Endoscopy

My experience undergoing an endoscopy, including a colonoscopy and upper GI endoscopy, in the Australian public health system

Gastroenterologist Appointment

After a range of tests with no light being shone on my digestive issues, my GP referred me to an Endoscopy/Colonoscopy procedure. It was compulsory for me to see a Gastroenterologist before my name would be added to the wait list, so I booked in to discuss the procedure and my eligibility for it. Surprisingly (unsurprisingly!) I wasn't asked what I eat or anything really that may have given him an idea as to where my gut issues could be stemming from, instead the whole focus of the appointment was on symptoms, investigations to date and describing the procedure that I was to undergo. The specialist thought the endoscopy an appropriate procedure given my circumstances. I left underwhelmed by his investigation, interest and lack of knowledge of a vegan diet. I had gone in thinking Gastroenterologists surely had a wealth of knowledge of what goes on in the GIT and that I could gain some insight from his analysis and recommendations regarding my situation. But it appears this specialist was interested only in the physical self, and the visual investigation to determine diagnosis. I asked what the next step would be, if nothing was found during the procedures, and he replied suggesting I would likely be diagnosed with IBS, recommended following the FODMAP diet and handed me an information sheet on what to, and not to, eat. I couldn't believe no other investigation was on offer, that I would be thrown into the too hard basket and labelled with having IBS. IBS my ass! I was unwilling to accept this as my fate, an incurable condition, a blanket label that too many people in the world are given who vary dramatically in symptoms, lifestyle and response to treatment.

Preparation

Although I was advised it could be 6-12 months on the wait list of the public health system, due to a cancellation and my ability to be flexible, I was able to get in within only a few months. I received the information on how to prepare for the procedure, purchased the Moviprep that would be consumed in the hours prior, and got the time off work.

As the day of the procedure was approaching, I commenced my 2 day low fibre preparation diet which consisted of white bread, tofu and sweet potato mash sandwiches, rice bubbles and rice milk, and tinned peaches. Pretty much everything in the 'avoid' category was what I would normally eat, so it was a bit novel for me to be consuming this processed food. Very different to my whole food vegan diet mostly consisting of lots of fibre, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds. On the 3rd day, I was only to consume clear liquids, so this was a day of lemonade ice blocks, clear apple juice, herbal tea and water.

As my colonoscopy was booked in for 7am and I was prescribed the morning only dosing, I had to wake in the wee hours of the morning and commence taking the Moviprep solution to remove all remaining feces so my bowels would be clear for inspection. I had had Moviprep before, when my GP advised me to take it to clear out the fecal loading discovered in my bowel. So I knew what I was in for, and that the orange flavoured option was bearable. As the Moviprep, although bearable, was pretty sickly, I would swig it followed by a swig of water to try to remove the taste from lingering in my mouth. About an hour after consuming the solution, the trips to the toilet began and eventually it got to the point where I just stayed there. I knew there would be little time between bowel clearing explosions that it wasn't worth the effort of cleaning myself up, only to return again moments later. I was also concerned about getting sore from excessive wiping as I had read this was the experience on many others who had shared their stories online. However, I got away without pain or sensitivity, possibly due to being cautious not to be rigorous and to reduce the amount of wiping. The explosions continued and eventually they just turned to liquid. The time was approaching that I would need to head to the hospital. I placed a towel on the car seat as I didn't trust myself that I would make it without needing to excrete more of the solution. When you got to go, you GOT to go! Thankfully I made it, phew! I along with all the other patients booked in for a morning procedure, took turns in frequenting the one toilet that was available in the waiting room until my name was called.

Day of the procedure

Once called I was asked a whole bunch of questions, changed into a hospital gown, and taken to a bed. I saw the nurses, Anesthetist, and practicing Gastroenterologist of the day, who was not the specialist I had seen for my initial appointment. Before too long I was put under a light general anesthetic and was rattling off the names of different positions patients could be placed in a hospital bed that I'd learnt recently, to a bunch medical professionals that likely learnt all these in Medicine 101. By 11am I was done, being woken from a sleep I wanted to stay in for days and moved to the sitting area.

Excited to be eating, I was sadly greeted with all that was on offer for a gluten free vegan at morning tea time, a fruit tub and rice cakes with sachets jam and margarine. After just having had a tube stuck down my throat, a dry rough rice cake is far from a pleasure to eat. But my blood pressure was low (it always is) and they wouldn't release me until it lifted and I was able to walk around on my own without becoming light headed, so I downed the fruit cup and hoped that would be enough. All I wanted was to get home and indulge in a delicious plate of nachos which I had decided would be the first meal I ate after being restrained in what I could eat for days. Little did I know that corn chips too would be an unpleasant experience on my throat, and that soft, soothing foods were a much better choice (thank you Mum and her pumpkin soup!).

I was given very little information after my procedure and didn't see the specialist again. Only the nurses told me that some damage was found in the villi, and that all the information would be passed back to my GP and referring Gastroenterologist. Eventually the nurses gave me the all clear to leave as I my blood pressure lifted slightly and I had someone to drive me home.