Colonoscopy Prep and Procedure

Hi Everyone,

I had my colonoscopy today and I just wanted to reassure anyone waiting for theirs that it's going to be absolutely fine. I definitely encourage you to have one when recommended by your doctor.

I am an extremely nervous person and most things make me anxious so you can imagine what the lead up to the procedure was like for me. I was absolutely terrified. I had to wait a week and a half and it was the longest week of my life.

I wish I didn't spend so much time worrying because every step was pain free and completely manageable minus the hunger of course. Kept dreaming about food.

I started my low residue diet on Sunday then the day before the colonoscopy, I had breakfast at 7am then started my prep at 8am. My appointment was scheduled for 1pm.

I asked for Picolax for my prep because I struggle to drink lots of fluids at the best of times. I dissolved one sachet in 150ml of water and sipped it till it was done. Not too bad. Very lemony and sweet. I washed that down with a glass of water every hour or so. I had a movement after 1 hour then nothing for a good 4 hours. When I had the 2nd sachet, that's when the action properly started and even then it wasn't horrendous. Sudocrem and wet toilet wipes are your best friends. The prep part was what I was afraid of the most. No cramps and no bloating which was great.

I had movements on and off for the rest of the day. I had a good nights sleep then continued in the morning. It all stopped before I went for my appointment.

Got there, answered a few medical questions, got in my gown then started to panic. I'd never been sedated before so I was totally terrified. The anaesthetist came in and put a cannula in and explained I was having propofol. A few minutes later I was taken to the endoscopy room, lay on my left side, oxygen on and all I remember saying was "I'm going to close my eyes" and that was it. Next thing I know, I'm in recovery asking the nurse how long it took to which she replied 25 minutes. I didn't feel a single thing. Bonus, no pain or cramps after the procedure. I had a glass of water and some juice then the results were explained to me. Fresh as a daisy, I'm now home and feeling great. 

If you need to have a colonoscopy, please please get one. You'll be absolutely fine. If I needed to have another, I wouldn't be afraid to have one. You're going to be fine and the staff will look after you. ️

  • I'm having a colonoscopy and endoscopy on Friday and I'm terrified.

    Had many ercp after my gallbladder removal went wrong and they were horrible. 

    Really thought I'd never have to go through any of this again but here we are :/

    I have been on a low residue diet since Sunday and I'm starting my prep tomorrow evening with the laxative tablets then Thursday is moviprep

    Hope all results were OK xx

  • Hi Bluecathy1978,

     The apprehension and anxiety is a million times worse than both the prep and procedure. Everything is going to go well for you. When doing the prep, grab yourself a good book or watch some TV in between visits to keep your mind off it. I also had a hot water bottle all day during prep to distract me from the gurgling and to relax my tummy in case I got cramps which I didn't. I took paracetamol too for headaches because you may get some due to not eating much.

    Are you having a sedative for the procedure?

    Propofol was absolutely brilliant. They gave it to me because when I had my flexisigmoidoscopy, I panicked so much as soon as they injected the pethidine and my heart rate went so high I worried the doctor but it was the anxiety doing this so he didn't want the drama again . I went through it and recovered well.

    I had no polyps for the colonoscopy so just waiting on the biopsy results. I've woken up this morning and feel ok, you will be too Xx

  • Hi ya currently sitting in my gown waiting for procedure so glad I just read yours I'm not so nervous now thankyou xxx

  • Snap! I'm in on Friday too for a colonoscopy, and also prepping since Sunday. I'm nervous about tomorrow with the moviprep, and even more so about Friday! But I'm sure we will both have good teams who will be looking after us :happy:

  • Thank you [@Manny1605]‍ for sharing your experience with us. I'm in on Friday for my colonoscopy and your post has reassured me, although still nervous of what they might find.

    I hope you are now fully recovered, and have enjoyed some nice food after the days of prep! X

  • Hi LFore The first bite of a meal is the best feeling ever. I'm waiting on my biopsy results but the paperwork I was given says no cancer and that I have been removed from the pathway which I'm very grateful for. I'm feeling very positive about yours too. 

    Please let me know how you get on x

  • Awww [@Manny1605]‍ that such good news! You must be so relieved. Thank you for your well wishes too. There have been so many positive stories from others on these chats which has really opened my eyes to how common some of these symptoms can be, and that it might not always be bad news.

    Take care of yourself