Colonoscopy through a stoma

Hi Aquamarine 

Although I have a permanent colostomy, I have never required a colonoscopy through it, so I’ll just say hello for now, and I hope some of the group members who have experience of this will come along and post how it’s been for them. It sounds especially confusing for you to have different instructions for the prep, but I hope everything goes smoothly for you.

Sarah xx

I would call your provider and clarify the instructions. I wonder if you could follow the plenty instructions... seems like that would help with the drive. 

I haven't had a coloscopy this way yet but I  will be getting it as part of my surveillance so hoping to hear other answers. 

As it was Sunday I couldn't call them, so I took my mum's advice ( she's had 7 colonoscopies!) And had the second dose at 9pm on Sunday. I didn't get much sleep but it meant my bowel was empty by about 3am and I didn't have to worry about it this morning!

Good job too, as due to extensive flooding in the area it took 90mins to get there rather than the expected 45!!

The colonoscopy was much less scary than I thought. I had sedation but was quite alert and could watch everything on the screen the doctor used to perform the exam. It was mildly uncomfortable but didn't hurt. They protect your dignity as much as possible too. Next one in 3 years, apparently!

I'm in the US so my timing is often off the mark. I'm glad you got it sorted and it worked out. 

I've never been able to remember a colonoscopy. They tell me it's "waking sedation" but I'm never awake. I'm amazed at all the people who get to see their scopes in real time. I don't know if it's a difference in protocols here in the US or if I'm just strange. Lol

Hi Susan

Although I’ve not had a colonoscopy, I’ve had 2 ERCP procedures via my throat. These last around 45 minutes and use (allegedly) waking sedation. The first time it was done I felt everything, but couldn’t alert them because I couldn’t speak, and couldn’t move because they were holding me in place on the table on my side, legs bent-not an easy feat with 2 stomas! 

The procedure didn’t work, so had to be repeated at a later date. I insisted on more sedation, which they gave me and it was no different. Very, very uncomfortable and I felt everything, but I was desperate for it to work so I didn’t have to go through it a 3rd time. 

Our system in the UK is different to yours in the states-it is free here, and my own opinion is that cost is a factor so they use minimal sedation. Even increased sedation for me wasn’t really enough and I found both procedures pretty traumatic. Insurance rules everything in the States and you seem to be able to access much more because of that. The insurance company will pay, so the patient gets what they need. We don’t pay a penny, and put up with what we’re given. I’m basing that on my own experiences of many procedures, and surgeries in the UK and talking to friends in the States whose experiences are generally very different. 

Sarah xx

There are disadvantages to every system. But you are right, insurance rules the day here. Insurance companies are in the business to make money though and set very strict limits on what they will pay. I'm amazed that it hasn't resulted in too little sedation. I'll need to ask my US friends if they fell asleep or not. 

What you describe sounds absolutely horrible. It definitely makes sleeping sound good! I hope you won't have to do that again. 

I will need annual colonoscopies as part of the surveillance to ensure the rectal cancer doesn't recur in the colon. So I will count my blessings that I don't have your problem. 

Hi I have a permanent colostomy and have  had a colonoscopy through it. I was absolutely dreading both it and using the prep, I used picolax. However both the prep and colonoscopy were easier than I’d had the usual way. It was easier to collect the loose stool in my pouch. I used a draining pouch while I was using the prep. As it started to work I just emptied and repeated. I requested the largest size pouches and they were good.

The actual colonoscopy was performed by a consultant (I contacted the hospital prior to my appointment to point out I had a stoma)as I was a “special case” and i was given a small amount of sedative. Honestly it was much easier partly as it doesn’t have as far to go and it seemed very quick. After having it done through my stoma I honestly found it so much easier and will not dread it the next time I have it done! I hope this will help you to feel more confident xx

I should never have to do one of these again as it worked to blast the gallstone out of my bile duct, and now I’ve had my gallbladder removed I hope I’m done with anything in that area!

Sarah xx