Colonoscopy

[renee84]

Ok well I'm in need of help lol I have had bleeding every time I use my bowels and I went to my dr and she checked on the outside and inside for hemmaroids (no idea on spelling) and nothing came up. I have to send off specimens and she said if I have anymore bleeding I will need to have a colonoscopy and since then i have. So I cant get into see her yet so I'm wanting to know does this hurt? I have been googling and basically it's saying a light sedative is given but I really hope it puts me to sleep! Dr told me it could be a small hemmaroid internally that she can't see but I'm starting to sort of freak out I know everything will most likely be fine but googling it doesnt help when I have had results for bowel cancer

[visitor2]

I had a colonoscopy done a few years ago and i found it hurt. I was in pain a few days later but they did say that it is unsual for someone to be in pain after having it done. I really don't think they put me out enough when i had it done.

My MIL used to work doing that all the time and she said to me that they must have done something wrong at the time.

One thing if you have the screen that they watch nar by don't look they got me to look to take my mind of things but i think it made it worse for me.

[MantaRay]

I had one done a few years ago too and it definitely didn't hurt me at all. I have no memory of the procedure - apparently you're not properly unconcious, but enough that you are totally unaware. And afterwards the worst thing was that I was very flatulent. I ate a sandwich within minutes of waking up and was fine - and usually I'm a mess after anaesthetics.

Since then my MIL and a friend have had them and neither had any pain either.

You will be fine, please try not to worry.

[Mother Goose]

Hi Renee,

I have done a HEAP of colonscopies (as in, assisted doctors - I'm a nurse). It is actually pretty unusual for people to be "awake" during the procedure or to remember it. You will be given a sedative and most people "space out" on it and don't remember a thing. If you have concerns about being aware of what happens or retaining memory of the proceedure - have a chat to the anethetist before hand. They are usually pretty good about it. Also discuss your concerns with your doctor. The sedative helps to relax you and your muscles which makes it easier to insert and manouver the scope and should help prevent any pain afterwards.

I have a very close friend who has regular colonoscopies and with his last one, he wasn't quiet "asleep" when they inserted it and he piped up with "Well, HELLO!" and then went to sleep . He has no memory of it - the doctor told him afterwards.
I recently had a gastroscope (other end) and can't remember anything other than the anethetist cannulating me (putting the needle in my hand).

HTH and hope you can get in to see your GP soon.

MG

[Danni]

hey renee, its not bad at all. I dont remember anything about it at all, apart from going to sleep. I woke up with no pain at all but the flatulence!

I remember the nurse rolled me onto my side and then the wind just farted out of me. I was sooooooooooo embarassed lol. I remember my tummy being pregnant like as it was full of air.

[visitor2]

It must be done a different way in the UK as i was awake the whole time for mine

[Megan]

My DH had a few done and was always asleep during the procedure, and never had any pain from it afterwards. No memory whatsoever (which I'm sure is a good thing!)

[jess_i]

I've recently had a gastroscopy and colonoscopy and no pain at all - I was anethetised so no memory at all. Was quite sleepy after but felt fine - only bloated like the other ladies have said.

I think the worst part of it was the 'cleansing' the night before!

[Mother Goose]

You poor chook Michelle! Can't say I'd want to remember it or see what they were doing!!!

The bloating people have mentioned is caused by the air we blow into you (via the camera - not ourselves! ). The air is to help "unsquish" things inside so we can see what we need to see. Completely harmless. You will pass it just like any other form of wind.
The nurses may ask you to roll on your side before the sedative takes effect but that will depend on the staff who are doing it. Some ask, some don't.

This is a Day Surgery Proceedure and it will probably take a couple of hours for the fogginess of the sedative to wear off enough for you to feel you have your facalties back. You will probably be a bit "fuzzy" for most of the day. Depending on where you have it done, you can expect to be there anything from 2 hours to half a day (also depending on how your body deals with the drugs). The Private Centre my gastroenterologist works from says to allow 2 hours but the hospital I actually had my gastroscope done in says to allow half a day.

Depending on where you are in Melbourne, and if you are going public or private, I can recommend a terrific gastroenterologist. He is very friendly and relaxing (and easy on the eyes ). He knows I don't like the recovery unit of the hospital I had to have a procedure done in (the complexity of that procedure means you can't go through day surg) and he actually stayed in recovery with me until I was fully awake. His rooms are at Heidelberg. If you want his details, PM me and I'll forward them to you. I was referred to him by my other surgeon.

