Flexible Sigmoidoscopy?

Athravan

Have one of these first thing on Monday morning, am a bit worried because I have haemorroids both internal and external and it's a very painful area... the nurse said I wouldn't have sedation unless in extreme circumstances as it only lasts 10-15 mins.

Has anyone else had one of these? I'm a very private person and the thought of it is really really embarrassing let alone the pain but I know i've got to do it!

Sorry its not really about Money Saving in particular.. don't want medical advice just personal experience really? The more I know what to expect the less I'll panic and the less anxiety I have the easier it'll be!

I have a "preparation" to give myself at 6:45am, have to leave at 7:45 am to be at the hospital to take blood at 8:15am, the procedure is at 9am.They say to allow 4 hours until I'm ready to go home in total - is that accurate?

Thanks all

trafalgar_2

My hubby had this done ,he said it was uncomfortable but not painful,he also said the more relaxed about it you are the less uncomfortable it is ,you may let out some wind during the process that is a little embarrassing ( which was odd for him to say as it doen't normally bother him:rotfl: )but it can't be helped,he had his done privately so not sure if all is the same as nhs but I picked him up 3 hours after he had it and he was a little uncomfortable for a couple of days because of the air they put inside (it don't all come out after )but everything else was fine


found this incase you'd like to read it ....I'm sure all will be fine if you can be as relaxed about it as possible and hopefully others can put your mind at rest too:D

the_tired_one

My husband had one yesterday morning. It was internal haemorroids, but they were checking to make sure all was well and the bleeding wasnt caused by anything else.

He says it wasnt painful, but there was a bit of discomfort for a few moments - he didnt have nor request any sedation. Felt a wind bloated becase they pump air inside, but nothing that a good fart wont cure!

He caught the bus home - rested in bed for an hour or 2 and has been fine ever since.

You are right - it feels invasive, but men tend not to want to have these things treated!

Believe me, you will be fine:)

SparkyG

Same experience here. Not painful, just feels a little weird. Didn't like the feeling of wanting to poo while it was being done, but I guess that's normal.

The air they pump into you soon comes out afterwards :rotfl: so don't hold back! You need to get rid of it to feel comfortable.

Good luck. It's not as bad as you think.

SparkyG

mlg2804

Hi,

I had one done just recently. I am one of the most nervous people on the planet and I was extremely stressed out about it. Luckily the doctor who did it was very understanding and kind. I wanted sedation but was told several times they don't do this unless it's a full colonoscopy. I got a bit emotional and said I was so stressed out that I wanted sedation. At that point they were gonna give it to me but the doc explained that it would probably be safer and less chance of bowel perforation (this is very minimal anyway) if I was fully conscious. After he said that I agreed to the procedure without sedation.

The insertion of the tube and it moving around isn't painful, at least it wasn't for me. The only part I found painful was when they blow air into your colon. You get bad cramps. For me it was really bad, but it only lasts a few seconds and you can get through it okay. Once it is all over you are so relieved.

I'm sure you will be okay, and that I'm just extra sensitive to pain.

Good luck!

Monica

Athravan

I have to leave in 30 mins, still very worried, especially as I don't think the preparation enema worked or maybe i'm just panicing and I'm meant to feel like this, not sure but i certainly don't feel "empty", i just feel constipated now.

Mark7799

Hope it all goes well for you. I had one done privately last December - I don't think going private made much difference as it would have been the same surgeon on the NHS, just six months quicker. I had the preparation enema at the hospital, took about 45 minutes to work.

Decided to grit my teeth and have it without anaesthetic, DW drove me there and back just in case and we were on our way home within an hour of me leaving theatre.

Westywoodpecker

Noticed your back on line, how did you get on Athravan??

Athravan

It wasn't too bad I guess, I did have stomach cramps, and it was a teaching hospital, and being 24 with 4 students who looked about 19 watching was really embarrassing - you'd think they wouldn't do that for procedures like this but then I guess they have to learn.

The nurse was very nice, held my hand when I gasped with cramps when it went around corners but it was all over quickly - was a long wait before and after though just to keep my nerves on edge!

They didn't find anything major but they took a biopsy and I have 8 weeks to go for the outpatient appointment and results on that.

I'm also on a waiting list for an endoscopy at the moment too.. but the lists are long so I've got a while before I start worrying about the trauma of that one and at least it's not so embarrassing!

Thanks for the support guys.

CarolnMalky

Glad it went reasonably ok Athravan.
Take care
Carol x

millie

I am having one of these done on Thursday morning I have have 2 operations for haemorroids in the past year, went back for a check up today, and as I still have slight problems they decided to do this test just to be sure. I was not even examined today so I am not really worried about the outcome, because it was not anything they have seen today that promted it just being carefull I guess. It does not seem there is a waiting list in Birmingham I was offered Wednesday or Thursday.