Colonoscopy is a Doddle

My arm where IV was attached.

I was terrified as I have a huge phobia of needles and hospitals but my colonoscopy was a doddle. I  honestly felt no pain or discomfort at all. Everybody's experience of a colonoscopy is different but it is not something you need to fear. I have read mixed reviews of people’s experiences of colonoscopies so I thought I would share my own very positive ones. In a nut shell there was honestly nothing whatsoever to worry about. I felt no pain or even any mild discomfort from either the IV or the colonoscopy. Some of the reviews I had read had frightened me but there was absolutely no need to be scared or concerned. Everyone’s experiences are different but I want to reassure people that many experiences including my own were far from doom and gloom and in fact very positive.

For many years I had suffered abdominal bleeding but had never sought help as often there was no pain. I also hate going to doctors unless it is a last resort. A good friend of mine saw a campaign about bowel cancer and said I should get it looked at just in case. Eventually I went to see my GP who took a look before sending me to a specialist who gave me a sigmoidoscopy. Even though I was nervous I did not feel any discomfort despite some reviews from others to the contrary. He suspected piles but I wanted to rule out something more serious so he referred me for a colonoscopy.

The colour drained from my face.  I had thus far avoided anything that required an IV and I tend to feel faint during blood tests. The specialist gave me a cream which stopped the bleeding which was good. He also prescribed some Picolax powder which I will tell more about later. The hospital sent me some leaflets explaining how to prepare for my colonoscopy and what to expect leading up to it, during it and after.

As my colonoscopy became closer and closer I became more and more worried. I started going on any forum I could or website to read about other people’s experiences. Some were very positive and others were fear inducing. Some people described the whole process as agony.  Very reassuring but let me reassure you that was not the case for me.

The leaflets explained the special diet I would have to go on before the procedure. Three days before my colonoscopy I need a low fibre diet. It was very limited and many of the products I could eat were wheat based and I have wheat intolerance. I could eat potatoes without skin. oven chips, white rice and white fish with no skin for instance. I could not eat foods such as sausages, most fruit, breakfast cereals or milk chocolate. I was encouraged to drink lots of liquid such as water, tea, coffee and fizzy drinks. Drinks such as fruit juices or hot chocolate were not allowed. This diet had to last for two days.

On the day before my colonoscopy I had to take two sachets of a laxative called Picolax. I had read so many scare stories about taking this laxative and how it was the worst part of the colonoscopy process. Billy Connoly even did a sketch about how painful the prep is. People claimed it tasted  vile and that they would spend most of their day in the bathroom emptying their bowels.  During the previous two days I was nervous of eating the wrong thing or too much that I only had one light meal a day. I felt very light headed and had some dizzy spells within 48 hours of being due to have the colonoscopy.

On the day before your colonoscopy you cannot eat anything though you must consume much fluid to avoid dehydration. Anyway at midday I drank the first sachet of Picolax which you mix with water. It certainly wasn’t vile and tasted to me no different  from Lemsip.  Not great but not unpleasant either. I waited for the explosions to start. About 45 minutes later I went to the toilet for my first bowel movement which was very mild. I went about four more times and all my bowel movements were very mild with no discomfort.

I then thought that perhaps it would really kick in with the second dose that I had to take at 6pm. I took that dose and again there were a few minor bowel movements but again no discomfort. The longest I spent in the bathroom at any one time would have been about five or six minutes. Usually less. My stomach rumbled occasionally but I had no stomach cramps or desire to break wind. My bowel movements were no more than liquid. It was certainly not a chore nor uncomfortable.  Definitely not the seemingly endless hell as some people described it.  Barely any discomfort. So much for my fears about taking the laxative which proved unfounded.  Having scaled down my diet no doubt helped.

My final few hours before I went to the hospital were restless ones full of dread. I spent them reading people’s reviews and experiences which frightened me no end. I must be sadist and really should stop putting myself through them. To be honest though the majority of experiences were positive.

