Colonoscopy, please advise

I chose sedation and found the procedure easy with it. I found the prep beforehand the worst part of it.

As everyone has said it’s the preparation before that is the worse. The sedation is just to relax you.

They found a large polyp which was too big to remove there and then so I had to go back to have it removed. A follow up this year found another small polyp which they removed and a follow up letter said it was harmless.

Had to have screening every three years due to bowl cancer, mother and sister. I just had sedation not too uncomfortable even though I had loop in colon. I was able to watch procedure on screen.

I was given so much sedation, I couldn't tell the medics I was in pain. It really hurt. Apparently I have a very twisty colon. I had back to back labour, but the colonoscopy was worse. If I have it again, I'll ask for lots of pain killer but no sedation.

Thank you, all, for your very helpful comments and advice. Much appreciated!

That’s right, lisangel10 endoscopy.
Apart from the throat spray, I was knocked out, so I didn’t find that to bad.
The rear end camera I found to be so uncomfortable even with fentanyl & gas & air, we are so lucky to have these tests, so I am not grumbling 😊

Mt61

I had that camera put down my throat, gave me horrible banana liquid first to numb my throat & midazolam, woke up to Billy Corkhill ( from brookside) in the next bed asking if “I had the full Monty”, only time I didn’t complain being on a mixed recovery bay 😊

That’s an endoscopy. I’ve had both plus a gastroscopy.
The colonoscopy is by far the most comfortable.

1st one without sedition was awful, 2nd one was brilliant with sedation, amazing watching the monitor, what goes on inside and then the doctor trying to remove a fiddly little polyp, seemed like he was playing a computer game, he wasn’t
giving up til he got it 😂 and nice cup of tea after. I could of drove but they recommended someone drive me home.

I'd definitely go for sedation

I had that camera put down my throat, gave me horrible banana liquid first to numb my throat & midazolam, woke up to Billy Corkhill ( from brookside) in the next bed asking if “I had the full Monty”, only time I didn’t complain being on a mixed recovery bay 😊

I have had loads of colonoscopies, but just one without sedation. On that one occasion the endoscopist was rough and it hurt. On all other occasions I had sedation; felt nothing and afterwards remembered nothing. Hospital ask for someone to accompany you not in case there’s bad news, but because you’ll feel a little fuzzy for a while.

I've had two gastroscopies without sedation, found them quite comfortable, and was able to drive myself home.However when I had a gastroscopy and a colonoscopy both at the same time, I opted for sedation. I was aware of what they were doing and could hear their comments. The sedation wore off quickly but a friend drove me home.

I had a sigmoidoscopy without sedation and was fine, slightly uncomfortable and actually watched it on the monitor.
Felt very pleased with myself as I has been dreading it.

I have had two, the last one a couple of months ago, both with GA quick and comfortable but I am in France so there was no choice that I know of.

The mild sedation did nothing for me. Found procedure uncomfortable, but I’m a big baby with anything medical. Went home on the bus alone. Felt fine.
Hope it goes well for you.

I have and it was nowhere near as bad as I expected. I got some good advice about the prep as that is the worst part.

5 days before the procedure, move to a very light diet. Soup, fruit, white fish. Avoid fibre, bread and cereals. I know that some patients have to come back for a second op if they have not done enough bowl prep.

Old mutton, who told you it might be bad news? That sounds rather unlikely if it was your GP. They can't possibly know the outcome before the procedure is performed. Nobody can.

I had a colonoscopy in August. I was all set to have sedation but at the last minute decided against it. There were a few times I felt very, very slightly uncomfortable (think really mild period pain) but otherwise it was way better than I expected. The stuff you have to drink beforehand isn't very nice though.

This question has come up just at the right time, I'm due a colonoscopy some time soon and whilst I'm not scared, I am a bit vervous so thanks for all comments, i feel a bit better now.

Just on the subject of transport to hospital etc., I have used the organisation called Good Neighbours which operates all over the country. The volunteer driver charges £4 plus £1.80 for one hour parking. GP surgery in town centre has no parking of its own.

