Colonoscopy

[rayzer]

Just been told I need a colonoscopy. Anybody on here had one and what's the worst effects of one.

[Tresor'sTracksuit]

I've had one and barely remembered it I presume to the sedative I was given. The only part of it I remember is when they were taking the last biopsy and taking the camera out which was a bit painful. The laxative the night before was the worst part of it all for me. Was on the toilet a lot. Sigmoidoscopy is far worse.

[CnBtruntru]

Had 3-4 of them and you will be ok

[pureclaret]

id look into it if it was me

[rayzer]

Thanks for the encouraging responses. Must admit I'm a bit nervous. I've been doing the bowel screening tests for the last 10years and this is the first time they've required further investigation

[Funkydrummer]

Had 3-4 of them and you will be ok

Yeah, can't be that bad if you're unsure whether you've had 3 or 4.

[rayzer]

FAO pure claret. I'm definitely getting it done.

[Funkydrummer]

I too had pain upon removal of the camera/probe as I think the sedation was wearing off.
No lasting effects though.

You'll be reet, but good luck with it.

[rayzer]

Thanks Funky

[Tresor'sTracksuit]

They are pretty straight forward. If you have a biopsy taken just have a rest and chill out for a day or 2 after it. Honestly there's nothing to worry about. It can be daunting but you'll be absolutely fine.

[Socrates]

If they’ve told you that you need one then get it done.

I got told I needed further investigation and put it off for too long - ended up with sepsis and I nearly died.

I’ve had loads since - sedated and not sedated. They are nowhere near as bad as you are imagining. And they are way, way, way better than 7 weeks in ICU and 4 months in hospital because of sepsis.

[Claret Till I Die]

I've had 3 done. The moviprep that I had the night before certainly cleared me out. Think of a blocked downspout being cleared....

[rayzer]

Sorry to hear thatSocrates. My dread is subsiding with all these positive responses. Thank you everyone.

[ClaretInLeeds]

I've had 3 done. The moviprep that I had the night before certainly cleared me out. Think of a blocked downspout being cleared....

Given how full of sh*t you are, I'm surprised it only needed three.....

[rayzer]

I'm still a bit confused with this prep stuff. Is it just a strong laxative

[ClaretTony]

Just been told I need a colonoscopy. Anybody on here had one and what's the worst effects of one.

I had one back in 2012 and the procedure was not so bad at all. I wasn't sedated, just used gas and air. CTID has commented that it's the stuff they give you to clear you out beforehand, just be close to the loo.

[CnBtruntru]

Yeah, can't be that bad if you're unsure whether you've had 3 or 4.

Had colonoscopy and endoscopy same day twice over last 15 year or so and colonoscopies separate, but as previously wrote, nothing to worry about.

[Funkydrummer]

Just think " flock of sparrows" and you won't be alarmed.

[DXS]

Nothing to fear with the procedure, I found it really interesting watching it on the screens, as others as said the day before is the worst bit, the laxative I had was Moviprep and it was brutal, but I believe it may have been replaced. All the best hope it goes well

[Clive 1960]

Had one a few weeks ago as i had to have routine check up as first one i had in Uk they found a polip and they just check the bowel plus i suffer from ulcerative colitis, the procedure is ok ...

[Tribesmen]

I've had one and barely remembered it I presume to the sedative I was given. The only part of it I remember is when they were taking the last biopsy and taking the camera out which was a bit painful. The laxative the night before was the worst part of it all for me. Was on the toilet a lot. Sigmoidoscopy is far worse.

Yer the wife said the laxative was the worse part also when she had it done .

[claretbob]

Had mine a couple of months ago and as in most cases the issue was a large polyp. Surprisingly little discomfort and a visit to the dentists is far worse. Well worth doing but looking at the inside of your bowel on an HD quality screen is certainly a strange sensation and not one for the squeamish.

[ALP]

You'll be fine, and it's certainly better to have it done and gain any further treatments you may need.

I heard the problem isn't the camera, it's the big fluffy microphone that tickles your ring piece!!

