Colonoscopy - honest review

Good afternoon mellymc. I have just read your experience of colonoscopy. Thank you so much for writing it. I am having a colonoscopy (at the Stretton Spire hospital) this coming Monday. We've probably received and read the same information docs!

Reading about someone's experience is more beneficial and positive than any amount of googling for info. I've started the selective diet today as I my default situation is constipation so I may need. this extra prep.

You don't mention any after effects and so I assume that you felt fine by the time you were sent home.I have heard that some people experience dreadful wind in the hour or so following the procedure. Did you?

I hope you are fine and all is well. I shall remember your words on Monday.

Kind regards, Mary P.

I had my first Colonoscopy, today.

I'm 36 years old and have had Crohns disease for 10yrs, I very rarely have a flare up and I do not take any medication, so was totally shocked to be invited for this procedure. On talking over my concerns with my IBD nurse, I found out that this was purely a 'surveillance' colonoscopy. So I took the Picolax sachets and followed the diet the day before the test. Tip: As soon as you start having bowel movements after the first dose of laxatives, use vaseline with every wipe to prevent any soreness! This wasn't the best day of my life but it certainly wasn't the worst either! You just feel a bit sorry for yourself and a bit down as you can't eat much (especially hard when my Husband came home with Fish 'n'Chips for his supper and I'd had a bovril drink!) The next morning I had my colonoscopy, I cried as I was so anxious, there was no need to be. I had sedation and pethidin and cannot even remember the camera being inserted. What I do remember is discomfort when they blow a little air into your colon, but it doesn't last long, just big breaths kind of done the trick for me. I went home about an hour after the procedure (if you choose sedation then someone will need to pick you up) and tonight I am fine, just a few niggly gripes inside of me but then that could be down to the curry I have just had for supper...! PLEASE don't worry, the waiting is by far the worst bit and weigh up the pro's and con's of having the test done, it could save your life after all! Good Luck x

Hi Mary P,

I'm glad it helped to relieve any anxieties you may have had in the lead up to your Colonoscopy. I was so relieved when I returned home that I wanted to share my experience as I didn't realise how worked up I had become reading all the negative comments - for every one negative comment it seems to counteract at least 10 positive ones!i had absolutely no wind pain at all in the days following the colonoscopy unlike my first consultation with my consultant when he examined me with a sigmoid scope with the air - this lasted all of about 3 mins but I had cramping pains for the rest of the afternoon and early evening following that! I did experience some pains afer the colonoscopy only when moving which I put down to the biopsies they took.

Generally, I didn't feel great for about 4 days afterwards as my stomach was very upset and I felt bloated and a bit sore. This surprised me as after my previous sigmoidoscopy I felt fantastic straight away - almost like I had a detox and was full of energy. I think maybe because they did find some inflammation this time then this is why.

I read somewhere that as the picolax literally washes everything out of your system it takes with it all your good bacteria so I decided to try some probiotics in the form of actimel drinks. My stomach has since settled down. I have also avoided red meat and increased my fish consumption which is definitely better for me diet wise. I have been suffering with IBS but recently have had more bad days than good so it was definitely time to get it reviewed again - I tried food diaries and also elimination diets etc - I have a good knowledge of Food as I am a Food Technologist but couldn't seem to find any correlation/ interaction with anything I was eating. I am hoping that I get an action plan early September when I see my consultant for the review - life's to busy and I just want to enjoy it! Good luck with your Colonoscopy and stay positive.

Kind Regards,

Melanie

Hi had a sigmoidocopy about a month ago, although not looking forward to it the Moviprep did its stuff and the test was quick and painless. They found polyps and removed one but could not fully remove the other so a full Colonoscopy was done last week to remove it. I again had the Moviprep but this time although it worked it also made me sick, I had a sedative for this procedure but still I could feel the scope being used ,the painfull side of uncomfortable. In recovery the pain increased and I felt dreadful sweating,sick and hot, knowing it would be wind from the test I was expecting to pass it quickly and get relief. It did not happen and eventually they called a Dr and a few tests concluded wind and no internal damage. I was allowed home and retired to bed and then the wind started "could have flown a kite".Felt much better after that and even had some food, the following day I was much better.

This is what happened to me this time I have had many tests and operations with no problems. PLEASE,PLEASE do not let it put you off having these procedures done it may be better to have discomfort for a short while than not know what problems you have.

Hi all, thank you for your honest reviews about colonoscopy. Still now I haven’t go through colonscopy but I have very enthusiasm in sharing and learning things about health, fitness, digestion track, colon issues etc. Your reviews might be helpful for so many persons who scar about colonoscopy. Please keep sharing your experiences in different stages of colon health journey.

Had a colonoscopy yesterday. Previous preps had been absolutely awful. This time I started the clear fluid regime 36 hours before taking any laxatives/purgers. In addition, I slathered my bum with Sudocrem before I started and reapplied after every movement. Virtually no discomfort! I highly recommend it!

I had my 2nd colonoscopy today. I opted for no pain relief or sedation as I did for the 1st one. They weren't too happy about doing it that way and wanted to put a canula in "just in case" but I refused. Anyway, they agreed to go ahead and from start to finish it was over in 8minutes! I shall be truthful and say it was slightly uncomfortable but nothing major. For me the worse part about it all is the bowel prep before hand. That said I have been told that next time I have one I will have to be sedated because I have multiple diverticulosis through the entire length of the bowel. Unusual for a 45yr old but hey ho. So for anyone waiting to have their first please don't worry, it's not as bad as it sounds. And yes, invest in vaseline!

Hi all,

I also have just had this procedure done yesterday at the unit in a Slough hospital...WOW What a team...! 

I could not fault this NHS team from the initial consultation to the end procedure. All were professional, well informed and so kind to a lady that was VERY worried. To all that are scared...don't be. I had very light sedation ( felt like a glass of wine ) and watched the whole journey around my tummy on the screen !I had no real pain...I know that's not everyone's experience, but just mild discomfort as a little air was pumped into my bowel... The whole thing was over in less than 20 minutes and after a short nap, I was sitting up drinking a cuppa and eating a biscuit......

I did almost exactly as you did....did the bowel prep as they told me, but used Sudacrem ( for babies) and baby wipes for cleaning, so no soreness....and..other than being a bit windy !!! my tummy has returned to normal today......

well done everybody...and again try not to worry. xxxx

Hi, I had my colonoscopy this morning and ound the prep a bit difficult with not being able to eat for the 24 hours beforehand and to help clear my bowels I was given 2 sachets of Picolax, one I took the morning of the previous day and the other  12 hours later. The diarrhoea is "impressive" to say the least, and I shall say in terms of a metaphor this of the Niagra Falls when the movements happen. I wish I had found this thread before I went as it was very sore when wiping especially after I had taken the second sachet. I took the sedation for the test as my backside was already sore but the procedure wasn't that bad to be fair, slightly painful when the air went in but that was it. The trouble is, after you get back home and the sedation wears off the ,stomach cramps begin. But I have to say to anyone who has an appointment for one, don't fret the anticipation is worth than the procedure itself.