Colonoscopy Through a Stoma: Seeking Experiences

I'm scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy. I'm really nervous because the colonoscopy is done through the stoma. Can anyone please offer me their experience? Thank you ahead of time.

I can only speak for scopes in ileostomy; no bowel prep is needed, not in the UK anyway. There's no pain, just slight discomfort when they pump air so they can have a better view. No sedation is needed. I have an endoscopy every year. I used to have them under sedation, but I can't tolerate that anymore, so I have them done under general anaesthetic. Now, I usually have a sore throat for one day, but other than that, I've never had any problems.

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No big deal getting a colonoscopy through your stoma.

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I had my first colonoscopy post-stoma about a month ago. I had the "light sedation" they usually give with those. It always knocks me out cold, but some people may be partially awake.

I have a sigmoid colostomy, so bowel prep was needed. Same as pre-stoma.

No discomfort at all. They also entered the old way to examine the rectal stump, which left me mildly sore for a day or so. But the stoma was not a bit sore. There was a lot of gas for a bit, but it didn't hurt.

You will be fine. No pain at all through the stoma.

Had a colonoscopy through my stoma a month ago... no issues at all.

Fasting is the hardest part.

V.J.

I am having my first one since my surgery on June 4th. Glad to read it's not a big deal. 😄

I had a colonoscopy a few months ago. In my pre-colostomy days, I hated the bowel prep… getting up a few times through the night to sit on the toilet. With the pouch, however, life is more pleasant. If the pouch fills up, it is easy to empty it and go back to bed rather than sit for a while till things calm down, wipe, back to bed… repeat.

The colostomy was no problem. The pouch (2-piece Hollister) came off, but the flange or whatever you want to call it remained. Mild sedation. Snap the new pouch on and go home.

Your mileage may vary, but it should not be a problem.

Good luck😀

Thank you 😊