Seriously though, you will be fine, wishing you all the very best.

[Lubanski]

Its not too bad, wind bothered me for a couple of hours after. I had a large polyp removed which was later found to be malignant, i was faced with bowel removal, i took a second opinion and went to North Hampshire hospital which had a treatment of excellence centre, The Pelican, i had a further op there and all went well, still ok 20 years later. Just have the postal tests now. Good luck and if need be always take your option of a second opinion.

[rayzer]

Thanks for all the advice guys.

[Burnley Ace]

The Lancs NHS Biwel Cancer team are an absolute credit, I cannot fault their professionalism and performance. Just make sure you get your brew and a piece of toast when you recover, after a 24hr fast it tastes divine!!!

As for the Moviprep, I just wish it came in different flavours!!

[GordonvaleClaret]

By the time you arrive at the hospital/clinic the worst is already over.

[Claret Till I Die]

No sedation for any of mine, just gas & air as CT said. I drove home after each one but tended to hover over the car seat due to the release of said gas & air....
As many have said above it really is a straight forward procedure

[Stockbrokerbelt]

I had one back in 2012 and the procedure was not so bad at all. I wasn't sedated, just used gas and air. CTID has commented that it's the stuff they give you to clear you out beforehand, just be close to the loo.

You think that stuff is bad you want to try waterborne dysentery, i farted & had to wash my hair!

[ClaretTony]

By the time you arrive at the hospital/clinic the worst is already over.

I was dreading it when I went but, as you say, the worst bit is over long before you get there.

[Bullabill]

Had colonoscopy and endoscopy same day twice over last 15 year or so ......

Yeah, when that happens make sure the endoscopy is done first, and, if it's not, make sure the Doc. cleans the scope before doing it.

[TomtheClaret]

All the best! Dont worry about the "need" for one. I had certain bacteria's that show up, may need bit more info like mine did.
End result was a course of antibiotics. Not painful at all, probably worse in your mind pal

[mikeS]

I had a colonoscopy at Blackburn in January this year. It's not a bad procedure at all. To prepare your bowels the hospital will give you Moviprep. 'Moviprep' is a wonder of science. You might have been given this already. It's a sachet (you should get two) you mix with a pint of water and neck the lot. It's got a slight lemon barley tang to it. The nurse who gave you the 'Moviprep' will have given you two sheets of instructions.
Stick to them. And whatever you do, don't move far from the toilet. You will be amazed at what exits your gut and the rate of expulsion.
Stick to the script and you'll have clean bowels for the scan. That's what the scan team want.
The procedure itself is painless if you have the sedative as I opted for.
No pain or discomfort at all. On the op table awake on your side for about half an hour, watching your own insides on a big screen. The dr will take samples off any polyps and they should give you some indication after the procedure as to what they found. They send the biopsies off to the path lab which should come back after 4-6 weeks. I only got my results after calling in the doctors to ask if they'd been returned. Keep asking until you get them. My colonoscopy results came back negative and I was advised to eat more fibre and less crap food.

[IanMcL]

Be by the toilet with your pants down!

[TomtheClaret]

"Moviprep wonder of Science!"
Indian nurse who gave me mine, said "Think like a vindaloo, but less tasty and it stings less on the way out!"

[Sproggy]

The two worst things for me were the Moviprep the night before - it took about 4 hours longer than advertised to go through me and when it did I almost launched myself into space which was somewhat disturbing and then being asked on the day to wear an ill-fitting paper nappy with the *rse cut out of it for the procedure. These are called "dignity pants" but I couldn't for the life of me work out why as there was none. Maybe I'm just overly fashion concious.

Procedure was fine. I didn't bother with sedation so it was a bit weird when the camera went "round the corner" but I didn't want to have to hang around afterwards waiting to be cleared to drive.

Oh, and pretty much every doctor, nurse or consultant I met on my way through the hospital asked to stick their finger up my bum for one reason or another, but you get used to it.

