Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

[237SJ]

It's not supposed to hurt. For me, it hurt like bloody hell. Has anyone else had pain from this procedure?

[ubasses]

Yes, my first was pain free, but my colon was kinked during my second, that was agonising.

[237SJ]

If you don't mind me asking, why did you have a second procedure?

[ubasses]

They were 3 years apart, I was bleeding a little again and having a hygiene problem, they needed to see exactly what was going on before operating again.

[237SJ]

I had it done this morning. I was told that if they found 3 or more polyps or one that was 5mm or larger, I would have to have a colonoscopy. They found a sessile polyp that was 6mm. Just my luck.

[gness]

My first was the same as Ubasses had.....hit a kink and had to stop......a strange but unbearable pain..
The second, some years later, was fine and completely pain free...x

[ubasses]

Fingers crossed that yours are among the majority that are not malignant.
I was given gas and air and continued with the procedure, just could not face going through it all again. Was congratulated for my stoicism afterwards!!

[237SJ]

I was offered gas and air as well but I didn't feel that I needed it. The staff were fantastic and very reassuring (Roehampton hospital). The NHS are fantastic

[jennyjoan]

I never heard of the above but did get a colonoscopy about 10 years ago - they're both up the rectum but what is the difference.

[ubasses]

A sigmoidoscopy only inspects the lower part of the colon.

[Mamyalynne]

//Colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy are screening tests that use a thin flexible tube with a camera at the end to look at the colon but differ in the areas they can see. A colonoscopy examines the entire colon, while a sigmoidoscopy covers only the lower part of the colon, also known as the rectum and sigmoid colon.//

[ethandron]

Yep, I've had two, and four colonoscopies.
I have what they've called a looping bowel, it loops back on itself while they're trying to get the instrument round, particularly to get a look at the terminal ilium which is where the small bowel joins the large bowel, as I have Crohn's disease and they need to get a good look at that bit.
I now have anaesthetist supported sedation, which isn't a general anaesthetic as that would require the whole theatre malarkey, but is very deep sedation requiring an anaesthetist to administer it, and can be done in the scope suite.
In effect I'm completely knocked out and am not aware of anything or feel any pain. Thankfully.

[jennyjoan]

Jeepers - when I had the colonoscopy - what I remember being "blown up and up and up" and saying "no I can't go on" - then they shouted just one more push. Had i have known then what I know now - I would insisted in some kind of sedation.

[ethandron]

They always offer sedation, but for me it doesn't work which is why I have this very deep sedation, which does the job.

[237SJ]

I read that when one has a colonoscopy, the operator sometimes has to press onto the abdomen to manipulate the instument along the bowel. That should be interesting in my case because I have a large fibroid in the way. That should be interesting. There's always a problem

[ethandron]

I would ask about deep sedation then sj, you won't feel a thing. Good luck.

[237SJ]

Thanks. I think I will go for the sedation (not that I`m a wuss or anything, even though I was this morning)

[ethandron]

It's not being a wuss, they need to get your polyp out but if it's too painful for you to complete the procedure then they won't be able to. They're as keen as you are for you to be comfortable.