How to Get a Colonoscopy | Hannah Witton 

Do you see yourself hosting a show about disabilities and uncomfortable medical procedures on the BBC in the future? Cause I'd watch that show.

I've almost finished my first placement as a student nurse on a Gastro Intestinal ward. I was already a viewer, but your videos have been brilliant in helping me understand my patients experience in hospital. Thank you! 😊

I'm in med school, so when you started pointing out which way they go I was like "whoops, nope, those two parts are definitely not connected lol" but then you figured it out and I was like yasssss!!

i will NEVER let them not knock me out. my philosophy is if they’re gonna make me miserable for a whole 24 hours, they owe me a GOOD NAP!

Got a stoma advertisement before this video. Ads on point! Having a colonoscopy for my UC later this year.

I loved when you were just repeating “chronically ill” to yourself in like a playful way, I feel that (migraines and chronic pain)

Colonoscopies in the US have changed too. 15 years ago when I had my first one I was awake and alert for the whole thing. I couldn't feel anything, but I wasn't high, my mind was working just fine (and it was definitely interesting watching the monitor). They've changed the drug they use since then so now you're just out for the whole thing. Also yes, our healthcare system is terrible. Thanks for rubbing that in (please share your good healthcare).

Hannah, you are one of of those people that make RU-vid properly interesting.

‘Because I’m pooped’ lol perfect.

I really feel for Americans with their healthcare system, it must cause so many people so much stress! We’re so lucky even though there may be setbacks and trials with the NHS 👏🏻

I work in an endo center in the US. We don’t do things under general anesthesia, but we do everything on monitored anesthesia..... meaning you are out and asleep but still breathing on your own. If someone is having a flex sig, they still have the option for anesthesia if they would like. Prep for us is Golytely if your inpatient (“pineapple flavored” gallon of death) or 2 liters of Gatorade mixed with Miralax if you are outpatient. Flex sigs just have to do 2 enemas since you never leave the descending colon. Weird how it’s so different everywhere

my tip for getting the moviprep down is loads of clear apple juice. I had a large glass of moviprep and immediately drank a large sip of apple juice... it was manageable this way.

Wow, your 7 year old colonoscopy sounds traumatic.

Honestly did think your top was a hospital gown XD

Best of luck! Thanks for taking us with you.

I mean I'm still working myself up to a pap smear and you've gone through this. The ending was my favourite.

I just love love LOVE, that you are sharing those things with us and are spreading awareness and breaking down stigma!!! Thank you so much for this!!!!

I get them yearly. My top tips for prep days!: - jellyyyy - gummy bears - lemonade - PICOLAX PICOLAX PICOLAX

This new haircut is super cute! My mom had a prep once and she was so dehydrated from it it was really scary. She said that when she got there and told the doc never to give that one again he said other people had had a really bad experience too. I have irritable bowel, not inflammatory and I’m realizing how fortunate I really am.

Sort of meta, but youtube decided I should be shown a Stoma supply commercial before your video.

As an adult in Canada, i had a colonoscopy around 10-15 years ago and they had the brilliant idea of not giving me any pain killers (because they weren't going far), even though i had told them and i was in my medical information that i have Vasovagal syncopes. So, obviously i fainted, and they had to deal with it. I woke up in a bed under surveillance for my blood pressure. Doctors should learn to listen more.

I love it when people I'm fans of are fans of each other. Great video!

In the US it's miralax, lemon lime. And in the US if you are covered by an an ACA plan it is free to you, It was free to Hank also.

I can relate to this so much!! In the past two years I’ve had 8 scopes and am so happy that now I have my bag I don’t have to ever have that awful prep again! I’m with you on watching the screen, I always ask so many questions because I find it so interesting!

You are so amazing being all open and cool about this!! Love it!!!

I really admire and respect you. You have a great attitude and you help so many people with your willingness to share everything.

Even with your upbeat presentation... I am so glad I passed on this procedure, and opted for other options.

Hannah, you're videos are so unoverstatably valuable! Thanks so much for demystifying the whole experience :D

I study medicine and I assisted at several colonscopies last February and it's so interesting to hear what it was like 20 years ago and to see it all from the patient's point of view, given that I myself have never had a colonscopy before! Loved the video Hannah xx

I had a colonoscopy last summer and as soon as you said the word MoviPrep I had FLASHBACKS AND COULD TASTE IT. If I ever need another one I will 100% be asking for the alternative!! Well done on getting through that without sedation though! I would not have let them anywhere near me with that camera if I hadn't been as high as a kite. Also you've made me want a kebab.

