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Sigmoidoscopy-The Honest Truth

Posted , 12 users are following.

Guest
Guest

Some people say it's unbearable, others day it's painless and only a bit 'crampy' while they insert air into the colon. I had my first sigmoidoscopy today and can reveal my intepretation of the procedure.

Firstly, it is slightly uncomfortable, but not 'painful' as you might associate with a dental procedure. The doctor will adminster some air to expand the colon and initially, the feeling of stomach cramps slowly starts. It's not a stabbing or sharp pain and it doesn't take you by surprise. The discomfort starts slowly and then increases but not to an unbearable level. You get used to the feeling very quickly but to begin with, I did curl my toes up a bit as it wasn't a 'nice' feeling, but neither would it be described as horrendous. The feeling of cramps last a very short time, for no more than two seconds.

On insertion of the endoscope, I felt rather startled by the sensation of the scope pushing against the muscles of the anus. Your initial reaction is to tense your anal muscles, but you shouldn't worry because once the tip of the scope is in the colon, you don't feel any resistance at all.

I got a few biopsies taken, the biopsies taken from the colon arn't painful at all - in fact, you can't feel anything! When the doctor took samples from the rectum, I could feel this a bit more, but it wasn't painful.

The procedure was over VERY quickly and I was pleasantly surprised when the nurse said \"the doctor is now removing the scope.\"

All in all, if you are going for a sigmoidoscopy and getting anxious about it, then ofcourse you'll be anxious. There are various other people touting the procedure as 'worse than hell' and 'torturous' while other people mention how they 'begged the doctor to stop the procedure.' I wouldn't pay too much attention to these reviews as some people will always find things more painful than others and some people have conditions which make things more painful.

If you want to compare the sensation of the sigmoidoscopy to something you can relate to, then it's just like having a moderate amount of belly gas. It isn't nice and you might think 'god, this isn't nice' but your not rolling around the floor in agony or praying that the procedure will end. If the procedure went on for another hour, I wouldn't have minded.

In fact, the two MOST unpleasant things about the whole procedure are:

1. Being woken at night by the preparation laxatives you get sent home. I had to visit the toilet about eight times last night. Again, it wasn't painful, just annoying!

2. After the procedure, you'll have quite a bit of gas still there. You might want to consider taking a few wind tablets with you, if the doctor ok's it! I did, and it helped tons.

I won't wish you goodluck with your procedure because you don't need it - promise. It's fine and you'll leave with a smile on your face, glad that it wasn't as bad as you thought.

1 like, 34 replies

34 Replies

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  • erick96818
    erick96818 Guest

    Posted

    I hope that I have a good experience with this . Because so far it's been nothing but negative reviews of this sig procedure. As I stated before I hate that I have to go through this ! I feel that when age starts to take its toll , this is where everything starts to deteriorate.,you try to eat right, exercise, but unfortunately genetics are a factor here . It's the way your body was designed. Some people can go through life without issues , and some unfortunate go through sigmoidoscopy!
    • Jk1952
      Jk1952 erick96818

      Posted

      The test has changed dramatically over the years. It used to be done in out-patients department and I used to have to go and catch the bus home afterwards! Now it is much kinder. Apart from the doc who does the procedure you have lovely nurses who look after you. I also suffer from anxiety and I feel a bit nervous on the day. I've made a rule though not to think about it until I have to start the preparation. It's like anything else, it's never as bad as you think it might be.

      please let us all know how you get on.

    • joe10258
      joe10258 Jk1952

      Posted

      Well, it is never as bad as you think it might be, unless it is as bad as you think it might be or maybe worse.  You just don't know. 

      And I know I will never agree to such barbaric procedures again.  Ever. 

  • Jk1952
    Jk1952 Guest

    Posted

    Hi guest, just wondering if you are the same 'guest' as I have read a post from on RPF? If so, it was very helpful site as it's so rare.
  • catgirlshirl.
    catgirlshirl. Guest

    Posted

    Sorry to disagree but have had 5 baby's with no pain relief so I'm not afraid of pain . Also had a pain free colonoscopy with sedation no discomfort . But with this procedure I was in excruciating pain promised sedation but said I did not need it as was just uncomfortable . Don't have this sigmoidoscopy unless u are sedated .
    • catgirlshirl.
      catgirlshirl. erick96818

      Posted

      I dident finish my procedure and said I would not be having another unless I had sedation it is cruel . I asked if they had ever had one done . No was the reply .
    • erick96818
      erick96818 catgirlshirl.