MG

[~Raven~]

The colonoscopy itself is easy as you'll be sedated. Try not to think about what they are looking at. It's their job and they look up plenty of them every day

It's the stuff you need to drink the night before to clean you out along with the fasting and not being able to drink anything that was hardest for me.

Also to make it easier on yourself try and get the earliest appointment you can also because when I had mine done my appointment was for 1:30pm so I was already so STARVING by then I was feeling sick. Then because they were running behind schedule I didn't get in till 5pm. I had a headache and was delirious (was kneeling on the floor crying with my head on the seat in the waiting room) and so dehydrated I had to be put on a drip.

All for an inconclusive result that they decided was the result of a virus! Sorry for the rant.

All the best

[Bathsheba]

Wow I'm amazed at how many people have had one!

I think I might have to have one at some stage as my grandfather had a malignant bowel polyp and colon polyps are heriditary (he is ok now though, after surgery). I've only ever bled when my haemerroids flare up. These were the result of my pregnancies. It's been ages since a flare up though. I worry that the heamerroid bleeding might disguise any polyp bleeding though.

Anyhow... thanks for all your advice MG... I'm near heidelburg too.

[Mother Goose]

Sounds like you had an awful expereince Sammi! I can relate though - when I was in the other week I hadn't eaten since 8pm the night before, was having an internal bleed, was on massive amounts of IV fluids - and STILL passed out! But my bleed was from that other complex proceedure so don't go freaking out girls!

If you are feeling ill side effects (such as delerium, weakness) make sure you alert the staff ASAP as you may very well need IV fluids.

Bath - when it comes time to needing another one - I am more than happy to give you the details of the guy I see. He really is excellent. He does scopes at the Bundoora Endoscopy Centre (near Northpark Hospital), Warringal Private, and The Austin.

MG

[renee84]

Wow thanks heaps for that everyone I'm definately no where near as worried now! I am going to be so embarrassed with the wind PMSL but I spose it's normal lol

[AnyDream]

Renee, I'd be asking for a second opinion before going for the colonoscopy. I had ongoing bleeding (and pain) and the dr couldn't find any haemmerhoids and referred me to a general surgeon. The surgeon took one look and explained about anal fissure - its when you get a crack in the anus and then everytime you pass another motion it opens again and bleeds and spasms (v.ouchy). Anyway went in for a very short bum op (done under general, I was under for less than 15 mins) and it was better IMMEDIATELY. So anyway just wanted to share cos I'd hate for you to get the colonoscopy and then it turns out it's something a bit simpler than that.

[renee84]

Thanks Marydean I think my dr doesn't want to risk the bleeding aswell becuz of anti inflamitory medication and pain killers I am on, she told me that it can cause intestinal and some other bleeding so she is a bit worried. But I will mention that anal fissure to her when I see her and see what she thinks

[Willow]

I've had one too years ago, I was a teenager so more embarrassed than anything else! Didn't have any pain at any stage and was heavily sedated so don't really remember it at all.

Anyway went in for a very short bum op (done under general, I was under for less than 15 mins) and it was better IMMEDIATELY.

Marydean - one of my best friends had this done yesterday. She's been in agony for months (ever since having her son) with a fissure, I really, really hope she has the same result as you. She's called me in tears so many times, can't sit down to feed her son, can't leave the house most days.

Only drawback was she had to wean her DS because they use botox now (not sure how long ago your procedure was) and obviously this is a big no no for bubs. Heartbreaking decision for her but she just needed some quality of life back.

[renee84]

Ok well I got the results from the FOBT and the results came back positive, dr said it's most likely a polyp. I am still bleeding and in pain everytime I go to the toilet and my dr said she couldnt wait anymore for me on this waiting list so has sent me to another specialist at another hospital to try and get it bulk billed there .I phoned them other day and I can't get in to see him til December but receptionist said if I get a letter from my dr to state the urgency I should be able to get in earlier. I really hate all this stuff that's happening. Does anyone know how much it would cost if I paid for it myself?

[Enchanted]

Hey hun,

Just wondering how you went with all of this?