Colonoscopy under general anaesthetic?

[Jaxzz]

Hi I have had Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism for 18yrs and started taking Natural DT 2yrs ago under advice of Functional Meds Dr who also has GP qualifications. I have finally managed to get my T3 T4 levels at a good steady level and also lowered my TPO and other inflammatory levels down. Spoke to my NHS Dr when I checked in with worsening Eczema and explained the natural route Id taken he was reasonably understanding and sent off a Miriam of blood tests for suspected Psoriasis RA etc my kidneys,liver and blood levels came back all brilliant and he gave me a clean bill of health so to speak!

Just before Christmas I started loosing bright red blood in my stools and experienced stomach and Bach ache and feeling unwell. (This first happened in Feb 19 when we were in USA)then cleared up. After consulting with my GP she examined me a nd now I’m due to go for a colonoscopy with light sedation. The whole process scares me as I am often bloated and can’t drink much fluid within an allocated time. Has anyone had a colonoscopy on Nhs under general anaesthetic?

Appreciate any positive input here please. Am phoning Consultant on Monday

[humanbean]

I've had a colonoscopy under general anaesthetic. I had previously had a flexible sigmoidoscopy with no pain relief or sedation at all and would refuse point blank to do it again.

There is such a thing as a "virtual" colonoscopy which I have had without sedation. That wasn't painful. With a virtual colonoscopy, if I remember and understood correctly, if there were any polyps to be removed they would have to do a "real" colonoscopy to remove them.

Please don't take my vague memories as gospel truth, in connection with virtual colonoscopies.

[Hidden]

Hi Jaxzz I had one done recently with sedation and it’s not as bad as the rumours.the prep before it is the horrible part so do exactly as instructed drink the mix when they advise and stay close to home and toilet.get yourself some Vaseline for your bottom because it can get sore with the constant toilet visits and get things like jelly and lucozade in do some research on diet it really helps if you swot up on it.I had biopsy’s done while he was in there and could have watched on the screen if I’d wished to but I’m too squeamish lol.youll sale through it with general so try and relax while your prepping for it and best of luck xx

[DoeStewart]

Hi there - first off, don't be afraid of this procedure. I had NHS colonoscopy in 2019 under sedation - not a general anaesthetic. I can honestly say I was worried sick and frightened. I had the usual 3 days beforehand of bland diet, you are normally given a sheet of food that you can eat - no fibre at all. Drinking lots water etc.. Then you start taking the laxative solution at the times you will be given. Hand on heart, never felt a thing, they found a polyp and removed it there and then - painless

[Hennerton]

I had one privately with a general anaesthetic but I was told it was very light and I recovered quickly and was soon munching sandwiches, which tasted fabulous after all the bowel prep and starvation. I went home quickly and had no side effects. It was just a relief to have it over and I wish I had not worried as much about it.

[G2G2]

The sedation is no big deal, promise. I'd be more concerned with general anesthesia. The procedure itself is nothing, painless, fast. I heard the usual stories about the prep, but it's not as dramatic as I was told. You'll be fine.

[Jaxzz]

Thank you everyone Thats reassuring

[milkwoman]

I’m in the US and my husband and I both had colonoscopies in 2019 under mild anesthesia/light sedation. We were both awake and alert during the procedure and neither of us felt a thing. The whole procedure lasted about 6-10 mins and we were out of recovery and dressed, ready to be taken home within 20 mins.

As far as prep goes, I had done LOADS of research before having my colonoscopy and instead of using the usual commercial preps (Prep-opik, Miralax, GoLytely etc), I opted for Dulcolax and Magnesium Citrate. I also included a product called ClearFast PreOp which, to be honest, is a sanity-saving liquid! It’s a clear surgical prep which digests in 2 hours so you can actually drink it during your fasting/prep process and you don’t get the headache, dehydration, hypoglycemic etc issues that can often occur while prepping for procedures.

Here is the complete plan my husband and I both followed, including the ClearFast PreOp.

Preparing for Your Colonoscopy

One week before the procedure:

* Stop taking any iron supplements.

Three (3) days before the procedure:

* Stop taking Vitamin E, Motrin, Advil, Aleve, ibuprofen, etc. You may continue aspirin.

* If approved by your physician, stop taking any blood thinners (Coumadin, Warfarin, Plavix, Pradaxa, etc.).

* Take your usual medications for blood pressure, heart problems, lung problems, and other chronic health conditions. Check with your physician if you are unsure whether to take or stop a medication.

Purchase the following items from your pharmacy:

* One to two bottles of magnesium citrate (10 ounce). Do not purchase red (cherry flavor). One bottle should be sufficient (it was for both my husband and myself) HOWEVER, some people require 1 1/2 or 2 bottles so purchase an extra bottle just in case.

* One (1) package of Dulcolax tablets (laxative).

Purchase (4) bottles of ClearFast PreOp (can get directly from ClearFast website or Amazon. I’ve tried both the grape and watermelon flavors. If I had to choose a favorite it would be the watermelon). I preferred the ClearFast to be chilled.

Day before the procedure:

1. Upon wakening, take four (4) Dulcolax tablets (laxative), with a large glass of water. Stay close to toilet facilities.

2. You need to follow a clear liquid diet ALL DAY – no red or purple liquids. No solid foods, milk or milk products. Choices:

1. Apple juice

2. Sprite

3. Ginger ale

4. Fresca

5. Tea and coffee (honey, sugar, sugar substitutes ok – no milk)

6. Jell-O (no red or purple)

7. Popsicles (orange, lemon-lime)

8. Vitamin Water or Gatorade (orange, lemon-lime)

9. Clear soup, broth (vegetable, beef or chicken), bone broth (for added nutrition, I stirred a scoop of Amy Myers collagen protein powder into the warm bone broth).

10. White grape juice

11. Hard candy

3. That evening, drink the entire contents of one bottle of magnesium citrate between 5-6pm. Simultaneously sip the first bottle of ClearFast at this time. Stay close to toilet facilities.

4. Continue to follow a clear liquid diet through the evening to prevent dehydration. Your prep is successful when your eliminations become consistently a light yellow or clear liquid. If 6 hours before your scheduled arrival time they are not, drink another 1/2 to 1 bottle of Magnesium Citrate along with water or the second bottle of ClearFast PreOp.

5. Drink the second bottle of ClearFast once you’re in the fasting window (typically, after midnight for AM procedures).

Day of the procedure (for procedures scheduled before noon):

1. Two (2) hours before your scheduled arrival time, drink the third bottle of ClearFast PreOp. You should not have anything else to drink (or eat) until after your procedure (except the approved medications with a small sip of water). Check with your physician if you are unsure whether to take or stop a medication.

2. You must have a friend or family member available to provide you with transportation to the and from the procedure.

3. Drink the fourth bottle of ClearFast following your procedure.

4. Resume your normal diet as you feel comfortable.

Additional Instructions for Afternoon Procedures

For procedures that are scheduled to start after 12 p.m., it is okay to drink clear liquids (black coffee or tea without sugar or milk, water, 7UP, ginger ale or apple juice) until 6 hours before the start time of the procedure.