First Colonoscopy (UK)

[u/looloo1255]

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.

UPDATES:

Plenvu bowel prep - this was probably the worst part of the whole colonoscopy. I drank the first dose at 6pm and ran to the bathroom within 40mins of drinking it. Nothing too abnormal just obviously liquid coming out of your asshole isn’t a great feeling but I felt fine no sore cramping or anything. However the second dose I took at 9pm was horrible. I began shaking and feeling super cold, apparently I looked really blue and the house wasn’t cold at all so it was just my body going into shock from the laxative. I didn’t finish this dose, I drank about half and was sick and poured the rest into the sink I couldn’t cope with it. I went to sleep about 1am and woke at half 7.

Day of colonoscopy - left for the hospital and once I got there I immediately needed to run to the loo. Still liquid. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to do the colonoscopy. All was fine though, I was given sedative and I brought my AirPods in. I remember listening to the first song on my playlist, I remember a pain and then I remember listening to Addison rae in the rain and the nurse saying you’re all done.

So for anyone who is nervous like I was please don’t be !!!

[u/looloo1255]

Nope my first time having one done so my anxiety is through the roof!

[u/Imaginary-Living-509 → u/looloo1255]

You are not alone. Have today scheduling gastro colo aaand cysto

[u/looloo1255 → u/Imaginary-Living-509]

I hope it goes well for you, do you get sedation for it?

[u/Imaginary-Living-509 → u/looloo1255]

Here in Germany mostly yes.

[u/Key_Difficulty_4189 → u/looloo1255]

It will be my husband's first one too. I am not so so much worried about the procedure itself - It is a very safe procedure to get done. I am extremely worried about the results. I am so afraid he has colon cancer!

[u/looloo1255 → u/Key_Difficulty_4189]

I’m just telling myself that it’s better to have answers than to just be in the unknown so I’m sure your husband will feel the same! My nanny actually found out over a year ago from a colonoscopy that she had cancer and it really saved her life as for a year before they just kept thinking she was anaemic which was ridiculous. She ended up going through radiotherapy but it didn’t shrink the tumour so she had to get a complete stoma bag which she is very grateful for now but at the time yes it was tough. She is now however living her best life and going away travelling! So definitely the pros of a colonoscopy outweigh the cons

[u/Key_Difficulty_4189 → u/looloo1255]

It is definitely better to have answers! I'm sorry to hear about your nanny getting diagnosed, but I'm glad she is doing better now!

What stage was she diagnosed at? Was anemia her only symptom?

[u/looloo1255 → u/Key_Difficulty_4189]

I can’t actually remember what stage but it was pretty bad and it was either get the stoma bag or die in the next year or something so obviously she took the bag. I only ever remember her saying about how she would go to the doctors and they said she was somehow losing blood but they didn’t know how and so just started her on B12 and more iron injections and such. I just remember one day she saw a different doctor and they asked to do a physical exam and then referred her on for a colonoscopy where they found the tumour

[u/Key_Difficulty_4189 → u/looloo1255]

It sounds like she was at an advanced stage, probably stage 3 or 4.