Colonoscopy

I work in bowel screening and have a lot of people coming for colo. if you have someone who will take you home and be with you for 24hrs ask to have sedation. Use a barrier cream while taking the prep. Feel free to pm me if you wish and we can have a chat through

Try not to worry , I have had this procedure twice and it’s really fine. The preparation just means staying close to your loo, but is ever so easy really . The actual procedure is not painful, there is a sedation beforehand so you don’t feels anything , although you are aware enough to watch on the screen if you would like to, if not it is easy to just ‘zone out’.
You are given appropriate underwear to wear at the hospital to keep your dignity, I usually take a book or magazine whilst waiting. Afterwards everything is explained to you which is interesting and reassuring. You will be the other side of it in no time, and will be absolutely fine. Sometimes if I am not looking forward to something I plan a treat afterwards to have something to look forward to. Good luck xx

My DD (20) had one a few months ago and like you she was terrified but she found it to be fine.

The pre med drink thing was pretty fast acting so make sure you’re near a loo and have plenty of soothing aloe Vera wipes to hand.

She opted for sedation and says she doesn’t remember any pain or discomfort although she does remember shouting out - but they instantly gave her more pain relief. Apparently young women’s bowels can be a bit tricky to navigate because they haven’t stretched as much as older women’s and she is tiny - a size 4 (not through choice, she has digestive problems hence the colonoscopy). Afterwards she was taken into recovery where I was allowed to see her. There was a far amount of wind coming out of the back door but the staff were very respectful and didn’t bat an eyelid. Her blood pressure was quite low so she was monitored for a while and then given some squash which seemed to help. Within an hour or two she was ready to go home with no discomfort or pain at all. She’s got a very low pain threshold but honestly, she had no problems with the pain relief and sedation - it was over very quickly.

Good luck

I have not read all four pages, as I am positive they will all say the same thing:

1. It is completely understandable to be worried.
2. The prep the night before is the worst bit.
3. Ask for sedation.
4. All the staff involved are lovely, will understand your concerns and will protect your modesty
5. It is a walk in the park compared to many other procedures.
6. You'll wonder why you stressed about it!

Are you having a colonoscopy to confirm bowel cancer, or to rule it out? I was strongly advised to have one in October, even though I have no symptoms, and I cancelled it. You don't have to do everything doctors say. In Scotland you would only be offered a colonoscopy if there were e.g. unexplained weight loss or blood in the stool. The NHS are supposed to be changing to this method this year. Of course if you do have symptoms the colonoscopy could save your life, and I felt the same as you until I met an acquaintance who said it was a piece of cake, she had a local anaesthetic and it was fine. It seems to be the preparation, all that drinking to clear the bowel, that people find distasteful rather than the procedure itself....

I was told it was highly unlikely that I had cancer but went ahead with the colonoscopy, I did have cancer and I am alive to tell the tale. I could have accepted the Drs assumption but I knew my own body.
I have had seven endoscopies but given the choice I would have the colonoscopy over the gastroscopy.
Follow the prep diet and do not drink any coloured liquids may skew the results. I found sucking boiled sweets helped relieve the monotony and took the taste of the prep away.
Take the sedation it helps you relax.
I only have half my bowel now but each time I go back they find three or four polyps, they remove them and all is well.

Had the procedure without sedation. It was over quite quickly and could go home soon after.

I was dreading mine too but was treated so well with such kindness and gentleness it was passed before I knew it.
The prep is a bit yuk but keep taking all the fluid suggested and it will be fine.
Take the meds offered to relax you before the procedure there is no point in unnecessary discomfort.
I got the result immediately after the procedure.
Good luck

I had colon cancer so I've had a few, they're a breeze. The worst part is the prep ?.
I don't have any sedation since my very first one, they put a cannula in my hand so if I decide it's too uncomfortable they just push the sedation straight through & it's instantaneous.
I prefer it without as then I'm totally with it, I can watch it on the camera, ask questions while it happens and best of all... Have my cuppa and snack as soon as I'm done and go straight home.
Good luck ? x

My hospital dept was a long walk from main entrance. I was told I would not be allowed home unless I had a friend. to come and collect me. My husband is 81 and found it a difficult long walk. It may be better, that you have a younger and fitter support to be with you.

Bluebird64, You don't need to have symptoms of cancer to have a Colonoscopy.. In England and in France family history is taken into account, genetics.
Birmingham's Womes Hospital have a cancer genetics group where they determine if you need this type of additional screening, which as both my parents had bowel cancer at fairly young ages they determined regular colonoscopies. This is the same in France.
Nobody wants to have one especially if no symptoms but if the medical profession advise it then possibly foolish to ignore. Interestingly my siblings with no symptoms and under 60 also had colonoscopies in Scotland.

