Having a Colonoscopy

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Patient Information

Having a Colonoscopy

Endoscopy Department



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Further Information

We endeavour to provide an excellent service at all times, but should you haveany concerns please, in the first instance, raise these with the Matron, SeniorNurse or Manager on duty. If they cannot resolve your concern, please contactour Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 01932 723553 or [email protected]. If you still remain concerned please contact our ComplaintsManager on 01932 722612 or email [email protected]

Author: Anna Burrows Department: Endoscopy Version: 1 Published: Nov 2009 Review: Nov 2012



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Digestive Disorders Foundation - PO Box 251, Edgeware,Middlesex, HA8 6HG (send SAE) - emailwww.digestivedisorders.org.uk

Royal College of Radiologists - www.rcr.ac.uk

The University of Edinburgh -www.glenlivet.mph.ed.ac.uk/endo/general/colonoscopy

Having a Colonoscopy

Your Colonoscopy Explained

You have been advised to have a colonoscopy, which is a test toexamine the inside of your colon (large bowel) using a medicalcamera.

Why do I need a colonoscopy?

You may be experiencing a change in your normal bowel habitand/or abdominal pain, which needs to be investigated. You maybe bleeding through your back passage or you may have anaemia(a low blood count), for which your doctor needs to find the cause.

We may diagnose diverticular disease (small pockets that arecreated in the lining of the colon). If this is found, we will adviseyou on a diet that will help the condition.

The diagnosis may be haemorrhoids (piles) that can sometimesbe treated by giving an injection directly into them or by placingsmall rubber bands around them during the colonoscopy.



A colonoscopy is sometimes carried out to see if you have apolyp (innocent growth) that can be removed during the

colonoscopy by using an electric current to burn them away. Ifpolyps are found, your colonoscopy may have to be repeated.

Alternatively a colonoscopy is carried out to see if you have atumour, following which you may need to have an operation.

To confirm or to exclude Crohn's disease, colitis and tumours, wewill take biopsies (tiny samples of the lining of the colon). These

will be sent to the laboratory for testing.Photographs may be taken of the inside of your colon; thesewill be filed with the colonoscopy report in your medical notes.

Tumours of the colon can run in families, therefore if this is knownto be the case, you may be advised that you have a colonoscopyon a regular basis even if you do not have symptoms yourself.

We do this because colon tumours are curable if caught early.

Whatever the findings, the colonoscopy will allow for an accuratediagnosis to be made and help us to provide treatment that will besuitable for you.

What will happen after the colonoscopy?You must expect to stay on the Endoscopy Unit for at least 1 hourafter your colonoscopy and a little longer if you have a polypremoved. This allows you to have a good recovery. You will bedischarged home when the nurses looking after you feel that youare well enough to go.

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• You should tell us about allergies that you may have tomedicines/plasters/latex. We will avoid using anything to whichwe know you are allergic. If you know you have an allergy tolatex, you should inform us at least a week before the date of

your appointment, so that we can make the necessaryarrangements.

Unless otherwise stated, the required information will be takenfrom you on the day of your appointment. If you are an inpatientthe ward nurses will forward this information to the EndoscopyUnit.

What are the benefits of having a colonoscopy?

You can have biopsies taken and polyps taken out wherenecessary.

Further Information

Additional useful information may be obtained by logging on to thefollowing websites:

British Society of Gastroenterology - www.bsg.org.uk

The National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease(NACC) - 01727 844 296 - www.nacc.org.uk

Patient Care Society for Gastroenterology - 01865 226 757 -

www.pcsg.org.uk



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What will I experience if a tear occurs?

If you experience any severe abdominal pain and/or vomittingafter your colonoscopy, it may mean that a tear has occurred.

The nurses looking after you would ask a doctor to see you, whowould prescribe a painkiller for you, and arrange for blood testsand x-rays to be carried out.

If these tests and x-rays show that a tear has occurred, we wouldarrange for you to stay in hospital to have the right treatment,which may mean an operation.

The chance of this happening to you is 1 in 1,000 with aslight increase if you have a polyp removed. Thiscomplication rate is based on the national average, and therate of occurrence of this is well within this figure at Ashfordand St. Peter's Hospitals.

To allow us to prevent foreseeable complications we willwant to know:

• Your medical history. For example, if you are a diabetic youMUST ring the Diabetic Nurse Specialist at least one weekbefore your appointment date for advice to preventcomplications occurring from taking the laxative medicine. Her

telephone number is 01932 723 315.• What medications you are currently taking, as some of these

may affect the action of the sedation. The level of sedation mayalso be affected if you are a heavy alcohol drinker.

