To be so worried about tomorrow's colonoscopy

[temporaryworried]

I know I should be grateful that my poorly performing bowel is being looked onto, after asking for help over the last 8 years.

To be honest the last pills they gave me are so good and took me from house bound with free running bottom, to being able to get out (to places near toilets) recently. I hoped I would just stick to the miracle pills but the doctors want to check my bowel too.

So I have too start prepping tonight with a litre of laxitive and another litre first thing tomorrow. :(

I am embarrassed about the whole bottom bit but that is unavoidable like smears, I will cope with that. I am so frightened they will find something terrible.

I am keep reminding myself that I am lucky they are checking to be on the safe side....so why am I worrying so much....I had no sleep last night.

Whatever will be will be. Tell me everything will be OK.

Hope all goes well

Thank you

i think everyone worries alittle bit thats completely normal, if they find any polps(sp) they will remove them while your there and then your probably go back in 3 years for another check up.
at least something is being done and hopefully they will find nothing and you can stop worrying.
the worst part is drinking that vile liquid
good luck

Dh has done the Moviprep bowel evacuation, it wasn't as bad as we had thought it might be. The actual procedure was also fine, he had mild sedation and doesn't recall any of it.

It'll be fine, good luck .

temp I had a colo/endo last year (with Prep and Sedation) and a Sigmoid Colonoscopy (with eneama and no sedation) this year.

I would take the Prep over the Eneama any day (not because either are more/less pleasant) but the Prep gets it all over and done with in your own home.
Eneama , you're running to the hospital loos (not good)

Sedative/non sedative no difference really.
I wouldn't have liked the endo without though.

It will be a load better than you fear. Remember they do it day in/day out so they've seen it all.

Only bad bit is the cramping (due to the gas they pump in) and it needs to come out..................................

I've had them and I would ask to be sedated if I was you (sorry hope this doesn't worry you) as I found it uncomfortable first time round. But it is fascinating to watch in the screen!

Had one a few weeks ago - it's a little uncomfortable but far from horrendous. I've had far worse period pain... Please try not to worry - it'll be over before you know it.

Do take something entertaining (kindle, crossword, iPad...) to the hospital - if it's anything like mine you may end up hanging around in a very fetching gown for 90 mins + between checking in and procedure.

take a book to the loo for the prep (my dads had it lots) light sedation or ipod for the actual procedure reassure yourself they have seen loads of arses feel some sympathy too they really do this all the time

You'll be fine - someone posted in here the other day worried and got loads of reassurance too.

I've had one, not my favourite way to spend the day but honestly nowhere near as bad as I'd imagined, bit uncomfortable but with sedation barely remembered it after

I have 10 minutes before I start prep.

Have a book and tablet ready in my room next to toilet.

Already done everything for the children for next two days. Bags packed and clothes ready, so all DH has to do is dress and take them to school in the morning.

Definately asking sedation tomorrow.

Thanks for kind thoughts.

It won't be too bad, honest.

I always think of these things like this: if there's anything to worry about, it's there whether you have the investigation done or not. The colonoscopy means that if something IS there, it'll be found and cured.

All the best wishes and for you.

I've had 2. The prep is definitely worse than the procedure!

If you have Vaseline, put that around your bum and it will stop you getting sore.
To drink the prep, chill it and add lemon or orange squash if you have any. Hold your nose and gulp as quick as you can. Or if you have a straw, put it as far back as possible, the less of your tongue that the prep touches, the better.
Drink lots of water/squash, too, that will help flush your system.

Once you are asleep you should stop going to the toilet, it's not like when you have diarrhoea and you have to go.

Oh- and after 8 years of symptoms it's unlikely they'll find anything really sinister! And if it turns out to be something like Crohn's or colitis, then they should be able to get you onto some medication that really works for you.

Oh I so sympathise, I get so anxious with tests like this. I had an endoscopy last year and I was terrified...not about the actual test, but about what they might find ( it was all normal btw!)

We're currently waiting for some test results back for dd. The doctor emphasised that he really didn't think it was anything worrying, but I feel so anxious and I just can't stop thinking about it.

So, big hugs. This time tomorrow the procedure will be over and hopefully you will have some feedback. Please come back and update. Big hugs.

I have IBD so I've had a few; full colonoscopies and the flexi sigmoidoscopy (which doesn't go up as far). The colonoscopies are more uncomfortable so it's good to go for the sedation if you can. I usually have the flexies without sedation so that I can drive myself straight home afterwards. When I have the sedation I'm out like a light and don't remember any of it!

As for the prep...
My best advice is to make up the litre in a large jug, add loads of orange barley water, or other fruit squash (except lemon, as that doesn't help mask the taste enough, or blackcurrant, as that's not helpful for the scope because it can give the impression of blood to the camera). Make sure the prep is as ice cold as possible before you drink it and use a straw to try and keep it off your tongue! It might take a good hour for it to kick in so don't worry if nothing seems to be happening...it will!

I've usually found that the one sachet is plenty to clear me right out so I shouldn't worry if you can't drink both litres!!

Good luck tomorrow :)

Try not to worry. As someone said, the prep is by far the worst bit. I have had several as I am on a bowel cancer screening program and, for me, by far the most horrible part is actually drinking the awful laxative drinks. I also think that, if you have been having problems for 8 years, they will not find anything sinister. Good luck for tomorrow.

The worst thing for me was swallowing the prep tbf (bit wallpaper-pasty for my preference). The procedure itself was fine. I had a twilight, but due to a quirk or genetics (?) or something, I don't amnestic so good and tend to need more anaesthetic than my size would suggest, so I was able to watch everything on the screen and remember it.

My DF has the same quirk. My DM not so much, so her memories of her procedure are bizarre (but not worrying).

It doesn't seem to be stopping...I am weeing poo (tmi) every few minutes....do I have to sit up on the toilet all night ?

I mean I am having no urgency/warning at all...when will I be sure it is stopped fir the night ?

I have to get up at 6am for the next installment.

Yes, I have vaseline and baby wipes here...I have been reading all the colonoscopy threads on Mumsnet.

It will stop eventually, honest! The important thing is not to get too dehydrated in the meantime- it will make you feel absolutely awful, I've been there myself. Get drinking/sipping as much water as you can cope with.

This time tomorrow it will all be over

And if I get the all clear, it will be worth it.
And if there is an issue, it needs to be dealt with.

Plus this time tomorrow I should be tucked up in bed after a nice light tea. :)

So far, I have sorted out all my receipts. Balanced by bank account and finished mu book.
Time to find a film on Netflix and hope I get to bed before midnight.

Do take all the prep even if you seem to be going lots - if the bowel is clear the procedure is far quicker and easier (for all concerned)

Plus ask for sedation - although some places use gas and air which also works pretty well

And second the vaseline on the bottom if it's sore and chilling and flavouring the prep

My second litre of prep is at 6am for my afternoon appointment. Don't think there will be anything to come out by then !

But I will follow all instructions to the T. I don't want to have to repeat this again, if I did it wrong this time.

Going to try bed....goodnight. Thanks for the posts. Good to hear from other people having done this already :)

Right, after limited sleep between midnight and 4 am. I have given up trying to sleep and am up for the day.

Onto second litre of prep shortly. Only 6 more cups and another couple hours in the toilet, sigh. On the bright side, I can finish watching my film 'Queen'