Colonoscopy

[Mrs T 123]

I had the sugary prep, and my BS went from 5,2 fasting the day before to 9,5 on the morning of the procedure. A couple of hours later it reached 11.something. The procedure itself wasn't too bad, but getting to the hospital straight from the toilet was a bit worrying.

Thanks for that - I was wondering how my blood sugars may react x

 

[Mrs T 123]

Hi there.
Good luck with your colonoscopy and I hope all is clear for you.
The only advice that I will give is be prepared for when you have the 'drink' the night before.
Get some savlon, germolene or any soothing cream and app[y it before you take it and after every time that you go to stop your bottom feeling sore. Believe me, it will help enormously.

Thanks - I was wondering how sore my butt will be before they even start the procedure x

 

[Mrs T 123]

I have had this procedure, & like you, I got myself in a right panic but I can truly & honestly say it was absolutely fine. No discomfort whatsoever & over in no time. So please, don't worry as you've no need to.

Thanks so much for that x

 

[blacklady]

I have to have a colonoscopy in a couple of weeks time and was just wondering if anyone on here had had the procedure? and please tell me it was not as bad as you thought it would be? I am feeling over anxious and fearful of the whole thing - I have white coat syndrome, phobia of hospitals etc.

Also, the diet sheet just suggests what I should eat a couple of days before the procedure and I was wondering if I should alter my diet the week before or not? what did you do? and any tips or suggestions for what I should eat would be appreciated. Many thanks x

Having Crohns disease I have had numerous colonoscopys over the years and 90% of the time it is no problem. I definitely have not been told to adjust my diet before hand. Make sure you have sedation and you should have no problems. In all honesty I had problems last time because I think someone wanted to impress his boss. Make plain you want someone experienced or refuse to sign consent

 

[Holmstock]

Thanks so much for your reply - much appreciated x

When you were booked in for the larger polyp removal was it colonoscopy again or by way of operation?

Did you have the plenvu prep by any chance?

Did you just have plain white fish or did you manage to make a sauce or dressing for it that was allowed?

I am planning on having the granny knickers also - better safe than sorry!, eh xx

 

[Holmstock]

Thanks so much for your reply - much appreciated x

When you were booked in for the larger polyp removal was it colonoscopy again or by way of operation?

Did you have the plenvu prep by any chance?

Did you just have plain white fish or did you manage to make a sauce or dressing for it that was allowed?

I am planning on having the granny knickers also - better safe than sorry!, eh xx

Hope it helps. Yes, colonoscopy, not operation. Ah, yes, Plenvu - forgot the name. Sauces and dressings seemed too complicated. Root veg were just about the only veg allowed, so I bought a pack of mashed potato/carrot/swede and a pack of frozen fish fillets and fried them together with some olive oil - quite quick as a breakfast. Indeed!

 

[Mrs T 123]

I've had 3 now plus the lower one sigmoidoscopy think it was called. As others have said, the bowel prep is by far the worst bit. Thought the drink was horrible, but for me on my recent one, the worst bit was seeing some pill sized round stone like things in the toilet after flushing! I managed to rescue a few and put in a sample bottle to take with me. The camera guy wasn't interested in the slightest, but the colo-rectal consultant drew a diagram of the bowel and colon and explained that this was what was called diverticulitis, The bowel prep had done its job extremely well, and brought the residue out of the pockets in my bowel/colon, and apparently these are what causes the pain of diverticulitis!
Be warned, you probably won't just have one visit to the loo with bowel prep, think I had to go about 4 times, and ended up with just loads of clear water coming out.
The procedure itself is more embarrassing than anything else. I had no anaesthetic, but gas and air was offered. Didn't think it at all painful, just slightly uncomfortable.

Thanks for sharing and now I won't panic if I see stone things in the bowl - I have wondered if I may have diverticulitis as an aunt of mine had that who has sadly passed now (not because of that) - she was a hardy old soul - she had a heart attack in her early fifties, breast cancer in her early sixties and died in her early eighties after suffering with dementia for a few years.

Also, I hope I only need to go to the loo 4 times - I think I could manage that (maybe) x

 

[Mrs T 123]

Hope it helps. Yes, colonoscopy, not operation. Ah, yes, Plenvu - forgot the name. Sauces and dressings seemed too complicated. Root veg were just about the only veg allowed, so I bought a pack of mashed potato/carrot/swede and a pack of frozen fish fillets and fried them together with some olive oil - quite quick as a breakfast. Indeed!

Thanks for confirming about the mashed carrot and swede being ok as I have wondered if that would be ok x

 

[Mrs T 123]

Having Crohns disease I have had numerous colonoscopys over the years and 90% of the time it is no problem. I definitely have not been told to adjust my diet before hand. Make sure you have sedation and you should have no problems. In all honesty I had problems last time because I think someone wanted to impress his boss. Make plain you want someone experienced or refuse to sign consent

Thanks for that good advice x Sorry if this is obvious but how can I make or get clear soup? and also does anyone have any suggestions for tasty sugar free clear fluid to drink along with the prep? thanks again

 

[Pipp]

@Mrs T 123 , I make bone broth. It can be a labour intense activity, but it is worth the effort for me.
Alternatively you could use a stock cube as base, and simmer veg recommended on your pre- colonoscopy info sheet from the medical practitioner.