Thanks for making this I started getting pain in my lower abdomen by my hip left side I'm going in for a colonoscopy and its my first this has made me feel better prepared! 💖

I’m going for my first anoscopy on Monday and I feel better after watching this! Thank you

I have had 2 colonoscopies in my life so far. I am 16 years old. I have Crohn's Disease and I was in the hospital for a month, and when I was in the hospital I had surgey and got a stoma. You helped me and I feel better about having a stoma and I feel as though I have you as a friend. Your videos are a huge comfort! Thank you very much! ❤️😀😃

Last August I did a nursing work experience placement in my local hospitals endoscopy ward. I watched many procedures, and by far the most interesting was the endoscopy (having never seen inside a body, let alone a colon!) Major respect to all those who have it done

The finger thing measures your pulse and blood oxygen level. It's a pulse oximeter.

I’m having my second colonoscopy in 9 days. I’ve also had two other endoscopy procedures. I also have lots of other tests because I’m having constant flare ups and they found a rare syndrome 😔 your videos make me feel less alone, so thank you!

Those of us who have chronic conditions sympathise with you. There are many people who say they sympathise, but they really can't know how it feels. With the best will in the world, they really don't know what they're talking about. That's not a bad thing, it's just how it is, but your videos are a good way to bridge that gap. I have EDS, POTS, vasovagal syndrome, fibromyalgia, ibs and stroke disease. My left shoulder is permanently dislocated and i'm in constant pain. It's taken 10 years to get into the support group for ESA, and i feel if a few of those assessors watched videos like these it would be a lot easier for us to get assisstance! I worked for twenty years and as soon as i said i actually need help, nobody was interested! Videos like these are raising awareness and should be mandatory watching for anyone working in the chronic illnesses area! It also helps that you're easy to watch and likeable!

Colonoscopy Protip: Skip the prescription bowel cleansers altogether. Talk to your doctor first, but I use 64oz of Gatorade (any flavor that isn't red) mixed with a bottle of medium sized Miralax (239 grams, I think). Refrigerate for a few hours, at least, and split into two doses. I've used MoviPrep in the past and it was rough. The Gatorade mixture is actually pleasant in comparison. Also, Jello and chicken broth trick my brain into thinking I'm eating food, so it helps with the hunger a bit. I was diagnosed with UC about a year and a half ago, but experienced symptoms for years before that. I'm up to a total of 3 colonoscopies so far, with a 4th one probably later this year. I only just stumbled upon your channel and It's so great to see someone speaking so candidly about the experience. Thank you!

Omg ur the most relatable person I've met rn

keep up the good work bring uc and ibd to the world. my last one was horrendous

Thank you so much for doing this - especially the tip for the alternative to moviprep - I can still taste that stuff over a year later and it put me off everything “orange flavour” - who are they kidding! I had an endoscopy and a colonoscopy on the same day not much fun but not as bad as you think. :)

Hope that you get some new meds on board and that clears up the remaining colitis. Fingers crossed for no more surgery. Thank you for filming this and spreading awareness.

I’ve not previously had a colonoscopy. My doctor however, is highly susceptible to Crohn’s disease. 😔 I’m constantly worrying about her so I pray at least two times a day. I love how knowledgeable you are about your meds and procedures. With you, getting to learn something new per post is a privilege I get to enjoy 😌 plus I don’t feel so alone,🥰 your hair is bomb, I like your positive attitude in hospital, you’re really fun 😎 bless you Hannah ❤️

I have to get a colonoscopy and endoscopy in a few weeks to finally figure out what’s happening in my GI tract. I’ve been a viewer for a long time and I’ve always enjoyed watching your videos about UC and this video was super helpful for me! Thank you!!

Stumbled upon this video and may i say thank you. I myself am going for a Sigmoidoscopy next week and this has put my mind at ease some what, hope Moviprep isn't that bad and i can stomach it if not i will take your recommendation. Great video and many thanks for sharing this experience.

