What are the common symptoms that led you to get a colonoscopy?

I experienced recurring stomach pain, which prompted me to see my gynecologist and eventually a gastroenterologist.

How did you prepare for the procedures?

I followed the prep and diet instructions provided by the clinics, which included a strict diet and bowel prep routine.

What was your experience with the sedation?

The sedation was effective and I didn't feel any discomfort during the procedure.

How did you manage your anxiety before and after the procedures?

I relied on my support team, including my family and friends, to help me cope with my anxiety.

What did you learn from the experience?

I learned a lot about my body and what I need to do to stay healthy, as well as the importance of being open about my struggles.

How long did it take to recover from each procedure?

I was able to get back to my normal routine within a few days of each procedure.

Were there any unexpected challenges during the procedures?

Yes, the second procedure was more uncomfortable than the first, likely due to my body's reaction to the sedation.

What advice would you give to someone facing a similar challenge?

I would say to stay open and honest about your struggles, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

How did you handle the emotional aftermath of each procedure?

I took some time to process my emotions and talk to my loved ones about how I was feeling.

My Colonoscopy Experience: Lessons Learned

Name: My Wild Ride with Two Colonoscopies in a Month: What I Learned for a Perfect Score
Item: Colonoscopy Under Sedation
Rating: 5
Author: sarahm_lee

I've been called a hero for getting through two colonoscopies in under a month, but that's not entirely fair. I had my first procedure on November 18th and the second on December 9th.

Both procedures were done at different clinics with different doctors, so it's not just a matter of me being lucky. The clinics I used are well-known and have locations in major cities.

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In this review, I'll share my experience: why I decided to get the procedure, why I needed a second one, my thoughts on the prep and diet, and how I adjusted them for the second time around.

Colonoscopy under sedation reviews

Why I Decided to Get the Procedure

I've been getting recurring stomach pain, so I immediately went to see my gynecologist, got checked out, and nothing critical was ever found. They usually told me to go see a gastroenterologist or just say maybe it's something with my gut.

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When I finally did see a specialist, ran some tests, and got the results, the only procedures they recommended were an endoscopy and an ultrasound of my abdominal cavity. They said there wasn't enough evidence to warrant a colonoscopy based on my test results. In the end, everything was fine, and I got some treatment to help regulate my digestive system.

I've been getting these nagging pains in my lower abdomen again this year, so I went back to the gynecologist, then got an ultrasound, and the ultrasound technician had a hard time spotting my ovary due to the bloating - at that point, I was getting a bit worried, so I went to see a gastroenterologist and bluntly told them I wanted to take a look, especially since I've been getting more anxious about my health over the years due to all the stories from my friends and I wanted to make sure everything was okay. They gave me a referral for a colonoscopy.

By the way, not every clinic will take on this procedure without a doctor's referral. For instance, RZhD is pretty strict.

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Next, I prepared according to the pamphlet given to me by the gastroenterologist and also based on the information I found online, as well as some tips from a friend who had the procedure done at a different private clinic a bit earlier.

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Preparation

I followed the recommended diet for 3 days before the procedure date + I used Ezilcen (I have a separate review for it, with a link attached).

According to the pamphlet, the diet time was indicated as 3-7 days, but the doctor didn't specify how many days I needed to follow it, so I decided to stick with 3 days.

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I followed all the restrictions diligently: I only ate the allowed foods + I chose Ezilcen, which is considered a powerful medication and the most expensive one, so I thought it would be more effective.

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But unfortunately, my prep was scored a 5 out of 9 on the Boston scale (the final report always includes the level of prep on this scale) and they said they couldn't see the right part of my colon, so I was only scoped on 2/3.

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I wasn't happy about that - I wanted to make sure everything was okay, that there were no polyps or growths, especially since some of my friends have had issues during their colonoscopies and the doc who did my ovarian cyst surgery mentioned that maybe I have a polyp and that's why I've been bloated.

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The gastroenterologist gave me a referral for a second procedure.

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This time, I didn't just rely on the prep instructions - I actually thought about and assessed my own body, because the doctor's recommendations were pretty generic, based on the instructions, and I tailored them to my own needs.

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I realized that the first time, it's probably unlikely that they were able to clean my colon properly, given that my stool is irregular to begin with, and the prep diet is low-fiber and high-protein - protein doesn't agree with my stool at all.

Plus, I have a bit of a sweet tooth and I love baked goods, and maybe my body needs more time to process those than the 3 days I had.

I actually ate 2 pastries the day before this short prep, and I'm pretty sure they didn't have time to clear out of my system! Ugh, I'm a sucker for those things)

Those same pastries - the possible culprits behind my unsuccessful colonoscopy (I had eaten them three days before the procedure)I decided to increase the duration of the diet to five days for the second time,but, as it turned out, I had already started to gradually eliminate unhealthy food from my diet by the seventh day, and strictly followed the diet plan for the first five days.

To be sure that I had cleaned out my system, I also took a laxative during the diet:I took Bisakodil twice, once three days before the procedure and then again 1.5 days later (maybe this second dose was unnecessary, but I really wanted to make sure everything would go smoothly).

And, just like the first time, everything went incredibly well the second time around, and I received a perfect score of 9 out of 9.

I took Fortrans for the second time before the study, and I have to say, it was a much better experience than the first time I took Eziklen. I've already written a review about Fortrans, so I won't go into details, but I think my 9 out of 10 rating wasn't just because of the product itself, but also because of my own efforts to prepare for the study.

