Colonoscopy

Strawberry Fields

godeas16 wrote: »

I'm waiting for a colonoscopy in tallaght, doctor who saw me was about a month ago, gave blood and stool sample, waiting for appointment. On vhi.

I'm having this done next thursday in mount carmel, it's only been a couple of weeks since they switched it from Tallaght due to waiting list length. Prescription for 4 litres klean prep, not looking forward to that stuff.

Benicetomonty

The Klean Prep is not pleasant, it's possibly the worst thing about getting ready for the procedure. certainly worse than the fasting imo. It tastes like a golly bar at first, except saltier. By the time you get to the requisite 5th or 6th pint however, you'll be absolutely sick of it, both metaphorically and, quite possibly, literally. You can throw a drop of Ki Ora in, which I'd strongly recommend.

I had mine done last month in Vincent's Private. All went smooth enough except for a reaction to the sedative after I woke up - nice few minutes vomiting bile that was.
I was waiting for hours though, was pretty disgusted at that. Op was scheduled for 9 30am, wasn't seen until 2pm. Maybe Romney is right :P

Dr Strange

Just to say about the blood test, sometimes when you're anemic (iron-deficiency springs to mind) and it shows in the blood test but there's no explaination for it they'll send you for colonosocpies and after that for gastroscopies and small intestinal investigations.

sham69

Collected my stuff yesterday for my procedure on Tuesday.
Really really nervous as i have had 2 months to think about the what if's etc...
I got klean prep and some other thing.
I have to take first one at 10am on Monday morning, then 2pm , then 10pm.
Then one on the morning of the procedure (I think)
I am in work on Monday, will I make it to the toilet after the first sachet?
Should I take the day off?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Sham.

username123

sham69 wrote: »

Collected my stuff yesterday for my procedure on Tuesday.
Really really nervous as i have had 2 months to think about the what if's etc...
I got klean prep and some other thing.
I have to take first one at 10am on Monday morning, then 2pm , then 10pm.
Then one on the morning of the procedure (I think)
I am in work on Monday, will I make it to the toilet after the first sachet?
Should I take the day off?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Sham.

Take the day off. That stuff works to clear you out, you need to be near a loo, you will not feel good. You can become dehydrated faster than you can take in liquids so you may feel headachey too.

You will not want to risk a work loo that could be occupied or out of loo paper. Nor will you want to risk travelling back from work and not being near a loo.

Id also advise some sudocreme - you might need to apply it if you get sore from wiping.

Strawberry Fields

godeas16 wrote: »

I'm having this done next thursday in mount carmel, it's only been a couple of weeks since they switched it from Tallaght due to waiting list length. Prescription for 4 litres klean prep, not looking forward to that stuff.

Just back now, worst part was the clean prep last night.
Today was half awake in dream land during the procedure but actually can't remember a lot after it as was zonked for a couple of hours, relatively painless and easy procedure, great now to have it over and feel a little light headed but otherwise great.

nudger

sham69 wrote: »

Collected my stuff yesterday for my procedure on Tuesday.
Really really nervous as i have had 2 months to think about the what if's etc...
I got klean prep and some other thing.
I have to take first one at 10am on Monday morning, then 2pm , then 10pm.
Then one on the morning of the procedure (I think)
I am in work on Monday, will I make it to the toilet after the first sachet?
Should I take the day off?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Sham.

Do not attempt to go to work on Monday.
I have had a good few of these done and have a routine where I take over the downstairs loo for the day, the family know not to use it.
I have a 2 liter jug and empty 2 packets of prep into the water.
I finish the jug in about 1.5 hours, usually not long after this the fun begins.:rolleyes:
About 2 hours later I make the second jug and force it down.
I,ve only had the colonoscopy's done in Connolly and have nothing but good to report.
They have these new "modisty pants" think y fronts but the y at the back.

P.S. Ment to say that the doc usually tells you straight after the procedure how you got on.
Found a poyip once and removed it on the spot.

sham69

Thanks for the reply folks
Will take Monday off so
Can't wait to get this out of the way
Sham

citytillidie

Feck i hate these i have to have one done every couple years as I had Ulcerative Colitis, when I was a younger and its now part of routine checks to make sure its not coming back or worse.