      Posted

      If I may ask , what was your issues that you had to get a sig done ? I don't think I'm going for it !
    • Jk1952
      Jk1952 erick96818

      Posted

      Hi Eric, 

      The majority of people sail through this procedure with just discomfort. As I've said before, I've had this procedure many times and I've met many people who have had it on the same days as me. To be honest I am usually the one with the worst reaction because I suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (M.E.). I'm always the last one to go home off the ward. But it doesn't put me off if I need my ulcerative colitis checked out. 

      Please dont worry about what most probably won't happen.

      regards.

  • catgirlshirl.
    catgirlshirl. Guest

    Posted

    Bleeding pain and low blood count . Was done very quick after my first symptoms started . He only managed to get half way round as my blood pressure shot up and the pain was making me cry and shake . Never again unless I have sedation . Good look to you all who are having this done and I hope you have a less pain than I did . 
    • Jk1952
      Jk1952 catgirlshirl.

      Posted

      So sorry you had a bad time. I hope you can get a diagnosis some other way. 
  • Cocobubble
    Cocobubble Guest

    Posted

    I just wanted to put my experience as it was very different to most others that I've read about.  I had a flexible sigmoidoscopy a few months ago.  At the time I did the usual thing of reading Internet forums which resulted in me feeling very scared.  I think it is more likely that people will record their experience if it is negative so there is always an overwhelmingly negative view on most medical procedures including this one. I was given laxatives to take at home an hour before the procedure. It was very straight forward with no pain, cramps or anything else.  In fact I only had to use the toilet once .  When I had the actual procedure I was very nervous but I did not have sedation as I am on my own and had no one to bring me or take me home.  To my surprise it was all very straightforward.  It was not painful, just slightly uncomfortable but not at all painful.   It was over very quickly and overall I would give it. 2 out of 10 for discomfort.  I know everyone's experience is different .  I also think most people who have straightforward , easy procedures don't bother to report it on a forum.  My nurse told me 99% were problem and pain free.  If you're due for this procedure it  is more likely to be   Straightforward than complicated and painful.  
    • erick96818
      erick96818 Cocobubble

      Posted

      Hello coco,

      Yes, I myself was in mental agony ! I was scared to do it ! I was due for a sig this July , but I guess they found what was causing my problem , that wasn't really necessary anymore . I'm hoping that it stays that way , and I won't have to go through that ! But it's positive to hear that if in the future I do have to go through this , it will be fine just like your experience .

    • Cocobubble
      Cocobubble erick96818

      Posted

      Hi Erick

      Yes, hopefully you won't have to have a sigmoidoscopy but if you do the chances are it will go smoothly and  not be painful.  The fear is far worse than the reality.    

    • joe10258
      joe10258 Cocobubble

      Posted

      Except when the reality is painful. 

      Yes, I genuinely hope all goes well, but you never know.  I know I will never have another sigmoidoscopy nor will I ever have a colonoscopy.  Luckily, I have no related family history, and have a lifestyle normally not consistent with cancer risk, and accept my own risks of some 5% or less, considering my lifestyle.  As opposed to subjecting myself to all the risks inherent to such invasive tests, when it would be for mere screening, when other screening tests are available. 

    • erick96818
      erick96818 joe10258

      Posted

      Are there other options to screen, besides getting a sig or colonoscopy? It seems that that's the only common procedure they offer to diagnose an issue with Colon. Basically you're experience was bad ? How long ago did they perform this? What methods were used as well?
    • joe10258
      joe10258 erick96818

      Posted

      In the US, there is also a stool test that checks for cancer/pre-cancer DNA.  It has 92% sensitivity (meaning 92% of such lesions found when they exist), and about 87% specificity (87% of such positives are are accurate, that is, NOT false positives). 

      A colonoscopy has found to miss about 12 -19% of lesions that exist according to studies noted by NIH.  This test, called the Cologuard, requires no prep.  In the US, this test is not currently available (for the Medicare population) to those who have had previous positives tests for blood noted in stool, the last I looked.  Gastroenterologists do not mention this test because they do not gain any revenues from its utilization in the US.  A primary care physician can order this more simpler and very accurate test.  Of course, if the test is positive, then a colonoscopy is the next option typically

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