Sigmoidoscopy

CurlieSue

Hi all, im going for a sigmoidoscopy in a couple of weeks. Has anyone ever had one? Were you given a sedative? Was it painful? How did you feel after it? Thanks

rugbug86

Hey CurlieSue,

I had one done last week.

It depends on what your consultant has prescribed as to what happens on the day. My own consultant said I was to fast the day before with plenty of fluids, and then on the morning of it I was to have a "light prep" i.e. half the dose of the laxative I had for the colonoscopy I had done. I was to report to the hospital for 2 pm and I was a little early, was "admitted" by 1.45 and then I waited outside the GI unit until I was called. I went in, was given a gown and told to take off my bottoms and underwear, they put me on a trolley and covered me in a blanket. My consultant arrived in, explained the procedure and it began. He put the camera up, there was a little bit of cramping, but nothing too bad, and then I was done! I changed back and was gone from the hospital by 2.30. I didn't have a sedative but that's down to individual consultants.

A friend of mine had a sigmoidoscopy done with no fasting, just an enema on the day, and she had a sedative.

I had a sedative for the full scope I'd had done previously and I remember very little from it. If you get a sedative you need to have someone with you to bring you home and stay with you for the night.

Regarding the pain - it's not the most pleasant experience, but I wouldn't call it sore. It was uncomfortable.

almost like having some poo stuck in your bum

:P

The worst part was the prep - but as I'm on massive doses of medicines to make me go, I didn't find the prep so bad.

Have a chat to your consultant or their secretary and see what their procedure is regarding sedatives/prep - that should put your mind at ease a little.

But in all honesty, it's not a bad procedure, I've had way worse!