CT Colonography Tomorrow

Jane112

If you still have not had a result from the first dose of Picolax you might like to ring 111 for advice as X-ray and GP are closed. Good luck. Hope you get some reassurance.

Jane112

Panicking now, 4 hours since first dose of Picolax and it's not working, I'm drinking plenty but no reaction. I can't ring the X ray department as they're closed now.

Don’t panic. Mine didn’t kick in for about six hours. Be patient - it will start to work soon.

Thanks, you were right, half an hour later and all is as it should be although it's now a case of be careful what you wish for

Good Luck Jane112 - I don’t know much about colonoscopy so can’t help, but I have to say, this is the most wonderful site ever.
There’s someone always here. I have been known to offload my problems at all hours.
Let us know how you get on.

Good to know things are happening.
Thanks for letting us know.
We'll be thinking of you tomorrow. Try to get some sleep.

I'm reading your message about 3/4 of an hour before your procedure, so no idea if you will see this. Obviously the fear we feel ahead of these things is something in itself, so I hope you're coping/coped. I've had it done the way you're having it. The dye going into your arm feels a little weird, and the gas they insert to blow up your tummy felt like uncomfy wind, especially when they asked me to change position, However, nothing actually hurt, so I hope if you see this ahead of time, it reassures a little. All the best for a good result

Move to France, colonoscopies are done under General anaesthetic. Sounds a barbaric procedure in YUK.

Please don't be afraid! As a retired nurse, I can attest that our #1 priority is you, the whole you, not only your colon. Simply say, "I'm nervous" and most nurses (and other staff?) will turn somersaults to help allay your anxiety. Other tips: every time you visit the "loo" (as you Brits say), frame it as "Oh, the med is working, they will be able to see so much more!" If you fear sedation- I HIGHLY recommend "conscious sedation" where you aren't knocked out, but are completely out of it; you can stay fully awake, but it's uncomfortable, esp if you're scared. Tell these nurses you're scared too. Most will joke with you, distract you ("what was your favorite vacation?"), or hold your hand. And I say a prayer. ...Then, what feels like seconds later, you wake up, albeit very loopy! ...Awaiting results can be super stressful, and sometimes results are now what we hoped- but again, try to see all of this as part of a potentially life-saving process. And be glad?! GOOD LUCK.

annifrance

Move to France, colonoscopies are done under General anaesthetic. Sounds a barbaric procedure in YUK.

In the UK anaesthetists will try to avoid giving GA's not because they are barbaric but because local anaesthetics are safer for the patient. Also, generally a CT colonoscopy is used because the patient already has a medical issue eg high BP or an arrythmia which makes a GA slightly more risky.

Had a colonoscopy in Dubai in 2009. A young English woman administered the anaesthetic, and I thought I was awake throughout. But 90 minutes passed, and it felt like 15 minutes. The doctors kept shuffling around in the background.
I was just thinking "I wish they would get on with it", when I got a tap on the shoulder, and was told "That's it - All over"!

Such a coincidence! My DH has his colonoscopy today. He had to drink two lots of prep - one yesterday and the other in the early hours of this morning before leaving for the medical centre. He will be sedated. We live in the US and that is normal practice here. In any case, years ago, even here, there was no sedation, but there was hardly any discomfort at all. I am sure you will be fine.
Good Luck.

I think the prep medicine is far and away the worst part of having a colonoscopy. My last time I fainted 3 times with the pain, I lost three and a half pounds overnight and was in a great pain. I had sedation and gas and air and they had to abort the procedure halfway through. If I have to have another one I shall ask for a full anaesthetic and they can do whilst I am asleep. The first one I sailed through without sedation at all and had a gastrostomy at the same appointment. They certainly seemed to get worse with each successive one.

The OP is having a CT Colonography not a Colonoscopy
missdeke I don't think your post is helpful to someone who is already nervous.

I had several a few years ago. I was terrified too for the first one,but the specialist and the nurse were so nice they put me at my ease. It isn't such a big deal, believe me. Once you get over the embarrassment, you'll realise it's just routine.

I’ve given up Aldom.

The OP is clear on the procedure she’s to undertake - but posters have gone off on their own agendas.

I hope she hasn’t been scared witless by all the comments/advise on a colonoscopy she isn’t having!

Georgesgran. I couldn't agree more.

Aldom

The OP is having a CT Colonography not a Colonoscopy
missdeke I don't think your post is helpful to someone who is already nervous.

Thank you Aldom I know capital letters are ‘shouty’ but it’s tempting, people don't read the post, I hope Jane didn’t read the unnecessary horror stories.

I'm sitting here killing time while the gas engineer fixes the heating/hot water system that worked until they serviced it last week.

Agree with Magenta8. Except I did not have sedation,gas and air. Staff are fab. The bowel prep is the worst! Nit a pleasant procedure but... and I'm woose.. Good luck whatever you decide. I just don't like a cannula....

Dear Jane, I’ve just had a CT colonography. I know nothing about Picolax, is it the laxative? I had Gastrografin laxative which seemed to do the trick and so had to stay by the toilet the day before. I couldn’t have the Buscopan muscle relaxant as I have eye problems, so had it without any relaxant and I was fine, and the X-Ray contrast medium injection through a cannula was no problem at all. Just a slight uncomfortable feeling when the gas was inflating my colon, but no pain. As I expected when I got the results I was fine……….. a combination of IBS, diverticular disease and haemorhoids. I was terrified like you, but realised afterwards it was fear of fear for me. I wish you all the best.

Just a PS Jane. PM me if you need someone to talk to about it.

And hopefully now it is all over.

Thank you Gransnetters for all your kind support and advice. Just home and it all went well, a little uncomfortable at times but it was pretty quick. As NanaMary said the staff realised I was nervous and they were really nice and helped to make the whole process better. I really enjoyed the scone and tea afterwards. The radiologist said that provisionally everything looked OK, although he will do a full check and report later. Really, really looking forward to my dinner later

Thank you for coming back Jane it all sounds positive, Bonne appetite

Lovely to hear from you Jane. Glad all went quite well for you. Enjoy your evening meal and I hope you have a peaceful night's sleep.