Having a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

[heavenly]

Well I did post in the Colonoscopy thread, but since found out that they told me the wrong procedure, :shrug: I am now having a flexible sigmoidoscopy. Funny isn't it, when I thought I was having a 15-30 min procedure with the colonoscopy, I was so anxious and wanted to put the procedure off for a while, but now I know I am having a shorter procedure, I feel so much better now. I know it won't be lovely...obviously...but I do feel better.

Its booked for Friday, 1 October, at 10am. The Specialist was pretty sure he wouldnt' find anything as he thinks my different bowel movements over the past couple of months, were all to do with my anxiety and panic attacks, which is what I think as well, because when I am calm, I have no bowel problems at all. But he wants to be on the safe side and so do I. Oh well, need to get it done so onwards and upwards! (urrrgh, literally..lol)....And another achievement for me to write down when its finished! :yesyes:

[lecb]

Great news! All the best for it, i am sure they will find nothing :).

Will you have sedation? Don't worry if not, i've had them without, they're fine - best way to explain it, in my opinion is like having a reverse poo! It feels like a poo is being sucked in, not squeezed out! Weird sensation.

I'm sure it'll be fine, but let us know how you get on! x

[heavenly]

Great news! All the best for it, i am sure they will find nothing :).

Will you have sedation? Don't worry if not, i've had them without, they're fine - best way to explain it, in my opinion is like having a reverse poo! It feels like a poo is being sucked in, not squeezed out! Weird sensation.

I'm sure it'll be fine, but let us know how you get on! x

Thanks for giving me a chuckle. :D

I have to postpone it as my other half cannot get any time off work as his boss is away, I wanted to get it out of the way actually after initially wanting to postpone it, typical! Going to ring them today, I am giving the hospital just over a week's notice so hopefully someone else can have my slot....oooh err, pardon the pun. :D

Re sedation, depending how I feel on the day, might take a 2mg Diazapam before I leave, I checked with the nurse, she said that would be ok but to tell them when I get there. I am a chicken, so sedation...probably. :blush:

[jenza20]

Hi, I had my flexible sigmoidoscopy last week (after cancelling the first!). I also suffer anxiety/ibs etc and my doctor saidthe same (even though I was bleeding from back passage!). I didn't have any sedation because I am scared of hospitals so needed to get it done quickly and get out of there! I'm glad I didn't as it was completely painless apart from at the end when I was holding in all the air that was pumped into me (till I got to the toilet anyway!!!) lol.

I had diverticulitis and piles. Nothing major, like my Dr suspected, and can honestly say if I ever had to have another one, it wouldn't bother me again. I've got an upper endoscopy on the 8th of October and will work myself up again for that one now ;-)

Good luck x

[heavenly]

Hi, I had my flexible sigmoidoscopy last week (after cancelling the first!). I also suffer anxiety/ibs etc and my doctor saidthe same (even though I was bleeding from back passage!). I didn't have any sedation because I am scared of hospitals so needed to get it done quickly and get out of there! I'm glad I didn't as it was completely painless apart from at the end when I was holding in all the air that was pumped into me (till I got to the toilet anyway!!!) lol.

I had diverticulitis and piles. Nothing major, like my Dr suspected, and can honestly say if I ever had to have another one, it wouldn't bother me again. I've got an upper endoscopy on the 8th of October and will work myself up again for that one now ;-)

Good luck x

Thanks for that. I need all the reassurance I can get. :blush:And I am sure your procedure on 8th Oct will go smoothly. xx

[heavenly]

Well its now on Tues, 5 Oct, at 3.30pm. Would rather it was first thing but nothing I can do about that. Have to start taking the stuff 7pm night before, then the second lot, 7am on the morning of the procedure. Other half is going to take the day off.

Might have to take a 2mg Diazapam before I get to the hospital but might not, see how I feel. Just want it over and done with now! Its going to be difficult voluntarily taking something which is going to give me diarrhoea. Ho hum. :wacko:

[nomorepanic]

I am surprised you have to take the fleet preparation stuff.

For both of my sigmoidoscopies I was given enemas about 30 mins before and that did the job so to speak!

[heavenly]

I am surprised you have to take the fleet preparation stuff.

For both of my sigmoidoscopies I was given enemas about 30 mins before and that did the job so to speak!

