Hospital rang today

Hi Cath aka mad German shepherd lady 

I recently had mine done with support of Entonox (in nose) plus Fentanyl and Midazolam (IVs).

Even though I feel random extreme pain frequently due to nerve damage throughout my body, I'm delighted to report the above combination meant the colonoscopy procedure and various polyp removals were painless to me. 

My best advice is to be open and honest with the team in the preparation chat about what you find hard and they'll tailor the procedure to meet your needs, as much as they can.

Hi Cath,

it’s not pathetic to feel the fear. Embrace it and then tell it to FU. 

as for the colonoscopy, I was in a similar mindset. The worst thing was the “emptying” I call it when they ask you to cleanse the bowel. The drink didn’t taste good but the NHS have sachets of powdered drinks, tastes carbonated, and that helped counter the bad taste.

Anyway, once they went up my bum ( I know, being brutally honest to a stranger ) I chose before the procedure to not look at the tv monitor but what did I do? I looked at the monitor and seen what my instinct told me weeks before. Seeing it on the screen shook me but they couldn’t confirm what it was yet. They then had me to a CT colonoscopy because the “black thing” was blocking my colon. CT colonoscopy was uncomfortable for the brief time they did it. 

I hope everything goes well for you along the way and if you ever want to chat about our “bowel” cancer and our shared love of big floof GSD’s please reach out 

take care

Hello, I went into total panic mode when told I had bowel cancer, and thought I was being absolutely pathetic. But having been on here for a few weeks now, it looks like this is the way most people react, so don't feel bad about yourself. I had a colonoscopy which wasn't too bad: when it hurt I squawked and they gave me more painkiller. The worst part was the preparation for it, when you have to empty yourself out completely. My panic mode didn't last long, I think we are quite adaptable creatures and what seemed unthinkably awful a short while ago now seems to be just part of normal life. Best of luck to you x.

Thanks for your response. I am not usually a "panic monster" but I am off the chart today. I did ask about pain relief and apart from numbing gel, they don't use pain relief which I thought they would do these days. All I can say perhaps if one of the team needed one, pain relief would definitely be n the menu. Thanks again. Cathy

Thanks for your message. I will discuss my love and training of my shepherd's all day long and at the moment being the sensitive loves they are, they are like velcro to me. However sleeping with the 3 is a bit of a nightmare but reassuring.

It's the colonoscopy I am really dreading the most plus the laxatives they give you to take before hand, well it's just cruel. I think by now someone somewhere would have discovered a better way to do things. But I am going to try and not look at the camera. Thanks Cathy

Hello. I hope my panic mode stops soon I think I am driving everyone mad because I am supposed to be be the level headed one, but I am far from that. Anything sets off the panic and the tears. Maybe in a few days I might be more subjective hopefully. It's just every test I have is wrong things are to low or like the Fit 95% to high. But thanks for your message. 

They should use a sedative to ease any sort of part of the procedure. I never had it done before but genuinely speaking it isn’t as bad as you’re thinking. 

I didn’t feel the camera moving around but only when it went in but the staff were helpful during the process. They gave me a sort of “relief” about 15/30 minutes before the procedure then used a type of lubricant. 

Hi Cath. Great advice from every one so far. They obviously want to check out why your ferritin levels are so low so are going to investigate ‘from both ends’ as it were. I’ve not had a gastroscope but the colonoscopy is given with either gas and air or a mild sedative through a cannula. You choose which one before hand but you cannot drive yourself home after the sedative and someone needs to be with you for 24 hours afterwards.it’s not enough to put you to sleep just makes you very relaxed. You can watch what’s going on on the screen if you want or not - it’s up to you. 

The drinking of the prep in the lead up is often the worst bit! Moviprep is 2 litres of the mixture taken as directed (depends on whether you have a morning or afternoon appointment) Top tips are to get it mixed and in the fridge for an hour to chill. Drink it through a wide straw then swig something to take the taste away - I like tonic water with lemon in. You can add cordial to make it more ‘palatable’ but try it in a small amount first in case it make it worse and don’t use anything dark coloured like blackcurrant as this can stain the bowel.

 Make sure you’re near the toilet as you will be going lots so soft loo roll or wipes and vaseline or nappy cream in case your bottom gets sore. The puppy training sheets are handy to sleep on in bed or have on the car seat for extra security but I tended to find I was all cleared out by then. You need to finish drinking all the liquid - even if you’re running clear - as they will check with you and you don’t want to risk having to go through it all again.

Yes it’s scary but so is not knowing so take a deep breath and remember ‘this too shall pass’. I’ve just read your profile page - wow - you’ve been through a hell of a lot and life just does not seem fair sometimes. You’re obviously a very strong woman and you’re going to have to be strong again but you can do it.

Youre not pathetic and we all remember feeling exactly like this so please post or chat to the support desk when you’re struggling and we’ll help and support you through this

Take care

Karen x