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I’m lucky enough to be booked in for a colonoscopy on Wednesday, I’d rather not be sedated due to having to drive. Has anyone got experience of them? Is that a terrible idea?
Yes. Don’t let them talk you out of it. I’ve had three now. First time I had the sedative and it was ‘ok’ (these things being relative).
Second time they talked me out of it and it was incredibly uncomfortable and I vowed never again to not have the sedative.
Fast forward 6 years and my next one - having had most of my colon removed they assured me it would not be as bad so I shouldn’t need the sedative. Stupidly I listened to them... **** did it hurt.
They missed the vein with my sedative last time and I only received paet of the dose..
It was a very unpleasant experience which resulted in them halting the procedure
I'd go for double sedative, a couple of valium and a stiff drink next time.
I’d rather not be sedated due to having to drive.
If you 'have' to drive then the sedative is off the table. Sedation makes you an extremely poor judge of things - not least on judging the effect that sedation is having on your ability to judge things.
Are patient transport / a lift / a taxi genuinely not an option?
Having tried both options, sedative every time.
I took the sedative, a mate had it without and regretted it. I was completely unaware of what was going on, in fact i'd say I was unconscious really. Came round pretty quick though and felt ok but very spacey - in no way fit to drive.
The 'kleen prep' was actually nothing - I was expecting Agent Picolax 2.0 so was a little disappointed!
Worst thing about Kleen-Prep is the need to drink about 700 litres of it. Also the vanilla flavour.
Worst thing about Kleen-Prep is the need to drink about 700 litres of it.
So so very this. Better than a phosphor enema though I’ll tell thee.
No sedative.
When they looped it back on itself it felt a bit like this.
10/10 would do the same again.
No sedative for me ..probably the biggest laugh I've had in the last decade ..from not being able to insert the suppository myself at home prior to going ..the missus had to do it for me ..then I was in bits trying to hold it for the required length of time ..which had my missus crying with laughter ..and me failing miserably .
Moving on to the examination at the hospital ..and a room full of student nurses ..to baring my arse in the nice plastic cape for the camera while lying on my side talking to the nurse on the opposite side of the bed who's sole purpose is to keep you talking and keeping your mind off what you are about to receive ...then the good news ..we are going to start now and will be blowing air up your passage to enlarge it for the camera ..don't be afraid to pass wind when you need to as things will get uncomfortable otherwise ( **** that I'm thinking ..not with all of these folks in the room !) ..all the while you are lying there watching the camera progress on its journey ...
"Nice clean passage" she says as we get started ..then we turn the corner and there is the first glob of shit on the wall ..embarrassing or what ..?
Just when I think things can't get any worse ..I can't hold it any longer ..the biggest fart of my life nearly knocked the poor woman off her stool ( cue silent laughter from the other side of the room)..not my finest moment but I would defy anyone to hold it in ..
Eventually the ordeal of the inspection was over and I was free to leave ..but man for the next hour or so I was uncontrollably passing the biggest , smelliest farts of my life which fortunately my better half found hilarious on our journey home ( she was driving ) ..albeit with all windows fully down ..
Embrace it OP ...you are in for a treat !
Ps ..if there is anything else you need to know that I might have missed out... just ask !😂
Oh Jesus! Amusing post of the year for me!
Hodgynd's post reminds me of the 'Agent Picolax' thread; halcyon days!
Worst thing about Kleen-Prep is the need to drink about 700 litres of it. Also the vanilla flavour.
God yes, gallons of the stuff. And then the nurse who checked me in had the audacity to scowl at me when I admitted i'd skipped the last half a glass. I mean, it wasn't like i'd been pissing through the eye of a needle for the whole afternoon was it?!
Had it done three times - no sedative but a few drags on the gas'n'air. MoviPrep and CitraFleet to clean the pipes - but not taken together.
Also had an endoscopy so I've been topped & tailed - to use the medical vernacular; that was a test of the gag reflex and had to be sedated for that. Definitely woozy and no driving until following day.
For your first have the sedative, but you will need a taxi or lift home.
worst part for me, apart from drinking that laxative drink! was the massive wide screen TV in your face giving you the full HD treatment of your innermost passages!
That and the random people walking in and out taking a tea orders and talking about pish about the weekend capers!
