Flexible sigmoidoscopy tomorrow...so scared

[Ribbon14]

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone who's had this procedure can offer me some reassurance? I suffer from severe anxiety and am literally panicking about having this done both in case it's an awful experience and about what they find.

For the past 3 weeks I have been having bad tummy cramps especially in the morning, loose bowel movements and blood. I'm hardly sleeping because of the worry. I'm only 25 but have convinced myself it's cancer even though I know there are more likely explanations. :(

I know doing the test is the right thing so we can get to the bottom of the problem but I'm being a massive wimp.

Can anyone help?

Sorry to hear this. I can't help with what they'll find but I have a flexible sigmoidoscopy every year because of a medical condition and the thought of it is worse than the actual thing I've found. I usually have gas and air but I have also been sedated before, it might be worth asking if that's an option.

Hope everything goes well

I had the procedure on Thursday. There was lots of different stages on waiting with nurses and HCAs asking you to sign consent firms and explaining risks. That was the scariest but for me.

I explained I was going to try without gas and air ite sedation (emetaphobic) and they tried to warn me against this. However, the pain was fine without. It certainly wasn't comfortable but easy enough to get through by distracting myself counting ceiling tiles and remembering the names of the 196 countries off the world.

You will be fine. Relax as much as possible and get add much info about the process before you go.

I'm no help sorry, but just wanted to say best of luck.

Ask and make sure you get some sedation why suffer when it can be helped! My MIL was trying to be brave and if you don't ask you don't get. She didn't have a good time and she's had all sorts of procedures. People who had some sedation came out saying there was nothing to it!

Get the sedation. My arm was sore afterwards! I wonder whether I came to a bit and tried to lash out and they had to hold onto it or something but who knows! Hope you get a good result, it's better to know and then get treated if needs be. Best wishes.

Thanks all. Just wondering for those who have had sedation, what does it feel like? Not really sure I like the idea of being out of it but it is makes the procedure better then probably should go for it.

For me I just went off to sleep and when I woke up it was all over. I was fine afterwards

I had one recently with sedation. I had an enema given by the nurse prior which was a strange feeling. The nurse asked if I wanted sedation and I said yes, she put a canula in my arm. The consultant came for a chat, asked why I was having sedation and I told him because I had a sore bum (fissure) and he was sympathetic. When I got onto the bed that you lie in whilst it’s happening he took my arm and put the sedative in and I don’t remember anymore other than coming to in recovery room. The procedure was fine. I found the low fibre diet in the lead up to it the worst bit. Good luck

Please get the sedation if they offer it to you! I wasn’t offered and I really wish I was.

Although I found the bowel prep worse than the actual procedure

I'm extremely anxious about any medical interventions but had this done without anaesthetic. It was a while ago but I remember clearly being able to watch what was happening on a monitor whilst listening to music playing (Herman's Hermits, but not in their heyday!} it was fine. I wouldn't be concerned about having to have it done again. Perhaps try the 7 breaths in and 11 breaths out method to keep you feeling calmer? I hope all goes well for you.

Thanks for everyone's kind words. It went OK though the enema gave me horrible cramping. I've been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis so feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all. Any one else have the condition?

Ribbon glad it went well and at least you have a diagnosis now so you can get some help with that. I'm sure someone on MN will have the same condition and be able to help you. Take care