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First time colonoscopy coming, please help me

Posted , 9 users are following.

Blade1
Blade1

Hi All,

I suffer 2nd degree hemerhoids (diagnosed by a colorectal specialist). I am going in this Monday to get this treated via sclerotherapy and, I dredd, a colonoscopy. I had a stigmoidoscopy (not sure how it's spelt) with no warning, sedation or pain relief, and it was torture. I think this was because I tightened my intestines, probably as I felt cramping/the urge to go, etc.

I've also had no information sheet from the specialist as this is all happening so fast. I do know that I'll have oxygen and injection to serve as sedative and painkiller.

My concerns are

1) I'm not sure what painkiller/sedative is used. I've heard propafol (I think that's how it's spelt) is the most effective but you need a qualified anesthesist to provide it.

2) Even on a weaker sedative, is it possible to feel no pain?

3) If I tense up, how can I relax? I'm going to try breathing and "letting go".

4) I'm going to try to see if I can use my mp3 player as a distraction, sounds stupid lol.

Any first time advice would be of great use, I'm really scared sad

1 like, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • keri47650
    keri47650 Blade1

    Posted

    Hi there

    I was so scared when I had mine done, I asked the doctor for a weaker sedation and I can honestly say it wasn't as bad as what I read or thought it was gonna be, my personal experience was mild cramping during the colonscopy, the sedation will make you relax, if you can try to not tense as this will make it harder for them to do it and might not be able to complete it, so in my experience weaker sedation and Felt no pain just mild cramping, all the best im sure you will be ok,

    • Blade1
      Blade1 keri47650

      Posted

      Thanks Keri. Do you know exactly what you took? I'm really lost as some say the weak sedation/pain killer makes it excruciating, others say (such as yourself), it would be fine?

      I'm going to speak to the surgeon before I get prepped and will also ask that if I am in too much pain, abandon the procedure (hence I want light sedation but as much painkiller as I could get, not heavy sedation that I feel the pain but can't communicate).

      BTW I am male and 29 (guess it matters).

    • keri47650
      keri47650 Blade1

      Posted

      No I don't know what sedation I had I had injection and they only put a little in said I could have more if it became to unbearable, they will normally stop if you can't take the pain, I'm 29 female had mine at st Thomas london, talk to them first they should try and ease your aniexty my nurses and doctors was nice hoping yours is too,
  • barbara26695
    barbara26695 Blade1

    Posted

    if the     hemerhoids  are painful  you  could  ask  for an  spinal  injection  to  numb  you  from the  waist  down  it would mean  staying in  overnight  though Other than  that  maybe you  could  download  a relaxation  tape to play in your  mp3
    • Blade1
      Blade1 barbara26695

      Posted

      The hemmerhoids themselves are not painful now, infact I feel completely normal. No more bleeding. I'm not too worried about injection. I used to be generally scared of injections but I've got used to injections/blood tests, so should be ok.
  • SteV3
    SteV3 Blade1

    Posted

    Hi Blade,

    I have Piles (haemorrhoids) and I have numerous colonoscopies. On my initial one I had sedation, to be honest I wondered after why I even bothered. Probably, like you and I did not know what to expect.

    Since then I never have sedation, believe me I have had much worse pain than a simple colonoscopy can give, but it is not really pain its more like a discomfort every once in awhile, when they blow air in to maneuvere the camera around a corner, but if I remember correctly theres only 3 or 4 of these places.

    They can only take the probe to roughly your appendix (if you still have them or it!!).

    And, after the procedure you do end up with letting 'rip' a lot of gas, which is normal. The last one I had done they even removed a polyp and I did not even know. They did say it may bleed a little, but mine didn't.

    If I were you I would watch the video on this page, the doctor talking is one I know from Gloucester!  It should give you a better idea than me explaining exactly what he states.

    https://patient.info/health/media/videos/what-happens-during-a-colonoscopy

    All the best, and like he states it is not real pain as you know it.

    Regards,

    Les.

     

    • Blade1
      Blade1 SteV3

      Posted

      Thanks mate. 

      That's interesting. If there's no nerves, why is pain experienced when the colonoscope turns or a bowel turn is reached? I thought I could imagine the pain if there were nerves? Maybe I'll have to ask the specialist next week...

      That video is pretty good. I guess the amount of pain depends on the patient, sedatives/painkiller used, and internal factors.

      Thanks again. I had gas after the colon exam so can only imagine this!

  • Puppyluv
    Puppyluv Blade1

    Posted

    Hi, I'm in the UK, no pain relief for colonoscopy here, just versed which is supposed to make you forget any pain. My procedure was aborted due to severe pain, extreme looping mid ascending colon and also the scope

    used was too short. The sedative used did not make me forget. I will

    never forget. I have since had a ct colonagraphy, which was only slightly uncomfortable and get the results at outpatients clinic mid April.

    Although the procedure was intolerable for me, it may very well be a

    breeze for you. Everyone is different and x fingers all goes well for you.

    • Blade1
      Blade1 Puppyluv

      Posted

      To my knowledge, a sedative just relaxes you but does nothing for the pain?
  • sharon18869
    sharon18869 Blade1

    Posted

    I had my colonoscopy 3 weeks ago and after reading some of the comments on here I was petrified, after I had a sigmoidoscopy a couple of years back that was agony with no sedation I said I would never have anything like that done again, I was so scared this time round. I went through the prep that was okish and on the day I told the nurses I wanted the maximum sedation they could give me so they gave me 3 injections all together and I started to fall asleep, i asked the nurse how long it would take and he said he was 75% done, i didnt even realise he had the camera inside me, felt a tiny very mild cramping for what seemed like seconds then I carried on talking and chatting away to nurses while he was still doing procedure, i am very sensitive to pain and didn't feel anything really, nothing to worry about, make sure you ask for maximum sedation and that you are sensitive to pain
  • FA54321
    FA54321 Blade1

    Posted

    I think it depends on your location and which hospital you are going to. Do you know if you get seen again before the procedure, as usually that's the time for asking questions . If you are not seeing a consultant again before the procedure I would ring up the consultant's secretary.

    If you are having sedation I don't think you should be concerned as there are different drugs used in different hospitals. 

  • TheToad
    TheToad Blade1

    Posted

    Hi Blade1 As people have written, everyone is different. If it helps, mine was no problem at all. I had some mild sedation, (don't know what,) but remembered everything and watched the screen as it was done. I was very talkative and had minor discomfort at times. Then a drink and a sandwich. Don't worry! 
  • mel64317
    mel64317 Blade1

    Posted

    Blade love, everyone is different.....but I can HONESTLY say mine was fine!! Had my Colonoscopy 3 months ago....no problem at all. Got myself in a nice old state worrying about it.....pushed my blood pressure through the roof !! Bot they gave me a "twilight" sedative and oxygen to help my BP....feels like you've had a large glass of wine......didn't even feel the endoscope go in.....felt WIERD when it turned the corners in my tummy...mild cramping....and all over in 15 minutes after watching ( optional) the guided tour of my colon..!!

    Now this of course would be more painful if you have a twisted bowel, or diverticulitis, or other complications...but in a waiting room FULL of people having Colonoscopies the day of mine...not ONE came out and said it was unbearable, and only commended the NHS team doing it.

    Really hope this helps.....good luck. X

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