1. Community
  2. Gut, bowel and stomach
  3. Ulcerative Colitis

First full colonoscopy on Thursday, nervous and don't know what to expect

Posted , 10 users are following.

brooke22
brooke22

I was only diagnosed around 3 months ago with proctitis and I'm so nervous about this colonoscopy as my flex sigmoidoscopy was so painful. I have sedation for this one but I'm still worried that it will be really painful. Anyone had both and can tell me what was worse?

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • ruari1
    ruari1 brooke22

    Posted

    Not quite so bad as you are expecting, I'm sure. I've had two of them; just take the sedation and you won't know a thing and be up and about right away. Have someone take you home afterwards!
  • johnc7524
    johnc7524 brooke22

    Posted

    I had a full colposcopy 2 weeks ago and went through gas and air and when I came round it felt ok lots of wind but not as traumatic as being awake with the flex one, glad I went for that as found no cancer but I have full blown colitis and that is a real bug bare as it has affected me running my business for last 7 months

    hope all goes well

    take care John

  • michelle212
    michelle212 brooke22

    Posted

    Hello Brooke, I too was only dignsed with Ulcerative coliis last March - i had been sent for a sigmoidoscopy because i was bleeding and passing mucus and feeling awful.  My experience with sigmoidoscopy was like yours, painful and scary so when they said they needed to do full colonocopy i was dreading it - i can only go by experience at my local hospital.  They were fantastic, i had painkiller and sedation into my hand, i was not asleep, had absolutely nopain, and they actually had to tell me to stop talking - it was totally different and iwas given some gas and air as well - it was over quickly and no problems after - i would not worry when i need to have another done.  Hope all goes well for you and try not to worry xx
  • mary_70540
    mary_70540 brooke22

    Posted

    I've had this done 3 times now ,I was sick with worry ,when I told this to a nurse I was told I could be put to sleep for it ,so that's what I done ,brilliant , I have to say I was in a lot of pain with wind after ,I was told they put air inside you ,this lasted a good couple of days ,please don't worry about having this done tell surgeon you want to be completely out for it

  • looloo43
    looloo43 brooke22

    Posted

    Hiya

    I have had to sigs' & 3 full colonoscopys. I had gas & air for one of the sigs' which was useless, so opted for sedation for all the other scopes. the sedation made the procedures virtually painless - you are still awake, they inject it into your hand(doesnt hurt), but you feel relaxed & sleepy. they take you to the ward after & leave you to doze for 15-25mins. The worst thing about it is the wind pain after (because they pump some air into you during scope) which can make you bent over with discomfort after.I have just gone to the private toilet on the ward & let most of the wind escape & you feel much better. You may feel a little bit tender & bloated for a day or two after-but its ok & passes naturally. Make sure you have someone pick you up from ward after if you opt for sedation. It really is ok, try to go to the toilet on ward after to let wind out & you'll be fine. take care.

  • adelelisa1981
    adelelisa1981 brooke22

    Posted

    Hi

    I've had one sigmoidoscopy and 4 colonoscopys... Sigmoidoscopy was fine, I never felt a thing...

    The last 3 colonoscopys were 'ok' obviously extremely uncomfortable and undignified.

    The last one however was horrendous, extremely painful and I was in complete agony for up to a week afterwards, I think my inflammation was so bad the scope wouldn't go through.

    I'm due another in july and they won't put me to sleep as apparently you need to be awake for pain management. So I've asked for extra pain relief....

    Good luck hun, everybody reacts differently xxx

  • bob1234
    bob1234 brooke22

    Posted

    The colon goes from the intestine up the right hand side then across and then down to sigmond and anus. Ascending colon, traverse colon, descending colon and sig colon and anus.

    To do a full they have to do 2 90deg turns. This is uncomfortable so gas and air.

    When using gas and air the mouth piece makes a rasping noise , keep the noise loud. Every thing goes in the distance like echos.

    I have had two full colonoscopy done with no problems. They didn't blow air in.

    Worrying will make you feel worse.

    The odds of anything bad happening are very low.

    Bob

  • millie1986
    millie1986 brooke22

    Posted

    Brooke please trust me the thought of it all is so much worse and it's over and done in no time!

    I was like you I was dreading it after my sigmoidoscopy but I found tge sigmoidoscopy worse.

    I took sedation for the colonoscopy & although I was wide awake I had afew slight pains but nothing I couldn't handle! I'm the biggest scardie cat about I don't even have my ears pierced!!

    How are you feeling. xx

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.