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Author Topic: Colonoscopy panic  (Read 4270 times)

HorsesHorses

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Colonoscopy panic
« on: June 12, 2018, 03:48:43 PM »

Hello all
I'm booked in for a colonoscopy on Thursday and I just don't think I can go through with it. The reason I'm booked in for one is because in March I had three bouts of bloody diarrhoea (and also some blood in normal stools) and then a few smaller bouts of it in April. My gp tested my stool and bloods which came back all normal but she still referred me to a gastro specialist who decided a colonoscopy was the way to go.
To say I am petrified is an understatement but also, the diarrhoea and bleeding seems to have eased off now and I don't want to mess with laxatives and colonoscopies if I don't have to. I feel well now so I'm thinking to have such an invasive test is a bit unnecessary when maybe I had just aggravated my system perhaps and I've got over it and it's all settled again. I'm worried about the side effects and risks and also don't like the idea of the sedation complications. I think my health anxiety must be at an all time high right now. Really don't know what to do. I've never cancelled an appointment in my life. I always do what the experts advise but this one is making me so nervous and worried I'm really thinking of calling to cancel.
Anyone been in the same position lately? I almost want the bloody diarrhoea back again to convince me the test is needed.
HH   :-\ :-\ :'( :'(
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Dancinggirl

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Re: Colonoscopy panic
« Reply #1 on: June 12, 2018, 04:02:27 PM »

It's not a pleasant procedure but it's better safe than sorry - so if I were you I would definitely have the colonoscopy. The sedation is absolutely fine and I'd ask them to give you more so you sleep through everything. When I had it there were no problems at all. It's a very standard test and many people have it done these days.
The worst part of having a colonoscopy is the laxatives you have to use the day before - but people actually pay to have colonic irrigation, so one could say it's a good ‘clean out' for free   ;D
The actual procedure is ok.
Im sure they will look after you ok but do tell them that you are frightened.
I have also had a endoscopy and that's far more unpleasant so I told them I was frightened and they gave me a big dose of sedation and I just woke after it was over.
You'll feel relieved after its done.
DG x
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Robin

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Re: Colonoscopy panic
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2018, 04:09:51 PM »

Hi HorsesHorses,

I've had 2 colonoscopies and they're really not as bad as they sound I promise. I was petrified just like you. It was the thought of what might happen if I didn't do it that made me go ahead and it was nowhere near as bad as I feared. The sedative I was given was very low level. More something to help calm my nerves than send me to sleep. It really is worth having done as you can then either access any treatment you may need at an early stage but much more likely they will give you a clean bill of health and then you will know for sure that your bowel is healthy. Having it done was a huge relief for me in the end although I was absolutely terrified prior to the first one. I'd definitely do it again if necessary Now I know what it entails.

Try and think of it this way. If you cancel your worries about all this will continue. If you go ahead you will worry for a short time but then most likely have the relief knowing everything is ok as the vast majority of these procedures find a healthy bowel. In the very small chance they find something then you get early treatment.

More often than not they diagnose irritable bowel but better be safe than sorry

Good luck
Robin
X

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Ambergirl

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Re: Colonoscopy panic
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2018, 05:51:46 PM »

Hi,

I had one of these and an endoscopy on the same day which I wasn't keen on but it was absolutely fine. I didn't even remember much of what happened tbh. The plus side was that because of taking the laxatives and not feeling like I wanted to eat much the next day or so I lost half a stone!
It is always better to have these procedures because otherwise with the health anxiety that meno brings it can reassure you that things are okay.
I hope you will go through with it and know that anticipation it usually always worse than the real thing!
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Tempest

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Re: Colonoscopy panic
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2018, 06:48:51 PM »

I've had two of these too, and trust me - it'll be fine! They take good care of you and the sedation will work well so that it will be over before you even know it. xxxx
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Rosie63

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Re: Colonoscopy panic
« Reply #5 on: June 12, 2018, 06:59:44 PM »

Hi, I also had an endoscopy and colonoscopy at the same time with sedation and agree with the other ladies here that the thought of it is worse than the actual procedure.  With a good bit of sedation it will be over before you know it and I'm sure you will be glad you went through with it so that your mind will be put at rest.

Good luck !

Rosie x
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HorsesHorses

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Re: Colonoscopy panic
« Reply #6 on: June 13, 2018, 02:09:34 PM »

Hi all
Thank you, you're all so right and you've convinced me to go ahead and have it done. I got a bit worked up and panicky yesterday and after reading your replies today I feel much better about it.  :)

The fasting is going ok today so far but quick question, do you know if Baxters chicken broth is ok to eat as a clear soup? Ive got one ready (minus the lumps) but it doesn't look very "clear" to me but broth was on the list of foods ok to have. Now that I've accepted I need it done and and trying hard to fast, I dont want to go and mess it up by eating the wrong thing.

HH xx
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Robin

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Re: Colonoscopy panic
« Reply #7 on: June 13, 2018, 02:13:26 PM »

Brilliant im so pleased you're going to do it HH. Not long now and it will all be over.

Sorry I can't help with your question about the soup. I'm just not sure.