Worst part about the whole thing is the drinks the day before they taste so awful find it hard to keep them down

What is good, is spending that day before in bed either on the Xbox or watching movies

nudger

sham69 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply folks
Will take Monday off so
Can't wait to get this out of the way
Sham

Must be in the middle of your prep by now so I don't expect an answer.

Ment to say have you someone to collect you tomorrow, you can't drive for the day.
Good luck tomorrow, it's a walk in the park.

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?

peteb2

johnwest288 wrote: »

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?

Where are you getting it done? I was in the Mater. You are in the waiting room until there is a bed free. then you get changed and stick in the bed until they push you away to get it done. So no one sees you.

You have to pick up the prep ahead of time from the hospital. And would STRONGLY suggest you take the day off work!!

johnwest288

peteb2 wrote: »

Where are you getting it done? I was in the Mater. You are in the waiting room until there is a bed free. then you get changed and stick in the bed until they push you away to get it done. So no one sees you.

You have to pick up the prep ahead of time from the hospital. And would STRONGLY suggest you take the day off work!!

Doesnt mention anything re prep on any paper work just dont eat before 12 mid night night before. Cant get through to hospital getting it done in Connolly, do i just go to the chemist and get it there?

EDIT
Rang them.... "did you not get the prescription"
eh No??? !
Have to head down now to pick it up from hospital!
Public Service, would a looked a right idiot wednesday turning up full of you know what!

peteb2

Well in fairness you know there ain't nothing going up without everything coming down!

Strawberry Fields

Did anyone not have a follow up consultation after colonoscopy. I was given a tablet to take for 6 months after it in the hospital but I'm suffering further trouble now with my bowels, a gp gave me immodium last night but I'll be back to see him tomorrow if things don't improve.:(

peteb2

godeas16 wrote: »

Did anyone not have a follow up consultation after colonoscopy. I was given a tablet to take for 6 months after it in the hospital but I'm suffering further trouble now with my bowels, a gp gave me immodium last night but I'll be back to see him tomorrow if things don't improve.:(

What was the tablet ? I'm on mezevant. And they gave me a number of a nurse in the gi clinic mater if there was ever anything wrong.

Strawberry Fields

peteb2 wrote: »

What was the tablet ? I'm on mezevant. And they gave me a number of a nurse in the gi clinic mater if there was ever anything wrong.

40 mg nexium. Mine started in Tallaght but was outsourced to Mount Carmel to get it done sooner.

sham69

missed my follow up consulatation, have it on the 28th January.
Stomach has been better since the procedure but there is still something there IBS I reckon.
Really depends on what I eat and drink , its just a matter of finding out whats good and whats not.
Will be interesting on the follow up consult, reckon another scope in a few months...

GIJOEDF2

Hi , I had this colonoscopy procedure yesterday 22/01/13 in westmeath hospital . about 5 mins into procedure experenced severe pains for what seem like the rest of the test but didnt get anymore sedative or pain medication ,was aware of everything that was going on and could see all on the monitor . doctor removed one polyp he found and said would need to do test again in 2 years. anyway when i got home wanted to check what i should or should not eat / drink that evening and went looking on the web for people who had this treatment and what their experencies were . what i found was quite alarming as i dont think people are made aware of the pros and cons of this procedure no matter how low the % of problems are. the links below are a bit dated and from the usa so i dont know how relevant it is to irish patients . i am not trying to scare people but would like to know what your take on this information is . i am 44 year old male .

http://curezone.com/forums/fm.asp?i=1784288


http://www.fibermenace.com/crc/crc_colonoscopy.html


http://roarofwolverine.com/archives/2772

peteb2

Eat whatever you want. If you look hard enough you will always find something bad. I could google "the dangers of owning a cat" and probably find a range of articles and "studies".

roundymac

A bland diet at the start, no onions wholemeal/grain cereals etc. Had mine today, a hemeroid and a couple of polups plus a hiatus hernia. B/tard hurt me, don't really remember much, am getting a flashbck of me abusing the nurse during the endoscapy, she told me before hand I would probably do that. Tried to pull the tube out of my throat aparently.