I'll be having the exact same as you in a few weeks, the flexible sigmoidoscopy, and I've never had one or a colonoscopy before! I found out as soon as I was having it that I wouldn't be allowed any sedation, just paracetamol and ibuprofen beforehand, it gives me more time to mentally prepare but also more time to freak the f out! haha. I enjoyed Hank's video but I enjoyed yours more because it's the exact same procedure as what I'm getting done so it was so much more •~•• r e l a t a b l e ~•~• haha. Great videos as always!

This video really made me feel a lot better, I have Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease and might have to have both a colonoscopy and endoscopy later this year, and the last time I did it triggered my development of an eating disorder. but the way you spoke about it like its something you need to do to make sure your body is happy and good made me feel a lot less like its an invasion of my body. send me good wishes please I'm still a little scared.

Just found your video, i got one yesterday! Love from a Canadian with Crohn ❤️

Thanks for doing this as colon cancer runs in my family have Colonoscopies will be a regular part of in the next 5 years

Don't have IBS and won't get a colonoscopy in the foreseeable future but loved watching every second of this video anyway? You are just such a delightful teacher of life things!

Totally don't want to dismiss the valuable content on this video - it's wonderful and informative but still enjoyable and fun! BUT - I'm so pleased to see someone else who's hair naturally falls in the same direction on both sides! I've always hated how it flicks out on one side and curls under on the other but you make me think it actually looks great!

I literally just finished doing mine when you upload this x

Having outpatient surgery on my ACL and meniscus on Monday. My mom has had multiple colposcopies in the past. Good luck!

The general anaesthesia is definitely a children vs. adult thing. At least in Germany, procedures you'd perform on a lightly sedated adult (or even just with local anaesthesia), e.g. bone marrow biopsy are only performed on children under general anaesthesia. Also, you got the anatomy right the second time. :D

Good informative video. I've had many colonoscopy procedures.

My son is 2 months in a half, he had his colon removed at 3 weeks. It's been a challenge. I'm still working on getting his bag to stay, I'm still getting used to the situation. Your videos somehow help me cope with the difficult situation that I am going through.

Thank you for sharing your jounary , you are very brave x

I had this last year with Moviprep and my god i wish I'd known there was another option! I was so anxious about it but in reality it was absolutely fine, the worst part about it was that I wear glasses but since I was lying down they removed them and I couldn't see the screen (I was gutted lol), it was all quite literally a blur! Over in a flash though, and I had a gastroscopy (camera down your throat) during the same appointment which in my opinion ( and to my surprise) was probably worse than the flexy sigmoid! This video is awesome though, knowing how nervous I was about the appointment, this definitely would have been a great help to watch beforehand, thanks for making these videos!

Im having a colonoscopy today! How odd you would upload this today of all days. The prep was so much easier than I expected hopefully the procedure is too.

I was actually wondering why you were wearing a hospital gown in your bedroom lol great video as always, so informative. As a nurse it's interesting to see things from the patient's point of view. Please update us on how the biopsy turns out. Hope you don't need the surgery!

The prep for a colonoscopy is rough. I had a migraine and kept vomiting after drinking the prep, so it was like alternating between trying to keep as much down as I could and throwing up. Thanks for sharing your story lovely x

I'm 18 and just about to have my first ever colonoscopy in 6 days now (YIKES). I will be sedated but my anxiety is on a super high right now so I'm dreading it. Your video helped me understand the process a bit more so thank you (even though I'm discovering it almost two years after its release).

I'm doing my prep today for my first ever colonoscopy (yay?) and luckily remembered that you and Hank had done videos! Makes me feel so much better about this, though I have no idea what kind of medication I'm getting for the actual procedure. I'll definitely be awake, but other than that I only know it'll be some kind of sedative and pain medication. Hoping for The Good Stuff. Prep is a bit different in Finland, I started today afternoon a few hours after lunch. I had one glass of laxative (Picoprep, orange flavoured, not bad) then and I'll have another tomorrow morning 3-5 hours before the colonoscopy. Plus a lot, a lot of fluids. Wish me and my colon luck.

I'm 45 and lucky enough..lol to need my first colonoscopy in a couple days. Never thought I would be looking on RU-vid for the experience of others. I am glad I found yours. My first experience with GI was the flex sigmoidoscopy.

