Sigmoidoscopy

[heartmatters1]

Hi

Had a sigmoidoscopy on Saturday, which I had under sedation, I found it a bit uncomfortable. Diverticulosis found, which I already knew about from a colonoscopy a few years ago. Biopsies taken.

Yesterday bowel felt fine, however today I am in quite a bit of lower bowel pain. Just wondering why I felt fine for couple of days & pain starts on day 3. Has anyone else experienced this?

[Luisa22]

I don't know, but maybe that could be because of the bowel prep, the procedure disturbing your gut, and then your bowel getting used to processing food again?

I think the bowel prep and procedure has to be quite traumatic for the bowel. It's certainly an unnatural thing to happen to a gut (though really necessary sometimes to know what's going on) So it might be something to do with that? Or it might be to do with having lost gut flora as well during the prep?

I mean, that is a complete flush-out of everything. Have you tried a good probiotic?

[Misspomfrey in reply to Luisa22]

I honestly think these invasive bowel investigations do more harm than good at times. I remember in the very early 1990s, I had a Sigmoidoscopy (no sedative) followed later by a Colonoscopy, nothing to do with IBS, I didn't have it then. The lead up to it and the bowel prep was absolutely soul destroying and the Colonoscopy procedure was simply 😞 awful. I was traumatised with the whole ordeal and had to stay in hospital overnight. I felt so ill and weak, I couldn't go back to work and was off for several days. I could barely stand and I hadn't eaten for what seemed like days and days. It took weeks for my guts to get back to any kind of normality. I lost more weight than is normal and couldn't eat right after. It had a lasting affect on me and I swore there and then that I'd never put myself through that again. I sometimes wonder if it's to blame for my IBS that I've had for years now. After all, our bowels aren't meant to have such treatment and it must do damage in some cases. I understand that investigations have to be carried out, but surely they could find a better way of doing it, it does seem barbaric for this day and age of modern medicine and science. I'm sure some people sail through it, but for a lot of people with an anxious nature, it can be a terrible thing to go through. It's not just the Colonoscopy procedure, but the lead up to it, the bowel prep and the aftermath. I remember once I got to the actual procedure, I felt so bad physically and mentally, I didn't care what happened to me.

I've been asked many times to go for a Colonoscopy but I refuse. No... I'll take my chances now.

Hope your feeling alright Luisa.

[Stella-123 in reply to Misspomfrey]

I yotally agree with you. I have had all blood tests and q fit tests. All normal. My doctor did not refer a colonoscoot. To be honest I was relieved. It is last thing I want to do. I do not think I could cope with it. I can only hope q fit tests are accurate. I have had ibs going on 3 years. Now suffer anxiety and on medication for that. I think medicstion is not helping my ibs. I am drained with it all. I take immodium . Then I was told this can cause constipation long term. Causing overflow diarreah. I do feel happens. I can not cope with the loose bowel movements. Its not every day. Ever 2 to 3 days . Drained

[heartmatters1 in reply to Misspomfrey]

Thanks for your reply. It really is quite invasive isn’t it? I said when I had a colonoscopy a few years ago never again, but was told I need to have a sigmoidoscopy to check again & biopsies taken. It seems you are just tempting fate if you don’t. I felt that weak after the prep that I didn’t think I would be able go through with it. I hope my gut settles down soon. 😩

Best wishes.

[MyStar86]

The delayed pain could also be down to all the drugs you were given during the procedure as they usually give fentanyl alongside the medication to knock you out so it’s normal to feel better the next day or two as you still have some of the drugs in your system. I have certainly found that’s been the case for me.

[NewEnglander]

just be careful that the prep doesn't give you either a diver attack - or an infection - had both from a colonoscopy...

[heartmatters1 in reply to NewEnglander]

Yes, that was what was concerning me. Thanks for your reply.