What is a sigmoidoscopy?

JanJan63
JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1

I looked it up but it doesn't say what it really like to have one. I get scoped every 6 months because I have the ostemy, so no colonoscopy for me. But, probably due to having diarrhea all my life, my colon is very tight/small and just the scope hurts, even the pedo one. So he said next time he's going to do a sigmoidoscopy. He said the thing they use is smaller even than the pedo scope one.  

I'm waiting to hear when it's going to be done. Has anyone had one? Thanks.

Jan

Comments

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #2
    A little uncomfortable

    My last scope was a Sig.  There are two types, a flexible sig and a rigid sig, I had the flexi. I was awake for the whole procedure and it was not comfortable, but that was more to do with the air they fill your belly up with, than the scope itself. 

    They can sedate you, I believe. I know they give you a muscle relaxant (sp?).

    I don't know what my next scope is going to be like, as radiation caused anal (and vaginal) stenosis.  I have found a new GI Doctor, who administers Propohol, so I should be out for the count. I've never been out for previous scopes, but this time I don't want to see or be aware of anything. 

    I wish you luck. 

    Tru

     

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #3
    Hmmm, thanks Tru. My surgeon

    Hmmm, thanks Tru. My surgeon doesn't knock anybody out or even give something to take the edge off. What's stenosis?

    You don't have an ostomy, right? So they might not fill me up with air. I remember that they did for the first colonoscopy I had with the internist who diagnosed me. He did put me under. But after I was so full of air. My daughter thought it was hilarious to hear me through the door of the bathroom.

    I hate not knowing what something is. That's the worst part. Because I always make it worse in my head and make it something scary and painful. He said it would be easier for me because of how little room I have down there. In my tailpipe as my husband calls it.

    Jan

  • Trubrit
    Trubrit Member Posts: 5,804 Member
    #4
    Anal Stenosis link

    http://www.listentoyourgut.com/symptoms/33/anal-stenosis-and-strictures.html

    When I saw the link, I thought it said 'listen to yogurt'. HA! 

    Tru

     

  • Kmessier
    Kmessier Member Posts: 79
    #5
    Sigmoidoscopy

    Hi Jan my names Kim I have 3b breast and colorectal and they don't know which came first. I am almost finished with treatment. I've had endoscopy and 3 colonoscopy fixing to be 4 since December. I have C-diff which is a infection in the intestines that my immune system refuses to fight it off. Long long story short I've had 2 sigmoidoscopy the first one I had no sedation and it was very uncomfortable and my anus flat hurt it's not as big around or as long as the colonoscopy but the pain was simply from my radiation damaged anus I too have anal and vaginal radiation induced stenosis anyway I insisted the next sigmoidoscopy that I have the Propophol and yes when I woke up I had some anal pain but it was nothing like the first one. I will never let it be done without sedation. And they lay you on your left side j like the colonoscopy not the jackknife position or any other bottom exposed to the world to see. I hone you have good luck with your scope. I too had a tempo ileostomy for 8 weeks it was reversed in the last week of Feb I have to be honest here I have been plagued by diarrhea and I don see a end and I don't think my docs do either they just won't be honest with me and say it to me. But I wish I had kept the ileostomy more than I'm glad it's gone. But my docs aren't ready to give me a perm colostomy.  Your in my thoughts and prayers. 

    ~~ Kim

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    #6
    Trubrit said:

    Anal Stenosis link

    http://www.listentoyourgut.com/symptoms/33/anal-stenosis-and-strictures.html

    When I saw the link, I thought it said 'listen to yogurt'. HA! 

    Tru

     

    So did I! Thanks for the link

    So did I! Thanks for the link!

  • JanJan63
    JanJan63 Member Posts: 2,478 Member
    edited June 2017 #7
    Thanks Kim. I assume mine

    Thanks Kim. I assume mine would be different because of having the ostomy. He said it's smaller and would be less unpleasant than the regular scope he uses. They haven't called me to tell me then it's getting done but I had a ct scan last Monday so I think if there was anything of concern it would show up in that? So I'm not in a rush to get the sigmoidoscopy done.

    So you regret having your reversal? I'm sorry you're having those issues. That's why I'm not having mine reversed. I hate the bag and worrying about it showing and havng it fill up suddenly for no reason but I also can't imagine having to worry about where a bathroom is all the time. That was my life befoe the colon cancer because of IBS and my surgeon says it will likely be worse after a reversal so I think this is the lesser of two evils. Right now I'm on Xeloda which causes diarrhea and I can see how bad it would be if I didn't have the pouch. But I just have to empty it more often, not a big deal. And I don't have the cramping I had when I had IBS. Because not only would I have diarrhea every day several times and have be near a bathroom but the cramps were terrible. The nasusea, the feeling of being faint, the cramps, no thanks. Also worrying about everything I ate. I didn't eat most of the things they say causes colon cancer. Processed foods, ice cream, fast food, all the crap food. It made my IBS so bad I didn't eat it. And I still don;t because getting so sick from it has given me a mental association that makes it unpalatable.

    Anyway, Kim. I'm so sorry you're going through this. I hope it rectifies itself soon.

    Jan   

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