Flexible Sigmoidoscopy ... please reassure me

[RubySlippers]

Am having this procedure next week and i am working myself into a tizzy

i had a non-flexible sigmoidoscopy and i found it very distressing (not quite sure why but i was very upset)

Can anyone who has had this investigation tell me a bit about it?

have been told it can take up to 20 mins

i am debating whether i should be sedated but that means someone to accompany me, and potentially feeling ropey for up to 24 hours

TIA

bump

Hi there , i had this procedure done a few months ago ,with no sedation and was ok , was more uncomfortable than anything els i had an anenima (sorry cant spell ) which was the worst of all the grippy tummy pains you get ( but do pass )

The procedure itself so i understood it was to look through a small camera the small intestine about 1\3 of the way up i had this done and he also took some biopsy to check everything was ok , the whole thing took about 20 min max before i knew it i was back in the recovery room .
I suffer with bad health anxiety so this was terrifying for me and like you was very scared but i must say it was really no where as bad as i thought .hope that helps you [smile ] and the staff were all so nice and kind .

Ruby, don't mean to sound crude but is this where they put the tube up your bum to have a look? don't want to share my experience if it's the wrong thing!

hi olivo , and yes it is .

sorry i know you wernt asking me , but thought id reply anyway .

I had a colonoscopy with sedation
It was okay but painful when the tube went round the corners

Thank you so much

i am sure the anitcipation is the worst bit

i don't know why i am being so silly

Olivio - that is the procedure

I thought the laxatives would be the worst bit but I followed the restricted diet list and tried to eat very little and it wasn't that bad

x posted with Califrau and TheBlonde

i am at cali's post - it is not every day that you get complimented on your colon

TheBlonde - how were you after the sedation? Do you think it made it "easier"?

i have to do the whole evacuation thing

they have sent me a bottle of stuff to take

Ive had a sig many times for Ulcerative colitis, been sedated as they get a better look without any pain.
felt groggy for few hours after, same as any anesthetic.
Good luck

@ cali

Lemonlady - so perhaps the sedation works for the patient and consultant

It depends on how far up the colon they want to see, its all bendy and twisted so my consultant always said easier for me and him i suppose to be sedated.
Have had full anesthetic few times but last time I had sedation which was just as good as didnt remeber a thing. (except different guy stunk of bo, would of been sick if been awake).
I opted for sleep. [grin}

euch at BO bloke

i am so tempted to go for sedation - just don't want to feel crapplo

you must have had to get used to procedures Lemon ...

God yeah I'd rather show my bum than my front bits ha ha. I was only 16 at time when I first had it done and about 15 since.

You will be fine,

I was okay after the sedation, just took it easy and had my mom look after the kids
I had the sedation because they did a endoscopy down the throat into the stomach first
That one was worse

sorry, just come back. i had one and to be honest, it wasn't too bad - and I am rubbish with people doing things. i remember being a bit taken aback by the stuff i had to drink to clear out working so quickly. i made sure I stayed with my sister the night before in case i felt a bit funny.I didn't have sedation, but to be honest, it was more uncomfortablet hen painful. I remember being VERY windy afterwards and quite surprised!

good luck, you'll be fine, and you're not being silly! definitely worse anticipating it!

thank you all for being so reassuring

really appreciate it

May I ask why you are having it done? I am scaring myself silly as I have to go to the docs tomorrow as I have had constipation, and a sore pain in my lower right side for 10 days now. My husband has cancer of the bowel and liver, diagnosed in April, so I am scared to say the least.

Hi RubySlippers I have had several rigid sigmoidoscopies { not as invasive as a flexible one } and a couple of colonoscopies - having another colonoscopy in a couple of weeks.

None of the procedures have been too bad at all but I would definitely have the sedation if you can. It makes you pretty much forget everything about the procedure and relaxed about what they are doing. The worst discomfort I felt in my sedated colonoscopies was the occasional crampy period type pain. The thought of the procedure is far worse than the actuality.

Hope all goes well with your appt too triplets. Understandable that you feel worried but hopefully it will all be ok.

Hi, feel abit reassured tonight. Doc examined me front and back, though how much they can tell from that I dont know. She is convinced its IBS caused by the immense stress we are under, giving me some meds to take, and wants to run some blood tests to make sure. She also talked about counselling and I have agreed to give it a try, though exactly how that will help in the area I need it I dont know. It wont help being 56 looking after 3xs 10 yr olds plus a very sick husband, I am exhausted! She asked how much support I get, and help.Well I get support on here, but in rl not alot, and certainly no help with the kids. Anyway feeling not quite so worried tonight. Thank you all for being concerned xx