These types of videos are so interesting omg

1) spring for the soft toilet roll, you won't regret it 2) make sure you have wipes because you'll need them 3) have a diaper cream or equivalent because I didn't and I wished I had. Also: get a stack of movies you've been meaning to see or a couple TV shows you can binge. I wasn't personally up for reading but that may have just been because I was feeling sorry for myself 😅 When I had mine I was prescribed Clenpiq (idk if this is available outside the US) which was nice because it was 2 smallish servings and premixed. It's supposed to be cranberry flavored, evidently. I didn't refrigerate it but have since been told it helps. Honestly, getting the stuff down and the burning bum was the worst of the whole experience.

I recognise that hospital! I did my medical training there!

Oh how I wish I had this video when I had my first colonoscopy when I was 18! I had another one last year (8 years later) and it was such a difference! This time I had Oralav as a laxative and it worked brilliantly and didn’t taste incredibly terrible. It got the job done. And the colonoscopy itself isn‘t bad at all, in my experience. Your videos are amazing, it‘s so so good to see that we‘re not alone!

thank you for sharing this, you awesome woman ❤️

Hannah! I work at a children’s hospital in Canada. If someone comes in symptomatic and are getting a scope for diagnostic reasons, we would still do the NG tube with the continuous drip until they “run clear” from the other end. There’s no 3 day rule, just depends on the kid. If you are going in for a routine colonoscopy outside the hospital, it’s the same 24 hour prep that you described! So not so much of a change but difference in urgency/symptoms :)

Hannah's Kebab cravings and absolute devourment of it is such a mood HAHAHA

good luck! Also, this is totally unrelated but your hair looks great

I've had a fair number of "scopes" since I started with UC (about 1978). Started with a rigid scope sigmoidoscopy and progressed to a flexible scope for a full colonoscopy. All I can say is in spite of any apprehension you may have, the procedure is easy.... the prep is the BIG pain. I have never tried MoviPrep but I've used the PEG prep which comes with several flavor packs. I've found the pineapple is the least offensive! Good luck with your future endeavors. I have really enjoyed your work here.

As a nurse in the US I find this video super funny, interesting, and very accurate (her discussion about medical changes since 1999!).

Thank you for sharing this! I hate to hear that your colitis has found your rectum. 😢 I have Crohn’s and watching you go through this entire process of getting your stoma has really helped me prepare for my future. I’m possibly out of remission after almost 8 years, but thankfully my symptoms are coming back slowly and not like the kick in the pants life dealt you.

I had a colonoscopy last summer, got diazepam and fentanyl. When the nurse was rolling me out of the procedure room I was coming down of the meds and then realised that during the colonoscopy I had been singing to the nurse. In my opera voice. Great fun!

I live in America and am an adult, but they still give me general anesthesia for colonoscopies! Although i also have to get upper endoscopies during the same procedure (since I have Crohns with upper GI involvement) which might be why. And great video! I always think it’s so interesting hearing other people’s experiences with IBD💗

You should be prescribed on the NHS Hannah! I had to have a colonoscopy last year and I WISH I’d had this video to talk me through what would happen! And the prep stuff is the actual worst 🙅🏻‍♀️ thanks for sharing!

I’ve had crohns for 20 years and experienced poco lax and moviprep, over the years I’ve had many colonoscopies ,the first .where really unpleasant grim to say the least but as you explained it has got much better , my last two colonoscopies ,I’ve just had gas and air and nothing else, I found the best way was to start puffing way before they start the procedure, it is a bit uncomfortable but you can go home on your own , many thanks for sharing your story, as it has helped me to come to terms with having my colon removed and having an ostomy early next year , keep up the great work

Omg best tip to ask for a different prep option, in Australia there's Glycoprep and Picoprep, DEFINITELY ask for Picoprep. My husband got the one they give everyone (Glycoprep) and it didn't agree with him either, he ended up being so sick that he tore his oesophagus and needed an endoscopy too to make sure it wasn't too serious.

Thanks for this video! I have Crohn’s disease and will be having my 9th (!?) colonoscopy soon. My preferred prep is Plenvu. It’s 1 liter, plus 1 liter of plain water. I have a G tube, so I don’t taste it, but I think one dose is mango flavored and the other dose is fruit punch.

Fully agree, Moviprep is the worse! Thanks for sharing your experience! I also have ulcerative colitis and its good to know you are not alone.

