Colonoscopy experience
Just wanted to write a quick post about my colonoscopy experience to reassure those who are dreading it like I was!
It’s true when they say the prep is the worst part. I ate a low fibre for 4 days which felt like a 4 year old beige food diet with heavy carb loading. It was boring, monotonous and on top of that was dreading the fast and even more so the bowel prep solution
On the day of the fast I had my beige meal before 1pm then it was a liquid diet. Luckily I wasn’t really hungry (until the laxatives started working!) and I didn’t like the green jelly which I’d prepared for dinner. I had a cup of soup from a sachet which wasn’t that bad.
Before I knew it, it was 5pm and time to prep the plenvu. The first sachet was mango and I mixed it with 500ml of VERY cold water. I had another 500ml of water (not freezing cold) to chase it with. It wasn’t easy to get it down but the water chaser and the fact that the plenvu was so so cold def helped.
After 1.5 hours I started feeling the effects and spent quite a bit of time on and off the loo. I also felt starving initially but this soon passed. I was freezing for some reason which is unusual for me!
At 8pm it was time for the second and last dose.
This dose was harder as I really don’t like consuming such a huge volume of liquids and I was still recovering from first dose, I did the same - 500ml very cold water to mix and then 500ml water on the side. It was an effort but managed to get it down over the course of an hour. I almost gave up but reminded myself if I do not finish it I may not have sufficiently prepped my bowels and this would have to be repeated. I wasn’t taking this chance.
The second dose causes much more immediate effects, stomach was churning and spent a while on and off loo till I was too exhausted and fell asleep around 11pm (worried about the effects at through the night)
I did wake up and go to toilet twice (relieved I woke up for this!) throughout night but it was yellow/clear liquid so I knew prep was at least adequate.
I also found I was extremely thirsty when I woke up and had to drink loads of water.
By the morning I was nervous and starving but ready for my 10.30 am colonoscopy. Had a black tea and lots of water before 8am then nothing as advised.
The staff at hospital were so so lovely. They made me feel very at ease and this helped so much.
The consultant introduced himself and he seemed very nice as well.
I was sedated for the procedure but didn’t feel that sedated and was very aware of the procedure. At times it was just a little uncomfortable( not unbearable) but it was very thorough and my bowel prep was good. It was interesting watching the procedure on the screen.
Results were same as last time thankfully nothing worse. Mild inflammation of the ileum and biopsies taken.
Before I knew it, it was over and time for a coffee and a biscuit which was amazing.
For anyone dreading it like I was, rest assured it’s not as bad as you imagine and the prep was worst part.
I was told to use senna for days before and this really helped the process. Definitely do this.
Good luck!
Edit- after taking the bowel prep solution, as they say: don’t trust a fart. Best advice ever