It does feel like a bit of a production line, so expect no tlc or sticker at the end 😂
3 times for me and knocked out every time.
Picolax sent out to you . Turn up. Get it done and get out. Cut all the bull out. Arrange to be 'no prep required' and you are willing to be first done. It's tough, you'll feel like you've done 18 hours at the 'Puffer for comparison. Sedative not required. Straight off to work. No issues. Alternative are no sedative and be stuck in the 'virtual que' or sedative and rely on people to get you home .
I have had 3 now and would never opt for no sedative. I had one where the sedative dis not have it's usual effect, never again do I want to feel what I felt........
Very timely this as I too have the pleasure of a colonoscopy next month and have just received the picolax along with the details. Sounds like I'll be having the sedative then and Mrs King can drive me home. A pal of mine who's already had the pleasure likened it to when you see the Dynorod guys ramming away, I hope he was being dramatic.
His best bit of 'advice was dab don't wipe and it would become clear why. I have a morning appointment so will double drop on the picolax the day before...
Im sure it'll be unpleasant however after having ~14 intrathecals last year surely it can't be worse, can it?
Cheers
Hod. Great post.
Clear out disappointing. Didn’t need sedative. Uncomfortable but not massively so.
I've had 3..First time with it was fine. Second time without was horrendous
3rd time they offered me gas which was a half way house, and just about as bearable as sticking a camera up your arse can be.
Had 2 Barium enemas, after saying No to a colonoscopy, weird sensation as your bum has a straw inserted into it and attached to a co2 supply, and your insides inflated,and then a huge bag of white semi solid liquid is squirted inside you, all while lying on your side while a x ray machine bleeps and travels round your body,with a nice lady pointing out youve got a bent one, something quite rare she said, but cant remember the body patrt she refered to , and if youre lucky they have the screen in front of you, so all in black and white,then over to the toilet for emptying the entire contents, and a lot of sound, think an entire navy of boats leaving the cubicle all sounding their hoooters, then for the next few days lots of wind and white slimy poohs.
Then a few months later start again, as the results where inconclusive, followed by a CT SCAN and some nice aniseed drink 2 jugs full.
Sedative! If not it feels like you're going to reach a happy ending, poo yourself, and cry. All at once. Enjoy 🙂
Also seeing as I'm new to this are there any side effects which last afterward? I ask as its our daughters 6th birthday party the following day so would like to know if I'll need a nappy or will be quacking for days..
I can't help but think of Reverend Ramsden ringpiece cathedral well makes chuckle anyway.
I must be the odd one out as I've had 2 (and 1 from up top) and didn't need a sedative for either. It's uncomfortable but not overly so, no worse than the first dump after a bit of constipation. The biggest disappointment was not getting any Picolax, had to make do with a bottle of Saline I had to, erm, put up there and the effect was very mild and underwhelming if I'm honest!
The endoscopy was absolutely horrible on the other hand. Had to be sedated for that one as the initial try brought back horrible flashbacks to a choking incident I had 7 years ago where I blacked out as the ambulance arrived. If I ever have to have one of those again I'll refuse it.
@juanking - no after effects other than prodigious farting; no nappy required.
Having seen them done I would want every bit of sedation offered and more.
It would be a massive ball ache to have someone else drive me and as for the taxi it’s not really local. There seems to be mixed ‘reviews’ so I think I’ll go without, I’ll update on Weds night for the others that are due.
Mild to moderate discomfort. I'm sure there are a very, very small number of patients who experience significant discomfort but they are the exception. Nothing gets ripped or damaged. It's a mini camera into the fundament and you can see your bowel from the inside so it's also educational.
Compare and contrast - lots of women go through childbirth with nothing more than gas'n'air and that's an experience when bits can and do get ripped/damaged/snipped.
It would be a massive ball ache
I think you're going to be in for a bit of a surprise 🙂
Hahaha
Had one two weeks ago. Moviprep beforehand. No sedative, but I'd checked who was driving before deciding that, consultant who's been doing them for fifteen years.