Well done and let us know how you get on

Robin
X

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Dancinggirl

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Re: Colonoscopy panic
« Reply #8 on: June 13, 2018, 02:19:56 PM »

HH - I think the broth will be OK. Hope all goes well.  Keep us posted.  DG x
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HorsesHorses

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Re: Colonoscopy panic
« Reply #9 on: June 14, 2018, 03:16:05 PM »

Well, that unfortunately was one of the worst experiences of my life! The sedation didn't work for some reason even after they doubled it and then they gave me gas and air which also did nothing except maybe force me to breathe deeply. It was so painful I was sobbing!

Verdict so far is Colitis and possibly Crohns, 2 polyps cut, clipped and sent off to lab and an additional 6 biopsies taken plus the need for an MRI as my small intestine looked abnormal. I also had slightly more bleeding than expected so had to wait on ward afterwards in case needed to go back in. I spent most of the day crying. I'm back home now with meds and need to rest and keep an eye on the bleeding. I've also been given a 6 week follow up appointment which I'm hoping my biopsy and MRI results will be ready for.

They'll have to drag in in there kicking and screaming if they want me to have another one. One of the nurses said afterwards that she's never seen anyone react like me and that she thinks the sedation just didn't gel with me and therefore did nothing but that there are other ones available for if I have to have it again.

So, all in all, the whole thing was vile, painful and really upsetting and the results aren't good however it was right that I had it done as they're getting closer to being able to treat me. Just gotta keep calm now while waiting for the biopsy results and MRI.

Thanks for encouraging me to go ahead though as otherwise I'd have been carrying on without knowing so much was wrong down there and needed attention.

HH  :'(
xx
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Dancinggirl

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Re: Colonoscopy panic
« Reply #10 on: June 14, 2018, 04:24:54 PM »

Hi HH - so sorry to hear the sedation didn't work. It's good you had the procedure though as if you have colitis or Crohn's this can be controlled with treatment.
Take it easy. DG x
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Woodlands

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Re: Colonoscopy panic
« Reply #11 on: June 15, 2018, 05:52:32 AM »

Hi there.
I had one of these colonoscopy's without sedation and just used old fashioned gas n air....it wasn't so bad x
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HorsesHorses

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Re: Colonoscopy panic
« Reply #12 on: June 15, 2018, 06:51:23 AM »

Hi Sparkle, thank you 🙂xx. Apparently they can see the start of it (the small one) but not much further. He was giving it a good prod apparently to test something out and I nearly hit the ceiling!  :o

Thanks DG xx. Hubby's doing a good job of sorting the kids and pets and running round after me. A role reversal for once  ;) xx.

Hello Woodlands, maybe if my colon hadn't been quite so inflamed and not so much stuff had to be done like biopsies and polyp removal, I also could have been more comfortable with just gas and air but it was really bad and that didn't even take the edge off it. Perhaps I'm also just more sensitive there. The whole thing was very painful and yet I'm usually a very good patient and quite good with pain during procedures. Maybe colonoscopies are just not my thing  ??? :)

Feeling slightly less tender in the tummy area today and farting like a trooper from all the air they pump in haha. Hopefully the bleeding will continue to calm now and things will improve as I get going on these new meds.

Hope your sigmoidoscopy will be ok Sparkle. I'm sure if you're ok with colonoscopies then you should be ok. Do you have the date for it yet? Keep us updated. Will look out for your posts. xx

HH
xx
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Krystal

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Re: Colonoscopy panic
« Reply #13 on: June 16, 2018, 02:08:01 PM »

I have had two colonoscopies within three years, with each one I was given sedation and treated with respect. Like other members have said the worst part is the restricted diet and laxative you have to take before the day of the procedure. The hospital staff have always looked after me well and treated me with dignity and respect. I felt as if I was their only patient that day. Afterwards there is uncontrollable wind which can be embarrassing this situation is best laughed at. Hope all goes well. Someone once said to me that the only thing to fear is fear itself.   
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HorsesHorses

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Re: Colonoscopy panic
« Reply #14 on: October 07, 2018, 09:37:09 AM »

hello all  :)

Just a little update. Had my follow up (august) from colonoscopy (june) and consultant happy with me and the meds I'm on (Mezavant) and also my polyps biopsies were ok and the MRI on my small intestine showed no inflammation so therefore no Crohns which is great.  :) However, have since had several more bouts of difficult diarrhoea for no reason from what I can see and im having to rely on imodium quite a bit too. Got a second follow up tomorrow so im going to mention this and i wonder whether he might put me on a stronger dose or a different drug. So far, apart from the UC there doesn't seem to be any other reason for the flare ups so I guess ive just got to try and work out what sets me off food wise. So far, ive narrowed it down to when i have too many vegetables which is really irritating as im trying to be healthy   ::). Also chinese food (not takeaway) doesn't always sit well with me which is a right pain because i love it!
Don't know about you ladies but i often feel stuck between a rock and a hard place at times trying to keep my whole digestive system happy. The foods I need to keep my GERD at bay such as wholemeal etc seem to set off my UC which seems better with non fibre stodgy stuff like white bread etc.

Hope you're all well.
Any updates on your bowel conditions?  ;D Only on here hey!
Horses Horses x
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