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My First Colonoscopy with just Gas and Air

Posted , 4 users are following.

kimbc01
kimbc01

Ok so after reading all the horror stories and desperately looking for some reassureance i wanted to share my experience and hopefully put some peoples mind at rest or at least settle their nerves a little.

I was asked to have a colonoscopy 2 years ago and had managed to avoid it even being taken off the "list" and refered back to my GP, i had so much fear it was unbelievable - I know this was incredibly stupid but the fear had over powered everything.

since suffering with my Ulcerative Colitis after quitting smoking a year ago i guessed this had to be done or i could end up seriously ill, my way of thinkinig eventually was i either have it and take the risk (death being my biggest fear not the pain) or i dont have it and potentially die anyway so i agree i take my prep which was horrendous and only managed 3 sachets, i arrived at the hosiptal feeling ok! i got called in my a nurse he said 'Hi - you look anxious' and there it was i was in tears saying how i was scared and didnt want the procedure done he managed to reassure me and i felt a little better i got changed and waited to see the surgeon - he went through the procedure and explained the risk and amazingly i managed not to cry i signed the consent forms and then went back in the wating room to wait for another nurse to put the IV in my hand a few minutes later she calls me in and i cried again saying i was scared she asked did i not want the sedation or the procedure and then i realised my fear was ultimately the sedation so she suggested using gas and air but doubt i would be able to go the whole way so this was agreed i was still not happy though - the surgeon came back round asked if this was true and called me in a room i felt like a naughty child he said he didnt think i should have it done and i should go home and get my head around the whole thing as i was yet again crying, i told him i need it and dont want to go home having spent the previous day preping he said ok lets do it but i doubt i will get 5 inches inside you and you will be screaming i laughed to myslef and was all of a sudden feeling brave. The pain was never an issue i guessed id gone through 2 labours with just gas and air and the pain doesnt last forever 30 mins or less its over with so i knew i had a good chance of getting through it and if i didnt he would stop and the gas and air would have wore off within a few minutes.

so here i am in the room im led on my side and i took big deep breeathes of gas and air what seemed like 10 minutes it was all over with i did of course feel alot of pain when going round the bends but i told myself it wont be long and ive gone this far.

it was all done he shocked and i was shocked i felt a little light headed but also proud of myself 2 years on i did it and the results were good... so today im back at work feeling happy, i know im propably going to have to do it again but at least i know now i can do it... i hope this helps anyone who is scared for whatever reason.

I found very little reassurence on the net so wanted to share my experience.

2 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • derek76
    derek76 kimbc01

    Posted

    Well done.

    I hope that you had a good result.

    • kimbc01
      kimbc01 derek76

      Posted

      Thank you... and yes I did, it was a weight lifted off my shoulders.
  • barbara09908
    barbara09908 kimbc01

    Posted

    Wish I could be as stoic.  My colonoscopy was horrible and was abandoned after a very short time because I shouted stop!  Felt like a knife slicing me inside.  Now after a barium enema showed a  1/2 inch polyp, the want me to have it removed by another episode of torture!  Don't think I can face it.   I posted a longer reply under the thread " painful colonoscopies" .   

    Just what effect does gas and air have?  Isit a painkiller or just a supposed mind calmer?  Thought it was laughing gas.  Can't see that helping much

    • kimbc01
      kimbc01 barbara09908

      Posted

      Were you sedated then Barbara?

      Sedation mixed with a pain killer and Gas and Air give the same effect as in provide pain relief, make u feel relaxed and less anxious, the main difference being you are more in control of how much you take, its also an advantage that it wears quickly after menaing you can drive after 30 mins.

      i think it comes to a point where its mind over matter but dont get me wrong when the time comes i have to have another i will most probably be anxious yet again but its 20/30mins and all over with this is minor to the potential consequenses.

      im so relived its all over with. i hope you manage to get yors sorted.

    • barbara09908
      barbara09908 kimbc01

      Posted

      Yes was" sedated" but found it next to useless.  Soon came round when pain started!  I distinctly heard dr ? say " I can't get through" . Will be asking why.  Was he inept or something else.  I was wide awake within 10 mins.  Could have driven home.  Didn't sleep when back home  ( too traumatised probably) .  Now they are talking about gas and air.    Maybe I am a wuss, I have diverticular disease . Maybe that was a factor.  I have had pain from passing kidney stones  - up to 3 hours. That was bad.  Colonoscopy was worse!   There is a lot of misleading info and deceit about this procedure
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