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My Insight into Preparing for the Study

Listen to your body, 3 days of diet is the minimum, and it's suitable for people who don't consume a lot of bad carbs like I do. If you have a history of overindulging, it's better to start the diet earlier to avoid a bad preparation.

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About the Prep Diet

I won't repeat the details, but I'll attach a clear table that my doctor provided.

Prep diet before colonoscopy Personally, I found it easy to stick to the diet, and I didn't feel any discomfort. Maybe because I already love the allowed foods (eggs, cheese, yogurt with sour cream), and the treats were compensated by being able to drink juices (without pulp and uncolored) and tea with honey. Objectively, I don't eat a lot in my daily life, and I'm not a glutton.

Products for a pre-colonoscopy dietI've got to say, the day before the procedure, after breakfast, you're only supposed to have approved liquids, but I'm guessing you're already aware of that if you've got a colonoscopy scheduled.

This day wasn't too bad for me, since it was a workday both times, and when you've got a ton of work to do, food is the last thing on your mind. Plus, I was just drinking juices, which helped me avoid the temptation of all the tasty foods.

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My Insight After a Failed Colonoscopy and How I Adjusted My Diet:

I also thought that the first time around, my body might not have been able to cleanse itself due to the solid food, since it's harder for the body to digest. So, the second time around, three days before the procedure, I made sure to eat mostly soft foods like yogurt, cottage cheese with sour cream, although I did allow myself cheese a couple of times – I just chewed it really carefully. I'm usually a fast eater, and my family says I swallow my food, so to make digestion easier, I made sure to chew my food slowly until it was like mush before the colonoscopy during the diet.

I chewed my food as slowly as possible until it was like mush. About the Cleansing Medication Before the Procedure

That's a quick one. I'll be brief. One of the recommended medications is the one I've got detailed opinions on in separate reviews – Ezilena and Fortrans.

Main thing: it's best to stop taking these meds at least 4 hours beforehand, even though some recommendations, including my clinic's pamphlet, say it's okay to start the colonoscopy 2 hours after the last dose. But 2 hours just doesn't seem like enough time – the meds might still be working and giving your system a good cleanse.

About the Procedure Itself

For a colonoscopy under sedationAt Alpha-Health, I needed to get a general blood test (GBC), an ECG with interpretation,

while at the RZD clinics, it was just an ECG and GBC, plus a doctor's note confirming there were no contraindications for sedation.

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The procedure itself went down pretty similarly at both clinics:

after a quick Q&A, you undress, put on those special pants with a cutout in the right place, lie down on a couch, insert the catheter, administer the anesthesia, and voilà! You wake up, and it's all done)

I don't get why people make such a big deal about this – it's all pretty painless and unobtrusive, and afterwards, you get a sense of what's going on inside your body.

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I'd read that after the procedure, your stomach might ache a bit, and the endoscope might brush against your intestinal walls, but I didn't experience any of that – I went in blind, just showing up at the first available slot, since I wanted to get this over with ASAP, and it turned out the clinics were pretty booked up for colonoscopies under sedation.

I have to say, if you're more patient, you can try to find a doctor who specializes in gastroenterology and book an appointment with them. Although, I have to admit, I didn't quite understand how to get a specific doctor at the RZD medical center - you just go to the department and whoever is available takes you to their free clinic for further examination. That's how it seemed to me.

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The Sedation Was Comfortable

The sedation was surprisingly comfortable, and I didn't feel any nasty side effects afterwards - I even went to work the next day!

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My Take on Colonoscopy

I think the idea that the devil's not as scary as they make him out to be fits perfectly here. Colonoscopy under sedation is generally comfortable, as much as it's possible to be in a medical setting, and that's a huge plus because you'll know exactly what's going on with your body.

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Even though I didn't find any pathological issues, I think colonoscopy is a necessary procedure, and it's better to do it earlier than the recommended age in regular clinics (usually around 40-45). With the rising number of cancer cases, it's worth getting checked out earlier, as my friends and acquaintances who've had the procedure done have discovered polyps that were removed during the examination.

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I know some clinics don't remove polyps during the examination, so make sure to ask ahead of time if they'll be able to do it during the procedure if something is found. If not, you'll need to go through the whole process again, which can be a hassle.

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Don't Be Afraid of Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy under sedation is something you shouldn't be afraid of, as you won't even notice anything during the procedure under anesthesia:

my experience shows that it's almost imperceptible on a physical level, even after the procedure!

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The most important thing from my experience in a nutshell:

1️⃣Be prepared thoroughly, relying not only on the guidelines, but also on your own body

(how regular is your bowel movement? How's your diet? – these factors affect how many days to start preparing, especially since the recommended diet duration is usually vague, ranging from 3 to 7 days)

2️⃣If you have irregular bowel movements, don't hesitate to take a laxative 3 days before the procedure – this is actually recommended for people with constipation, but it turns out irregular bowel movements fall into that category too.

3️⃣In the days leading up to the colonoscopy, opt for soft foods, so your gut has time to digest them, and help it out

4️⃣Brush your teeth thoroughly,

to help your gut get rid of the results of digestion from your body once again;

5️⃣Choose a clinic with a wide range of services, where they can remove polyps during the colonoscopy, so you won't need to undergo a separate procedure for that later.

6️⃣I'd recommend finishing the bowel prep medication before the procedure no later than 4 hours beforehand, as you should take into account (especially if it's your first time and you don't know how your body will react) that the medication can have lingering effects for over 2 hours, like it did for me.

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So, don't be afraid of colonoscopy and take care of your health!