It is a test to check inside your large bowel. A long, thin, flexible tube with a small camera inside it, is passed into the back passage through all parts of large bowel up to caecum
to assess for any causes of your bowel symptoms. A colonoscopy can also be used to take biopsies or remove polyps. Two days before colonoscopy you will have to follow special diet and you will be given a laxative so your bowels are empty for the test. This needs to be followed as it says on the letter otherwise the specialist may not be able to do the test. During colonoscopy, you are usually awake but you will be offered medicines to make you more comfortable and make the test easier such as painkillers, sedation, or gas and air. It should take 30 to 45 minutes to have your colonoscopy. You might feel bloated or have stomach cramps for 2 to 3 hours after colonoscopy. You cannot drive for 24 hours if you have sedation, and someone will need to pick you up from hospital.