colonoscopy and upper endoscopy at the same time
Posted , 78 users are following.
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
Clarkebar cry_baby
Posted
I don't remember any needles when I had my colonoscopy and endoscopy. Good luck with your colonoscopy and endoscopy. Mine turned out fine. But I had some dreams a few weeks later that I thought was about it, but I was just dreaming, so it was alright.
marlene88784 Clarkebar
Posted
My Gastroenterolgist's always require a blood draw and if your getting the IV sedation-- that's where the needles come in.
Vanillabean cry_baby
Posted
Thanks for this. I'm getting a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy done on the same day as well and I've been feeling very anxious. Reading about your positive experience makes me feel better.
michelle1627 cry_baby
Posted
Thanks for this, I am having this done in 3 days time. Can't wait for the sedation and for it all to be over.
susan865 cry_baby
Posted
Thank You for sharing your story as I've got an appointment for both soon. It does help to know what to expect. Other then the prep (that scares me!) the other I'm hoping not to remember!
michelle1627 cry_baby
Posted
I'll give you some tips to make sure that your colonoscopy was not the nightmare that mine was. Firstly use lots of Sudacrem as soon as the laxative starts to take effect. I didn't and after about the 10th time of weeing out of my bum I was in sheer agony and had to send my husband down to the chemist where he and the pharmacist had a laugh at my 'ring sting'. Honestly it was the worst pain ever I was so sore. The laxative gave me 19 and a half hours of trips to the loo every few minutes but I am assured that this is not usual for everyone. Because of this I got so fed up I didn't drink enough water in the final hours which meant that when the doctor went to give me my sedative through my veins they kept rupturing giving me 20 minutes of being used as a pin cushion in various veins in both arms and hands, that was really painful and I was so fed up. Then the sedative had no effect but this is because I have such a high tolerance for drugs even strong sleeping pills only give me a couple of hours rest if they work at all so don't worry I am sure you won't remember a thing like the majority of other patients. So I was awake during the whole 25 minutes and it was painful at times. So please drink loads of water so you are not dehydrated and most importantly use Sudacrem or Vaseline. On a positive note, the laxative I had was Moviprep and it tasted like Limoncello and was really quite nice I had no problem drinking it at all. Oh and the doctors said that they had never seen such a clean colon (not surprised after 19 and a half hours of weeing out my bum. And best of all they could find nothing wrong whatsoever so that was a result and so I am glad that I had it done but I wish I had drunk more fluids and used the cream straight off.
susan865 michelle1627
Posted
More great tips to help me through my upcoming colonoscopy and endoscopy. Oh my what we all go through to be healthy! But, your tips are truly important and will take care to plan ahead to have what I will need to make this appointment as easy as it can possible be. Being informed, I think, is half the battle! Take care and if we are lucky this will not happen often.
Susan
karan73973 cry_baby
Posted
I see that it has been 6 years since your post, but I wanted to thank you anyway! I too am terrified of the procedure but your posting has eased my concerns a good deal. I just wanted you to know that your post did help another 😭 cry baby. Thank you!!
monxa cry_baby
Posted
Hi fam,
I had a colonoscopy & endoscopy combo done yesterday... I have to say, prep was the worst part and I was so scared that I wasnt "cleaned out enough", but the specialist noted excellent prep on my report... Yay me!
I was given sedation, so I slept through the whole procedure.
About an hour after the procedure iwas given a muffin and tea.
Had salad and apple juice for dinner.
This morning I have a very sore throat as well as my intestines feeling "wobbly"...
Its not sore, just feels like it might drop out of position....
Hope anyone who needs to go for these procedures can get some peace of mind that its not all that bad... 😉
michael35596 cry_baby
Posted
I am just writing to say cry baby's brilliant summary describes my own experience to the letter although I only had a colonoscopy. The drugs of choice seem to be midazolam and fentanyl. I had these and after experiencing a sigmoidoscopy several years ago without either, the two experiences could not be more different. A vague memory of the last minute of the colonoscopy procedure is all I recall and that was the wonderful relief that it was all over. Because of my bad experience years ago, I was dreading the procedure and had sleepless nights leading up to it. I would have no worries at all if I had to go through it again and would look forward to the effect of the fentanyl !! My advice to anyone who has to go through this is to claim a low pain threshold and ask for both drugs mentioned above. I was told I could have Entonox (gas and air) but I was so sedated I was not in a state to ask for it !
crystal66700 cry_baby
Posted
I hope u r still on here since your post was 7 years ago. My question is I don't understand why I just can't take the iron pills for awhile to see if my iron goes up. Why all this drastic stuff?
cry_baby crystal66700
Posted
Iron deficiency anaemia in a person over 50 can be an early indication of bowel cancer... which is why they rule that out before just treating the anaemia.
since posting this and having bowel cancer ruled out I have been anaemia on and off ever since.Â
cry babyÂ
cry_baby
Posted
of course I meant anaemic 🤦🏻???
veronica81929 cry_baby
Posted
Thank you for sharing this information, I will be having the same thing done in a couple days.😁 you have made me feel more at ease.
lindaloops cry_baby
Posted
Hi, I have been looking on the internet for over 2 weeks. Since I got the phone call from my doctor telling me they found blood in my stool. I am a nervous wreck!! I suffer from Very high Anxiety and Depression. I saw a Gastrointestinal today and he has scheduled me to have both test done. Crybaby I am so glad that I finally read your post. I am a nervous wreck and all I do is cry and sleep as much as possible. My fear is the results! I hope and pray everything turns out fine. I can't talk to my family because it will o only upset them. But it is nice to know I can come here and say I AM BEYOND SCARED!! Thank you.