My Gastroscopy + Colonoscopy Experiences

Hi friends! I think it's important to be vulnerable when it comes to health, and that's why I've been so open with my health journey. I'm also increasingly frustrated that we have yet to find any answers for what is wrong with me (i.e., why I feel so AWFUL and why my blood markers are all out of whack). I just want to feel well and have energy. The symptoms I am dealing with suck so much, but the fatigue is what's really getting to me. On top of all this, my slipped disc in my back is now causing sciatica - can I catch a break?

Anyway, I thought I would share my experience of getting a gastroscopy and colonoscopy at the same time. I had a colonoscopy back in NZ around 2017-2018, and that went well; they didn't find anything, so they diagnosed me with IBS. I also had so many ultrasounds and an MRI. The reason they did that back then was because I had had a ruptured cyst one night and ended up in emergency, BUT then the pain didn't go away, so the doctors decided to get me to do some stool tests for IBS/IBD. These showed inflammation, and so the colonoscopy was ordered. Once diagnosed, I was told to go on the Low FODMAP diet - which I did and was able to get my IBS back into remission for a while and could eat normally again. I did lose A LOT of weight, and it wasn't good because at the time I was already extremely underweight and struggling to gain weight (I didn't have an ED, my body just couldn't put it on). There was a lot of back and forth with different specialists, and I eventually found a diet plan that worked for me. Many male doctors told me that once I gain weight, I'll feel better. Isn't it funny how it's always male doctors who blame women's weight?

Here's my YouTube vlog I made about this past week's experiences:

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My Gastroscopy + Colonoscopy Experiences

Cut to 2025, and my health has increasingly declined over time. I won't go into too much detail as I've written a lot of posts about what's going on, but this year has been the worst it's ever been. Some days I cannot walk at all. Most of the time, I feel like no one believes me. I would like to be able to stand up and go for long walks and not feel so bloody awful.

I've seen a haemotologist who has just blamed my weight gain for my high blood markers (high white cells, high red cells, high platelets, high CRP), and he refuses to do a biopsy to completely rule out MPNs/blood disorders. Ironic that the weight gain is now being blamed. I think weight gain is a symptom of what's going on.

I also did another stool sample to see if there was inflammation in my gut again, and there was, so my GP referred me to a gastroenterologist. I spent about 15 minutes with her, and she ordered the gastroscopy and colonoscopy straight away. The blood markers plus inflammation could be a sign of Crohn's/IBD. I had two options for when I could do the procedures (the 5th of December or the 19th). I had to go with the 5th as the 19th would be way too close to when we go to NZ for Christmas. I was really scared about the gastroscopy because I don't like things going down my throat (I gag so much). The colonoscopy didn't scare me because I've done that before.

I had to do a whole week of laxatives as the doctor was worried I wasn't going to get everything out. Anyway, it was a week of a low-fibre white diet (it was awful) and so many laxatives. Most days were gentle, until it got to Thursday (the day before my procedure), when you have like 3L of laxatives and have to drink at least another 3L of water to ensure you are completely empty. This was the worst part. I had to take all the laxatives in the afternoon/evening - 3 pm, 5 pm, then 8 pm. I drank them all, along with way too much water (and no food, as you have to fast from about lunch time). After I had finished my last lot of laxatives, I started to feel really, really sick and nauseous and ended up throwing up a lot of water. I felt better. By this stage, I was pretty much empty - this is gross, but it feels like you are peeing out of your butt. That's when you know you're ready for the procedure. I didn't sleep much that night - I was on the couch just waiting to see if I needed the bathroom again. Benji had gone over to Luke's parents for the night, so thankfully, he wasn't here when I threw up everywhere (sorry, Luke - at least it was just water). Anyway, I showered in the middle of the night and got about 1 hour of sleep. Woke up super early as I had to be at the hospital by 8 am on Friday. You're also not allowed to take iron supplements or eat anything with seeds or nuts in it for a week prior to the procedure (so no fruit for a week).

