Colonoscopy : Experience : Scared !

timtomtim

Hi All,

Sorry if it is the wrong forum.

I have been told to go for Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy biopsy. I am very scared on the pain management side of these processes and wanted to know if anyone of you have gone through this process and how was your experience.

What options can be used to manage pain in the process, how long does it take. I am terrified at the moment.

any advice very much appreciated.

ukmike

I had a Colonoscopy 3 years ago,didn't feel a thing,either during or after,no need to worry.

warwicktiger

I have one every two years. Very minor pain under local anaesthetic (?) and back to work next day. Do follow any instructions for treatment beforehand to the letter though.

Sarahdol75

Do not worry about it, I had one a few years ago, was fine didnt feel a thing, was back to normal the day after. A bit of stomach ache after it was done but a few pain killers and a rest and I was fine.

Nile

Hello timtomtim

Have a look at this big thread:

Anyone had a colonoscopy?????

Regards

Nile

timtomtim

thanks All.

I have opted for GA during these checks. The only reason I am being sent for this is due to swelling in my ankle and doctor wants to rule out inflammation in bowel/stomach and slight anemia.

I am still scared of risk/side effects of this

Scrapaholic

I've had two gastroscopies . You'll probably be offered a sedative/relaxant intravenous drug which does as it says , relaxes you and your muscles . I've worked on the department when people have the drugs , some don't even realises it's over and done with . You won't be able to drive etc after having the medication . I knew that they also did the gastroscopy with a local anaesthetic which was a throat spray so I just had that . I thought the procedure was uncomfortable but not unbearable and due to not being sedated I carried on with my day as normal , drove home too . I know everyone is different and copes with situations and it depends on how nervous you are too. I haven't had a colonoscopy so can't comment on that . Best wishes for the procedures .

jenniewb

I've had one of these, was about 3 years ago and the worst part of it was having to go nil-by-mouth for 24 hours prior. At the time I spent every evening at the gym for a few hours and doing this without eating worried me! I managed far easier then I thought I would and the actual operation was nothing to worry about at all. I do remember it all but was dozed out on sedatives, didn't bother me at all and everything turned out fine. (Turns out I have issues with dairy instead).

I'd recommend bringing something nice for yourself to eat once the whole thing is over because waking up your either going to have to wait for the next meal time or eat foods you would not have otherwise opted to eat. I was sent to a private hospital for mine as the NHS waiting list they said was too long to be deemed OK. I woke up and was offered a glass of water. The man next to me was offered a full English Breakfast! I wasn't offered any food or tea/coffee because it wasn't an NHS hospital- wouldn't have wanted a full breakfast but just a piece of fruit would have been nice!

nonnatus

I've also had both procedures, the tube up the bottom and the tube down the throat.

The worst part of the colonoscopy was the 24hrs beforehand and the medicinal preparations you have to take to make sure everything's nice and empty and sqeaky clean so the doctor can see what he's looking for!! They are some powerful medicines - make plans NOT to be far from a toilet for the whole time...
The actual colonoscopy was fine. They gave me a nice sedative which made me feel as relaxed as several Gin and Tonic's and it was over quickly.

The Gastroscopy was less pleasant, largely because I was an idiot. I refused the sedation this time because I needed to be back at my desk Pronto afterwards (I work for myself from home) and didn't want to waste a day recovering. I would DEFINITELY advise you to take whatever is offered. It wasn't physically uncomfortable but I proper panicked during the main bit because it's a very weird feeling, people holding you in place whilst they push a massive tube down your throat. I really did believe they were trying to kill me at one point...:o.

Be brave, Take a deep breath and co-operate. The Docs don't book you in for these expensive things for fun! They're trying to find out what's going on inside you to learn how best to fix you.

You'll be fine - keep us posted?

maddiemay

I've had 2 Gastroscopies and 1 Colonoscopy.

Both Gastros I had just the spray on numbing stuff, which was supposed to taste of Banana, but was rather chemically tasting. I do gag easily and found it quite uncomfortable, but a nice nurse held my hand each time and kept encouraging me. I would do it again this way if I had to, rather than the sedative. My OH had one and he did not mind the taste and in fact found the whole thing a breeze.

The Colonoscopy was a doddle, the sedative pretty much zonked me out and I did not feel a thing, in fact I must have been fast on as I was so surprised when they told me it was all over, some very minor tummy cramp later, nothing much.

The "clean out" was not much fun, I would definitely book a day off, there was no way I could have left the house. LOL

I see I am a bit late to the party, I hope perhaps that you have had it done now. All the best.

KxMx

As I see you're having a GA- I can assure you the prep before hand for the colonoscopy will be far worse than any discomfort during or after the procedures.

I was awake for both of mine, gas & air pain relief for c scope and throat numbing spray for g scope (offered that or sedation which may not work ) I would not hesitate to go through the c scope again awake however I would insist upon numbing spray and a GA for the g scope because I had a very bad one, partly because of a hiatus hernia which was found during the scope and I didn't know about before.

Focus on that meal afterwards (cheap lemon squash and biscuits in the recovery room never tasted so good).

I did have a nasty sore throat for days afterwards and some cramps from the c scope due to sheer emptiness and air pumped in during the procedure.

I simply stuck to soft (ideally cold) food and drink after the g scope, and let what was clean air out as farting and eating quite a bit for the c scope.

But really nothing compared to the prep beforehand! Once the prep is over, and you have finally stopped going (it will happen I promoise!) the worst is by far over.