UK 1st Colonoscopy Experience (Moviprep)

Hey everyone,

I had my first-ever colonoscopy this morning, and a lot of the posts here helped me prepare—so I’m hoping to give back! Feel free to ask any questions.

I’m 27M from the UK and used Moviprep (lemon flavor) for my preparation. I was extremely anxious about both the prep and the procedure because I suffer from health anxiety and emetophobia (fear of vomiting).

Preparation Tips:

The week leading up to the colonoscopy, I reduced my food intake and switched to low-fiber foods. Since I’m vegetarian, my meals mostly consisted of white pasta, white rice, and tofu. I avoided snacking, and while it was tough, I think it made the prep process a little easier later on.

The day before, I cut back even further, only eating a slice of white sourdough bread in the morning. I started my prep at 4 PM.

The Prep Experience:

The Moviprep started working after about 30 minutes, and I was on the toilet for around two hours. Here’s what helped me: • Vaseline after every wipe to prevent irritation. • A portable bidet to reduce discomfort (highly recommend!). • A hot water bottle on my stomach for comfort. • A side table with my iPad and noise-canceling headphones to distract me from, well, the sounds.

The second dose of Moviprep went down easier. That’s when the infamous “weeing out my bum” stage began—honestly the strangest feeling, but I didn’t have any cramps.

I stopped going to the toilet around 1 AM, but I couldn’t fall asleep because I was still having very light movements every 45 minutes. By then, my stools were mostly clear water with some yellow flakes (stomach bile). I was worried this meant I wasn’t clean enough, but the medical team reassured me this was completely normal.

The Procedure:

At the hospital in the UK, you’re not put to sleep. I opted for sedation and gas and air, but I didn’t end up using the gas and air at all. In all honesty, I felt like the sedation did nothing - they said it made you feel like you’ve had one glass of wine. Maybe it did have an affect but I remember the whole thing and didn’t feel any different before or after the sedation was given.

To my surprise, the procedure was manageable. Yes, it was uncomfortable and slightly painful around the bends, but the nurses and doctor were amazing. I told every medical staff member that I was anxious, and they were so supportive—it really helped calm me down.

The procedure took about 30 minutes, and afterward, I was wheeled into a recovery room where the nurse brought me a lovely cup of tea and some biscuits.

Post-Procedure Gas Pain:

For me, the worst part was the gas pain from the air they pump into your colon. I couldn’t walk without extreme discomfort for about 30 minutes, but once I got to the bathroom and let out some AMAZING farts, the relief was immediate. Don’t hold back—just let it go.

Diagnosis:

I was diagnosed with Diverticula, which are small pouches that can form in the colon and sometimes cause symptoms like pain or digestive issues.

Final Thoughts:

Hang in there, fellow warriors. If I can do this, so can you! Take it one step at a time, and don’t hesitate to let the medical team know how you’re feeling—they’re there to help.