The reality of a Colonoscopy - uncomfortable and painful at times but not excruciating!
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I am alarmed by some of the threads here on colonoscopy.
**I have had two colonoscopies now and want to emphasise that a colonoscopy is an uncomfortable but not excruciatingly painful test, as some below have suggested. **
The effect of the 'prep' is the most unpleasant part of the test. Expect to be on the toilet for several hours, as you clean your gut. The prep may make you feel nauseous or make you vomit, but once your gut is clean you can sleep normally. You may feel some intestinal cramping while your gut empties.
Once you arrive at the hospital, your vital signs will be taken and will be advised about how to prepare for the test. You will be in a private cubicle with your own toilet while you get ready. You will have to remove all your clothes, including underwear and put on a pair of shorts with a back opening and wear a gown also with the opening at the back. You can leave your clothes and valuables in a locker in the cubicle. Do not wear or take anything precious with you.
The consultant who will conduct the test will come to speak to you and discuss the procedure, including explaining that biopsies may be taken. You will be asked to sign to confirm that you understand the potential risks of the procedure (which are very small).
You may be offered a sedative. You do not have to have a sedative.
If you do have a sedative, a cannula will be put into the vein on the back of your hand, through which the sedative will be administered.
You can choose not to have a sedative, and use gas and air for pain relief instead.
You can choose not to have any sedative or gas and air.
I do not like the effects of sedatives (or needles!) so have had both my colonoscopies with gas and air only.
When you are taken into the theatre, you will be asked to lie on your left side, with your knees pulled up to your chest. The consultant will apply some anaesthetic gel to the inside and outside of your anus and conduct a short examination.
The colonoscope - a thin probe with a camera on the end - will be inserted into your anus. Air will be blown into the colon to inflate it. If you are using gas and air for pain relief, you will be advised to take some breaths as the first part of the colon is very 'twisty', so this may be slightly uncomfortable or painful.
You can breath in the gas and air whenever you feel any pain or discomfort. The pain-relieving effects work within 30-50 seconds.
Once this part if the colon is passed, the camera will be pushed further into the colon, up the left side.
Going 'round the corner' to the top of the colon may also be uncomfortable, and you may be asked to lie on your back, while a nurse presses on your abdomen to check that the colonoscope is going in the right direction.
Once again, once the colonoscope turns the corner and travels down the right side of the colon there may be some pain or discomfort. The colonoscope will be pushed right down the to start of the small intestine and the appendix.
Then the consultant will slowly withdraw the colonoscope while inspecting the walls of the colon. They may use water to wash away any material still in your gut, so that they can see any polyps (small growths) or lesions (any areas of damage or abnormality to the wall of the gut).
Any small polyps will be removed. (Larger polyps may require a further procedure on another date).
Biopsies may also be taken from the colon. I had several and could not feel them at all.
Once the colon and anus have been examined the colonoscope will be removed.
If you have used gas and air, you will be wheeled back to recovery on the trolley and your vital signs will be checked and you will be offered a drink and perhaps something to eat. Once you are recovered (10 minutes) you will be able to dress and leave.
If you have been given a sedative, you will be asked to rest and recover for 30 minutes or more. You will have to be escorted home by a friend or family member if you have sedation.
Please do not be put off having a colonoscopy. It can be a life-saving test and is well worth the 30-45 minutes of discomfort.
0 likes, 2 replies
TheToad theresa00461
Posted
Great post. Well worth any minor discomfort. i was told the results as soon as I got off the couch. Of course, there will be people who experience some pain but it's better to know.
dee07277 theresa00461
Posted
Good explanation of your experience. It really depends on your medical team and what hospital you use. I found that where I am going they don't like when you ask too many questions about the procedure, I guess they think you should just fall in line and do what they say. Not my style ever. I realize the importance of it, my only complaint is the staff just seem to think about their side of it and not the patient. I've done research and there are lots of great ways to prep, some worse than others. Where I go, they tend to do overkill without considering the effect on the patient. I think staff attitude puts a lot of people off. If you have one, go where you are comfortable. That's a big factor. I know they do this "all the time" but to the patient it's a first so they need to think about that.