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colonoscopy and upper endoscopy at the same time

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cry_baby
cry_baby

Last Friday I had a combined colonoscopy and endoscopy of the oesophogus, duodenum and stomach done at the same time. Leading up to the procedure I was absolutely terrified and spent hours looking for information from people who'd had it done so I thought I would share it for others who may have to have both or either of these investigations.

I am a 45 year old female. I was diagnosed with iron deficiency anaemia about a month ago and because of that my GP wanted me to go for a colonoscopy. Not until my appointment came through did I realise I was also having the upper endoscopy done at the same time. Both of these procedures were terrifying to me and it was hard to work out which I was most nervous about; something going down my throat or something where the sun don't shine!

I was sent some industrial strength laxatives with instructions on how to use them. Two days before I had to eat a low residue diet. In fact all I ate was white bread toasted. On the morning of the day before I was allowed some breakfast then only clear fluids (juice, water, black coffee/tea) from then onwards. At 2pm I had to take 10 senokot tablets. Nothing happened. At 4pm I had to mix one sachet of a powder (can't remember the name) with 8oz of hot water and wait half an hour before drinking it. Tasted very citrusy and ok at first but after a few mouthfulls it didn't taste too good but not as bad as some people describe. Nothing happened until about an hour or so later when I got quite severe stomach cramps and 'runs' to the loo! That was it from then; regular need to visit the loo with very little warning other than rumblings in the lower abdomen. I had to take a further sachet at 7pm. Apart from the first bout of severe cramps I had no pain; just exhausting regular visits to the loo until about midnight and a couple when I got up early in the morning of the day of the procedure.

The day of my appointment I cried all the way to the hospital (my partner came with me). I cried the whole time I was in the waiting room and when they were booking me in (check bp etc). I hadn't signed the consent form (which they'd sent with the appointment information) because I wanted to make sure that the Dr knew how terrified I was. He came to see me before I was taken to the procedure room (which was a sort of operating theatre) and promised me he would make sure I was well sedated (asleep!) before he started.

The nurse had put a canula for IV meds into the back of my hand. I walked into the procedure room ( still crying :roll: ). Before the sedation was given and because I was having the upper endoscopy aswell, the Dr sprayed my throat with a local anaesthetic (tastes like vodka mixed with banana), they had to give me this mouth piece which is there to protect your teeth from the scope; they also put a little sponge attached to a tube in your nostril which gives you oxygen while you're sedated. The Dr started putting in the IV sedation which was midazolam and a narcotic pain relief called fentanyl. I told him it wasn't working and he assured me it was; he was right as I have no memory or knowledge of the upper endoscopy; I have a very vague recollection of waking up during the colonoscopy; I was aware it was very uncomfortable but felt disasociated from the pain and more interested in the image on the television screen from the camera! They must've given me more meds because the next thing I know I was waking up in recovery feeling euphoric with relief because they were telling me it was all over :P

I was then allowed to sleep for an hour when they woke me up offering tea and biscuits. They asked me to try walking to the loo and back to make sure I wasn't going to keel over then took me (with my partner) in to a private room to give me the test results. They like you to have someone with you for this part because the midazolam makes you forget things. For about 2 days afterwards I was very very tired and forgetful but am fine now (3 days later) and have been to work today no problems.

I'm sorry this is such a long posting, but it's so hard to find detailed descriptions of these things and for most people these sort of investigations are very fearful prospects and I wanted to share a relatively postive experience in the hope it might help someone else feel less anxious leading up to their appointment.

I hope never to have it done again; but if I do I will not be anywhere near as scared or worried as I was before this first one. I swear I was so scared I was awake most nights leading up to it worrying and googling it (you'll find plenty of horror stories which is why I thought I'd attempt to redress the balance with a positive one).

If you are scare and/or, like me, you have a low pain threshold, then don't be affraid to tell the staff and ask them to make sure you are well sedated.

The staff in the endoscopy unit were lovely and very very compassionate and supportive.

