Colonoscopy on Monday 20th

[RickUK]

Already had a sigmoidoscopy, so know what to expect kind of. But for some reason am far more anxious for this one! Sigmoidoscopy was all clear back in August, but GI said they don't check far in enough, and also given that I had extremely raised Calprotectin the colonoscopy was a must.

Got picolax to encourage my bowels to empty, anybody taken that before?

Also, been offered a sedative which I can decide on the day... is it advisable or is a colonoscopy bearable without it?

Thanks

 

[FrozenGirl]

I haven't had picolax however I have heard it is most tolerable. I also opted for sedatives for all my scopes, but I am an anxious person and many people say it is bearable with just painkillers. Sending my support!

 

[Lisa]

If you want the most stress free scope, I would opt for the meds.....also they can give you pain killers as it can be uncomfortable especially when going around corners as well as the air they pump in.

 

[Lroweb]

I would take the sedative, I just had mine and while they attempted to make me completely sedated (they wanted me out) it didn't work it was def, uncomfortable and I remember moaning in pain and watching the whole thing. It wasn't to terrible but I def would of loved the sleeping part but as soon as they wheeled me out I was alert and ready to go.
The worst is the prep and feeling so weak the day of but it's short and over before you know it

 

[Tony H]

take the sedative , its very uncomfortable without it , and the picolax is the best prep ,it does not taste bad , just make sure to keep hydrated

 

[RickUK]

Thanks all for the responses. I am really tempted to take the sedative, my GI also said if i do opt for it, I must get transport home, have someone keep an eye on me, not sign any documents, operate machinery, cook food.

Does it really make you that "woozy"?

 

[Lroweb]

I know some people yes. I felt fine just very sleepy when I got home.

 

[scottsma]

I had mine last month ,and the prep was far worse than the proceedure.I had Miralax and had to drink 2 litres of mixture and 1 litre of water.I was back and forwards to the bathroom for 12 hours +. I opted for a sedative and pain meds.My apt.was at noon,I watched the screen and talked all the way through,had a cup of tea and a biscuit and when the staff were happy they rang my husband and I was back home by 2-30pm,feeling relaxed and glad it was over.I hope it goes as well for you.Best Wishes.

 

[RickUK]

I had mine last month ,and the prep was far worse than the proceedure.I had Miralax and had to drink 2 litres of mixture and 1 litre of water.I was back and forwards to the bathroom for 12 hours +. I opted for a sedative and pain meds.My apt.was at noon,I watched the screen and talked all the way through,had a cup of tea and a biscuit and when the staff were happy they rang my husband and I was back home by 2-30pm,feeling relaxed and glad it was over.I hope it goes as well for you.Best Wishes.

Thank you. I didn't realise you could see it happening on a screen. I have only ever had a sigmoidoscopy as i said and they're so minally invasive that it was a 5minute job. (think it was to check for colitis as opposed to crohns)

 

[scottsma]

Yes,I had a sig.to check for colitis 8yrs ago,which I did have.The colonoscopy discovered it had travelled further up to the splenic flexure,the bendy bit on the left.The team should tell you what they can see but if you have biopsies taken,that will take up to a month.:thumleft:

 

[Lisa]

Thanks all for the responses. I am really tempted to take the sedative, my GI also said if i do opt for it, I must get transport home, have someone keep an eye on me, not sign any documents, operate machinery, cook food.

Does it really make you that "woozy"?

Yes, if you havce the sedative, no driving, operating heavy machinery (as if you'd go out and drive a bulldozer after!).....

I usually take a nap the rest of the day, and am pretty much fine the day after and return to normal activities.

 

[StarGirrrrl]

I had my last colonoscopy with sedation and picolax prep. The prep was way better than the previous one i'd had (Klean prep) and did just the same in terms of the clear out than the frankly horrific KP. It got really painful wiping though so I gave up with wiping and just jumped into the bathtub to rinse myself off each time was wonderful! I would also recommend having a big glass of fluid after each dose to flush everything through.

I did have a rough scope and needed more doses of everything (sedative, pain killer, muscle relaxant, then I requested gas and air) halfway through. I've had one with only gas and air which was fine and I still don't know why the second was so rough, apart from anaemia (which was life threatening when it was found!) nothing else had changed as far as I know.

I slept for an hour in recovery without realising lol and was fine after.

 

[RickUK]

I had my last colonoscopy with sedation and picolax prep. The prep was way better than the previous one i'd had (Klean prep) and did just the same in terms of the clear out than the frankly horrific KP. It got really painful wiping though so I gave up with wiping and just jumped into the bathtub to rinse myself off each time was wonderful! I would also recommend having a big glass of fluid after each dose to flush everything through.

I did have a rough scope and needed more doses of everything (sedative, pain killer, muscle relaxant, then I requested gas and air) halfway through. I've had one with only gas and air which was fine and I still don't know why the second was so rough, apart from anaemia (which was life threatening when it was found!) nothing else had changed as far as I know.

