A Trip To The Hospital
It’s been a while since I’ve blogged. This is another update of all the IBD stuff that has been going on. I recently took a trip to the hospital for a colonoscopy. I will try my best not to be too graphic.
The Hospital Appointment
With all the tests, I had a letter to say I was scheduled for a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy. This procedure is different to a full colonoscopy and only examines the sigmoid part of the colon. After seeing the consultant at the hospital, it was decided that examining the whole bowel would be better.
Before The Exam
Before the procedure you have to “prep” your bowels so that they’re clean. For this, I was given tablets and a laxative drink. If I had been having the Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, I’d have been given an enema before the procedure.
My appointment was on a Monday afternoon, so the Saturday beforehand I had to start a low fiber diet which restricted me from eating things like wholemeal, vegetables, fruits, seeds…etc.
On the Sunday, I had to take Senna tablets and drink one sachet of Picolax, which is a laxative drink. Monday morning, I had to drink one more sachet of a laxative drink. That one was called Moviprep.
During those two days, I was only allowed a low-fiber breakfast. From Sunday morning, a no-solids diet. I drank a lot of water to help clean the bowels, sucked on clear mints and had lemonade ice-lollies.
The Laxative Drinks
When it came to the drinks, I won’t lie, the first sachet was disgusting but bearable. It was only a small amount to drink. The Moviprep was mixed with 2 pints of water. I found that very difficult. Every person will react differently to the taste, some mix it with clear flavoured cordial. But, even then, I did end up throwing up the first 8oz.
The only way I can describe the taste is that it’s like drinking salty, lemon barley water but with a powdery consistency.
You have a certain time window to get the drink down and I eventually got there. I won’t lie, there were tears, and I really thought I couldn’t do it as I hate being sick. Thankfully, I was still considered “clean”. I think it helped that I drank much more water over the three days. You need to stay by the toilet. I won’t go into detail, but oh my gosh.
The Prep In The Hospital
I was terrified. But not because of the camera. I have a needle phobia. The consultant went on to explain that 6 out of 10 patients who have a colonoscopy have no form of intravenous sedation. It’s great they have the option of gas and air.
Getting a little more graphic on the situation, you have to have your blood pressure taken and wear a gown and some shorts with a slit in the back (very fashionable). In the room, you are asked to lie on the hospital bed. Laying on your left side, you’ll tuck your knees up. Now it’s time for the camera.
The Colonoscopy
I suggest you start the gas and air (if you opt for that) around about then. The camera is really thin, trust me, the insertion isn’t painful or uncomfortable but the end of the camera has an air channel attached to inflate the colon to make it easier to pass the camera through.
For me, this is the painful and uncomfortable bit. The bloating pain hit me quite suddenly. That is because the air had nowhere to go. In a state of panic I did get a little upset, which is completely normal.
So after the camera went past the first corner and I’d huffed more on the gas and air, I was fine. Biopsies were taken and I didn’t feel anything.
You have the option to watch what they are doing. This can be comforting to some people, but I politely declined this and put my iPod in one ear and looked away.
From start to finish, it takes about 20 minutes. Then, you are taken to a small ward. I had a drink, some biscuits and was given time to get changed. The nurses give you a report of the general findings. But everything is confirmed when the biopsies are tested. This can take around a week or so.
So, there was a little update on my trip to the hospital. A general go-through of my procedure. But if anyone has questions, please comment below.
As always, thanks for reading…