Or websitesuch as this could be of use

How to Make a Clear Broth: 2 Key Secrets! - The Woks of Life

We share the two secrets to getting a perfectly clear broth or stock, whether using meat, bones, or vegetables, with simple best practices to keep in mind!

thewoksoflife.com

 

[lovinglife]

I’m lazy I just drank bovril in hot water, you can get tinned consommé also, I stuck to water for drinks with the prep, to be honest I couldn’t face anything else

 

[Mrs T 123]

I’m lazy I just drank bovril in hot water, you can get tinned consommé also, I stuck to water for drinks with the prep, to be honest I couldn’t face anything else

I am lazy too - so absolutely looking for lazy/very easy ideas, thanks x

 

[Pipp]

I am lazy too - so absolutely looking for lazy/very easy ideas, thanks x

My independent butcher sells bone broth ready made . Which I do sometimes buy.
It is ideal for times when I am too unwell to eat usual foods. The collagen from the bones soothes upset stomachs.

 

[Alexandra100]

please tell me it was not as bad as you thought it would be?

Hello, I have had one, maybe two, long ago. (Obviously they did not make a huge impression on me!) I had a choice of being sedated or not. I chose not, so I could walk out of the hospital as soon as I wanted and unaccompanied. It was all fine. By contrast, I have also had 2 of the tests where you swallow the camera, and I felt that was by far the most unpleasant test I have ever had. I would accept to have another colonoscopy any time but not the endoscopy, though perhaps it would not seem quite so bad once I knew what to expect.

I don't remember what I was asked to do re diet, but you should certainly try to comply, as having matter in your intestines can block the camera from seeing properly. However if they want you ro eat a high carb diet I suggest you discuss that with them and see if there are alternatives eg fasting.

It sounds as if sedation would suit you best, but you will need to find someone to accompany you. Best wishes!

 

[lovinglife]

It sounds as if sedation would suit you best, but you will need to find someone to accompany you. Best wishes!

I didn’t need anyone to accompany me on all the times I had sedation, the only thing they stipulated was that I didn’t use public transport to get home but got a taxi if there was no one to collect me.

 

[Alexandra100]

I didn’t need anyone to accompany me

Obviously things have moved on since I had my colonoscopies. Maybe anaesthetics wear off faster these days.

 

[Mrs T 123]

Hello, I have had one, maybe two, long ago. (Obviously they did not make a huge impression on me!) I had a choice of being sedated or not. I chose not, so I could walk out of the hospital as soon as I wanted and unaccompanied. It was all fine. By contrast, I have also had 2 of the tests where you swallow the camera, and I felt that was by far the most unpleasant test I have ever had. I would accept to have another colonoscopy any time but not the endoscopy, though perhaps it would not seem quite so bad once I knew what to expect.

I don't remember what I was asked to do re diet, but you should certainly try to comply, as having matter in your intestines can block the camera from seeing properly. However if they want you ro eat a high carb diet I suggest you discuss that with them and see if there are alternatives eg fasting.

It sounds as if sedation would suit you best, but you will need to find someone to accompany you. Best wishes!

Thanks x - interesting, I thought the camera would have been easier than the colonoscopy, so maybe it won't be that bad for me ...

 

[Mrs T 123]

I didn’t need anyone to accompany me on all the times I had sedation, the only thing they stipulated was that I didn’t use public transport to get home but got a taxi if there was no one to collect me.

They have advised I will need someone to drive me home if I opt for sedation x

Thanks for that good advice x Sorry if this is obvious but how can I make or get clear soup? and also does anyone have any suggestions for tasty sugar free clear fluid to drink along with the prep? thanks again

 

[lovinglife]

They have advised I will need someone to drive me home if I opt for sedation x

Thanks for that good advice x Sorry if this is obvious but how can I make or get clear soup? and also does anyone have any suggestions for tasty sugar free clear fluid to drink along with the prep? thanks again

You can get beef consommé & chicken consommé in tins

- which it clear soup. Or use a stock cube in a mug of boiling water, chicken or beef as the vegetable ones have bits. The only clear flavoured drink I can think of is a flavoured still water - I would avoid sparking water as that can irritate your stomach & cause more gas which is something you definitely don’t want

They did say apple juice no bits to me as a clear drink but as a diabetic I think it’s best to avoid that. Maybe if you could get a sugar free apple squash. But I’d advise sticking to water if you can, it’s only for 24hrs

Edited to add extra info

 

[Mrs T 123]

You can get beef consommé & chicken consommé in tins

- which it clear soup. Or use a stock cube in a mug of boiling water, chicken or beef as the vegetable ones have bits. The only clear flavoured drink I can think of is a flavoured still water - I would avoid sparking water as that can irritate your stomach & cause more gas which is something you definitely don’t want

They did say apple juice no bits to me as a clear drink but as a diabetic I think it’s best to avoid that. Maybe if you could get a sugar free apple squash. But I’d advise sticking to water if you can, it’s only for 24hrs

Edited to add extra info

I have looked for chicken consomme but it appears it is only Waitrose that sell this and there is none anywhere near me - they are that far away I don't even know where there is one. I have looked in Morrisons & Tescos but they only have the beef one, but thanks anyway, I will keep looking for it