Colonoscopy-Safe?

[worriedme04]

Me again!
I will give you all a quick bit of background-since this time last year I have been having bad stomach pains which come and go-lasting several days/weeks at a time and constant burping.
Been back and forth to the Doctors and had various tests done all of which came back normal.
Conclusion is IBS.
The only test left is a Colonoscopy which Docs do not seem willing to do-seen 4 different Docs in all of this.
One Doctor just recently said that a Colonoscopy was not to be undertaken lightly and can have risks involved and IHO just is not safe or ness for someone like me!(this shit me up because before she said that I was quite willing to undergo it if I had to,and indeed was actually going to push for one)
Now I am worried to have one-and worried not to.
Maybe I am being silly and need to just accept it could just be IBS.
constant pain is not good-I do not need the loo with it,it is just there all day every day for however long I have it.
Is a Colonoscopy safe?I know it will carry some risks but doesn't every invasive procedure?
Anyone had one? and lived to tell the tale?

[gobbin]

Yep. Twas fine.

[MollyHuaCha]

I've had several. Risk to your health is there, but it's low - in some countries colonoscopy is offered to everyone from the age of around 50 to screen for bowel cancer.

[123andBreathe]

Poor you, believe me I know what it's like to worry.

If it helps, there have been 5 members of my family that have had a colonoscopy in the last 8 months, and they are all still here! I had one about 6 yrs ago.

How about asking for a sigmoidoscopy- that is where they just look in the lower end, so a lot easier and less invasive.

Both DH an FIL were diagnosed with bowel cancer from that (they didn't have your symptoms). But both were apparent with a sigmoidoscopy. They went on to have a colonoscopy. I take it that's what you are worried about?

I have your symptoms and have diverticulosis, feel free to pm me and pick my brains if you want.

[panicovernow]

Yeah there's risks to colonoscopy that shouldn't be disregarded (bleeding, perforation) However a colonoscopy is the gold standard test for cancer screening. It can be uncomfortable but you should be able to have sedation/pain relief for the procedure to relax you. If you are worried about your symptoms then a colonoscopy is necessary and you should tell your GP you still wish to proceed

[Haudyerwheesht]

I had a colonoscopy - without sedation if that's relevant - it wasn't pleasant but it was done and I'm ok!

[spidey66]

I had one a couple of years ago. The procedure itself was ok, just mildly uncomfortable, and no worse than a smear really. The worst thing really was the prepping. Your bowel has to be completely clear. Two days prior you have to have a very bland diet, nothing high in fibre so all stuff like white bread, fish, chicken (not breaded), low fibre cereal like cornflakes. From lunch the day before you're only allowed clear fluids so black tea, coffee, water, well diluted squash. The evening before you have to have a very strong laxative.....don't leave the house after having it lol.

If you're working, you need 2 days off really. The day before you need off because of the laxative and you get given a light sedative so you can't drive after and it's wise not to be on your own.

There are risks but really they're minimal and they're a very common procedure.

[RhubarbRocks]

Hi. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in the early 1990s and have had regular colonoscopies since then. So if we say on average one every 2-3 years for 25 years that's what, 9 ish? I would be lying if I said there is no risk - there is with any procedure. But I can promise you that I have never had any problem at all (and neither has my mum who has had just as many if not more). It is actually a lot more unpleasant doing the prep for the colonoscopy (laxatives) than the colonoscopy itself (which is generally done under sedation which is all very trippy and fine!) I'm very happy to share my experience if that is helpful and you want to PM me.

[Silverstar20]

I've had two colonoscopies. They were not much fun but they were not too unpleasant. The worst part was the horrible laxative which tasted terrible, as well as confining me to the house for a couple of days. But the first colonoscopy found a rectal polyp which might have developed into a malignant tumour, so the unpleasant two days were far outweighed by finding something really dangerous.

[SuburbanRhonda]

I have regular colonoscopies as I have a strong family history of bowel cancer. Last one was in February - all clear, thankfully.

There's a very small risk of a tear, but it's a routine procedure so I wouldn't worry about it.

[babyinarms]

As you said yourself there's always a risk with any procedure. I had a colonoscopy last year and it was fine. Didn't like the prepping but the scope itself was fine.
I.B.'S cannot be diagnosed unless everything else like inflammatory bowel disease, cancers etc have been ruled out. The only way to rule these out is by colonoscopy.

[worriedme04]

Thank you to everyone-especially those kind posters whom said I could PM them.
I will be asking for further testing if my pain continues and think I shall ask for a Flexi Sig first!
I had the calprotectin stool test so I do not think I have any IBDs....?

[CrepuscularCritter]

Have you considered any possible food allergies or intolerances?

After many years of thinking I had IBS, I found out that I am lactose intolerant. I had symptoms very similar to yours, along with an inability to stray far from a loo. I eventually got clued in to the possibility by googling "eggy burps", or something of the sort. I went on to keep a food diary, and having excluded lactose, my symptoms vanished.

I've had a colonoscopy for other reasons, and it was fine. Worrying about it was worse than doing it. You're welcome to PM if more details would help.

[BusterGonad]

I lived to tell the tale. It wasn't the best day of my life but not the worst either!

[gobbin]

Well done!