Hi there,
I just wanted to add my very positive experience of my colonoscopy on the NHS that I had yesterday. I know people experience these procedures differently, for many reasons, but there are a lot of scary stories out there, believe me, I read them! and I wanted to add mine just in case it helps anyone allay their fears, because mine was a good one.
I was petrified to the point it was all I thought about. The fear consumed me, and on many occassions I visualised myself cancelling or not actually turning up, even though I was referred on the 2 week programme due to a change in bowel habits.I’m a worrier when it comes to the unknown and this indeed was just another of those experiences.
I took movi prep. It didn’t taste nice, but was very do-able. I wasn’t bothered about the taste and had convinced myself I’d take it everyday rather than go through the next day’s procedure. My advice, however horrid it is, take good sized gulps and follow with small sips of water. It gets it down quickly which I think is key to not being on the loo too long. I took the first litre in just over an hour and within 40 mins I was on the toilet and it just pours out (sorry to be graphic). No tummy pain, no soreness. I did use Vaseline in between visits, but only as I’d read it was a good idea. It worked - no soreness whatsoever! I only spent about an hour going to the loo. Then I had a two hour break. Next litre was more difficult because the taste isn’t nice, but again I chugged it and managed not to be sick. Again was on the loo shortly after and only for about an hour. Then the prep was behind (excuse the pun) me.
I had an unsettled night, nothing to do with the toilet as I didn’t need to go, just the worry. I had a panic at 3am as I’d missed the chance to have a final full glass of water. It was sips only for me from 2am to 6am. My appointment was 8am.
I followed my husband into the car like a lamb to the slaughter at around 7.15am I felt really pathetic and I looked it, lol.
Everyone was lovely. I checked in, contemplated running out of the building, then waited to see a nurse. She took my vitals and gave me the shorts and gown. They are really comfy! They’d be great for chilling out at home lol. I then waited a little more and a nurse came to take me to the room! I said goodbye to my hubby and shed a few tears as I followed the nurse, wearing my huge gown and socks and pulling the little trolly they’d given me to put my belongings into.
i got into the room and from then on it was a breeze. I explained my fear and said I wanted pain relief, probably sedation but I was worried about being out of control and not being able to ask them to stop. He easily popped a cannula in my hand, I’m fine with needles, then I laid on my left side. I scrambled for the nurse’s hand and she held it the whole time, but I would have been fine in hindsight without it. I had a low dose sedation 2mg of Midazolam and an average dose of painkiller 5ug fentanyl. He said he could top them up if I needed. I didn’t. I didn’t need the gas and air either although he said I could. It was FINE. I didn’t feel any pain. A little discomfort around 2 bends. Apparently there were 4 bends, but I only felt pressure twice. I could talk through it. Very pleasantly surprised! I’ve had worse smear tests. It all seemed to happen so quickly. I was in there 25 mins but it felt like 10 - maybe that was the sedation I certainly didn’t feel sedated. I felt in control and well looked after the whole time. I laid on my back at one point and back on side again for the end. It was done! I couldn’t believe it!
Waited in a little ward for 40 mins but only as I’d had a little sedation. I sat up and just waited and had a glass of water. Chatted to the nurse. Then I got dressed, met my husband in another room where I had a mug of tea and two packets of those little biscuits. Then went into a room where a nurse told me it went well. They’d taken 2 biopsies apparently and I’ll get results in 4-6 weeks.
Could I do it again if it was like that? YES without hesitation.
I might have to have a gasostrophy in the near future, but I hope I would go into that with less fear now after such a positive colonoscopy.
Good luck and remember by far most of these procedures go smoothly. Not all, but the majority do. There are drugs if you need them and they would stop before carrying on if you needed them to (I didn’t need him to stop at any point but I did check that with him first ).
