Hello all I have finally arranged my first colonoscopy and gastroscope on Monday. I’m a bit scared of the anesthesia even if it isn’t full, it’s still my first time. I think taking this step I will finally know what is happening with me and the pain that I have every time I eat.
If you have done any of these exams please let me know any advice.
Hi I had one of these done recently and the sedation is nothing. I still knew everything that was happening and wasn't dozy at all. In fact I lied to the staff that I had someone to collect me when I didn't in order to get the sedation! They were quite upset when they found out I was on my own. I just thought it was funny. I was fine though and got a cab back and no problems at all then or later.
By far the worst thing I found was the drink and laxative you have to take to clear your bowels out! I found the best way of disguising the taste was to drink some strong coffee after each mouthful. It really helped me. Drinking that much liquid though is hard but at least it fills you up so you aren't hungry....
The colonoscopy itself is painless and it is fascinating to watch the camera moving round your bowels. Mine fortunately looked all pink and healthy. It is all done very discreetly as I had one of those hospital gowns on and a pair of knickers with a small hole at the back and you are not lying there with your bum hanging out or anything. They did take a few very small samples and this was a bit painful for a moment but nothing to worry about. Oh it might be a good idea to take a sanitory pad with you as you can 'leak' a bit afterwards. x
Thank u hypercat. I’ve arranged for someone to take me and I’ve been told that it’s much worst the day before with all the laxatives and no food coming in! Will take a pad with me! x
Well I must admit I did cheat a bit! So I wouldn't 'die' of lack of food (not hunger as the drink filled me up) I had a small bowl of rice krispies before I went to bed against the instructions. I could still see a few small remains in my gut but no one said anything 
It looked like grey sludge... xx
Oh it's not just the laxatives - ok you go to the toilet all the time but the smell of the drink with the laxatives in. The first couple of lots weren't too bad but by the time I got to the 3rd. 4th drink etc. even the smell of it made me feel sick! I would have 2/3 gulps then a mouthful of strong coffee which made all the difference. x
I bought some jelly if I see myself collapsing I might have a couple of spoons!!
No jelly, unless it's clear or see thru ! Have sugar if low blood sugar !
I had no problem with the
I had no problem with the Anastasia what I had a problem was the medicine you have to drink to clean out your stomach.the Thing is it doesn’t take effect right away but when it does you better be sitting on the toilet.
Once they put you out you are out and then you wake up and it’s done. I did have my son to drive me home, you can’t do the driving. He stopped to get a sub (sandwich) I ate that and fell asleep next to my son who was playing video games at home. You will be tiered afterwards but then I was ok
I hope all goes well. I had mine done 10 years ago the doctor gave me smiley 😃 face on mine.
What ever you do don’t eat anything that may show up in the test results and you may have to do it all over again.
Hi I get one a year. The drink is the worst and I used strained chicken noodle soup out a pack to stop the hunger worked really well. Because of a lung problem I can’t get sedated but I see the others and they say it’s fine.
The soup is great you don’t feel hungry and it’s only liquid. It’s always a worry when you don’t know how it works but you will be fine.
Thank you Eisn59 I will definitely use your tip. One of my worries is the hunger.
Hi Stephanie_M I turned 50 recently and because of other health complications had to have a over night stay to do the bowel prep ect , yes the drinks they give you are not the best but they do serve a purpose, tastes like fizzy lemon . Then wait for the clean out my hospital provided me with large pads because of my incontinence. With that all over with I got the option of sedation through IV or gas & air I opted for sedation . My consultant and his team was very professional they are doing this day in day out , I hardly felt anything to be fair you can watch the procedure on a monitor I did & I have been through a lot of different things over the last few years so this was nothing , they found a small polyp and removed it got it tested and It was ok . Don't worry about the hunger you won't be to bad stick to what they tell you, if that is all you are worried about take care .
Hi Stephanie.
Having Small Cell Cancer I have been through all these scans and a lot more? This one although not very pleasant is not really bad. In fact as an Engineer I found I was quite interested in the process and in fact I also had 16 Biopsies taken and watch the whole thing on the screen. I find it is good to know what they are up to and it gives you a chance to see what is going on inside you and also how good or bad things are.
At least that way you know what you are facing.
There is no problem with driving, although I had someone with me I drove the 27 miles into the Hospital and back again afterward via a hotel where we had lunch.
As I said earlier, it is not a very nice experience but well worth knowing what is going on and certainly puts one’s mind at rest.👍😘 Good luck.
Hi Steph... I've had 6 colonoscopies in my lifetime. First in 40s for bleeding. Infected polyp. Sedation is great. I vaguely recall looking at the tube winding thru my intestines. A nurse was pressing on my abdomen, guiding the tube thru the curves. When I felt ANY pressure that caused mild discomfort, I mentioned it, they stopped, and they immediately gave me more Versed IV to knock me out deeper. The actual colonoscopy... all 6 of mine... were uneventful. You barely recall anything.
The prep is kind of hard, but I can drink the gallon (4 liters). In about 3 hours.
If you are taking the polyethylene glycol *PEG* type, it tastes better chilled...but not too cold or you get "brain freeze". I've also found I could add powdered drink mix... I used Crystal Light... make sure it is NOT A DARK COLOR LIKE GRAPE OR CHERRY... IT CAN COLOR YOUR STOOL AND MAKE IT HARD TO SEE YOUR BOWELS.
Also, if you must also drink Magnesium Citrate, 10floz, get the clear, yellow lemon flavor, NOT CHERRY !!!
I've been thru 6, they weren't a big deal, honestly, you'll do fine
(Retired Hospital Pharmacist)
I was completely knocked out for my colonoscopy. the anaesthesia was fine, caused no complications... the prep was annoying, but not too big a deal and the recovery was basically nil. I just had to eat lightly for a day. I was terrified beforehand, but it was probably the easiest semi-invasive test I've had.
Thank you I’m at my prep day. Holding up until 6:30 am which is my colonoscopy time.
I would like to thank everyone for your replies. I’ve done it and everything went ok thank you for the support !
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