sigmoidoscopy

[Meadowsweet11]

I have to have a last minute sigmoidoscopy tomorrow before my laparoscopy next week (they didn’t tell me until yesterday even though I have been waiting four months for the lap!) and I read a few posts on here and everyone seems to be saying it is excruciatingly painful... can anyone give me their honest experience of how bad it is? Generally I like to avoid painkillers/sedation/meds as much as possible but if it’s that severe then I might just have them all! Thanks x

[jull]

I must've been lucky because i've had it twice and been ok both times, didn't need any sedatives or medication. It was awkward and uncomfortable, there were a few twinges but nothing to bad. It's important to try and be as relaxed as possible and don't be afraid to "let go" so to speak, they're blowing air in so it's got to come back out! Good luck.

[Meadowsweet11 in reply to jull]

Thanks so much, that’s a relief, hopefully I’m lucky too! X

[Hidden]

I didn’t find it painful at all. I was really worried about it beforehand but the concern beforehand was so much worse than the actual procedure. I was surprised at how straightforward and easy it was. Please try not to worry xxx

[Meadowsweet11 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, replied to this earlier but it didn’t work for some reason, but your message put my mind at rest a bit so thanks

[Rbdcrlm]

I had a colonoscopy to the terminal ilium (the last part of your colon before your small bowel) and a sigmoidoscopy that ended up requiring to turn into a full colonoscopy. I was sedated for both times and enjoyed a delightful sleep under twilight anaesthesia. Worst part was the prep for me. I am in Australia though so may be different over there!

[Peebles2sarah]

I was put under conscious sedation for mine. I woke up feeling totally fine! I walked out only 30 minutes after my procedure was done and we went for pizza! I know everyone has different experiences but I had no pain at all. I feel a little woozy and tired after for awhile but that’s about it. They took samples and cauterized while they were in there as wel!

[Anri]

One of the most painful experiences of my life. Excruciating pain, the nurse pressed me down to keep me still and I just screamed. Didn't have any painkillers or other sedation, and never again will i go without. I have a very high tolerance for pain, but they found out in the lap i had lesions on my bowels so i guess that's why it was so terrible.

[Meadowsweet11 in reply to Anri]

Sorry to hear that

[Slk959]

I had one recently and everyone said it was fine bla bla. Completely honest it was awful! I didn’t have any meds or sedation they did offer gas and air but I declined because I had school run to do. I walked out shaking and had terrible diarrhoea once I got home I slept for hours I jut felt so so unwell. I believe it was the trauma of it all. The following day I was fine just worried if I needed the loo. Sorry this is my honest answer. Personally take meds or sedation and plenty of rest afterward. On the plus side very interesting watching it on tv 😂 Good luck

[applebird in reply to Slk959]

Can't believe you did the school run after!! Agree tv is interesting watching indeed, actually helped me concentrate as I was interested in the medical aspect!

[applebird]

Hi it's uncomfortable and very odd sensation but not painful per se. I would highly advise you take the sedation and some pain meds to ease any discomfort. I've had 2 colonoscopies, a sigmoidoscopy, two endoscopies and ercp. The sedation is necessary to calm you through the procedure. The team will do this sort of thing all the time and in my experience are excellent, especially the nurses. Take the bowel prep correctly so they have a good view of everything!

It will be over before you know it, don't panic and know that it will give you the best possible surgical outcome if they can see what they're dealing with so all to the good. x

[Meadowsweet11]

Thanks all! Just thought I’d leave an update here incase anyone is looking into this procedure in the future.

My experience was somewhere in the middle from the good and bad stories I’ve heard. The worst part was having to spend 4 hours at the hospital as they were running late.... the procedure itself was okay. I went for the sedation because of everything I read on here and a couple of friends experiences, I had to ask for it though, they were just going to give gas and air. No painkillers though and it was pretty tolerable. Most of it was fine actually, but as others have said sometimes there was quite a sharp pain when the endoscope went round a bend! Overall I wish I hadn’t worried so much, it’s not a pleasurable experience but it really isn’t that bad and I would do it again if I had to. Also I had good results - the endo hasn’t infiltrated the inside of my bowels so that made the whole experience more positive. Also I felt fine afterwards and didn’t have any pain just a bit woozy from the sedative.

Good luck to anyone else whose getting it and try not to worry too much, it’s different for everyone but I think often the worrying is the worst part!

[Hidden in reply to Meadowsweet11]

Glad you were ok and I definitely felt the same, the worrying was the worst part for me too. I’m glad you had a positive result too ! 👍🏻 Xxx

[HikerGirl]

Just wanted to thank you for starting this post, I’m off for a sigmoidoscopy next week and rather unsure whether to go for sedation etc.

You mentioned yours wasn’t too painful in the end. Are you getting obvious bowel symptoms? I bleed from my bowels every day and struggle with so many foods causing bowel pain and constipation (feels like ALL foods!). It makes me think that mine might be deep infiltrating and if so it’s probably going to be more painful? Any ideas?

[Meadowsweet11]

I would go for sedation if you can. Usually I prefer to do everything as naturally as possible but a few people recommended sedation and I think it was worthwhile. I did get bowel symptoms, mainly just pain going to the toilet that was worse during my period. I was lucky that mine wasn’t Infiltrating too much into the bowel, it was mainly Infiltrating into the uterus. But yeah go for sedation if you can, they didn’t offer it to me so I had to ask for it. Best of luck with it - I was really worried beforehand but it honestly wasn’t too bad for me, although I know it’s different for everyone xx