25 likes, 142 replies

142 Replies

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  • cassidy00931
    cassidy00931 cry_baby

    Posted

    My experience was much the same, including the fact that I did not know about the Endoscopy Iu until the last minute. I have severe gag reflex and required Lydocaine. It's extremely thick and just a little wierd to swallow. But, it works. I did drive home from a meeting spot. My friend followed. I almost fell asleep at the wheel and crossed either line several times. I slept for four hours, once I got home. The procedure was a breeze. I felt a little pressure, As polyps were removed from my colon. But everything was done in less than 45 minutes. Follow all instructions and rules. DO NOT DRIVE. DO NOT DRVE.

    • marlene88784
      marlene88784 cassidy00931

      Posted

      Cassidy

      I applaud you! I'm such a coward, they would have had to reschedule until I was thoroughly sedated. Good for you!!

  • Clarkebar
    Clarkebar cry_baby

    Posted

    I was very interested to read your story.  I decided I had to have an endoscopy because I woke up with a little bit of blood in my mouth and my chiropractor said that some other people he knew didn't get an endoscopy right away with terrible results, so I didn't have a colonoscopy in a very long time so am planning to have them both together, but I have never had the anaesthesia before so I was interested to read the names of what they gave you:  medazolam and fentinyl,, because I have never heard of anything except prophynol and once I mentioned that I did not want to have prophynol they said they were going to give that to me probably, and I also take antipsychotic medication and the nurse said maybe I should not take a dose of that that day of the procedure.  She said I might have to talk to the anaesthesiologist one day before the scheduled procedure, but she has not called me yet for that and now I have had a cough today and nasal congestion so I was thinking I would call her tomorrow and ask if it should be postponed since I have a cold.  I have not been losing sleep over this.  I am just scared but not as scared as I was when I got put in the hospital before for mental Illness.  I saw someone shooting a flamethrower in the nighttime and the flame licked my heels while I was running and then I met a policeman and I didn't even try to explain to him what I had seen, but I peed in my pants and then at the hospital I had diarhea every 20 minutes for about a whole day and night and it smelled really awful so they put in their report that I was "odoriffic" and the people were very nice after that, I had such a relaxing time talking to different people and I had been there before so there were some very nice people to see again and give a hug and get a hug so I wasn't scared any more and I didn't have diahrea any more and now I have been out of the hospital and working part time for a few months, only I wake up in the morning some mornings with this little bit of dried blood on my tongue that I spit out when I go to brush my teeth.  It is before I brush my teeth that the blood is there.  Blood from my gums bleeding when I brush my teeth is different I think.  I had an endoscopy before without any sedation or anaesthesia and I had a colonoscopy before without any sedation or anaesthesia either.  It is not the proceedure that I am frightened of.  It is the fact that I will be unconscious.  I told them that I had the proceedures before and the doctors who did those proceedures on me allowed me to be awake and we could talk to each other, but I don't know the names of my old doctors, that was in 1988 I think that I had that done, and at the time I had an irritated colon and an irritated esophagus, that was the diagnosis, from something that I had ingested, and the only thing I knew about that I had eaten was that someone put a lot of pepper on a steak that I ate.  I ate cream of wheat farina every day for about 3 months and could not eat anything else, not even a piece of lettuce or a piece of fruit, and I couldn't drink any coffee for a whole year.  I am drinking coffee now, two cups a day, one in the morning for breakfast and one after supper at night.

  • lori20445
    lori20445 cry_baby

    Posted

    Thanks for sharing. Im due,to have both tomorrow. Im neverous as well. Ive had such severe right flank pain. Ive had this for years it comes and goes but this time I couldnt get out of bed. I went to hospital and they just said its muscular and sent me on my way. I know the difference between something inside me and something muscular. I feel that what ever was going on with me it swells up and I feel pressure in my ribs. I also have Iron deficiency. I dont mean to pry but how was your results? I know everyone is different. Just wondering. I think Im more afraid that they arent going to find anything and soon Ill be at square one again.
  • Yvonne470
    Yvonne470 cry_baby

    Posted

    Hi Cry Baby

    Endesocpy is my dreaded nightmare, and is getting closer to me needing one sad I will be petrified. I have always had problems with my throat, to long to put in here. I was referred for a two week urgent colonoscopy on December 6th. On January the 12th I had my colonoscopy. I did have sedation which really helped, but tbh it wasnt painful  whatsoever just slight discomfort as they went around the corners and took biopsies.