At 630am a car arrived to take me to the hospital. I was absolutely petrified. I had barely slept in 48 hours. We arrived at the hospital and a man from admissions took my forms with credit card details to sort out payment. About 25 minutes later an endoscopy nurse came to meet me and took me through to the department. I told her I was terrified and that I had a massive phobia of needles. She put me at ease and confirmed they had the Emla cream I had requested the day before to put my skin where they would put the IV. Emla cream is used mainly by children but can be requested by adults if they have a needle phobia for instance.

She took me through to a cubicle and explained the procedure and what I could expect. She put me at ease regarding the IV and put the emla cream to numb the area where the IV and needle would be inserted. She chose four areas to put the cream. On the backs of my hands and on my arm. I felt quite faint with nausea talking about the needle and IV so they let me lay down for ten to 15 minutes. During this time she took a couple of samples from my nose. I am not certain why but it may be to do with the oxygen mask. She also tested my blood pressure which she said was normal.

After I had rested the nurse came back with a gown and I got changed into it after briefly using the bathroom. I was allowed to wear my shirt underneath but no underwear.  The doctor who was performing the colonoscopy came into my cubicle to introduce himself and answer any further questions I may have had. He put me at ease. He gave me a consent film to sign.

The nurse then wheeled me into the theatre. I was very nervous and the put an oxygen mask on my nose which helped. Then came the bit I was dreading most. Yes it was the needle. I asked for it to be put in my arm as that was where I had had previous blood tests. I did not like the idea of a needle going in to the back of my hand. Thankfully he found a good vein in my arm. I kept trying to look and swore but that was my anticipation of pain. When I looked away he inserted the needle into a vein. In fact I barely felt it go in and there was absolutely no pain or discomfort. Beyond that I felt nothing and I did not feel the IV going in. I was given a sedative and pain killer in the IV but I did not feel any different or wheezy or groggy as some people said. In fact at times I wondered if I had an IV in my arm at all. I felt no different.

The colonoscopy began and I watched it on the screen though I felt nothing at all. Again no discomfort or pain what so ever.  I chatted to the nurse and doctor but I did not feel out of sorts at any time. I was able to watch it on screen. The sedative and oxygen helped me relax but I was fully aware of what was going on and I don’t remember losing awareness at any time. Usually I would dislike the idea of looking at my colons or bowels so the sedation must have had some affect.I remember the procedure well. It was over before I knew it. A polyp was taken for analysis. Again I saw it being taken on the screen but felt nothing. The whole colonoscopy took 11 minutes. The doctor said my colon and bowels were very easy to navigate and it helped that I was young and fit.

I was then wheeled back in the cubicle where I was allowed to rest for a few minutes before I said I felt fine. I felt totally fine and not whoozy or groggy from the sedative or pain killer. I actually felt better than when I had arrived. Also relieved it was all over. The doctor came in to explain that there was nothing that he saw that was wrong beyond having piles which the earlier specialist had diagnosed. It was a huge relief and weight off my shoulders.

The nurse then removed my IV once she was satisfied that I was fine. She placed a plaster over the spot where the IV had been. She asked if I would like some cereal and an orange juice. I had barely eaten for 48 hours. I was hardly likely to say no. It tasted so good. In fact any food would have tasted so good. After I finished the cereal I was allowed to get dressed and leave. The whole process was supposed to last four hours but I was out within two. I went home and I did not feel woozy. I just got on with my everyday tasks. I had also been told I would feel quite gassy. It was minimal. No problems at all.

I am the biggest hospital and needle phobic but I can honestly say that not once during the procedure did I feel any pain or any discomfort at all. In fact I felt barely anything throughout. All my concerns and worries were not merited. It was more about the fear of fear itself. Much of it was anticipated. I was also in good hands with people who made me feel at ease. If you are encouraged to get a colonoscopy go and get it. It could save your life and for me it did not live up to any of the scare stories that I had read. I now feel more confident and at ease with hospitals. I will have little fear of getting a colonoscopy again should I need one. It was honestly a doddle so please do not worry at all. It could save your life.