Does anyone have any tips or advice on how to get through a colonoscopy with as little pain as possible?

Hi
I just wanted to say don't worry about a colonoscopy being painful, I had one recently and it was fine. I think the most important thing is to make sure your bowel is as clean as possible so take all the bowel cleansers to the exact instructions and don't eat anything after you've started your cleanse. During the colonoscopy if it does get a bit uncomfortable just ask for more painkillers or more sedation. Trying to get round the corners was a little uncomfortable so they put me on my back and manipulated my abdomen so the tube could get round. Other than that it was fine so really don't worry. Afterwards I felt a little bit tender and bloated but that is totally normal. Go home, lie down with a hot water bottle and watch a nice film and you'll be fine. I lost my appetite for a couple of days afterwards aswell so don't worry if you don't fancy eating. Good luck!
B

I've had a number of colonoscopies and was offered sedation with all of them. My tip would be to have sedation. I also found telling the doctor "I'm a bit of a screemer, so I suggest you keep the sedation topped up" made me know nothing about it.  

Hi,know this is a bit late,but i was petrified the first time,but i had a good surgeon,and it went ok.
The second and third was a lot better,being filled with air is weird,but once your sedated,i think
the surgeon asked me to count to 10,i only got to 4 he said.

Its fine once your sedated mate.



All the best David.

Wish I had known how bad it was gonna be before I said No to sedation.  Doh!

It is uncomfortable more than anything, more pressure than anything else. It's not great, I'm sure I could have had more sedation... The staff were great in mine, I just sat watching the TV... strange watching your insides...

Hi Roy,

I had a colonoscopy in June and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. My best adivce is to agree to be sedated! And the day before the procedure ensure that you take the Picolax (or the laxative you are given) at the correct times. It can work instantly for some, but can take some time for others. Also keep up your fluid intake, I recommend drinking high calorie content drinks such as coke or fanta as well as water to keep hydrated. It should say in the advice leaflet you get through though. I think that clear jellies are OK to eat leading up to the colonoscopy, although I think this depends on what advice you have been given from your consultant/clinic.

Don't worry about it too much. I would also say to drink a walkman/MP3 player with you to take your mind off it if you are still anxious about it.

Hope this helps.

Sarah

hi, had my second one in july and above advice is good do allow sedation and just relax it's not to bad but make sure u have food for after as my G.I. man uses kleen prep almost two days with out food  so u will be hungry but most hospitals have a sandwich and a hot drink ready for you. good luck

Hi all was told back 5 weeks ago i was admitted in to hospital with painful stomach ive had constant runs for nearly a year, ive got lots mucus but dont think there any blood, im in so much pain when im actually on the toilet, goin to the loo relives the pain for a while but then starts up again within minutes. the consutant at the time said  i had gall bladder problems but a scan didnt show stones so they organised a camera down that has been done and found nothing, ive since seen my consultant again he now says he thinks ive got crohns or colitis, so im scheduled for the colonoscopy, wasnt aware i could be sedated,  this is something i will be asking about after reading it on here, anybody out there know what im talking about i could certainly do with hearing from you, thank you

Hi tattyteds

I would suggest sedation, although it didn't really work on me but it wasn't that bad.  The worse part was the meds you have to take the day before!  I've had 2 colonoscopies now, one last April and one 9 yrs ago.  Both showed nothing.  However, 9 yrs ago, I was told there was nothing wrong and basically to just get on with it, which is what I have done, despite being in excrutiating pain and going to the loo about 20 times a day. However, since Christmas things got worse and I plucked up the courage to see my gp, who referred me immediately to a new consultant.  He could not believe that I hadn't asked for a 2nd opinion and despite the colonoscopy being clear, diagnosed Crohns, which was then confirmed by a small bowel meal as well as a CT scan.  The problem now is that as it has been left so long, the disease has attacked a large area of my small bowel, so an op may not be possible as they would have to remove so much (this is still being discussed as I'm not responding to treatment at the moment).  So my advice to you would be to ask for more tests (small bowel meal) if your colonoscopy is clear but hopefully you will have a switched on consultant who would do that for you.

Best of luck - the procedure isn't that bad honestly.
Lou

Thank you lou,   your word say it all,  i too have been goin through this for years and they keep saying its ibs, but in the past ive never lost weight. This time ive lost 2 stone since end of june. Not sure weather that because of the amount of times im on the loo, or just plain and simple its easier for me not to eat because of the pain its causing, i will do what you say and get a second opinion if all fails thank you once again.

Sue

I've had many colonoscopies over the past 30 years.  Each is an inconvenience, but a necessary test, I suppose.  I'm checked for polyps about every 5 years now.  My Crohn's is located in the small bowel (terminal ileum was removed) and doesn't appear in the colon.  But, it's good to know that.   The test itself lasted about 15 min or less and I was drowsy afterwards, so you must have someone with you to take you home.   The prep meds doesn't get any easier just because you're giving diarrhea to someone that has diarrhea. ha!  I've even fasted a couple of times for 3 days and had it done without a prep.  

Good luck  

Hiya - had 3 - maybe 4 colonoscopies - had sedation with em all - wouldn't do it otherwise.  Remember waking up halfway through one of them cos the student nurse passed out and fell onto a metal trolley and that woke me up - don't know if I thought it or actually said the following 'give me some more f'n drugs or I'm walking out of here' was funny at the time and still funny now.  About the stuff to drink before - I never dilute it like the instructions - just makes it last longer - chuck it in a glass - down it in one then drink loads of water.  Then wait for the gurgling............  Take care.

hey
ive had 2 colonoscopies now. the first one i remember the beginning and then waking up in the recovery room. this is fina but the second one i had they said they give you the minimum sedation but they would give more if i was in pain. i was really uncomfortable and told them but they didnt increase it so it wasnt as relaxing as i remember the first one being! i say this just so you know to be vocal if youre in any discomfort, let them know so they can make you more comfortable. you should feel tired and drowsy and i didnt at all. the good thing is it goes quite quick but dont be afraid to ask for more if you need it.

Im actually going for mine, this sunday, and ive been told there is no sedation, im really worried because my bottom really hurts before anything going near it , what should i do sue