    I have been having loose motions for nearly two months and a few times where it had been just black liquid. A distended abdomen for a few months, when the pain and bowels changed it was time to see my gp.  I also had to take 4 sachets of Kleen-prep. I had a wager with my brother who said if I could drink it neat he would give me £20 lol needless to say I lost that bet on the first mouthful. How grateful I was for the Rose's Lime Juice and the Ribena. Oh and how Rowntree's Pastilles never tasted so good lol.

    Now waiting on my results which should be this week as the nurse said.

    Like you said always voice your thoughts, doctors and nurses aren't mind readers, always best said before they start.

    Hope you get good results honey xxx

  • marie63382
    marie63382 cry_baby

    Posted

    Thank you so much for this. I have been so worried about having these done next week. I actually called the hospital to cancel but the nurse told me my referral had been marked extremely urgent. After reading your post I have decided that I should do as you said and explain how afraid I am. I really can't thank you enough for this.

    • marie63382
      marie63382

      Posted

      Well. Thanks to this positive post I went ahead and had it done. I had sedation and hardly remember the gastroscopy. No discomfort at all. The colonoscopy was no problem except for a severe period like pain when the air was pumped in. I had two polyps removed. One was quite large and has been sent for testing, but doc thought looked ok. He did say that it would have become cancerous in a couple of years, so I am so glad that I went ahead. The worst thing about the whole thing was the Klean prep I had to drink the day before. That stuff is vile. It took me a whole day to drink the 2 litres. Like drinking vanilla flavoured baby oil. YUK!
  • michael98468
    michael98468 cry_baby

    Posted

    I was searching on a google search under Endoscopy and Colonoscopy at the sme time and found this discussion.      

    ?Wow  everyone has such fear. I can understand fear of something unknown esp thinking about what is inserted where....however I have had this done now 5 times between the 2 and NONE were painful and I have NO horror stories of any kind to report.  I think most of you have nothing to fear at all. I told co-workers once the procedure was better than an average day at work!

    ?Granted Im sure things can be different here and there on occasion but every time for me I went out, and then came to in another room and all was over and Nothing but it hint of grease down below.  I was ready to get out and go have lunch!

    ?I had polyps snipped one, no issue, no pain, no blood. Over the last few decades Ive encountered friends and co workers very fearful and I told them to relax, its nothing and none believed me. Afterwords, they all agreed.

    ?I have had operations much larger than something like this. Many people do. Jut about all of you have no reason to be so fearful. Just relax, convince yourself theres really noting to it, and in most every case that will turn out to be true.

    ?PS  Im in the US, maybe in other countries they dont use the same drugs to put you out. If thats the case and you really are going to wake up in the middle then ?  Personally I know of nobody who ever had that happen.

    pps The gal ahead of me was doing legal work with all these papers in the waiting room. When I came too there she was ahead of me doing the same papers. She woke up and went to work with these papers right there in the recovery room.

    ?Each time I got dressed and walked out I went right out to a restaurant!  They say take it easy and eat light, but I was hungry and ready to go and went and ate and felt more or less normal right off.  I wish you all the same and really feel most of you will feel a relief after and realize a lot of this worry is for nothing.

    • lynn80906
      lynn80906 michael98468

      Posted

      My brother lives in the US. He has had several joint colonoscopies and endoscopy procedures and agrees with you. He was given propofol. I was given midazolam and pethidine. They didnt work for me. I felt the pain but was unable to ask them to stop as there seemed to be a disconnect between my mouth and my brain. It was horrendous.
  • cyn1979
    cyn1979 cry_baby

    Posted

    Thank you for this information!!! I too am having this procedure in a few days and I'm a little nervous but you've been a help!

    Take care!

