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Colonoscopy

Mr Ferguson is a skilled diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopist, who works both privately and regularly in the NHS. He has excellent comfort scores and completion rates for colonoscopy.

You may require a colonoscopy if you have:

  • Experienced a Change in Bowel Habit

  • Seen Blood or Mucus in your motions

  • Unexplained Abdominal Pain

  • Microscopic Blood in the stools (a positive stool FIT)

  • Unexplained Anaemia

  • A History of Bowel Polyps or Bowel Cancer in the past

  • A Family History of Bowel Polyps or Bowel Cancer

Colonoscopy

What Happens During a Colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a test that is used to check the inside of your bowel. It should take around 30 to 45 minutes.

Before your appointment we'll send you a letter to let you know what you can eat and drink. You'll also need to take a laxative the day before your appointment to help empty your bowels.  The laxative may taste a bit unpleasant but it's important to take it so Mr Ferguson has a clear view of your bowel. We strongly recommend that you take the day off as you'll spend a lot of time on the loo. 

 

Pain Relief or Sedation:

For most people a flexible colonoscopy is uncomfortable and some form of pain killers or sedation is required.  The options are:

1. No sedation: Some patients, particularly if they have had multiple colonoscopies before may opt for no sedation, but Mr Ferguson would not recommend this for those undergoing their first colonoscopy. The advantage is that you can leave as soon as the procedure is finished and you have talked to Mr Ferguson. You may resume your normal activities such as working and driving. You will be fully aware of the procedure.

2. Entonox (also known as ‘gas and air’, or 'laughing gas'): this is used to help with discomfort during procedures. It provides quick relief and allows you to be in control as it also wears off quickly. You can leave the department after 30 minutes and can continue with your normal activities.

3.Intravenous sedation: this will be administered via a plastic tube called a cannula which is inserted into a vein, and will make you feel relaxed and sleepy but not unconscious (this is not a general anaesthetic). This option means you may not be aware of  or remember the procedure.

The disadvantages to this option are:

  • You will need to stay whilst you recover which may take up to an hour or more.

  • You will need to be escorted home, and have someone to stay with you overnight

  • The injection will continue to have a mild sedative effect for up to 24 hours and may leave you unsteady on your feet for a while.

 

The Procedure

During your colonoscopy a long thin flexible tube called a colonoscope will be passed into your bottom. It feels a little unusual when the camera goes in, but it doesn't normally hurt. If Mr Ferguson finds any small growths called polyps he will usually remove them straight away using a tiny wire loop passed through the colonoscope. Don't worry - you won't feel this being done. He may also need to take biopsies of your bowel to look at under a microscope later. Results of these biopsies can take up to 2 weeks to be reported.

Mr Ferguson will discuss the results of your colonoscopy with you after the procedure, and explain whether samples have been taken or polyps removed. A follow up appointment with Mr Ferguson will then be arranged to discuss your symptoms and biopsy results when they are available.

Information on taking your PLENVU Bowel Preparation can be found here:

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