Just to say hi. I'm new today.

[Dolly1954]

I have several health conditions. Some I cope ok. Others more debilitating. I have diverticula disease. Only admitted to hospital once..but in the last 3-4 months had very heavy bleed after a poo. Saw gp referred me for colonoscopy. Dreading it as my daughter has UC and I know it's not nice. Couldn't I just have CT scan instead.....

[LadyBarb]

Hi ~ with the CT scan, air is passed through your intestines, so that the scan can get a good clear 'pic' ~ so instead of the camera being put up your anus (after you've gone through the same prep as you would for the ordinary colonoscopy!), the air tube is put up your anus instead and the pressure of the compressed air going through your intestines can be excruciatingly painful. (Think about 'blowing up' narrow balloons!)

It was something I'd never thought about, until one of my friends had the CT scan as the 'easier alternative' ~ and she admitted to being beyond just screaming point. She doesn't 'do' screaming, or tears, but she admitted to both! She was in total shock at the pain, and the residual pain of the air in her system.

All that was found was that she was in the very early stages of having IBS. I'd hate to think what sort of pain she'd be in, if IBS was well established!

Might perhaps be worth considering your desire for the CT scan..?

I know, the UC isn't at all pleasant ~ our intestinal system isn't exactly designed for it, to say the least. But, if it saves you from something rather more serious, isn't it worth 10 to 20 minutes to find out what caused the bleed?

Big (HUG) and be brave? B x

[Deljo]

Hi. I recently had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy (stomach) both together. They sprayed my throat with local anaesthetic and gave me a really good concoction of sedatives and I didn't fèel a thing. Also had no after affects, in fact, felt better immediately afterwards than I did before. I had both procedures years ago and for my stomach they gave me the date rape drug which didn't help at all but nothing for the colonoscopy but it wasn't particularly painful without. The worst part this time was taking the bowel prep which was called Clean Bowel which is a lot less harsh on the system, downside is you have to drink 4 litres and I could only manage 2. Possibly didn't help that I was having severe diarrhoea prior to it. Hope this helps.