As others say the prep is the worst bit. At one point I just could not leave the toilet. On the day sedation was not discussed but I was given some IV meds so assume that was the norm for where I was. I remember talking to the nurse briefly and then must have gone to sleep. I remember a bit of discomfort as they were moving the tube round and was aware I was holding onto the nurse's hand and must have gone to sleep again as I next remember waking on the ward. Personally I wouldn't take any of your own meds before as you may not be able to take what they have available which may be better. Please don't worry. I am sure all will go well.

I have to have annual colonoscopies because I'm a one-woman polyp factory. I do understand your concerns, but there's no real need to worry unduly. You will be offered sedation, which helps a great deal. I was very lucky to find an endoscopist who shared my love of jazz, and he used to play some recordings for me during the procedure. The nurses are always lovely because they expect people to be anxious. As you might imagine, I have become very used to colonoscopies, and usually watch the screen as the camera works it's way round, but, of course, there's no obligation to do so. Like mammograms and smears, I see them as a necessary evil. I'm sure you'll wonder what you were worried about. Good luck.

I agree with Harrigran. Much prefer the colonoscopy.

I had one a couple of years ago at the same time as an endoscopy. Great, two cameras at the same time!! It was a lot less stressful than I thought it would be. My consultant was really nice and put me at ease. The worst part was the Moviprep I had to drink beforehand. I tried all different ways to drink it but none of them worked and I ended up throwing up a few times. It was like drinking lemon flavoured salty petrol. Never again! The smell reminded me of apple and mango J20, which I used to like, but ever since I've not been able to drink it. Good luck and you'll be fine. If you have any concerns speak to the hospital. x

You have all been so kind. Thank you. I feel much better tonight and actually ate some Christmas chocolate. I am having sedation but I’ve been told it’s very light which concerns me. I’ve had 2 endoscopies and they differed greatly. The first sedation was far stronger than the second. I’ll try to stay calm but can’t promise Thanks again everyone you’ve made such a difference.

I think they say ‘light’ to let you know that it’s not a heavy sedation that will render you practically unconscious - some people don’t like that, and it means you’ll come round quicker after it, rather than needing hours in recovery. Someone who knows more may clarify that though.

Hope it all goes well. They’ll be used to nervous patients and if it’s anything like my daughter’s experience they’ll be very reassuring and will keep you calm

Alypoole , I’v also had this procedure done like the others and it’s really a doddle !! No way is it as bad as you imagine... You’l be fine it will be over and done with in a crack ! ( pardon the pun ) ... just wait till you see the pants you are given to wear ! Now they will put a smile on your face ?... chin up and big hugs we will all be thinking of you !!... xx

Put Vaseline on your bum after each 'explosion', follow the directions to the letter, and apart from the discomfort of bowel motions being off the scale of the Bristol Stool Chart, you'll find it's all over by bedtime and you may well be complimented for a 'good bowel prep'.
The procedure is no problem and can be fascinating watching your own colon passing like the walls of a tube train tunnel!

What was unpleasant for me is a procedure that will never trouble any member of the fair sex, and that was an ultrasound guided prostate biopsy conducted p.a. AKA, up your bum and punching holes in your bowel wall!
As far as the outcome is concerned, any findings are just that. You can decide what is done after proper advice, and remember that any 'nastiness' is already in situ and not caused by the colonoscopy. Ignoring the possible problem may delay the ultimate result, but it will certainly exacerbate your worries. Get it done, and act accordingly. Good Luck!

I had one in Sept. and the prep. was a self administered enema. I couldn't work out how to do it at first, then spread a tarpaulin on my bed, lay on my side and tried to squirt the stuff into my bum. It wouldn't come out at first.
I didn't have that special diet and drink that most of you have mentioned
I didn't do a very good job but evidently it was good enough.
The test itself was a doddle compared with the prep.

That sounds more like the sigmoidoscopy Fennel. OH had one of those that showed polyps, hence the colostomy.
The bit that is worrying me is that he has to have the second lot of gunk tomorrow morning, then we have to drive for half an hour to get to the hospital for 8am. ?

... colonostomy (coloscopie in French, getting confused).

.. colonoscopy

My DH is to have a colonoscopy however he has been given an enema to self administer once the appointment is known. Is this unusual?

It's more likely to be for a sigmoidoscopy, Keeper1, which only goes a little way up the sigmoid colon. For a full colonoscopy the full prep with either Moviprep or Picolax is required.