Having my first colonoscopy

Tests and investigations
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Hi there, if you are reading this, chances are you are having your first colonoscopy too like me. I have decided to stop reading everyones stories about their colonoscopy experiences and to write about mine, mainly to stop myself freaking out.  So hear goes, today I went to the hospital to collect my bowel prep, 'movi prep' pretty sure someone with a great sense of humour decided to call it that, good old bowel prep or perhaps 'bog hugger' might be more apt. Somehow I don't think a movie with the pop corn will ever be the same for me now. Anyway, spoke to a lovely nurse, who explained how to take the stuff, what I couldn't eat etc and about the procedure, and she didn't sugar coat it. So as I have to be at the hospital for 7.30am on Wednesday, I am allowed breakfast tomorrow before 9am. I can drink clear fluids all day. I have decided to stock up on energy drinks to take throughout the day, nurse said it was ok. I then start the movi prep between 5pm and 7pm, I have to mix a and b satchet in a litre of fluid and drink it, and drink 500ml of clear fluid after. Then I wait or maybe hug the loo, will let you know, loo permitting.  Then the leaflet says rest for 2 hours, not sure if their interpretation of rest is the same as mine lol. Anyhow between 9pm and 11pm I have to mix another two satchets in 1 litre of water along with 500ml clear fluid to wash it down. It then says at 11pm or when you stop going to the toilet you can go to bed. MMMh. Well the nurse said as she went through the leaflet with me, "you might find you actually don't stop going to the loo". She then asked me if I had any worries. I said I was worried that I might poop my pants on the way to the hospital, (sorry a bit graphic, but do we all not feel that way). She did say some people do do, and suggested I wear a sanitary pad or the like. I also said I was worried it would hurt, whilst she didn't say it would or wouldn't, she said it could be very uncomfortable and for a few days afterwards too, but it affects everyone differently and that things settle once you get back eating and using the toilet normally again.

 

I am going to drink plenty of water and have a light diet of toast and eggs for lunch and some plain white rice and chicken tonight as although I wasn't advised to it seems it is better to avoid foods with any fibre in them. Probably have egg and toast for breakfast in the morning, then I am going to keep really busy till 5pm 'D' (for diarrhoea) Day as I am calling it. 

I sincerely hope that I am sounding upbeat and chilled about this whole experience, that's my aim.  In reality I am scared senseless, (poo less!!! - hopefully I will be by 11pm tomorrow night ha ha).

Because like everyone else not only is there the worry of the procedure there is the worry of what might be found. 

Anyway I will try to update tomorrow as to how it is going - loo permitting.

Hope everyone is doing well, I am so glad I found this group forum to share experiences on.

Cally x

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Hi Cally - Sounds as though you know exactly what you are doing in preparaing well.  As you say, everyone's experience is different. I had no problem with the prep or going to the loo. It wasn't too bad at all. The procedure was very uncomfortable, but not unbearable, and two little polyps were removed, but no further treatment for 5 years. Look forward to hearing how you got on. 

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Hi Lynne

Thank you for your reply, I really appreciate it, hope I am ok with the loo too, but I spend lots of time in the loo anyways so what will be will be.

Glad to hear that you are ok. Thanks again for sharing your experience with me.

Cally

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Hi Carolyn- keep positive. The worst part for me was undoubtedly having to drink so much liquid!!!  It seemed relentless. Tips you may find helpful- drink the movi prep through a straw so you don't taste it, and have a good supply of moisturised toilet wipes to hand. The procedure can be uncomfortable, but in my experience not at all unbearable and after 20 minutes I was enjoying coffee and toast, with no ill effects subsequently. Best wishes for a good outcome. 

Jan

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Hi Jan

Awww thats great thanks, sent my hubby to get me some straws, I thought i might freeze some lime flavoured water and suck on it whilst I drink the liquid. I appreciate your positive comments. Hope you are fine now.

Cally

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Hi Cally:

Best of luck. I'm sure you'll do well as you taken the time to think it all thru.

I'm curious, will you be sedated for the test or just pain mitigation?

Raffie.

