I know the first two replies are reassuring and I don't wish to spoil that and I know that everyone's experiences are different, pain levels etc, but I would have liked to have known some honest truths about it before I had mine done. I have had two - the second one was great - they gave me the maximum sedation and I didn't feel anything. The first one however, was awful for me and that was also with sedation. The reason probably was that I was really anxious, also I had a tumour so it was painful going past that and round the corners and it seemed to last a long time. Now I know that may not be helpful to you, but my advice to anyone who has asked me is if you're anxious, ask for effective levels of sedation. You can also tell them during it if it is painful or too much for you and they can top you up with sedation. Maybe if I give you my unpleasant story, you will feel relieved that yours wasn't bad at all!! At the end of the day, what's most important is that you get the reassurance and results you are hoping for. All the best. Julie xx
I felt compelled to reply to your response as it was like reading my own experience last Tuesday word for word. I couldn't have put it any better, I too have a tumour and I felt going by that part agonising. Can I ask how you are now as I am awaiting results of my CT scan.
On Wednesday I was asked to take two sachets of Picolax for my Colonoscopy which wasn't as sickly as I thought it was going to be, it tastes lemony. Today I had my Colonoscopy and I can say, hand on heart that it was not painful. I really don't know why I was so worried. I was given light sedation and oxygen and it was over before I knew it. Recovery was quick and I was allowed to go home an hour after it finished. Was given special shorts to wear to spare my modesty and felt very relaxed and secure in what was being done. Glad I went ahead with it.
Thanks Dave. Got my results straight away as everything was normal. They didn't need to take any biopsies and was told my bowel looked extremely healthy and there wasn't anything there that shouldn't be...no polyps or growths etc. The bleeding they say comes from an internal haemorrhoid that I had many years ago but cleared up with medication back then. It appears to have slightly flared up and that's what caused the bleeding I had. As for the pain and bloating, my GP has booked me in for an ultra sound scan of my pelvis to see if that brings up any answers....if nothing then I'll try a change of diet to rule out intolerances or allergies.
I have had procedures with citrimag and gastrofin without problems although some discomfort.The poly glycol stuff though caused me to vomit with the first mouthful with an hour of dry retching to follow.In the waiting room however there was one individual happily swigging it down, although he did look as though he could wrestle a crocodile with one arm while biting the head off a bear.
That procedure was cancelled, i had to wait a couple of hours for discharge while my heart rate went back to normal.
First procedure with entonox was agony and also cancelled.
Biggest problem i had was with no one to take me home.Although there are various volounteer driver options available, they have to be able to stay with you for 24 hours or so to care so they are not considered suitable by the hospital (basically a taxi service).
Fenatanyl + midozlam.I think the purpose of the midzolam is to make you forget, i did not, and it hurt.I believe that in Norway and one of the London teaching hospitals the sedation part is omitted and just the painkiller is given. Not being the nervous type (ignore my sig) i would have preferred this option as it avoids the need for a chaperone (i was told but not sure of this).
Someone here mentioned that general anathsesia could be had, despite asking this was not an available option, i suspect because it requires bed space, i am awaiting a different procedure elswhere for another couple of biopsies for the same reason (no chaperone).I now have to wait for another investigation as i know there is something that needs to be removed.
From reading about, everyone is different and has different experiences.However having known someone lost to bowel cancer i would suggest it is much better to bite the bullet and get it done asap.Until you have it done there is no way of knowing if yours is going to me an easy or difficult one.
Get all the drugs you can and see how it goes.Shout load enough and they will stop the procedure.