We got a bit confused because we had to go to the private part of the hospital, and we went into public (that was embarrassing LOL). Anyway, we got there in time and found where we needed to go. I was called in at about 9:15 am by a nurse who kicked Luke out of the hospital, and then she got me changed and did all the nurse things (check my vitals). Then I was moved to a different floor, then finally to a bed. There were lots of different nurses around, and omg they do a good job - I could not be a healthcare worker. Anyway, at maybe 9:45 am, I was finally taken up to meet my anaesthetist, who couldn't find a vein in my arm lol, so she stabbed me a few times in my right arm, then went and got an ultrasound machine to find a vein in my left arm (we got there in the end LOL). I was asking whether or not I would be fully asleep, and she explained it's like "twilight anesthetic +1" - similar to what I had for my wisdom teeth removal, but I remember some of that. Then my gastro came and made me sign more consent sheets, and got ready to go into theatre. I was then moved into theatre and was positioned, had a mouthguard put into my mouth, which they said could break my teeth (but that it had never happened lol) - and then the sedation started. The last thing I remember was lots of beeping and "you're gonna go to sleep now," and then a nurse woke me up in recovery. The sedation they used is designed to keep you conscious, but you're kinda asleep, and it gives you amnesia - health technology is pretty cool.

I remember being VERY delirious on waking up. Very confused and a little bit lightheaded. I actually have no idea what I said - probably some weird stuff. Allegedly, my gastro came to talk to me at this stage, and I honestly thought I was talking to a nurse - all I remember is asking if they found anything or any polyps. They said no. I know they took some biopsies, so I'm waiting for a call to see if they found anything in those later this week. I don't get why the gastrosurgeon spoke to me when I was still recovering from the sedation, because I don't remember it - and the nurses don't either. It was weird. When the nurses called the gastrosurgeon, she said, "Oh, she probably doesn't remember because of the sedation". Anyway, once I was a bit more alert, they brought me a lemonade icy pole and some water. Once I was feeling less dizzy, they wheeled me off to another room to have some lunch, and my vitals were checked again. I did not expect to be fed (NZ hospitals never feed me LOL). I got a sandwich and some juice, they called Luke, and once my blood pressure was taken, I could go home, woo. I think we left the hospital around 1 pm, and Luke brought me a teddy and a balloon.

I felt very blah for the rest of the day. On the way home, we stopped to grab Benji, and then we watched TV for the rest of the day. The most confusing thing for me was what I had to pay for and for what (In NZ, everything is free), and no one explains it to you, they just expect you to know. Make sure you have health insurance in Australia because that really helps.

The sedation effects lasted a few days, and it's Tuesday now, and honestly, I still feel pretty blah (nothing concerning, just my body has been through the wars, I think). Friday night, I woke up in the middle of the night and was randomly scared of the dark - that has never happened to me (it's a side effect of the sedation). Saturday and Sunday, my emotions were a bit all over the place, too. And I made the mistake of putting on a weird movie so my brain was extra confused. We also did a small walk on Sunday afternoon with Benji, and it was so hard. Yesterday was a bit easier; I got some work done, and we took Benji to the park, but I still felt like I did too much. In the evening, I just had to lie down because of how dizzy I was.

Today, I woke up a bit earlier, but I still just feel really run down. I don't have a fever or any blood, so I don't have an infection or anything concerning going on. I'm just so tired. I'm probably just taking a bit longer to recover because my body has been through so much. Oh, and the hospital gives you a sheet with the photos of your intestines in it, so that was weird to look at + it said my bowel prep was excellent hahahaha that made me happy.

I also think I've still got a bit of trapped gas/air, and the nurses said to drink coke or lemonade to help. I basically have to repopulate my gut microbiome, so yes, I am having my probiotics and lots of different types of foods.

Anyway, to sum up, the procedures weren't as scary as I thought they were going to be, and the prep was definitely the worst part. I'm glad it's over. The only thing is we still don't have any f*cking answers. Am I just broken???

I am trying not to give up.

I hope that by me sharing my experience makes it less scary for those who are also going through something like this.

Thank you for reading. You got this!

Much love,

Ash x