A Trip To The Hospital
It’s been a while since I last blogged, so here’s another update on all the IBD stuff that’s been happening. Recently, I had a trip to the hospital for a colonoscopy…fun times! Don’t worry, I’ll try my best not to get too graphic.
The Hospital Appointment
With all the tests I’ve had, I originally received a letter saying I was scheduled for a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy. Unlike a full colonoscopy, this procedure only looks at the sigmoid part of the colon. But after meeting with the consultant at the hospital, we decided it would be better to examine the entire bowel instead.
Before The Exam
Before the procedure, I had to “prep” my bowels to ensure they were clean. To do this, I was given tablets and a laxative drink. If I had been having a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy, I would have been given an enema instead.
My appointment was on a Monday afternoon, so the Saturday before, I began a low-fiber diet. This meant cutting out foods like wholemeal bread, vegetables, fruits, and seeds.
On Sunday, I took Senna tablets and drank a sachet of Picolax, a laxative drink. Monday morning, I had to drink another sachet, this time Moviprep. During those two days, my meals were limited to a low-fiber breakfast, and starting Sunday morning, it was a clear liquids only diet. I stayed hydrated with lots of water, sucked on clear mints, and treated myself to lemonade ice lollies.
The Laxative Drinks
When it came to the drinks, I won’t lie, the first sachet wasn’t great but it was bearable. It was a small amount to drink, so I managed it. The Moviprep, however, was mixed with 2 pints of water, and that was a whole different story. I found it really difficult. Everyone reacts differently to the taste, and some people mix it with clear, flavored cordial to make it easier. Even then, I ended up throwing up the first 8oz.
The best way I can describe the taste is like drinking salty lemon barley water, but with a weird powdery consistency.
There’s a set time window to get the drink down, and eventually, I did it. I won’t lie, there were tears, and I genuinely thought I wouldn’t be able to finish it, especially since I’m not good with vomiting. But, thankfully, I was still considered “clean.” I think the extra water I drank over the three days helped. And let me tell you, you really need to stay near a toilet. I won’t go into the details, but wow.
The Prep In The Hospital
I was terrified, but not because of the camera. I have a needle phobia. The consultant explained that 6 out of 10 patients who undergo a colonoscopy don’t use intravenous sedation, which was a little reassuring. It’s great that they offer gas and air as an alternative!
Now, getting a bit more graphic…before the procedure, they take your blood pressure, and you’ll be given a hospital gown to wear along with some stylish shorts that have a slit in the back (very chic, right?). Once you’re all dressed, you lie on the hospital bed, on your left side, and tuck your knees up to your chest. And then, it’s time for the camera.
The Colonoscopy
If you choose to use the gas and air, I recommend starting it about now. The camera is really thin, so the insertion isn’t painful or uncomfortable. However, the end of the camera has an air channel attached to inflate your colon, which helps the camera move through more easily.
For me, that’s where the discomfort kicked in. The bloating pain hit me pretty suddenly, and it was intense because the air had nowhere to go. In my state of panic, I did get a little upset, but that’s completely normal.
Once the camera passed the first corner, and after a bit more gas and air, I was fine. They took biopsies, and I didn’t feel a thing.
You have the option to watch the procedure on a screen if you want. Some people find it comforting, but I politely declined. Instead, I put my iPod in one ear and focused on some music.
The whole thing took about 20 minutes from start to finish. Afterward, I was taken to a small ward, where I had a drink, some biscuits, and time to get changed. The nurses gave me a general report on what they found, but everything is confirmed once the biopsies are tested. That usually takes about a week.
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…