Really? I wish I could do the latter, taking something right before the procedure, instead of the night before and the next morning. Bummer...pardon the pun. :blush:

[nomorepanic]

You could ask them about it I guess. The fleet prep drink stuff is usually done for colonoscopies.

[suzy-sue]

Sounds like thay have made a mistake ..I never had to have that stuff either .I never had anything ...:ohmy:Good job I was empty ..lmao :blush:Sue x

[heavenly]

You could ask them about it I guess. The fleet prep drink stuff is usually done for colonoscopies.

No harm in ringing them again, worth a try! :)

[heavenly]

Rang Endoscopy Suite. She has changed my date to 15 October and it will be 8.30am, so relieved its going to be first thing in the morning! :yesyes: I also asked her about the Picolax stuff the night before or having the enema on the day. She said I could do either but she is going to check with the specialist that I saw to see if I can just do the enema, as she is aware of my anxiety issues. Hope I can just do the enema but if not, will just grin and bear the 24 hour stuff. Having the procedure first thing in the morning has me so relieved!

Thanks for the replies everyone. xx

[Hazel B]

I'm so glad the time slot has changed, it may ease your mind a bit. x

[heavenly]

I'm so glad the time slot has changed, it may ease your mind a bit. x

It definitely has. xxx

[heavenly]

Well its all change again with the hospital...I have to laugh....:wacko:

They just rang me again. Tues, 12 Oct now, 9am, so still early morning.....and hurrah - I can have the enema half an hour before at the hospital, so I don't have to change my diet leading up to it (though I think I will still eat lightly) and I don't have to take that stuff 24 hours before.

A result. :yesyes:

[heavenly]

Rang the hospital yesterday, it occurred to me I might be having my period on Tues...great timing. :wacko: She said it didn't matter, but I could change the date if I wanted but I said no. I really do just want it over and done with now.

Has anyone had their other half in with them? I know I would feel a lot less anxious if he was there, I will ask the nurse when I check in on Tues morning.

[nomorepanic]

They won't let you take a partner in with you - I asked before and they said no.

[heavenly]

They won't let you take a partner in with you - I asked before and they said no.

Thanks, oh well, sedation it is then!

[heavenly]

Well, I had it done, and a big relief that its all over.

Lovely staff in the Endoscopy Suite in Worthing. Nurse chatted to me about the enema and then administered it. Bit weird, but the loo was right next to me, so it was ok. Did have a half hour wait though before I was taken in for the procedure, sp did lots of deep breathing, and positive thinking. My other half was just outside the ward but the door was open and I could see him.

After half an hour, I took a 2mg Diaz and told the nurse and she said that was fine as I would be given gas and air. Lovely staff that did the procedure, cracking jokes, made me feel better. Lasted about 15 mins. The gas and air worked a treat and I know I could have watched what they were doing on the screen but I shut my eyes and concentrated on my breathing. I did look just before he finished and I said 'that all looks fine!' (what do I know...lol) and he said 'yes it does, all looks fine'. Hurrah!

Went back to the ward, James came in and sat next to me and I had a cuppa and some biccies brought to me. I have slight abdominal cramps, which is to be expected, but nothing else and the surgeon will write to me and the GP.

It is as I thought, to do with my nerves, but with the counselling I am having, I am having less and less tummy episodes as I have coping techniques now if I feel anxious and I should be more and more confident in time.

Thanks for the support guys, it was definitely the unknown that I feared, more than the procedure. It wasn't so bad.

[Hazel B]

Well done!

All over with now!

x x:hugs:

[heavenly]

Thank you hun, its a relief! x

[BilboSwaggins]

Hey!

I know this post was written ages ago, but I have just came across it now.

I'm 17, female and I'm booked in to get a flexi-sigmoidoscopy in 3 weeks.. I'm terrified to say the least :weep:

I don't know what I'm scared for most, the procedure or the results.

I noticed a little blood in my stool and on several occasions noticed a LOT of blood, so I got checked out by the doctor and she checked for any piles, none that she could find so she booked me in for a Flexi-Sig.

I was sent out an enema the other day (I thought I had to drink it, until my mother explained... :oopsie: ) I feel slightly uncomfortable about that too.

I'm being given gas and air also.

I will check in with my results and experience in a few weeks time, hopefully good news! :)

- Nadine x

[Champagnebox]

I know this is a very very old thread but I think it fits my problem :( I’m so worried about my flexi sig on Saturday, a bit worried for the actual having it done but more so about the results :’(