I slept for an hour in recovery without realising lol and was fine after.

Last time i had to empty myself i had to pop a supository into my anus, horrible and uncomfortable. Much happier knowing this time it is just a drink, faster acting i guess too?

Was the pain due to irritation and trauma of the anus from constant wiping? Crikey, I thought each sachet if picolax (i have 2) resulted in 1 emptying of the bowels!

 

[Muppetgirl]

I've had the same prep as you on three occasions. Its not too bad to get down but it can take a while to start. How many times you 'go' varies between people. I lose count tbh. Even where my first dose is at 8am, I am still going at midnight. Although it is just clear liquid that I'm passing.

What I find hard is I get really thirsty and you are supposed to drink to prevent dehydration as well as to clear out, but I find myself avoiding fluids by the end, because it literally goes straight through me and by the evening my rectum is on fire!

It can cause irritation to the skin, baby wipes or those moist toilet tissues can help. Also last time I tried a barrier cream of zinc and castor oil, and it seemed to work well. You can find it in thd baby section as its meant for nappy rash! Good luck with it.

 

[scottsma]

Another tip which I found useful,was to drink the prep.with a straw.It was far easier to get it down.

 

[StarGirrrrl]

Last time i had to empty myself i had to pop a supository into my anus, horrible and uncomfortable. Much happier knowing this time it is just a drink, faster acting i guess too?

Was the pain due to irritation and trauma of the anus from constant wiping? Crikey, I thought each sachet if picolax (i have 2) resulted in 1 emptying of the bowels!

Yes it was. I tried wet wipes but the water method was so incredibly better. :dance:

They are laxatives designed to clean you out. Everything from stomach, small bowel and large bowel. Clean you out totally and when there is nothing left, you will be passing fluids that you drink (see below). It is designed to hold water in so cause D and then when you take in fluid it holds that there and expels it.

How many trips you make varies but it is very unlikely to be 1 or 2.

As muppetgirl says you will get to a point where you are passing clear water, the fluids you are taking in.

When I get to that stage I have tiny sips of fluid and nothing bigger. Last prep in the evening I stopped fluid totally around 9:30 pm, bed 10 pm, then the next day I had my last fluid at 6:45am (cut off time 7am).

Because by that time you will just be passing that fluid you drank 5 mins earlier and it's counter productive in all kinds of ways!

You will get (if you haven't already) lots of information leaflets about the scope and prep, read them all through and make your plan, also lots of scope tips in this section of the forum

 

[RickUK]

Yes it was. I tried wet wipes but the water method was so incredibly better. :dance:

They are laxatives designed to clean you out. Everything from stomach, small bowel and large bowel. Clean you out totally and when there is nothing left, you will be passing fluids that you drink (see below). It is designed to hold water in so cause D and then when you take in fluid it holds that there and expels it.

How many trips you make varies but it is very unlikely to be 1 or 2.

As muppetgirl says you will get to a point where you are passing clear water, the fluids you are taking in.

When I get to that stage I have tiny sips of fluid and nothing bigger. Last prep in the evening I stopped fluid totally around 9:30 pm, bed 10 pm, then the next day I had my last fluid at 6:45am (cut off time 7am).

Because by that time you will just be passing that fluid you drank 5 mins earlier and it's counter productive in all kinds of ways!

You will get (if you haven't already) lots of information leaflets about the scope and prep, read them all through and make your plan, also lots of scope tips in this section of the forum

Yhe had the leaflets, had like a tick box for every time i have a glass of water. First sachest between 7 and 8am tomorrow morning, then 2nd is between 2 and 4pm. I dont mind goign to the toilet often, usually when I have a flare with D i just sip fluids, minimal sips and it helps. SO fingers crossed

 

[StarGirrrrl]

Sounds just like my last prep I was 8-9 and 4-5. I did it at 8 & 4 to minimise the chances of being on the loo all night/morning/worrying about needing to go when I leave the house.

I know you must be experienced with flares and D, but laxatives are a whole other ball game, so do be prepared, and don't worry about panicking that you'll never stop going, because you will!

 

[RickUK]

Sounds just like my last prep I was 8-9 and 4-5. I did it at 8 & 4 to minimise the chances of being on the loo all night/morning/worrying about needing to go when I leave the house.

I know you must be experienced with flares and D, but laxatives are a whole other ball game, so do be prepared, and don't worry about panicking that you'll never stop going, because you will!

Thanks. Sounds a different world to my supository for the sigmoidoscopy, once i put it in i went once, had D and never went again!!

 

[RickUK]

Well , took my picolax just before 8am, now 9.30 am and not even had the slightest sensation of cramp or been to the toilet once

 

[Trysha]

You need to drink lots of water to make it work better can be any clear fluids
Should work sooner or later
Good luck
Hugs
Trysha