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Unpleasant but not too bad

Posted , 3 users are following.

ChrisTDI
ChrisTDI

First, my sympathy to the folks on here who've had truly awful experiences.

I received a sigmoidoscopy today to investigate blood in my stool at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.  I was seen quickly, staff were professional, kind and I was well taken care of.

I required an enema prior to the procedure and was offered to choice to administer it myself or have the nurse do it.  More concered with having it done properly than my modesty, I had the nurse do it.  It was unpleasant and somewhat painful due to a tear but the nurse was accomodating and went at a pace I could handle.

For the sigmoidoscopy itself, I declined sedation as I was told it was not required for this procedure.  This was against the advice of 3 friends of mine, 2 nurses and a doctor.  In hindsight, I do wish I had listened.  While the procedure was not painful aside from the odd twinge, it was incredibly uncomfortable and I did have to make a concentrated effort to stay calm.  Sedation would have really helped with this and made my life and the doctors easier.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • erick96818
    erick96818 ChrisTDI

    Posted

    Great! This is what I fear ! So far I don't have the option for sedation ! I'm scared , I feel like canceling the app .
    • ChrisTDI
      ChrisTDI erick96818

      Posted

      I can certainly understand and empathise with your fear.  I'm surprised they're offering no sedation especially if you're nervous.  Have you tried talking to the doctor/department doing the procedure directly about it?

      As it goes, this was one of the more useful procedures in actually getting a proper diagnosis and the care I needed.  If you're in a similar boat, I'd strongly recommend not cancelling.

      If you do have to go without sedation, I would describe the sensation as needing to pass but being unable to and cramping in the stomach.  It was relatively quick.  Around 5 minutes, start to finish and medical staff wil be on hand to chat with you and help keep you calm.

    • erick96818
      erick96818 ChrisTDI

      Posted

      Hello Chris,

      Yes, I talked to the doc that's performing the procedure. He basically said that sedation is not necessary given the fact that he's only focusing on the lower rectum , this is where my symptoms are more common. Thank you for your response .

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