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Hi, 19F here diagnosed 2019.
I have a sigmoidoscopy booked on the 23rd and I can't lie, I'm quite nervous. What made me even more nervous was the fact my letter said I'd either have prep prescribed or an enema done at the hospital, and jeez I reallyyyyy don't want an enema. The thought of two things going up my arse in one day makes me want to bash my head in. I've never had one done but I've had to do bowel prep before, so I know how it works.
Am I insane for wanting prep instead of an enema? I have insane anxiety regarding the hospital so I thought the less things I need done there the better.
Not sure if you’ve done the prep before (my reference point is colonoscopy prep because for sigmoidoscopies I’ve always done enema), but the prep liquid you’ll have to drink is actually horrendous and most people I’ve known who have done it consider it the worst part of the whole experience (much worse than the procedure). That’s my take too because it tastes horrible and you have to drink a LOT of liquid to flush everything out.
Enema is actually pretty chill. Doesn’t feel good in the moment (but nothing sickness related does) but it’s quicker and it’s nice if the nurse does it for you, so you really don’t have to do much yourself. I’m at the point where I don’t find these things degrading anymore (just picking the less suffering option is a priority) so it’s not a factor for me.
I had my enema and sigmoidoscopy today (23F) and it went pretty smoothly. MUCH better than my previous colonoscopies which I will hate always because of the prep liquid (done a couple so far and one other sigmoidoscopy).
I’d recommend the enema, unless ofc your tastebuds are immune to suffering 😆
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The liquid going in wasn’t painful for me. I think I am ok at holding things in (though this recent flare up really challenged this haha ðŸ˜). My nurse just told me to hold it in as long as I can, so I think for me it was maybe 3-4 mins until I went to the toilet. I felt some cramps after going to the toilet but nothing worse than my flare, and it faded as I was waiting for my sigmoidoscopy to start.
Sigmoidoscopy went alright! I was nervous too because my last one (when I was 17) felt a bit painful and I was so anxious then so they had to fully knock me out. This time though, it went muchhh smoother and quicker. They did the usual half sedation where you’re awake through it, but you lose some feeling/consciousness of things. It was a bit uncomfortable but the procedure is pretty short, and thinking back on it now, I don’t remember so much (even though I was awake during it - so the sedation works even though you might feel awake in the moment). Like the doctors were talking about what they were seeing in my intestines but I don’t remember a thing they said 😑 which is kinda annoying, as I’m not getting any updates on my situation until tmr!
You can get through this!!! The sedative should work so don’t worry on that and maybe the doctors might give you a lil extra if you tell them you’re really anxious.