1. Community
  2. Tests and investigations
  3. Colonoscopy

Should I Still Do It?

Posted , 7 users are following.

teasle
teasle

A few weeks back I paid to have a virtual colonoscopy to try and get some answers to my ongoing abdominal pain and dodgy bowel movements. I was waiting on a date coming through for a full colonoscopy with the nhs which I actually got just after I had booked the private appointment. Decided just to go ahead and do both. So I got my results back today which basically show nothing abnormal in my bowel but that it is especially long and loopy and more susceptible to ibs. Have been reading about that tonight and seems I am not a great candidate for a colonoscopy due to this 'tortuous' bowel - seems its very hard to get the scope round all the bends and therefore more painful😐 I am due to have it done on 24th and will be starting my prep tomorrow. I really want to have it done as passed blood back in September. The private hospital are suggesting haemorrhoids but obviously no proof. Just a little worried now about the proceedure so should I just be happy with the findings of the virtual scope. Any advise gratefully received â˜ș

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • robert68982
    robert68982 teasle

    Posted

    Hello Teasle,

    I had my first Colonoscopy a few weeks back and i think i was one of the unlucky ones as it was painful for me.  But many say there is no pain, I would say go for the sedative over gas and air tho which was my mistake.  Many say the prep is the worst part in the procedure,  You should deffo have it done if your concerned something is wrong, Don't read too much on here before your procdure tho as that will put you off..  Although my excperience was not a pleasent one i'm sure yours will be fine.  Let us know how you get on and good luck.

  • etheremail
    etheremail teasle

    Posted

    Neither test is 100% perfect but if you are satisfied you went to a decent specialist for the virtual one and there was nothing to indicate problems and your general practitioner knows and is happy I personally would not have the actual colonoscopy now as it seems rather pointless. Sometimes small polyps can be missed on the virtual test (although there is also a view generally outside the colon too which is a plus) but they can also be missed on the actual one too. I would, however, probably have the actual one on my next check up. This is assuming you don't have any peculiar medical or family history obviously. When you next have the actual test I would show them the report and emphasise the point about length so that they use the correct length. If you have some spare cash you may also want to go privately to a specific and recommended consultant if your colon has issues that require particular skill. Live every profession, abilities vary! Anyway good luck!
  • babs49935
    babs49935 teasle

    Posted

    Hi tease, if I was you I would insist on a GA. it can be painful enough without having an extra bendy bowel. Good luck, let us know how you get on 
  • jane97743
    jane97743 teasle

    Posted

    I had a colonoscopy a few weeks ago and it wasn't the frightening experience that  I was expecting, i was very anxious but there was no pain, just a slight discomfort at one point but nothing really bad. The staff were lovely and I felt very relaxed. I thought the prep was the worst part! Good luck, it's worth having it done for peace of mind. ( especially if there is a family history I lost my sister this year to bowel cancer which wasn't diagnosed until it was at stage 4, she was only 59
    • babs49935
      babs49935 jane97743

      Posted

      We should all take note of this and count our blessings
    • teasle
      teasle jane97743

      Posted

      So very sorry to hear of your sad loss Jane.

      I have decided to go for it and mid way through the horrid prep, as you say it is a small price to pay for what could potentially be a life saver.

      Hope you are able to have a nice Christmas and thank you for your helpâ˜ș

    • jane97743
      jane97743 teasle

      Posted

      Thank you, yes, it was very unexpected and she had just under a year. I hope all goes well, best to know early if not, Have a good Christmas  too
    • Lizzie46881
      Lizzie46881 jane97743

      Posted

      Hi Jane

      I too had a colonoscopy recently, also having a gastroscopy at the same time.  They gave me intravenous sedation and pain relief, also offered me gas & air which I declined.  It was uncomfortable, even unpleasant, but I guess I was one of the lucky ones as it wasn't really painful.  They didn't find anything they could see but took a couple of biopsies from my duodenum, which I get the results of on the 4th of Jan.  Really sorry to hear of your loss, makes me even happier that I plucked up the courage tro go throiugh with these investigations, which were indicated by way due to low iron.

      Thansk again for posting

      Lizzie

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.