[aclaretinstevenage]

Not the most comfortable thing you'll ever have done but better get it done than worry about what might be lurking in there!!

The worst one I had was when they said they needed to inflate the colon to straighten some of the tight bends. They inserted another tube alongside the camera and filled me up with C02. The ring piece was a little hotter than ideal but I got through it.

I did ask if I'd take off around the room like a party balloon when they pulled it out!!

[Tribesmen]

Sorry lads i am going to have to read any more of these at home as everyone in work keeps looking at me in stiches reading these

[Sproggy]

I'm still a bit confused with this prep stuff. Is it just a strong laxative

It's an enema in oral form.

[Vegas Claret]

Just been told I need a colonoscopy. Anybody on here had one and what's the worst effects of one.

make sure you take the prep a good 3-4 hours before they tell you to do, as others have stated it usually does go on for longer than the instructions say. Zero issues though

[Tresor'sTracksuit]

I took my enema as per instructions and I was literally up most of the night on the toilet. A couple of times I offloaded
then just about got back to my bed before having to sprint back in hindsight I would've taken it earlier.

[Hipper]

Thanks for the encouraging responses. Must admit I'm a bit nervous. I've been doing the bowel screening tests for the last 10years and this is the first time they've required further investigation

Someone who was also invited in for a colonoscopy after the two year bowel screening test was told that the pieces of red that they might find in your samples might be blood - the big concern, although this blood could be from reasons other then cancer - but could also be tiny pieces of undigested red meat or even small globules of red wine. When he had his colonoscopy they found a small polyp - a bowel pimple of sorts - which they cut out at the time then sent for tests which showed no problems.

Good luck.

[Tim Burr]

I've had several too, never with sedation, even when polyps were removed. I've liked being able to see the whole process on the TV monitor. The worst bit probably when they turn the camera around to look at the bowel and of course the prior having to flush the system out. I would urge you not to have the sedation though you may have to check first that the surgeon will do that as some are reluctant. Most annoying aspect I had a few years ago was being charged for the sedation I had not had, and how long it took and the hassle to get the bill removed.

[Gerry Hattrick]

I was dreading it when I went but, as you say, the worst bit is over long before you get there.

When I got the letter telling me I had to have my first one, I felt like the bottom had fallen out of my world. After I'd taken the fluid dynamite, I felt like the world had fallen out of my bottom.
Years later when I had to have another one, I couldn't stop the old school yard song thingy of Sh* t all round the room, tra la out of my head for days.

[Lord_Bob]

Pretty much standard of care over here in the States. Every 5 or 10 years once you are over 50. Frequency depends on what they find in the first one. Having my next one next month.

No idea about not being sedated, not an option over here and I'm fine with that.

As has been said, the prep is worse than the procedure. Make sure you have plenty of toilet paper handy....

[RHansburyEsq]

I’ve had them a lot for various reasons (at least one a year for 10 years ) so I’m a bit blasé about it all now . But I well remember my first and had the same worries as you so all totally normal to feel like that.

Not much to add over the helpful stuff above. The prep is the ‘worst’ bit. The procedure itself uncomfortable rather than anything more.

I now opt for gas and air rather than sedation (mainly because it means I can drive afterwards) but did sedation for the first one and didn’t regret doing so at all. Don’t feel like you ‘should’ go with one or the other. Both have pros and cons but both are ok.

[Claretforever]

I’ve had a couple of them in the past with sedation. I can’t remember a thing about them if I’m honest, and never felt any discomfort at all afterwards from memory.

I’ve also had Endoscopy and, even with sedation, which is optional believe it or not, I’d much prefer the colonoscopy!

[timshorts]

Perhaps you could post a link to the video on here.

[Tim Burr]

Lord_Bob, I have lived in the USA last 28 years and always have without sedation, though I can only, account for two states, PA and WA.

[rayzer]

Thankyou everyone for your replies. What a message board this is! I've gone from doom and gloom to feeling very optimistic about this procedure. I'll keep you posted with how I get on.