Colonoscopy

[SureFootedWhispher]

What are these like?

I need to have one but they don't expect to find anything, more for exclusion. I am tempted not to have it but I guess that is silly.

[SureFootedWhispher]

In the letter it states they will give a relaxant. Is that the same as sedation?

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy a couple of months back.

YY to sedation (I've had 2 DC and 4 wisdom teeth out (injection) they said "Why do you want sedated"?

Because I didn't want to be "there".

It was in all honesty like being asleep and someone annoys you. I felt a cramping/ pinching when they took the samples.
The worst bit is the Pre-Procedure bowel cleanse

YY I'd imagine the relaxant = sedation.

[ohfourfoxache]

I've had 3 (2 with biopsies) without sedation - I can honestly say that the worst part was the bowel prep.

If you're happy to have relaxants/sedation then go for it - I'm terrible with needles so preferred going without and it wasn't unbearable.

[carmen66]

Hi, I've had a sigmoidoscopy which I know is differmet but I didn't find too bad the worst part is the fasting & prep.. On the day I had a lovely nurse talk me through it & they gave me a relaxant I had slight cramping when they inflated my stomach but other than that it was fine.. Try not to worry to much & I hope all goes well :)

[gobbin]

Sigmoidoscopy - interesting to watch the screen, uncomfortable but not painful (they only do the first third of your colon generally) and no sedation needed.

Colonoscopy - they aim to go all round your colon and pushing the endoscope round the corners can be painful which is why they offer sedation. Some people are heroes and can cope, many people take the sedation (makes it easier for staff too if you aren't squirming around on the table.)

You may be scoped by a doctor or a nurse endoscopist. In my experience all staff are kind, caring and respectful so you are covered and no need to be embarrassed.

[gamerchick]

I don't have the sedation so I can leave the hospital straight afterwards... its uncomfortable but better if you lie in your back after he's put the camera in.

The worst part by far is the bowel prep.. The actual thing is a peace of piss after all that.

The staff are lovely though.. good luck.

[SureFootedWhispher]

It isn't for a month but it is keeping me awake. I feel claustrophobic that something will be inside me and I will feel it and can't pull away from it.

[SureFootedWhispher]

Maybe i'll work from home the following day then!

[SweetFelicityArkwright]

The thought of it is really much worse than the actuality. I have had several colonoscopies and rigid sigmoidoscopies and can honestly say that I would rather have one of them than a smear test or mammogram.

As OldBagWantsNewBag says, the pre prep and windy aftermath are the worst bits.

[Thumbwitch]

I had one done a few days before Christmas last year - admittedly under light sedation - but I knew absolutely nothing about it while it happened. From closing my eyes under the gas to waking up later, didn't feel a thing, nor anything afterwards either.

The worst bit was drinking the gak fluid prior to the procedure to "clean you out" - I didn't have any really bad wind afterwards, not that I remember anyway.

Well worth having done though - my mum died of bowel cancer aged 63, so I should have been having them regularly since I was 40, but hadn't managed it until last year for various reasons - and the doc was so pleased with the clean pinkness of my colon that I don't need to go back for 10 years, unless I have any worries or symptoms. :)