How to Prepare for a Colonoscopy

• What is a colonoscopy? I have heard the word so often but really did not have an idea what the procedure entailed – until I had to have one myself. Maybe you are the same.

A colonoscopy is a common test used to help diagnose bowel cancer or investigate other bowel problems. A long, flexible tube with a bright light and a tiny camera on the end is inserted through your back passage and enables the doctor or nurse to get a clear view of the bowel lining. During the test, if the doctor sees anything that needs further investigation, photographs and samples (biopsies) can be taken. Simple polyps can also be removed.

WHY I WAS SENT FOR COLONOSCOPY

I had six weeks of diarrhoea and was feeling very run down and tired when I went to the doctor. Because we could find no obvious reason for it, I was sent for a colonoscopy. That is another story.

COLONOSCOPY PREP

The Bons Secours Hospital sent me very detailed instructions about how I was to prepare for the procedure. I had no idea that I would have to follow quite a restricted diet for the preceding three days.

Why is the prep so important? It is critical to ensure good bowel cleaning. When the bowel is cleaned out properly, there’s a better chance of seeing the bowel wall and to clearly to spot any changes. Bowel preparation usually involves a combination of medicine to drink and a temporary change in your diet.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREP

All the foods I love were prohibited for 2/3 days before the procedure. I was to have a fibre-free diet.

I could have chicken, white fish, eggs, white bread, pasta, rice and potatoes, ice cream but no milk and no vegetables at all.  Fizzy drinks were ok! The day before, I had to fast from 1pm, so I had my lunch (eggs and toast) and that was it.

Then at 7pm I had to start on the MOVIPREP – the drink. The stuff that makes you poo non-stop!

Many people complain that the prep drink tastes disgusting, although I found it fine. After an hour or so, my stomach was really swollen and uncomfortable.

In about an hour and a half, it started working. So I was glad I was near a loo!  Two hours later I was in bed, but I did not sleep well. I was starving. Remember, I had not eaten since lunchtime. I was not to drink anything except my second Moviprep between now and the procedure.

MORNING OF THE PROCEDURE

I had to be up at 5am to take my second dose of the Moviprep. At this stage, what was coming out of my bowels was clear liquid. I felt very thin! My stomach was concave.

BON SECOURS HOSPITAL

Before the Colonoscopy 

We headed into the Bon Secours Hospital for 10.20am. I cannot praise the staff enough. They were efficient, friendly and reassuring. And that was from my admittance chat with Eoin to the nurse that brought me my tea and toast. I had opted for sedation – I am no martyr. I was weighed so that the exact amount of sedation needed was administered. Initially, I sat in my dressing gown with some others in a waiting room, then brought into a ward, by which time I had the lovely hospital gown on.

Soon after I was wheeled into theatre where I was introduced to Dr Karen Boland who reassured me that I would feel nothing and to relax. I lay on my side and the whole procedure was over in what seemed to me like seconds. I later learned that the procedure takes about 20 minutes. The sedation obviously worked perfectly. ‘Is that it?’ I said.

After the colonoscopy

Then I was brought back to the day ward and soon after tea and toast was delivered. OMG, I was never more delighted to see tea and toast and marmalade. It tasted amazing.

Within an hour, the doctor came to talk to me and told me everything seemed fine, but they had sent a sample for a biopsy just to be sure. I was also given a full report, including very clear pictures of my bowel. Bowel prep was excellent, seemingly!

I felt so proud, as if I had got a star on my school report.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I realise that I was lucky and nothing sinister was found. The Bon Secours Hospital was excellent. When the doctor sent my referral, I was contacted to say it had been received and within 10 days I was given a date.

I am told that there are different preparations used and that not all are as innocuous in taste as mine. Have you experienced one of those? I will say that having a colonoscopy is not as awful as I thought it would be.

I have lots more posts on health, so if interested you can check MY

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Thank you for reading and remember you can find me on FB and Instagram as overthehilda.

Enjoy the beautiful weather

Hilda xxx