wondering about their reasoning.

I would give feedback to them that they told you to stop drinking far too early, which resulted in your dehydration and failed colonoscopy and you do not want that to happen again.

Actually just checked again & the letter says 4 hours before but that makes little difference as appointment was 9am so I wouldn’t be awake drinking water at 4 or 5am!

Oh poor you OP. Maybe you can have a ct scan. The risk is if they find a polyp they'll need to do a colonoscopy anyway, but if it's clear the prep isn't as bad and you don't need sedation.

I’ve had a ct scan during a recent hospital stay. I have ulcerative colitis & diverticulitis. My crp test for inflammation is high & fit test is over 400, they usually only investigate further if it’s over 80. I need the colonoscopy but they’re now saying I shouldn’t have been booked in so soon after an admission but I wasn’t to know that, they’re the experts?!