Good news for those needing colonoscopies (in the future).

[Tenkaykev]

For a bit of light relief there was a very funny thread here on SingleTrackWorld of this very procedure in 2009. They use a different laxative today though.

I remember taking " Picolax " when I had my investigations in 2013/2014 . In the first session I had back to back gastroscopy / Colonoscopy. I suppose the thinking was " While he's here we might as well take a look up the other end " I didn't look at the monitor, just tried to relax and meditate, all helped by a wonderful nurse who was sat next to the top of the trolley murmuring reassurances. Fortunately my digestive system was healthy and they even mentioned the thoroughness of my prep work. ( I had started fasting a couple of days before starting on the Picolax regime.

 

[presta]

The list of alarming potential complications which I was given before colonoscopy didn't include exploding colon which suggests that it's a vanishingly unlikely occurrence.

The only reason I know about it is that Brian Cox & his tribe were having a laugh about it on Infinite Monkey Cage when it won an Ig Nobel Prize:
https://gizmodo.com/how-to-keep-colonoscopy-patients-from-exploding-and-ot-30775530
I see that dates from 2012, which is when I had my first colonoscopy.

Since they also lightly inflate your colon

It's supposed to be lightly.

 

[presta]

I remember taking " Picolax " when I had my investigations in 2013/2014.

That reminds me of my first colonoscopy. It came just a few weeks after I'd been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, and they sent me Picolax, which carries a warning about it causing heart arrhythmia. Laxatives are a risk for arrhythmia because they force the body to dump fluids, and in the process they deplete the electrolytes that the heart's dependent on.

So I rang the hospital and asked if it was OK to take it:
"Oh yeah, it'll be OK. Er....hang on a minute, I'll just check"
Ten minutes later:
"No, you mustn't take it, come in 40 minutes early and we'll do an enema instead"

So I went in 40 minutes early, sat in the waiting room, and 40 minutes later they called me in.
"You do realise I was told not to take the laxative, don't you?"
"No"

 

[Rusty Nails]

I remember taking " Picolax " when I had my investigations in 2013/2014 . In the first session I had back to back gastroscopy / Colonoscopy. I suppose the thinking was " While he's here we might as well take a look up the other end " I didn't look at the monitor, just tried to relax and meditate, all helped by a wonderful nurse who was sat next to the top of the trolley murmuring reassurances. Fortunately my digestive system was healthy and they even mentioned the thoroughness of my prep work. ( I had started fasting a couple of days before starting on the Picolax regime.

Hope they cleaned the camera in between procedures. Lucky you had the gastroscopy first.

 

[Tenkaykev]

Hope they cleaned the camera in between procedures. Lucky you had the gastroscopy first.

I made sure he rinsed it under the tap first. 😉

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Since they also lightly inflate your colon with CO2

And then the balloon guy comes in and makes sausage dogs…

 

[presta]

And then the balloon guy comes in and makes sausage dogs…

Which is just about what they did with mine last time.

 

[slowmotion]

The list of alarming potential complications which I was given before colonoscopy didn't include exploding colon which suggests that it's a vanishingly unlikely occurrence. Even the note of concern regarding that article would suggest that it overstates the likelihood of such events . All the more reason for a thorough bowel prep by the book, I would have thought.

Since they also lightly inflate your colon with CO2 to aid visibility, that also reduces the flammability of any gaseous residue that might remain after the bowel prep. The occasional involuntary farty sound effects as it leaks out might be more concerning for those of a sensitive disposition.

I had my colon inflated with CO2 a couple of years ago when they carried out a CT colonography on me (they put you in a scanner to look at your colon). I found the inflation to be pretty uncomfortable, no least because they didn't offer sedation with Fentanyl and Midazolam.

 

[Cycling Badger]

Back to the pill-sized camera … is that a single use item?

 

[presta]

I found the inflation to be pretty uncomfortable

Not half as painful as when they deliberately overinflate your bowel until it causes multiple diverticula, in revenge for filing a complaint.

 

[postman]

Been there done that got the badge,phaaaaaart whoosh,argh oh just made it.Let's raise you one and claim a cystoscopy camera up the penis.Luckily for me only a short cable was needed .mind you i got the option of private or nhs.What was the difference,well private the thinnest micro cable and camera,Nhs, a box brownie and garden hose.

 

[a.twiddler]

If you get to be old enough you might get to collect the whole set of -oscopies and get probed in places you never knew you had. I don't know how wide the cable was during my cystoscopies but that was one of the more uncomfortable procedures I've had.

 

[Brandane]

If you get to be old enough you might get to collect the whole set of -oscopies and get probed in places you never knew you had. I don't know how wide the cable was during my cystoscopies but that was one of the more uncomfortable procedures I've had.

Been there done that cystoscopy thing. Just before the procedure, there I am sitting in hospital gown having left my dignity at the front door. One of the nurses could see the fear in my face, so she reassured me "don't worry, the camera is only as wide as a bic biro". My reply was "if you're trying to make me feel better, it's not working. Have you seen the available space?!!"

Having said that, I found the front end procedure much less painful than the rear, of which I have had 2. Not pleasant. In fact one of the most painful procedures I have had. I guess it comes down to the width available, and I might have a narrower bowel than normal?

Due to BPE and a non functioning bladder muscle, I now have to self catheterise 4 or 5 times per day. Has become fairly routine and painless now, after 3 years.