Colonoscopy

sham69

Thanks all for the advice and words of support.
It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.
Got 3 sachets, 2 citra fleet and 1 Klean prep.
Citra fleet wasn't bad but the Klean prep was awful, put some lime cordial in it.
Had my last meal on Sunday night as I read the instruction wrong and didn't realise I could have had brekkie on Monday morning before starting...
Time on the toilet was unreal, from 3pm Monday till basically 6am Tuesday morning.
Thank god I didn't eat on Monday....


Tuesday morning came, got there at 9:15
10 mins in waiting room, took the misses phone number and said they would ring when I could be collected.
Went in to the ward, nurses were lovely.
Put the robe on, then the nurse put the needle in my hand in prep for the sedative
About 20 mins later went in to theatre.
2 doctors and a nurse.
Nurse talked me through everything.
Doctor went on to tell me that 95% of people don't remember a thing.
I joked that I will be one of the 5% that will...
I was right.
Oxygen did nothing , nor the sedative.
Felt a little relaxed but completely aware, could feel everything and see everything on screen.
Got the throat spray first, camera went down, horrible feeling in my throat, couldn't really swallow or breath that well.
Lasted about 3 mins and then the fun began at the other end.
The feeling of pressure was unreal.
I was told to relax and I tried my best.
Felt like someone with a bicycle pump pumping me up.
I then had to let the air out.....
Was slightly embarrassing.
That lasted about 15 mins.
Then out to the ward.


Blood pressure taken, toast and water given and the misuss came to collect me.
Was basically all clear apart from one polyp which they removed.
Didn't really understand the nurse but I think she said the polyp was of no danger but they removed it anyway.


I was surprised they didn't tell me more about the polyp, cause , how to prevent etc.
I think they took a biopsy and I was told I would be called if anything serious was found.
I have to go back in 10 weeks for a consultation.
Think I am feeling better but freaked a bit after I read up on polyps on the net.
Damn the Internet...
Anyway thanks again to everyone for all the support.
I hope that is the end of my saga...
Good luck to anyone waiting to get this done, it really isn't that bad.

username123

Delighted its over for you sham69 - I dont know anything about polyps but Id imagine they want to send it to the lab before chatting to you about it, to be sure its just benign.

Dont be freaking yourself out with the internet!!

sham69

username123 wrote: »

Delighted its over for you sham69 - I dont know anything about polyps but Id imagine they want to send it to the lab before chatting to you about it, to be sure its just benign.

Dont be freaking yourself out with the internet!!

Thanks username,
I should be relieved...
No more googling...
Just glad it's all over..

nudger

Sounds like you might be asked back in 6 months, precautionary, and maybe 6 months after that.

That's what happened to me, then I got the 3 years all clear,:) but 6 months later called in again.:( still all clear.:)

Good luck.

sham69

Cheers nudger,
It's worth it to know there is nothing wrong and now that I know what to expect I don't really mind.

Oracle

I've read that an alternative, simpler, and much less invasive test called a Fecal Occult Blood test is just as effective as an early warning test for bowel cancer. But the reason its not used is because the colonoscopy is a more expensive procedure and more money is made from it.

nudger

sham69 wrote: »

Cheers nudger,
It's worth it to know there is nothing wrong and now that I know what to expect I don't really mind.

Once you accept that this will happen from time to time then it's fine, like you say knowing things are ok then just get on with it.

You don't think twice about getting your car serviced each year because it's the right thing to do so the same should go for you as well.

sham69

nudger wrote: »

Once you accept that this will happen from time to time then it's fine, like you say knowing things are ok then just get on with it.

You don't think twice about getting your car serviced each year because it's the right thing to do so the same should go for you as well.

That's a good way of looking at it.
I am a bit of a worrier , that's the problem.
I will have myself stressed to bits thinking what if the polyp comes back etc etc.
I might feel better after talking to the doc in December.
In the meantime do I change my diet, drinking habits, lifestyle etc?
Nothing was really said to be honest.
I never heard of a polyp until I googled when I got home.
They way the nurse was going on I assumed it was something that you can get but ce it's gone its gone and there was no chance of it being cancerous.
Then I read up on it...
Since having the 3 kids I worry more about things that I normally wouldn't

username123

sham69 wrote: »

I never heard of a polyp until I googled when I got home.