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Hi Raffie

Yes definately going for the sedation, anything and everything they can give me. I already have since July varying degrees of pain and swelling in my lower colon area, so hope it doesn't make it worse. Hope they find at what is wrong with me, its been going on so long now.

Thanks Cally

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Hi cally,

First of all good luck! I'm so worried about the whole thing and have 2 months left 😡 Hope all goes well and please do let me know how your poo filled day goes 😝 Hope u get some sleep before and all goes well. Will be thinking about u! Why do we have to go through all this ? 😡😡😡😡 hopefully everything goes easily and won't be as sh*t (haha) as expected

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Hi Carolyn. Mine was fine. Hope you can write again when it's all over. Best wishes. 

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Hope all goes well for you Cally. If you haven't already I would recommend using vaseline before it gets sore.  It worked for me.  Stay chilled and relaxed you will be okay.  Hope to hear from you.  I had both done today and have posted on another page on here, Colonoscopy without sedation, if you want to read it.  Good luck!

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Hi John, thanks for your best wishes, can't wait till it's over though. Glad yours was fine.

Cally

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Hi Mar

Great suggestion, will get some cream for my bum, lol, can't use vaseline as I am allergic to it. Don't think I could do it without sedation though, going to go read yours now thank you. Glad it went well for you.

Thank you for your good wishes

Cally

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Thanks cally, one more thing put cream on before you need to go and only dab not wipe when you do. I was only slightly sore nothing much.  Keep calm and trust the consultant.  I think some people have sedation and rely on it too much, just be prepared and relaxed.  Good luck hope it goes well :-)

mar

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Hi Ella thanks for your post it made me smile.

 Well so far apart from feeling hungry I have managed to keep really busy, doing stuff I needed to do and put off lol, cleaned the house too, so now I am bored, hungry and fed up lol, roll on five o'clock, not. Can't imagine taking three litres of liquid in four hours, I don't drink that much in a full day oh well. It's just one day and it will be over soon. Will keep you updated do hope I can sleep but if not I will make up for it tomorrow. Thought might have chip shop fish tomorrow if I am feeling up to it, will need some calorie!!!! Mmmm now I am thinking about fish. Think I will have another black coffee. Getting a few tummy pains as I find coffee now makes me poo a lot too. Thought it might start me of and get rid of some of my bowel contents before I start the movi haha,

Keep ya posted Cally

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Haha il prob end up doing the same thing unless I'm on the loo all day! Been thinking about u all day!! U sound in good spirits. Gluck for today and tomorrow. Please keep me posted

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Hi Ella just started the drink, not horrid but not nice either, a bit like salty lemonade, its weird looks thin like water, but tastes thick!! really strange any how, I am having a lick of lemon ice pop with it and lime cordial, at least I don' t feel hungry anymore, feeling a bit sick tbh, but when I lick ice pop and sip lime juice not so bad. Don't think lemonade or lemon would be as good though with the nasty taste. Thought I'd just post on here whilst I can as I can' t really focus on anything else at the moment. Thanks for your thoughts

Cally

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You're well on the way now!! Good luck for tomorrow. 

Jan

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Big big good luck. Don't worry about posting for now, just take care of yourself x

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Thanks for the luck wishes, Yep 1 litre down another to go at 9pm ooh what fun. Went to the loo at 6 just gas though then whhilst I finished my last glass from that litre d started. I daren't leave the loo at the moment, apart from to stand when my bum has gone numb. Anyway I have shut the bathroom door as my hubby n lads are cooking their dinner. Funny I don't actually feel hungry now and I only had a boiled egg and thin slice of white at 8 am. I also found that keeping the straw in my mouth pushing it as far back as I could and avoiding my tastebuds and slurping the glass down was the best way to drink it. Feeling a bit cold now, quite upbeat though, as I don't feel ill like you do with a tummy bug and my hubby brought me a hot water bottle, and a warm pyjama top and some hot lime juice. Oh and bless he is sat outside the bathroom eating his dinner and telling me about his day at work.

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thanks Ella, better keeping busy on my iPad, not feeling too bad at the moment, just staying on the loo ready for round two. For me I think the worry of being out of control and not knowing what is gonna happen is the worst thing x