Help! Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy!

Also the prep I had for the sigmoidoscopy has changed as it made me very sick. Instead of picolax I have been given Moviprep. I am wondering if moviprep is any easier than picolax?

Hi there!
First off, take a deep breath! These tests will help you get answers and hopefully show you are healthy but they don't you will then be able to get the medications you need to feel well again!

Where are you having these done? Hospital or office/outpatient facility?
CT scans are pretty simple. If you are getting one with contrast you have to drink some rather nasty tasting liquid and then after a little while you lie on a table that goes into the machine. It's pretty open and very quick. about halfway through, they inject a dye in through an iv which might make you feel warm but again it doesn't last long.

As for the scopes, I have had moviprep twice and did not mind it compared to others but it is quite a lot to drink so you might find it about challenging. Best thing you can do is to go on a liquids only diet a day or two in advance.
I have only had upper and lower scopes done separately but I assume the experience is similar. For both they get you preped By placing an IV line. The anesthesiologist will speak to you and you can ask questions about it if you need to. It's up to you with sedation but that would be the time to discuss it and your worries/fears. For the upper, once you are in the procedure room they usually put a plastic mouth guard in and usually that's the last thing you remember until you wake up in the recovery area and your doctor will speak to you after you come to. Just make sure before you leave they give you some juice and crackers so that you do not have issues with low blood sugar since you have been fasting for awhile. I have never had a problem with the procedure itself. My main issue was when I had a doctor who choose to do it when I was really really sick and it made me sicker. i had three this summer one upper and two lower, and all went really well. I had had issues in the past with the anesthesia making me very shaky afterwards so the anesthesiologist kept me only lightly sedated during the last colonoscopy. I woke up twice during the procedure but felt absolutely no pain, saw what was going on and went back to sleep. I was actually happy that I woke up during it because I kind of for an idea as to what was going on. If the thought of that freaks you out just let your anesthesiologist know and they will prevent it!
Good luck with your procedures!

Wanted to tell you too that you shouldn't panic. I've always had both an upper and lower scope done together. I think it's more convenient. You are sedated once and have 2 procedures done. You won't feel anything. Labrodrite has explained all procedures very thoroughly above.
I had my scopes more than a month ago and it was the first time I had Moviprep. In comparison to other preps I had previously, it's tolerable. The problem with it is its quantity. Don't sip just chug it. It does all the work and cleans the bowels thoroughly. Just follow the instructions. I never woke up during any of my scopes; I've had 11 in 9 years. All I can remember was the plastic guard they put in my mouth during the upper endoscopy. After recovery, you won't remember anything.
Good luck and keep us updated of how things go on.

When using moviprep, wash your mouth out with water. between each swallow. clears the taste of the moviprep out of your mouth and the taste doesnt get stronger as you do your prep.

minnietoty said...
Wanted to tell you too that you shouldn't panic. I've always had both an upper and lower scope done together. I think it's more convenient. You are sedated once and have 2 procedures done. You won't feel anything. Labrodrite has explained all procedures very thoroughly above.
I had my scopes more than a month ago and it was the first time I had Moviprep. In comparison to other preps I had previously, it's tolerable. The problem with it is its quantity. Don't sip just chug it. It does all the work and cleans the bowels thoroughly. Just follow the instructions. I never woke up during any of my scopes; I've had 11 in 9 years. All I can remember was the plastic guard they put in my mouth during the upper endoscopy. After recovery, you won't remember anything.
Good luck and keep us updated of how things go on.

Just an update :) had the gastroscopy done this afternoon! NO sedation :O it wasnt too bad. They found the reason behind the heartburn which is a hiatus hernia :) they also took biopsies and are testing for h.proyli (however its spelt lol) still waiting on the CT colonoscopy appointment but stomach is looking normal so thats a good sign :)

No sedation!! Wow, you are brave! So glad they were able to figure out why you're having heartburn. Hope they can get that taken care of for you.