I just had a heap of nasal polyps removed over the summer. Polyps are just things that humans (and no doubt animals) get. Only for they can stick a camera inside you you wouldnt even have known you had one. You can get them all over the place. Although I dont associate any level of foreboding with the word polyp, so Ill take that to mean (without a google) that they are generally not something to worry about!

Dont sweat the small stuff!

nudger

Never heard of them either until the doc mentioned it, "a what" says I "like a thin mushroom" says he.

If you want to do the right thing Diet wise then it is more Fiber (bran flakes in the morning for me) and 4 pints of water a day, not hard after a while.

Smaller meals more often, get off the fags and less drink especially shorts.

Exercise, loose a bit of weight, look bla, bla, bla, you know your self, a bit of honesty to yourself, the doc's will advise you, it's a bit of a wake up call.:)

nudger

Oracle wrote: »

I've read that an alternative, simpler, and much less invasive test called a Fecal Occult Blood test is just as effective as an early warning test for bowel cancer. But the reason its not used is because the colonoscopy is a more expensive procedure and more money is made from it.

Have to agree on the money grabbing, once they know you have private they come after you like a good thing.

sham69

nudger wrote: »

Never heard of them either until the doc mentioned it, "a what" says I "like a thin mushroom" says he.

If you want to do the right thing Diet wise then it is more Fiber (bran flakes in the morning for me) and 4 pints of water a day, not hard after a while.

Smaller meals more often, get off the fags and less drink especially shorts.

Exercise, loose a bit of weight, look bla, bla, bla, you know your self, a bit of honesty to yourself, the doc's will advise you, it's a bit of a wake up call.:)

Don't smoke, don't drink that much anymore and never touch spirits.
I drink loads of water in work so none of that will be difficult
Need to get back walking to work, since I had the stomach complaint started getting the bus (as felt like needing the toilet half way into my walk to work)
I can do bran flakes

I got the procedure done in the matter, no medical card or insurance so not sure if I am going to be billed for it.
Was originally referred by my GP.
thanks again folks for the advice, feeling a lot better about it now..

username123

sham69 wrote: »

I got the procedure done in the matter, no medical card or insurance so not sure if I am going to be billed for it.

No, you wont be billed, thats a public referral.

My years of ibs was all to do with stress. I was living with horrendous stress, my father had more or less become insane with alcoholism, my mother had had a stroke from the stress and my stomach was constantly in bits. But I never mentioned any of that to doctors. I was in a constant state of worry, clenching my stomach muscles and never able to eat in a relaxed state and literally running on empty a lot with sleepness nights and daily horrors and upset.

I was very young, mid 20s and I learned a very important lesson - stress is the worst thing for you. Diet, exercise, clean habits etc... are all well and good, but you can override all of them by being stressed out and the damage it does to the body is terrible.

The moral of all of that is this - try to eliminate stress from your life and find something that you can do to destress, for me I like to swim, run, listen to music.

btw- the situation ended and my stomach vastly improved but since those days Ive had a more delicate constitution than I had before.

sham69

thanks username.
I don't feel stressed but I am a fairly highly strung person.
If there is something to be done, I need to do it right away, I don't relax enough etc.
Alway doing things for other people and stuff like that.
3 kids under 5 doesnt help my stress levels.
I know I need to relax more, its just finding ways of doing it.
Work has been stressful over the past 6 months aswell as we moved building and I am not really happy in work since.
I will try to relax a bit more and have already changed my diet and exercise plan for the future.
I do feel a bit better today, a bit tender but i am putting that down to the prodding and poking from yesterday.
Thanks again for all the support and advice.
It is greatly appreciated.

username123

sham69 wrote: »

I don't feel stressed but I am a fairly highly strung person.