I had the sedation and barely remember anything about the procedure. When I was completely alert I was given coffee and a sandwich and not permitted to leave the dept.until.my daughter came to collect me. The worst part was the rather gloopy prep, supposedly lemon flavoured, best drunk through a straw. I was advised by a friend, who has had several colonoscopies, to drink Bovril in between doses to get rid of the taste--worked ok

I did a stool sample thingy in France and the results came back. Doc said I have to have a colonoscopy. I have been terribly upset too, about a possible awful outcome. Cried buckets...

They gave me a light anaesthetic here, thank goodness.

Took my prep last night and this morning (cool it in the fridge, sip it with a straw) I had 500ml to drink. So I spread it over an hour, a quarter of the stuff every 15 minutes or so. I treated myself to sucking on a yellow jelly baby after each time but the prep stuff i had wasn't too bad. Then I had to drink a litre of water after that, over the next hour. I had 250 mls every 15 minutes. Whew! It took me 3 hours to watch a 1.5 hour long film last night .

I was very nervous but hubby helped keep me sane. Just discharged now. All OK with 2 small polyps removed but nothing suspicious.

Good luck!

I had one recently with sedation, and I don't actually recall any of it past the first few minutes where they were pumping air in, which was quite uncomfortable. I got a list there and then of what they'd seen; luckily nothing serious, but I think they would tell you if they thought it was. Yes, they sent a polyp off for biopsy.
I was told not to drive for 24 hours, and could not be left alone for 12 hours. I would certainly not have had it without sedation, although you don't need a full anaesthetic.
But I'm surprised some people have driven, they particularly checked that someone was with me Could you not take a friend with you? My neighbours all help each other out if necessary, no one minds being asked. Or Age Concern/Red Cross may be able to help. If you are upset you shouldn't drive either.

A coincidence to read your thread, Oldmutton, I'm having a relaxing day after having a colonoscopy yesterday afternoon.
(3 weeks ago I had what is called a 'CT Colonoscopy virtual', after 2 days on a 'low residue diet' & the prep the day before, I went to the CT dept., at our local hospital at 8am, I was able to drive home at 11am.).
Yesterday, after 5 days on the 'low residue diet', the prep on Sunday evening & again at 6am yesterday.
I had my appointment at 3pm. The staff were kind & understanding of my worries.
For the procedure I had the sedation & the gas & air, I was fully awake & aware & could see the screen most of the time. Uncomfortable & slightly painful, but bearable.
They removed 2 polyps, also confirmed my (suspected) diverticular disease, they told me there was no visible signs of cancer, (which is why I'd had fairly swift appointments). This they will be able to be sure in a few weeks & let me know. I had already been told that I couldn't drive home, or for the next 24 hours. I was home about 6:30pm.

Last night I slept for 7-8 hours, (unheard of for me!).
I don't know what happened with the sedation, I feel more sleepy today than I did yesterday.!!

Sorry if this is long & garbled!

In short, the prep is worse than the procedure itself, trust the medical staff, tell them if you are anxious. Easy to say, but try not to worry about the 'what ifs'.

I’ve had six colonoscopies all with sedation. My husband has had three, without and he said he found mildly uncomfortable but nothing that he couldn’t cope with. I didn’t really feel sedated but was completely pain free and calm about the whole procedure. Unfortunately, immediately after the first one I was told they had found something and I would need a CT scan to check for any spread which was scary. However, eight years later I’m cancer free. Good luck with your procedure.

I had this procedure earlier this year, I don't mind saying I was very worried abd opted for the anesthetic. As soon as it was underway I wondered why I'd been so concerned. It was a breeze and would happily do without the anesthetic if I had it again in the future.
The anesthetic is a cocktail of drugs, given once you are in position on the table, you aren't knocked out, but I understand your body is relaxed. I watched it all......fascinating!
Taking a friend or having one meet you after the event is a good idea, that way you'll have less to worry about. Good luck.