Colonoscopy-should I go ahead?

[charliebear78]

I do have IBS and have done so for over 10yrs, My symptoms changed early this Year and after back and forth visits to the GP,numerous tests and a lot of anxiety I am now waiting for a Colonoscopy which is booked in for next Month.
Part of me wants this doing as the reassurance that it hopefully is nothing serious will put my anxiety to bed,I do not want the "what ifs" circling around in my mind the next time I have a bad bout of IBS symptoms that last for days.
However I am an anxious person and therefore am now worrying about the procedure and the risks.
I do feel like maybe if all I have is IBS(and all Docs seem convinced of this-it was indeed ME who pushed and pushed for the Colonoscopy)then I am putting myself through this needlessly.

Strangely enough my mum has also ended up needing to have one done and we took her today to the Hospital-She told me the prep was horrible(this I can cope with though) and although lots of posters have reported on here that theirs was ok and pain free my mum said it really hurt and she was sick everywhere afterwards too.
Yes this has put me off and made me worry more.
Some readers may have read some of my other posts and I am just feeling very nervous about it and wonder if it is something I need doing now because I do think Docs sent me for my own reassurance not because they feel anything is wrong.
Rambling now!
Worrying and freaking out!

I had to have one about 2 years ago.

The prep time for me was spent on the loo with my DH passing me our baby to breastfeed every half an hour or so (she was a very 'little but often baby'). If you don't have to breastfeed on the loo then look at it as a chance to read a magazine/book on there, it's really not that bad, you go to the loo most days so other than you'll be on there a while longer than usual there's no much bad about the prep.

The procedure wasn't pain free or very comfortable but with very mild sedation/pain relief it was fine. I had the lowest amount they could use as I was breastfeeding and really didn't want it to have an effect on my dd but wouldn't for a moment describe it as painful.

Go ahead with it, if you're anything like me then the piece of mind of knowing that a dr has had a look up there and says there's nothing to worry about is priceless

You won't stop worrying if you don't have the procedure. You have gone to the effort of securing a referral so you might as well have it.

The risks are minimal, especially in relatively fit, healthy, young adults.

The prep is unpleasant. But I promise you a day or two of being uncomfortable, even being sick everywhere, is a million times better than having cancer treatment. So given that that was what you were worried about, I'd really urge you to go ahead.

If your symptoms continue then you'll always be wondering whether it's "just" IBS or something more sinister.

Get it done.

Then take steps to address your anxiety.
it is rotten when thoughts go round and round in your head pointlessly.
Exhausting and sucks the joy out of life.
You don't have to live like that

Do it you need the reassurance. The prep is ok just a lot of sitting on the loo! The procedure isn't usually painful and you can have sedation anyway.
There is lots of evidence that a one off colonoscopy can reduce our risk of dying of bowel cancer (by detecting and removing polyps). I have no symptoms but intend to have a colonoscopy next year when I am 50.

I had the same procedure a couple of years ago. The prep was a little uncomfortable but if you just accept that you are going to be spending a lot of the day in the loo, and keep a stack of magazines nearby as a distraction, it will be fine.
The medical professionals will understand your anxiety and the sedation will definitely help you to relax. I remained awake but my DH was out for the count when it was his turn. I can honestly say I had no pain at all.
It's a shame your mum found the experience difficult but I really hope it doesn't put you off.
My diagnosis of diverticulitis means I can help myself by modifying my diet to reduce symptoms. Go for it OP!

You are all right!
Need to pull my big girl pants up(or take em off!-whatever) and get it done.
My mum may have been the exception to struggle with it,with no offence she is late seventies and I think Diverticulitis is what she has been diagnosed with-she was not sure herself-she is bringing all paperwork etc round for me to look over tomorrow-after we picked her up she just wanted to get home as she was in some pain still.
A lady I know has also recently had this done(isn't it funny when you are going through/waiting for something the amount of others you know are too?) she struggled badly with the prep but said Colonoscopy was fine and actually does not remember much.

I will do it, I CAN do it-and report back.
Like my partner helpfully(and jokingly) said You have been a pain in the ass for 6 months-so you ARE having it done!

As I've said to you before I think it's wise to have it done :-) if only to put your mind at rest ! Sorry to hear it was so horrible for your mum. Hope she has recovered by now !

