I turn to this site for lots of advice and reassurance so I thought I would report on my colonoscopy and endoscopy to reassure anyone who has been referred for the same.
In summary as it’s a long story, don’t worry, it’s not as bad as you think, and knowing the results makes what little embarrassment you have all worth while.
So out of everything I was expecting of the procedure, for it to be funny, was not one of them! The doctor/surgeon/man was really funny. He made me feel really at ease. I honestly wanted to ask him for a coffee after as I enjoyed his company so much!
I was referred for tests as I was severely anemic, b12 deficient and had a positive FOT. I also had tummy pains and a feeling of needing to poo, when I didn’t really need to.
After being referred I had one appointment with a consultant. This was about 10 days after referral. This appointment just involved me talking through my symptoms with the consultant who had already looked at my notes. He confirmed my referral and I received a letter to a pre assessment appointment. This was 2 weeks away.
My next appointment was at the endoscopy department. I checked in and was then called in to see a nurse. She filled in a comprehensive form, took my weight and explained the procedure using diagrams. We then agreed an appointment date and I was given some Picolax as a laxative to be taken before the procedure. My procedure was 3 weeks away, so I kept all the information safe until closer to the time. I was given a form to have an up to date blood test which I did on my way home.
The day before my procedure I started the joy of the Picolax. 3 sachets to be taken at different times as specified by the nurse. It didn’t tast too bad and about an hour later it started to work. The whole Picolax experience was not too bad. It tasted ok, and I was able to leave the toilet to catch up on Netflix. I’d say I visited the loo hourly. It was a bit sore (I forgot the Vaseline) but all manageable.
The next day my appointment was a 1pm. I arrived at the hospital, and was invited in to a room where a canular was inserted. I changed into a hospital robe and my own gown. Read my magazine, and was then invited into the room.
It was a little daunting, big lights and hospital equipment, but the staff were better than fantastic. Set me at ease, introduced themselves and told me what would happen.
First up, endoscopy. I decided not to be sedated.... I like to be in control. Whether this was the best idea I am not sure. Laying down, I was given throat spray that numbed the throat. Yuck! This was the worst part, it felt like I was suffocating, I had to remind myself I could still breathe through my nose. As the camera went down, I gagged, burped and made awfully embarrassing noises, apparently all normal. To take biopsies, what looked like a thin wire was pushed down the same tube as the camera and pulled back. I had three biopsies taken, which involved three lots of wire taken down and pulled back up. After this the camera was pulled out. I wiped my face, as it was a bit dribbly. I was congratulated and told all seemed normal.
Next up the colonoscopy. This was the part I was dreading. I was allowed to watch on a big screen. It was truly fascinating. I laid on my left side and the nurse positioned my hands and legs. Knees up, toes forward. The camera was slowly inserted you know where. It was a very odd feeling, you can feel the camera moving around. I was amazed at how clean everything was (thank you picolax!), I am not sure if I have ever thought what my insides looked like, but I certainly think they have aged better than my outsides! It hurt on occasion, the Doctor had said that having babies (I have had 2) can mean your bowel has been kicked, moved around and twisted. Mine certainly was. The pain was temporary and tolerable. Gas and air was offered but I declined. The nurse had to press my tummy at times to make certain parts of my bowel visible. The doctor finished the exploration by checking back along the bowel as he pulled the camera out, and even showed me the inside of my rectum. He was very thorough and talked me through everything.
Lucky for me, everything was clear, just the endoscopy biopsies to hear about now.
I was wheeled to recovery. Because I wasn’t sedated I was allowed to dress and be discharged almost immediately. The throat spray meant I had to wait a while to eat or drink. As soon as I was able I consumed my body weight in food!
In honesty, it was no where near as terrifying as I expected. It was so interesting, and I did not feel embarrassed at all. I was kept covered up as much as possible at all times.
2 days later my bowel movements are back to normal, and I have had no pain at all.
colonoscopy 💩
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