Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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You have had an examination of your lower bowel. You are unlikely to have any serious side effects but please be aware of the following information and advice.
What are the possible after effects of the procedure?
You may experience some mild or moderate windy pains in your abdomen. This is due to the gas placed in by the endoscopist during your examination. This is normal and the pain should ease within 24 hours. To aid in relieving the symptoms you can try warm drinks, or peppermint water (sold over the counter at most pharmacies), or peppermint tea.
It is also normal to see some bleeding from your bottom, especially if you have had biopsies or polyps removed and, have some haemorrhoids that have been irritated. This usually settles in the next 24-48 hours.
You can restart your medications on the day of procedure unless otherwise instructed. If you take blood thinners, you will be informed when you can restart them.
What are the after effects of the conscious sedation, deep sedation and/or Entonox?
If you had conscious sedation/deep sedation, your mental ability to think clearly and make decisions may be affected for up to 24 hours after the procedure even though you feel wideawake. For this reason, you must have someone over the age of 18 who can take you home and stay with you for 24 hours. You may resume eating as normal.
If you have had conscious sedation, in the first 24 hours after your procedure you must not:
- Drive, ride a bike or an electric scooter.
- Operate potentially dangerous machinery or do anything requiring skill or judgement (including going to work).
- Use potentially dangerous appliances such as a cooker or kettle.
- Have a bath unsupervised.
- Look after dependants on your own.
- Sign any legal documents, make any important decisions, or sign contracts.
- Drink any alcohol.
- Take sleeping tablets or recreational drugs.
If you had Entonox (gas and air) during your procedure you may experience some of the following side effects, dizziness, light headedness, tingling, sickness, disorientation. Side effects should pass within 30 minutes of your last dose and prior to your discharge from the unit. You can go about your normal day without any restrictions after your test.
When to seek help after the test
Please do not hesitate to contact us during working hours from 8am-4pm Monday-Friday if you are worried about any symptoms you experience after this test, on 0300 6154154
Contact your GP, 111 or go to your nearest emergency department (A&E) if you have:
- Severe, persistent, or increasing abdominal pain, with or without persistent abdominal swelling.
- Fever, pain under the rib cage or to shoulder tips.
- Bloody or dark red blood in your motions that is recurrent of associated with dizziness or palpitations (more than a tablespoon full of red blood).
- You are unable to stop vomiting.
Follow up Information
- A copy of your endoscopy report is given to you, and a copy of your endoscopy report will be sent to your GP, however, many GP’s may not have this report on their system for about 10 days to 2 weeks after your procedure.
- The screening practitioner will phone you in the morning to check that you have recovered from the procedure (Monday morning if your investigation was on a Friday).
- You have had a biopsy or polyp removed. The screening practitioner will let you know when the results are available and will discuss any follow up needed with you.
- You have had a polypectomy and we have used tiny clips internally to hold the bowel lining and help prevent bleeding. You may pass these tiny clips in your stool in the hours, days, or weeks after the procedure. Tiny metal clips may be passed in your stool days or weeks later. This is normal and should not cause concern.
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Endoscopy service.
About this information
Service:
Endoscopy
Reference:
H/038
Approval date:
1 July 2025
Review date:
1 July 2028
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.