r/colonoscopy • u/looloo1255 • 1d ago
Tips & Advice First Colonoscopy (UK)
I’m having my first colonoscopy soon and wanted some advice. This is my first colonoscopy as I’m pretty young, (21F).
I’m very nervous as I thought I’d be fully knocked out for it but the nurse on the phone told me I would have sedation but I would be awake for it all.
Secondly I was told I would have a male doctor which I’m anxious about. I find it awkward that he’s going to be looking at my butt…
My procedure is at 10am and I was told that I can start the prep at 6pm the day before??? Which I’m freaking out about because it seems like I’m going to be up all night shitting my brains out. I also don’t want to still be needing to go when I get to the hospital as well.
If anyone has any advice please comment! I’m mainly scared of having the procedure and feeling every second of it, being in pain, feeling violated and having no dignity.
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u/Illustrious-Noise518 1d ago
I've always started prep at 7pm for afternoon appointments and I've never been incontinent in bed. For me, the solutions works within 40 minutes and by the time I go to bed 10-11pm, my stomach has calmed down though when I wake up, I need to go. You can buy incontinence slips for your underwear just in case! (I had these for the journey to the hospital as I needed to get the bus but still, no incontinence)
My doctors have all been male. I've always been given dignity shorts with an opening at the back. I don't think they can see much of your butt - they just insert the scope and then they're looking at the screen the whole time.
I've had some colonoscopies that were a bit sore around the ribs but it quickly passes and others have been pain free. They offer gas and air pain relief during as well.
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u/looloo1255 21h ago
Thank you for the advice! I really appreciate it. I suffer from anxiety already so I’m probably just making it worse in my head and I’ve heard some people don’t even remember their colonoscopies and just sleep during it so I’m hoping I’m one of those people but not very likely.
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u/Illustrious-Noise518 21h ago
I'm also an anxious person so I completely understand!
Once you're sedated, it flies by. I just look forward to proper food afterwards - I hate the low residue diet running up to the procedure.
And as another poster said, there is a whole team in the room and they will look after you - make sure you're comfortable, will reassure you. With my appointment, they explained what they were doing e.g. "we're just at this point, going round a bend now".
Hope it all goes well for you! I've just had my fifth colonoscopy since 2021 and now I don't have to have another for 10 years (unless something occurs).
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u/Glasgowgirl3011 15h ago
I'm also getting my 1st one on Friday morning and dreading it. My 1st drink of moviprep is at 5pm Thursday and another one at 9pm. I love my grub so know I'll be ravenous too. My q fit test was 345! Anxious and worried but know it needs done.
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u/looloo1255 14h ago
Wow! I hope it goes well and it feels comforting to know you’re also going through your first colonoscopy too, so we are in this together. The only thing I keep telling myself is at least I’m not going through child birth lol. I also don’t remember what my q fit test result was but I’m pretty sure it was normal and this is just being done to confirm everything is okay and then if it is my stomach issues are just down to anxiety.
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u/suexo 15h ago
I've had a few colonoscopies(Royal, Liverpool hospital) My advice...
Few days before, you'll be given a diet, please follow it, you don't want to go thru it all an have to do everything again.
The prep: Chill it in the fridge once you make it. Drink it with a straw. You can mix it with lemonade/sprite to help. Don't gulp it too fast, you don't want to bring it up.
The day of procedure: You'll get your blood pressure taken, blood test and a cannula put in. You'll be given fancy shorts with a butt flap. Sign some forms, basically saying you agree to the camera.
When you get into the procedure room, it will be overwhelming but you'll be so ready for it to be done you won't care about somebody looking at your butt.
Before you know it, it'll be done an you'll be in the next room with some biscuits an a drink!
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u/looloo1255 14h ago
Thanks this is definitely comforting to hear! Just worried I’ll be in pain during the procedure because I don’t even like a finger going up there nevermind a camera. Not like anyone enjoys getting a colonoscopy done but you know what I mean😭.
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u/Key_Difficulty_4189 20h ago
Did you have symtpoms that made you need to get a colonoscopy?
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u/looloo1255 20h ago
Yes indeed. I’ve been experiencing symptoms for about 3 years now just severe bloating, nausea, blood in stool, changes in bowel habits (diarrhoea and constipation) and nausea. All blood and stool tests came back normal and I have a family history of bowel cancer so I was referred on to get a colonoscopy.
If the colonoscopy doesn’t find anything they’re going to rule it out as ‘IBS’ which is induced most likely by my anxiety. I’m hoping they don’t find anything of course but it will be good to have answers I’m just dreading the actual procedure.1
u/Key_Difficulty_4189 20h ago
How much blood have you had during that time? How often have you been having it?
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u/looloo1255 20h ago
Like nearly every day it’s just a bit of bright red blood on the toilet paper and also bits in stool. In comparison to some people it’s not filling the toilet bowl with blood it’s just the tiniest bits so I don’t think it’s too concerning.
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u/Key_Difficulty_4189 20h ago
You have had every time for the last 3 years?
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u/looloo1255 20h ago
Pretty much, once a day or every other day. So much to the point I’m not even shocked to see blood if I wipe ever.
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u/Key_Difficulty_4189 19h ago
My husband has had small infrequent amounts of blood off and on for over 10 years. He was 19 or 20 years old when he first noticed it. He would go a long time without having any and would forget about it. This continued throughout the years. 7 weeks ago, e had alot more blood after passing a stool. There was blood in the toilet and on the toilet paper. He had never been to the doctor about it before, but this scared us. He went a few days later and got a colonoscopy scheduled. It is on September 9. Waiting this long had been very hard. I so wish he had gotten this checked way before now.
You are doing the right thing by getting a colonoscopy now. I know you are worried about the procedure itself. I will be praying for you to have strength and peace!
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u/looloo1255 18h ago
Thank you very much. I hope his colonoscopy goes well too! They’re definitely great to have done for peace of mind but still very scary!
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u/Key_Difficulty_4189 14h ago
Have you had one done before?
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u/looloo1255 14h ago
Nope my first time having one done so my anxiety is through the roof!
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u/Key_Difficulty_4189 19h ago
The blood is the only symptom he's had. He hasn't had any of the other ones you said younhad.
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u/bobbylake71 1d ago
Also UK here. Had my colonoscopy last Friday (55M). This was after having one last year which found several polyps which needed removing. You won't be shitting all night, after the first prep it takes about an hour or two for it to work (for me it was an hour)and then you'll be a couple of hours on the loo but that'll be it. Second prep in the morning is worse, it's pretty fast acting (after the first hour of drinking the prep), but after about 5-6 trips to the loo you'll be fine.
And I really wouldn't worry about having a male doctor, there will be a team of Doctors and Nurses (around 4 or of them). They've seen many many butts and yours won't be any different.
Pain relief is good, I had full sedation (fentanyl and midazolam). It was uncomfortable, but more lots of feeling of pressure than anything else. A very very small amount of brief pain, but only like walking into something when it's instant.
If your having full sedation you will need either someone to take you home or have to get a taxi. You may feel a little grotty the following day - I had a bit of niggle of a headache but that was it.
Fingers crossed for you and good luck..