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Totally Pain Free Colonoscopy

Posted , 3 users are following.

Guest
Guest

After reading many of the experiences on this web site I was left terrified for four days on what my own experience would be like and how I would manage to survive it. I nearly rung up and cancelled, but knew that I would never forgive if it meant that something was missed.

The bowel preparation the day before (Sunday) was uncomfortable, but like having a good dose of food poisoning, but without the sickness as well. I though that I would be hungry having had my last food at breakfast but kept tanked up with fluid and this seemed to stop me wanting food – that along with the thought that if I was not fully cleared out they may to do a repeat! I managed to stop myself getting sore after the repeated trips to the loo by using a barrier cream (sudocrem) and by doing the final cleaning using childrens moist toilet training wipes rather than scrubbing away with toilet paper.

I tried to keep my energy levels up by drinking drinks like coke and Lucozade, but found the fiz blew me up and made me feel uncomfortable so changed to squash, coffee and water, to keep the energy levels up I sucked on sugar cubes ( I had a couple before leaving for hospital so had a nice little sugar rush to help me along!)

Once at the hospital I had an hour to wait once all the admin was done. I made sure that I was in the middle of a good book so that my mind fully occupied and the TV on in the background to give further distraction.

Soon I was chatting away to a pleasant porter on the way down to the theatre, once in there I was greeted by my consultant and a nurse. Things moved quickly (but everything was explained and I was given an opportunity to ask questions) and I was straight onto the bed and the venflon was put into my arm followed by a very small dose of sedation. All through this I made a point of chatting and joking with the nurse, she was obviously used to this as she was more than happy to chat away. I felt the scope go in and about 10 minutes of chatting later having swapped sides once I told that was it and I was off to the recovery room – I did not feel a thing and was fully awake through the whole procedure.

As the sedation was only mild I was only in the recovery room for about 10 minutes whilst my obs were taken and then I was off back up to my room. To give you some idea of timings I left my room at 4pm and was back by 4.45pm. At 5pm my 3 course meal arrived and I was eagerly tucking into it! After that I had a short sleep and was leaving the hospital at around 6pm.

Today apart form a little extra wind I feel fine with the whole thing a distant memory and me wondering what all the fuss was about.

Good Luck to you for your procedure smile

Nick (35yo male)

1 like, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    First Colonoscopy today for me and no matter what happens in the future, I would never have that done again. After the first dose of sedative, I felt normal and when the scope came to the first bend I was in agony. The nurses said 'breathe slow and deep'. I asked if either of them had had the procedure themselves - NO!

    Additional sedative did work as I think I fell asleep, but don't remember much.

    In modern medicine no one should have to suffer pain. All medical staff who are going to carry out such a procedure should have it done on themselves first!

    • wardy
      wardy Guest

      Posted

      I totally agree I have had 2 colonoscopies the first one with sedative hurt some but the doctor was good and took it carefully taking to me all of the time. The one that I had this week was unbeleivable it was excrutiating a nurse beforhand said that the sedative did nothing for pain so therefore it was a waste of time the doctor was a brute who couldn,t care less only to get it over with(presumably they are paid on the number of patients they torture in a day) I have to have another one in 3 years time but I am going to dread it.
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    I think you must be young with a tough colon (which thins with age) and strong constitution.

    To eat a 3 course meal within an hour is not recommended and your ability to cope is a testament to youth.

    I hope you may forever be free of colon problems.

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    i am 16 years old and i am going in for my 2nd colonoscopy i cant remember my last one because i was so ill they had to put me alseep and now a am really scared about this one tbh any advice?
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi, there is nothing to be scared about.

    I was terrified, after reading peoples comments on here, but I did not have pain....maybe a slight (and I do mean very slight) discomfort, more like trapped wind!

    At one point the consultant was going to stop because he could not get around a bend, I told him to carry on because I could not feel anything.

    The only thing I wish I had done different, is not come on here before having it done.

    I did not have any pain relief.

    I am sure you will be fine, xx

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