• If you are taking Warfarin or other medicines that thin yourblood, you MUST ring the Endoscopy Unit at least one week

before your appointment date, as it may be necessary for you tostop taking these medicines before your colonoscopy.

When will I know the results?

We will be able to tell you before you leave the Endoscopy Unitwhat was seen. However, if samples have been sent to the

laboratory the results will not be available straight away but will bepassed to your referring doctor to give to you.

Your referring doctor will get a copy of your colonoscopy report.

Written information will be given to you regarding what was seenand done during the colonoscopy and you will be given direction

on what to do next.

Are there any alternative treatments?

A barium x-ray can visualise the bowel but you cannot be treatedwith this test.

What are the benefits of having a colonoscopy?

You can have biopsies taken and polyps taken out wherenecessary.

Can I seek a second opinion?

Yes, if you are not happy with the results, treatment or advice, youhave the right to seek a second opinion and your doctor canadvise you on that.



Who should I contact for more advice / answers?

St. Peter's Hospital patients can ring the Endoscopy Unit on01932 722 037, Monday to Friday between the hours of 08.00 and18.00.

Ashford Hospital patients can ring the Endoscopy secretary on01784 884 570 or Day Surgery on 01784 884 609, Monday toFriday between the hours of 08.00 and 18.00.

Can diagnosis be made in any other way?

X-rays and scans can be performed, but colonoscopy is the most

accurate way to diagnose conditions of the colon especially ifbleeding has occurred. Colonoscopy is the only way to obtaintissue samples which assist with making accurate diagnosis andhelp with treatment.

What would it mean if i did not have the colonoscopy?

If you did not have the colonoscopy, your condition would not beaccurately diagnosed and therefore, without the right treatment,could get worse.

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You MUST have a responsible adult collect you after yourcolonoscopy and you MUST have someone responsible to staywith you overnight. Failure to do this may very well mean havingto arrange another date for you.

Will there be any restrictions following the colonoscopy?

The following restrictions will apply for 24 hours after yourcolonoscopy:

• You MUST NOT drive

• You should not handle heavy machinery or hot appliances,sign legal documents, drink alcohol or look after children orothers who are dependent on you.

After your colonoscopy, you are advised to go home and takethings easy. The sedation stays in your bloodstream for 24 hoursand may continue to make you feel a little light-headed. If you are

an inpatient you must ask the nurses on the ward to help you toand from the bathroom/toilet until you are fully recovered.

Are there any risks / complications?

Very rarely the sedation can affect your breathing. Should this

happen we will give you medicine to reverse its effect.After the colonoscopy you may feel some wind and discomfortcaused by the air we put inside you during the test.

Colonoscopy also carries a small risk of a tear/bleed occurring inyour colon.



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At 12.00 mid-day take one sachet of the laxative. Dissolve thecontents in a cup of water, stir well for 2-3 minutes and then drinkthe mixture. Please take care as the mixture may get hot.

At 18.00 take second sachet in the same way.NB: From 12.00 mid-day onwards you will need to be very closeto a vacant toilet. You may carry on drinking clear fluids until yougo to bed.

The day of the Test

You may sip water up until you arrive in hospital.

Take all your oral medications as normal with a glass of water or ifyou are in doubt bring them into hospital with you.

For patients on Warfarin or Insulin please follow theinstructions at the back of the book.

For Inpatients only

If you are already an in-patient at the hospital, the ward nurseslooking after you will make sure you are prepared for the testbeforehand, and afterwards you will recover in your hospital bed.

What other preparations do I have to make?

You will need to arrange to have three days off work (i.e. the daybefore your test to take the laxative, the day of your colonoscopyand probably the day after, especially if the appointment is in theafternoon.

Who will carry out the colonoscopy?

An experienced health care professional will carry out the

procedure. This may be a doctor or a nurse. A trainee may startthe procedure but they will always be supervised by an expertColonoscopist.

The name of the Consultant who will have overall responsibility foryour test is:

Dr/Mr: ...................................................

Consultant Surgeon/Gastroenterologist

Will I be asleep to have the colonoscopy?

You will be given sedation through a needle placed in a vein inyour hand/arm. The sedation will make you feel drowsy and lessaware of your surroundings. Sedation is not as strong asanaesthetic.

Will I feel any pain?You will be given a strong painkiller with the sedation. You will beable to talk to the staff during the procedure and let us know if youare not comfortable.

Having a Colonoscopy

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