It’s so interesting how the procedure is in different countries! I live in Canada and when I had my colonoscopy I had a sort of “twilight anaesthesia” where I was conscious enough to turn over to my side but didn’t remember anything. For my flex-sig I had no laxatives, just fasting and an enema. I also didn’t have any gas, air or sedatives and my goodness it was so uncomfortable! I remember my GE telling me not to clench my shoulders and relax and I thought “yeah right good luck getting that to happen!” I’m in remission right now so thank goodness no scopes for a bit, just yearly bloodwork, GE appointments and maintenance meds.

Just seeing the parat in the hospital, but those short things they give you, are lowkey comfortable af lol. When I got mine done we didn't have cubicles, we just had a bed with a small curtain around it, and they didn't really give you much privacy, everyone could hear your business, the results etc lol. You guys seem to have more privacy, which is great!

In Australia a colonoscopy is still done under full anesthetic (unless you request otherwise) while the sigmoid one is usually done while you're awake. And we certainly dont get those decency shorts, I wish I knew why! I've only ever had picolax and its terrible but glad I never get offered moviprep as that sounds horrendous!

They still do the balloon thing now my 5 year old had to do the same the other year. Great informative video.

"The best thing was you can see the screen." I can relate so much to this! I got a surgery on my heart fully awake but high and the best part was when I could watch the screen and all the stuff moving around inside my heart. It was scary but still the most fascinating thing ever.

I have my first one in about 10 years in a couple of weeks, bowel prep has got to taste better than it used to. I remember the 'unflavored' types..

I have PCOS and Endometriosis but I have really bad Gastro flare ups. I had to get checked for IBD and I was given Plenvu which is Macrogol and some. It sucked! I had double scopes. I was miserable. My inflammation markers never show up even if I have visible inflammation 🤷‍♀️ Luckily all clear but I can't say I would do it again. I feel for you having it done so many times ❤

I love how the molded seats at the hospital were such an appropriate colour for a colonoscopy.

It’s so interesting hearing your perspective, I’ve had two colonoscopies both of which have been mid IBD flare-ups and I found them both fairly painful. Partially because I didn’t find the sedatives made me anywhere as sleepy as I hoped they would!! Edit: ALSO OMG MOVIPREP is horrendous I couldn’t agree more. I forced myself to stomach it twice but I think the bowel prep was the worst part!! Next time I will definitely be asking for Picolax 😂

So interesting to hear other people's experiences. I didn't take the sedative the first time because I had an event that evening and was given laughing gas but it was horrendously painful (but I was in an active Crohn's flare at that time and also on my period that day). The second time I took the sedative, but I was completely awake and aware - disappointingly, I didn't feel high at all... Wasn't even sleepy! Was less painful though. I also loved seeing inside my bowel on the screen the first time.

I had one back in November and have since been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. The worst part of the whole thing was the moviprep. That was awful.

My life has been so much easier since I stopped needing prep! Thanks, colostomy. Also, they have started knocking me out for scopes lately because they also have to dilate a stricture while they're there, and I can honestly say this is a big improvement. Admittedly, my last two scopes without anaesthetic went like: 1. couldn't get it in due to the stricture and 2. woke up in pain even after two doses of fentanyl, so I suspect I'm an edge case. Last week I was told I had inflammation and I'm going back again in July. Currently the question is: diversion colitis, or Crohn's?

I'm 25 years old and had my first colonoscopy this year! I have Lynch Syndrome which makes me at a higher risk for colon cancer, so I have to get colonoscopies every two years. I didn't think the bowel prep was too bad, but that's because it was a powder that I could dissolve in whatever drink I wanted! (as long as the drink was see-through)! Thanks for sharing your experiences Hannah!

Great timing, just got back from the doctor and got a referral for a colonoscopy... Probs IBS but maybe something more, yay! /s

Love your videos so much. It seems that a majority of the people who have their colons removed require a related follow-up surgery, which is something I didnt know.

watched it out of curiosity, few months later I need it myself, who would have thought

a tip for drinking the laxative ask if you are allowed to drink it with lemonade syrup. It helped me.

My hospital uses the hilariously named Golytely prep. We nurses figured out you can add crystal light powder to it to make it more palatable, as long as it’s not red dyed. In the US I think it’s fairly standard to be given MAC anesthesia (it seems like general anesthetic but there’s no need for intubation).