Gas and air works pretty good for the pain. There is pain, and when they need a major change in direction, there can be a fair bit of manhandling, someone leans heavily on you on whatever bit needs pressing. Actually all the pushing the thing up there is just to get it into position to pull it out. It's while pulling out they actually look for anomalies, and snip biopsies or zap polyps. Aftercare basically a cuppa and biscuits and twenty minutes peace and quiet until you're ready to face the world again. Good luck, hope they don't find anything nasty. I think I'm in the clear which means they will label my IBS a nervous bowel, a bit frustrating as it isn't a quick fix, but not something doing me actual damage.
Sedative, and don't drive.
You definitely don't *need* to drive. If you're in for a colonoscopy, then perhaps bin off what you're doing for the rest of the day that means you have to drive. The procedure is clearly more important than whatever else you've got planned.
Had one on Friday. Missus drove me to Wales. Did Tawr Du at Brenin (great) and Climachx (enjoyable but short (last bit is ace)). But **** no I'm glad I was nowhere near the steering wheel.
Sedative. Yes definitely.
Ive had two. One with, the second without which was extraordinarily painful as a result of the ‘inflation’. Literally the amount of air they ‘inserted’ I thought I was going to explode. 🙄
Quite possibly the worst thing I have ever experienced. So much Valium and still bailed before they got around the second bend. Consultant not at all happy. Still not as unhappy as I was! Barium enema followed. P***ing radioactive milk for untold hours after that.
didn't have a sedative with mine. worst pain was the sensation of trapped wind. Depends on what is wrong with you though.
Did the whole picolax / colonoscopy thing a few years ago without sedative as I was driving / working later. TBH, it wasn't that bad, uncomfortable pressure from the inflator caused glorious fartage but wouldn't say it was something I'd need sedated for. Will be having another in the next few weeks, so will probably crack on without sedative for that one too.
Anyway, ladies in nurses outfits are sticking things up your arse for free, why miss out?
juanking.... you HAVE to post back after you double drop on the picolax!
Having had a flexbile sigmundoscopy twice now both times having been convinced not to have sedation or gas and air and being told i had 'the right approach' which was to just bear it without complaining. When I had the next order of a colonoscopy I will a million percent have the sedation even though I'll have nobody to drive me home. I'll walk if I have to!!
Was determined not to have a sedative so I could be aware of what was going on.
After the burly consultant stick a finger up there prior to inserting the scope I quickly changed my mind and asked them to hit me all the drugs they could!
In my case I was still conscious and aware of what was going on but the drugs took the edge off, a bit like have a few glasses of wine.
I had a "top and tail" a few years ago and opted for sedative. I was told that I would be aware of the process, but it would make it a more pleasant experience.
What actually happened was that I was given the sedative, he got the camera out and I looked at the screen thinking "this will be cool"...and the next thing I remember was my wife looking at me as I came round. Was drowsy for the rest of the day and she drove me home.
10/10, would be sedated again. Life's too short to be conscious while things are going down your throat or up your arse and, frankly, what help was I going to give him during the operation?
@trailwagger Will do mate, I'm sure I'll have sometime to kill whilst on the throne after taking the two picolax sachets at once...
Oh picolax!
Let’s start a sweepstake to see how many steps away from the bathroom door you’re brave enough (capable) to take.
Was determined not to have a sedative so I could be aware of what was going on.
A lovely lady who was sort of my spare parent when I was growing up insisted on having a hip replacement without sedation. She just considered to be too interesting a thing to happen to her body without being around to witness it. She found the whole thing fascinating. I don't think the surgeon was as keen about the whole scenario though.
Definitely go for the sedative.
It's one of the few instances where i've taken a day off work and actually been able to spend almost the entire day off relaxing. It was worth it just for that.
why have so many of you had colonoscopies?
is this something they do in medical examinations when you reach a certain age?
I had one of these a few years back. Yes I had Picolax and yes that was pretty "dramatic" but no big deal. Just needed to stay within sprinting distance of the toilet until sure completely empty.
For the procedure I was offered gas and air and jumped at it as I've often wondered what it was like - bit woozy like being slightly drunk/stoned but not a very strong effect.
It was marginally uncomfortable but more because it just felt so odd. Wasn't painful or anything. Maybe I was just lucky.
“why have so many of you had colonoscopies?”
