My Experience

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and they recommended a colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis. The day before the procedure I could only drink clear liquids. In the afternoon and evening the day before I had to do a colonic to purge my system.

The morning of the procedure, I had another colonic at the hospital. In this case, I had to do it in the hospital bathroom. I got into the hospital gown, I waited about five minutes before they took me into the procedure room. I was told to lie on a table on my side in a fetal-like position with my legs bent. I had a blood pressure monitor on and monitor on my finger for my pulse. I was facing the video screen. The doctor gave me the choice of watching the colonoscopy as it was happening or turn my head and watch something else. I turned my head and closed my eyes during the procedure.

The doctor took a flexible tube and inserted it into my rectum. The tube included a video camera and the abilty to push air into my colon. The doctor told me that I would feel a little of the air, that it would be somewhat uncomfortable, and that I would have flatulence during the procedure. From that point forward, I felt the tube being pushed into my rectum, but no real feeling beyond that. I had a lot of gas as the procedure continued. I found this embarassing, though the doctor did say it was normal and he delt with it on a normal basis. The doctor said he went about 30 percent up my colon and had confirmed that I did have ulcerative colitis. He then removed the tube. It wasn’t painful when he did this, though the experience was strange and wasn’t pleasant. After that I got dressed and they told me I could eat. I left the hospital and felt fine.