  • janice39934
    janice39934 cry_baby

    Posted

    Thanks for the long info cry baby caise i will be going through both at sametime and i am 50 years old. Just very scared cause my husband has to work so will be doing alone till after he gets off work. Did you have someone with you the day after to be at home with or did you do that alone.
    • Guest
      Guest janice39934

      Posted

      Hi Janice

      I have had both an endoscopy and 2 colonoscopies and I can honestly say the worst bit is the prep beforehand for the colonoscopy.  I was 51 for my 1st colonoscopy so can empathise with you.  You just have to be prepared to sit on the toilet for hours, with your book/kindle/music plus plenty of cleaning materials and cream for what will soon be a sore bottom.  The anticipation of the procedures is far worse than the eventuality.

      I had been very concerned about gagging for the endoscopy.  They put some kind of mouth guard in to keep my mouth open, but I was so out of it I didn't even realise they had finished!  As for the colonoscopy different people have different experiences, but my 1st experience mirrored those of crybaby.  The 2nd one was cut short and I had a CT scan instead.

      I don't know if you are UK or USA.  I have to go for tests annually under anasthetic or sedation as a day patient.  Here in the UK you MUST have someone to collect you and stay with you for 24 hours afterwards.  You MUST not drive or operate electrical goods/gas cookers/machinery.  I know this sounds a bit OTT, and at first I was sceptical, but I soon realised that for those 24 hours, I just could not function properly - memory affected, no concentration, very tired.  I also found for the colonoscopies I needed someone to take me to the hospital, as I was still have frequent bowel movements, and of course was not allowed to drive home.  Your insurance is void for 24 hours afterwards. 

      So I suggest if your husband is not available, you should have a friend collect and stay with you while he is at work, and then again the following day.  Very best wishes.  Another Janice hiding behind Felinia

       

    • janice39934
      janice39934 Guest

      Posted

      Hi felinia

      I am in belgium i dont have many friends here in belgium like i do America. My husband will be at work when go in but there after work to get me. Unfortunately he wont be avaliable to take off the next day. So that is what worries me the most. Thanks for more info i do appricate it.

    • Guest
      Guest janice39934

      Posted

      Hi Janice

      No idea what the procedure is in Belgium, or how you are with the languages.  Hopefully you will get instructions in English as well.  As you are going to be alone the day after I suggest you prepare as much as you can in advance before hand.  For example, plan to have simple food that does not require much preparation.  Cereal and milk, sandwiches, microwave meals your husband can do.  Also don't plan to do anything except stay at home on the sofa, with music or undemanding TV.  I found I could not concentrate on a book, or try and do anything on my PC.  Take great care with stairs and hold onto rails.  It's not something I would normally advocate, but I didn't lock my front door - just in case I fell over.  I asked people to ring me, or I arranged to ring them, to let them know how I was doing.  But you might feel just fine - I hope so.  Janice

    • marlene88784
      marlene88784 Guest

      Posted

      Filinia

      Those were very sweet suggestions you gave to Janice. I'm in California, and we are to have a driver take us, wait for us, and drive us home. Hospitals here use general anesthesia for both colonoscopies and endoscopes. I have found that after my husband drives me home, I sleep off the sedation until evening. The following day I too, like to rest, and allow my body a chance to completely recover from the procedures. Although the following day I'm usually feeling 80% ok again.

      Thank you for your very kind suggestions, to others undergoing these procedures. Lol, I too, was afraid of gagging on the mouth guard, used for the endoscopy, but at that point the sedation has taken effect, and I have no memory past, just seeing the mouth guard.

      Take care....

    • janice39934
      janice39934 Guest

      Posted

      Ya i read up on it but i also have other things that are against me also. I am a diabetic and i take insulin. Plus i am a asmatic. I do inhalers. But thank you for the info. Will be open to all advice.
    • marlene88784
      marlene88784 janice39934

      Posted

      I understand. Thankfully the gastroenterologist doing this procedure, is aware of your medical issues and the meds you are taking.

      I will say a prayer for you, It is my belief, that He will be beside you as you undergo these procedures.

      Please, Let us know how it went for you.

      ??🙏

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