Me. I’ve had cancer, actually in the neck / throat but scans showed “areas of interest elsewhere” which turned out to be a benign polyp. Hence endoscopy at both ends 🤔
Such fun, was aged 45 at the time.
why have so many of you had colonoscopies?
the Picolax thread made it fashionable
😂
💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩😳💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩😯💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩🙄💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩🤦♂️💩💩💩💩💥💥
I'm worried as I've got a medical coming up and that if I mention anything related to dodgy bowels then I'll be booked in for one...
.I can’t hold it any longer ..the biggest fart of my life nearly knocked the poor woman off her stool
You need to pass wind during the procedure anyway.
I'm 38 had 3 of the bloomin things so far. My advice ... Find out who the heck is performing it. 2 of mine done by time served experienced consultants with no sedation were absolutely fine no sedation/gas air needed. The third done by a trainee under supervision was absolute hell as she (not that that matters) had poor control of the camera causing multiple looping and basically was using my bowel walls as an impenetrable force field and trying to punch through. Consultant took over half way through and pain stopped completely.
Appreciate training is needed but I wish they told me first. Took me a week or so before I could walk properly.
On the plus side the moviprep was fine .. Actually enjoyed the salty lemon flavour and being so clean 🙂
Why? Bad IBS now diagnosed as IBD from biopsies. Joy.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/yLXjdyzZtUjQScuWA
Here's a photo of the bad boys...
I'm having it done because of he IBS like symptoms I'm experiencing. After the lymphoma and subsequent treatment last year (as shared on here) my consultant is quite sure there will be scarring which has affected all this. Usually things are ok but do have the occasional flare up so just trying to get a 'proper' diagnosis. Had a precautionary CT scan and this is belts and braces..
Glad that photo is the 'before' shot.
Ulcerative colitis for me. In fact it is the thought of yearly colonoscopies that makes a proctectomy an attractive option.
They are bad enough every few years but one every 365 days. Nah...
If anyone is pixolax-curious then just neck one litre of Sunsweet Prune Juice. Fairly effective clean-out!
#tmi
Been in this morning. Nothing much to report, no sedation or other pain relief and it was fine, felt a little odd in places but nothing to worry about.
The moviprep rep tasted disgusting after the first couple of glasses so I mixed it with sprite.
Had one about 10 years ago.
Was pretty nervous so as i laid on the bed i politely suggested that i'd be happy with all the sedation i could have.. I don't remember anything after that.
Can't see why you wouldn't have a sedative? its not like you'll need to pitch in and help..?
Good to hear. Well done.
Excellent, [s]fingers[/s] legs crossed for the full all clear.
why have so many of you had colonoscopies?
IBS type symptoms for months, a real pain to have on it's own, but ruling out anything nasty that docs need to get knifey with, my mum died of colon cancer and my dad has diverticular disease among his list of ailments, so with that family history, best to keep an eye on things.
Before the deed, I was reading up on the procedure on the internet, apparently among Americans with the right health insurance, they consider it routine to book your first colonoscopy at 50 and then fairly regularly after that.
Cool, that's slightly reassuring. I'll share my experience after the ''inspection' or perhaps whilst the picolax is doing its thing if I get bored stuck on the throne..
No sedation investigation 20 years ago, the pumping air in bit was incredibly uncomfortable as was the “I’m just taking a bowl lining sample you might feel a bit of tugging” and the nurse taking bloods afterwards was a bit put out after asking if I was OK when I replied “not really I’ve just had my arse inflated to a million psi”
the ride home on the motorcycle was memorable as the vibes generated a 30 minute fart.
Well I had the procedure today and whilst unpleasant it wasn't 'that' bad. I double dropped the picolax yesterday 4 hours apart and after the first thought this isn't so bad, then I took the second... Well that stuff certainly works and clears the pipes for sure, by last night I was weeing clear liquids from both front and back. I was working from home yesterday on conference calls as usual so could sprint/shuffle/mince to the toilet so that was a relief.
In the end I opted for the gas n air and found it generally ok, when he was changing direction I was on the entonox like a champ but certainly took the edge off.
Happy to say the visual inspection appeared fine but they took a couple of biopsies and photos to check/verify the IBS/D.
Time for wine.
👉🏻🍩🍷👍
I had one a few years ago and it went a bit wrong. The clear out didn’t work and there was a stubborn bit of poo that the camera couldn’t get past. They tried blasting it with air, but the bugger wouldn’t shift. Not my finest moment