I hear ya, I can be a bit that way myself. Maybe think of doing some kind of class like a meditation class, try to tap into the 'zoned out' place (I can go to that place when I swim). Makes a big difference to learn how to let go and switch off. Not fully there myself - but sure recognising its an issue is half the battle!

sham69

Thanks.
I might start swimming again.
I promised the little fella I would start bringing him swimming so now I have an excuse.

username123

sham69 wrote: »

Thanks.
I might start swimming again.
I promised the little fella I would start bringing him swimming so now I have an excuse.

Well there you go - must be a sign from the universe

nudger

3 kids under 5 years old, start walking, swimming, golf, get a telly.:pac:

sham69

Just bought a new 55" smart tv , hopefully that will stop the family expanding any more

OneIdea

Had a call from Tallaght during the week... "your on a list since blah blah blah.... we have some funding to which we can send you out as a private patient to have the procedure done within a few weeks. I can give you an appointment now"

I panicked and declined the offer... I know, I know... I'm a fool... The lady said she'd get back to me in January.

Did anyone here chicken-out and put-off their first test ?

What was the main reason you had the test done, Family history or symptoms ?

johnwest288

After 1 year waiting...Its finally arrived in the post im up shortly....
My OH wants to come with me is there any point? Did any of you head with someone? Also Im told you have to wear a robe that just covers your dangly bit and your legs and butt are on full show is that true?
Actually starting to panic slightly hate doctors or anything like that and more so freaking at what is there. I KNOW there is something up and has been for some time. (blood in stool the odd time) Whether its piles or some other silly thing i dont know. But I know there will be some sort of news . Calm down calm down

sham69

After 1 year waiting...Its finally arrived in the post im up shortly....
My OH wants to come with me is there any point? Did any of you head with someone? Also Im told you have to wear a robe that just covers your dangly bit and your legs and butt are on full show is that true?
Actually starting to panic slightly hate doctors or anything like that and more so freaking at what is there. I KNOW there is something up and has been for some time. (blood in stool the odd time) Whether its piles or some other silly thing i dont know. But I know there will be some sort of news . Calm down calm down

Don't panic.
In saying that, U was panicking.
My missus came with me but that was a waste, she was told to go home and she would be called when I was to be collected.
I also had blood in my stool, they found a small polyp which they removed and no blood since.
I still get pains in my stomach but I reckon its IBS.
I feel much better since the op but there is still something there.
I have a consultation on the 12th December, reckon I will have to go back for another scope.
Read back thorugh this thread, the worst part of this is the clean out.
Its not pleasant at all but the procedure itself is a doddle.
Best of luck with it.

sham69

Thats supposed to be I was panicking....
Sorry.

walshb

I am assuming that all you folks who had the colonoscopy had it for a reason? Bowel cancer in the family? Or, did some of you just have it to be sure?

sham69

I got it as I was suffering with stomach cramps for the past year.
I had blood tests, ultrasound etc but nothing serious showed up.
The colonoscopy was the last thing I got done.
No history of anything in the family so yeah I suppose it was done just to make sure all was ok.

johnwest288

Do they check your prostrate while they are in there. Or do i need to get that looked at another time by someone else. double whammy:P

peteb2

Not as far as I know. Gotta get that done another time.

johnwest288

sham69 wrote: »

Cheers nudger,
It's worth it to know there is nothing wrong and now that I know what to expect I don't really mind.

Your through it now Sham fair play. Do you have to have your bum on show in the waiting room? Reason I ask I have a skin condition and really paranoid about it on my legs and thighs etc. Also where do you get the prep stuff? I just got a letter saying appear at the hospital this week. Doesnt mention fasting or picking up a prep in chemist?

johnwest288

walshb wrote: »

I am assuming that all you folks who had the colonoscopy had it for a reason? Bowel cancer in the family? Or, did some of you just have it to be sure?

Blood appearing in twosies

johnwest288

Enema i am getting no clean prep!!!! :eek:anyone else get this?