I was in exactly the same situation as you a few months ago. To be honest i was so nervous about it i couldn't even read the preparation instructions until a day or two before!

But honestly I was dreading the prep, and really it's not so bad. I read some good advice before which was to stick strictly to the diet sheet, keep to a "white diet" if instructed and then fast as it says. Without being too graphic, I had some sudeocreme that I used each time and seriously do not stray far from the loo! You will drink the stuff and think that it isn't working, but believe me suddenly you will find out that it is!

I look back on it now that I was in the very lucky
position of finding out that I had nothing serious and I am so glad I had it done.

Hope it goes ok for you and honestly, it's not that bad, and that is from someone who was very very nervous about the whole thing!

Thanks VLCos Mum fell asleep for 4 hours afterwards and when I rang said she felt much better.
I just want it done-waiting is stressing me and making me question everything.
Your Scan is soon isnt it?
Thanks to everyone else-all talking sense and helping me to grow a pair!

@charliebear78 aw poor thing she had prob been so worried before to . Takes it out of you!
Scan Tuesday (how long did you wait for results of that ) .
Colonoscopy week after. Not looking forward to it but can't wait to get it over with !

One of my daughter's had one a couple of weeks ago. She was given pethedine and chatted rubbish through the procedure! I collected her after an hour and she was still a bit high but ravenous and insisted we went for a KFC drive through on the way home. You will be fine x

I've had several. The prep isn't pleasant (and if it's moviprep you will be convinced it hasn't worked..then half way through the second dose you find you wish you had a seat belt for the toilet seat )

I included white wine with my 'clear liquids'..possible not recommended but it made it more bearable!

The actual event is usually pretty painless especially if you opt for conscious sedation...I quite like seeing my insides on a screen!

Just do it :)

VLCos I waited 2 weeks and then I had to chase it up as not heard anything.(thinking maybe because the results were normal)Think they do say about 2 weeks though to get results.

Thank you to all that replied-I am going to go ahead with it, can feel the anxiety creeping back and I cannot live like that.(however this time the anxiety is about having the procedure,but I can do it and once I do will be relieved I did.)

I feel your stress. I have had IBS since I was a teenager and I lived for years just getting by on the rubbish meds the GP offered. It flared up really bad a year ago and I went to the GP and pushed for some investigation. After I was put forward for a colonoscopy the scary thoughts started creeping in. Finally I figured its better to know sooner rather than later and then I had a better chance of treating anything found. Luckily all was OK in the scary dept. The procedure itself is fine. Painless and quick. The cleanse the day before is horrendous though. Stay at home and be prepared!!

Good luck, all will be fine and you never know they might fine a solution for your IBS. I really hope it gives you answers!

@charliebear78 thanks had it done today apart from the cannula wasn't to bad. They said 2-3 weeks

Well done! That's great that you had it done and it sounds as if it wasn't as bad as you feared. I think tbh they would tell you straight away if there was something to really worry about. So I wouldn't stress too much about the 2-3 week wait.

@charliebear78 is it this week ? Good luck xx

Thanks so much VLCos for thinking of me!
Currently sat here at 8am on my last glass of the second dose of Prep!
Have not found it too bad-however this second dose seems to be after every glass it just comes straight back.

I am in at 1.30.Not to nervous just want it done and over with and of course some good news.
(I have been having stomach issues again this last week so the HA ramped up again so I am glad to be getting done and knowing whats what)
How are you doing now?

Good luck, OP! See how awesome you are? You were wobbly about this, but you are having it done. That is true courage! GO YOU!!

@charliebear78 ah good luck you will be fine. Let us know how you go !
I'm doing OK still waiting for all results. Consultant gave me an appointment for August 25th but GP said its ridiculous to wait 2 months for CT results even if OK so she's chasing them !

Good luck charliebear. Let us know how it goes.

I hope it goes ok for you today op x

Thanks for all the support.I am home and in bed.I had the sedation but honestly didn't feel any different.procedure did hurt me and lots of cramping afterwards which is why I've come to bed. The plus side is that nothing was found so very relieved it's been done and now all over.hopefully my anxiety will ease now.thanks again to all whom posted.

Well done for conquering it!

Oh well done! A great lesson there for us all.