Gastroscopy and colonoscopy

[jinglybell]

I'm due to have a gastroscopy and colonoscopy tomorrow morning, about to start moviprep at 2pm.
Im terrified.

I'm emetophobic and suffer with anxiety in general.

I have never had either procedure before. I'm also worried about what they will find. I was anaemic back in March but Dr put that down to heavy periods as I have adenomyosis and and being investigated for endometriosis.

Then beginning of June I had 1 episode of bright red rectal bleeding after mild constipation and diarrhea with stomach and lower back cramps. I then had bloody mucus the following morning. I saw the Gp, did a FIT test that was positive and here we are.

I'm convinced I have cancer, I can see how it could possibly be anything else.

Any advice would be really appreciated 😞

Please don’t jump straight to cancer. Those are pretty classic symptoms of crohn’s or ulcerative colitis too (and lots other more benign problems). I had a gastroscopy and colonoscopy when I was first referred to gastro for very similar symptoms and was diagnosed with crohns.

I had sedation, and remember very little of the gastroscopy, and I have a terribly gag reflex, so if you can have sedation (you will need someone to pick you up and stay with you) then do. I was a bit more with it for the colonoscopy part of it, and it was very interesting to watch what was happening on the screen. When it got uncomfortable the Dr quickly gave me some extra pain relief. He was able to tell me there and then that it was most likely crohns, and that he would arrange a speedy appt to see me with the biopsy results to confirm and start treatment.

The moviprep is the worst bit, but you can do things to make it easier. Mix it up earlier and chill it before drinking (some people will put a bit of lemon squash in). Drink it with a straw so it isn’t swilling round your mouth, and if you can, use a cup/glass with a lid, as the smell/taste combo is a bit yuck. Have some baby wipes for your behind (it’s going to get a little sore) and some sort of baby cream (bepanthen is brilliant) to soothe it. Good luck.

How old are you OP?
I have experienced similar symptoms but was never offered a FIT test.

As pp said please don’t jump straight to cancer, there are many other things that can cause the symptoms you’re experiencing, things that can be managed quite well once you know about them.

Good luck with the moviprep, I’m told it’s the worst part of the whole experience!

Definitely opt for sedation - my mum has had two endoscopies without which were ok but not exactly fun. Then a colonoscopy with sedation, and said she will now always opt for the sedation because she doesn't remember anything, was super comfortable and when I picked her up she was convinced I'd only dropped her off ten minutes previously

You'll be absolutely fine, let your team know you're emetophobic and nervous. And remember they do this all day long so you're in the best hands!

Do put a decent book or two by the loo before you start, or make sure your phone is fully charged so you can sit and scroll - the moviprep was fairly fast acting.

And try not to worry about results or immediately assume cancer - they will check for everything and it could be a variety of things causing those symptoms.

Hi OP. I’ve had both and work in the field. First of all, it’s natural to be nervous, most people are. Have they offered you sedation?

We do the gastroscopy (OGD) first. So the OGD - I get being emetophobic….but your stomach will be empty. If you do gag (some people don’t) a nurse will be by your head and will suction any fluids from your Mouth. This procedure takes about 10 minutes. They may test for coeliac disease based on your history.

Then they’ll do the colonoscopy. On the way in, the focus is on getting round to where your colon meets your small bowel then look carefully on the way back. Lots of things cause rectal bleeding, not just cancer. As pp said, IBD can, polyps can cause bleeding (some polyps turn into cancer but the point of getting you seen quickly is to try and catch they before they turn. But honestly, a huge proportion of patients turn out to have haemorrhoids! If it’s uncomfortable you can have gas and air too.

I hope it all goes well for you.

Thank you so much for the kind words x

I'm home now. It was awful, I had sedation but just felt dizzy, I knew exactly what was going on.

I also had gas and air for the colonoscopy. That was pretty painful at points.

The findings were - colonoscopy normal, endoscopy showed mild reflux oesophagitis and 2 biopsies were taken a D2 biopsy and a gastric biopsy. I will be followed up in clinic.

Thanks again x

Glad it’s all done. Great news about the colonoscopy, hope the biopsy results don’t take too long.