Posted 10/13/2011 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
I take it by flexiscope you mean a flexible sigmodoscopy for checking just the sigmoid colon?
Sigmoidoscopy can provide various levels of discomfort depending on the condition of the sigmoid, the individual's pain tolerance and the skill of the practioner. The flexible sigmoidoscope is a wonderful improvement over the old rigid sigmoidoscopes.
The sigmoid colon is usually shaped like an "S" laying on its side. The rectum runs straight up from the anus and the sigmoid colon then usually makes a "left curve" to the descending colon running along the left side of the body.
The only sigmoidoscopy I've ever had was back in the day of rigid sigmoidoscopes. It was done at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. It was actually quite interesting - after the fact.
Strip and don a gown, kneel down on a padded "pew" w/a table for your elbows, the "pew" tips upward so that you are then upside down w/your "nether region" of interest pointing to the ceiling. The doctor informs you he will be inserting the scope and does so. Some air is injected to stretch the sigmoid colon a bit to ease passage of the scope and "visibility".
This is where the SKILL of the practioner really comes in when it comes to comfort or discomfort. The colon doesn't enjoy being stretched! My sigmoidoscope wasn't at all uncomfortable - except for the dread I would expel that air into the face of the practitioner!!! No pain. The tipping me up? down? helped gravity to straighten the sigmoid which also helped.
It was kind of a degrading experience given my only other experiences of exposing "that" area to a medical practitioner was to the doctor who handled my pregnancies and delivered my children and was well known to me. But the Mayo crew really handled the embarrassment very well, keeping the procedure quite impersonal which really helped. At least I thought so.
If you've had previous surgery in the lower abdominal area I would think possible adhesions might make the scope more uncomfortable but I had had a tubal ligation via the smiley face route prior to the rigid sigmoidoscopy and obviously didn't have such a problem.
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