First time Colonoscopy

[Lesleyr14]

I have my first colonoscopy on Thursday the 14th.

I have been given Picolax.

I am concerned about the prep as my friend told me you don't have time to get up the stairs to the toilet, and I should stay upstairs after taking the prep solution; is this correct?

I'm really not sure about the sedative as I have a heart condition, and not sure how it will affect my heart rate.

Also, the information about the sedative says you should have someone with you overnight after the procedure, but I live alone and don't have anyone to stay with me, so I'm a bit concerned that something will happen during the night.

I would be grateful for any advice.

[Dance22]

hi there I had my first colonoscopy over a year ago now ! and have another appointment in April because I’m on watch and wait for five years, I’m assuming you’ll be taking it in the evening! it takes quite a couple of hours to start working! this was my experience, then another one at 4 in the morning! my appointment was afternoon , it’s not the best day but it’s for your peace of mind, you will be talked through your options for the sedation ect and will be monitored throughout your procedure, all the best for Thursday 👌

[Lesleyr14 in reply to Dance22]

Thank you for your reply. My appointment is in the afternoon. I have to take the first prep at 6pm, and the next one at 7am on the day.

If it takes a couple of hours to start working, I am thinking of taking it earlier so that I can at least get some sleep without having to spend all night on the toilet.

[Dance22 in reply to Lesleyr14]

Yes I will do this on my next one that’s coming up , I thought it would happen immediately but waited, it’s different for everyone just follow the dos and don’t on what to eat and drink 👌

[Lesleyr14 in reply to Dance22]

In another post, someone suggested taking the prep 2 hours early, so I might try that, and eating as little as possible from 2 days befor the procedure.

[Dance22 in reply to Lesleyr14]

Yes I’ll be doing it this way in April, all the best 👌👌

[Lesleyr14 in reply to Dance22]

Thanks

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to Lesleyr14]

Hi Lesleyr14,

Yep, that was me and I get a colonoscopy every year. It lets you be "over it" sooner so you can sleep and the day of the procedure it lets you focus on what's happening and not on finding a bathroom all the time. My first colonoscopy I remember I could barely make the 7 mile drive to the facility before I needed a bathroom. Moving things up 2+ hours works well for me. Also, some good advice to stay hydrated and doing that a couple of days before could be beneficial as well.

We wish you well with the procedure. You got this.👍❤️

Tom

[Lesleyr14 in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

Thank you for your advice😊

[Liv56]

you should have been given a diet sheet telling you what you can and can’t eat ,normally you start this three days before the procedure. Mine was on the Sunday I at to fast from 3 o’clock in the afternoon the day before,my first prep was 7 o’clock then 6 the next morning. Regarding the prep each bowel is different but I was never caught short you know in advance when you need to go and in my case it was quite a bit . And don’t drink anything two hours before the colonoscopy.

[Lesleyr14 in reply to Liv56]

So I had the colonoscopy; they wouldn't give me the sedative as I had no one staying with me overnight. They didn't get all the way round as it was too painful near the top so now I am being referred for a scan. Also have to go back to get a large polyp removed as they couldn't remove it there and then.

[Dance22 in reply to Lesleyr14]

well let’s hope you get the opportunity to stay in overnight when you have your procedure, it’s not a pleasant experience I feel for you having to go through this, hopefully it will be sorted soon.

[Lesleyr14 in reply to Dance22]

I imagine there's a long waiting list; I already waited 3 months for the colonoscopy

[Dance22 in reply to Lesleyr14]

That’s not good having to wait so long! I was fast tracked and so thankful for this , hope you’re not waiting to long