Colonoscopy - to go, or no?

[CutiePatooties]

I’m freaking out a bit here!

I’ve been given a date for a colonoscopy after having a change in bowel movements, abdominal pain, blood and high inflammation markers found as a result of my FIT test.

However, whilst waiting for the colonoscopy, my abdominal pain has stopped and my bowel movements are back to normal.

I’ve had all the information/consent form sent through with a list of all the risks of having the procedure and I’m thinking perhaps I have piles and that’s where the blood has come from and maybe there was inflammation but that’s gone now - I think this due to my symptoms easing up. Surely if it was anything sinister, I’d be getting worse, not better?

I don’t know what to do. I’m not sure I can go through with it, but I worry about the blood and inflammation markers and was told if I don’t have it done now, my GP will not refer me again later down the line if my symptoms flare up again/get worse.

What would you do? Anyone had one and it went well? I’ve read about possible infection of the blood, tearing the bowel, needing a stoma afterwards or having a heart attack etc. Didn’t make for great reading (!)

Thank you everyone. I can’t believe how helpful mumsnet is. Every single time I come on here, I’m always greeted with such warmth and advice.

I think I will go, as people have mentioned symptoms coming and going. Thinking of it now, the abdominal pain has gone but I keep getting pain under my ribs (it’s happening now). So could maybe be related?

I’ll get checked and forget about the risks. As you’ve all said, it’s rare they happen. I just have visions of me being that one person it happens to! Need to knock out the negativity.

It's not that bad and worth it for peace of mind so I'd say go. The bonus for me was the ham sandwich and cup of coffee they gave me afterwards was the best meal of my life. I think I was hungry.

@Iwasafool hmmm I wonder if it’s better than tea and toast just after you give birth?

I’m thinking of having a third child just for the tea & toast.

Or course you need to go. I have had two. I didn't enjoy them but had no complications I haven't heard of anyone who has had complications it's a very standard procedure.

I had an endoscopy a few weeks ago. Also dreading it. It was not nearly as bad as I thought. I had sedation but I'm not at all sure it kicked in much. Even so,the procedure was unpleasant but not awful. I would have one again if I needed to, put it that way. It is over very quickly.

Have it! Gastro symptoms can come and go. I had a colonoscopy about 18 months ago and it was fine. The worst thing was the prep.

To add - yes pain under ribs can be a gastrointestinal issue.
I had these symptoms when I went for mine:
high calprotectin
pain under ribs
sporadic diarrhoea
burping
loss of appetite
felt crap
loads of rumbling
reflux

They didn’t find anything but subsequently had endoscopy and had mild duodenum inflammation. Still struggle w reflux and get occasional burpy days and excessive rumbles.

I’m glad you’ve decided to go.

My friend’s job used to be collecting data for procedures and medicines, so if even one person called in and said they had a headache, toothache, vomited etc etc it had to be logged and then be disclosed as a “risk”.

In reality these “risks” are extremely rare and sometimes are not even related to the procedure, just happened within a few days.

I’ve had loads of colonoscopies and the prep is definitely the worst part.

You need to go for this procedure to know for certain it is just piles . I go for regular scopes and I remember being terrified and anxious about the first one .Honestly they are so great at reassuring you and treating you with dignity .The procedure itself is fine .The scope is so small and you don't feel it very much at all.They will offer a light sedative (and I would take that )and then you can lie and have a good look at your colon if you want or close your eyes and have a nap if you don't .They will explain everything to you,and afterwards you have a nice cup of tea and biscuit before you go home.If they find anything they send stuff off for testing and follow up quickly.It takes about an hr usually from start to finish .Good luck.

I’ve had lots of colonoscopies and never had any issues. I do have a stoma now but it was nothing to do with colonoscopies. Please do go, better to be safe than sorry!

Well thank you all so much for persuading me to go - symptoms are back and actually worse!

Blood was detected in the FIT - I had never actually seen blood in my stools until today. I’ve been having severe lower back pain as well (I’m guessing it’s linked). Also slept more than I’ve been awake today.

So glad I kept the appointment.

Thank you
The FIT test, having blood in it is quite common possibly because of piles and other stuff, polyps etc etc, nothing big in the scheme of things
I'm glad you have kept your appointment do update us again
Good luck

currently drinking the dreaded stuff - it’s orange flavour and I almost went to throw up for a second! 🤢

I’ve had two glasses and nothing is happening… so I’m a tad worried I’ve not mixed it up right or something.

Stick it in the fridge. Drink it through straw. You can add squash to it (except blackcurrant! It stains the bowel). It will work..you’ll suddenly know 😬

@ALittleFaith thank you so much! I’ll add some squash to it.

Sorry, I just saw this.

I had sedation and throat spray (which was the worst part in my opinion as a very bitter taste).
The actual endoscopy was a case of the Thought of it was worse than the Reality :)

Is that the moviprep? I couldn’t stomach the stuff and threw it all up. I ended up being given picolax the best time round. Try it ice cold though too. And yeah you will know when it kicks in

Do you know what your inflammation level was? I had slightly raised inflammation and it turned out to be nothing at all. For me the prep was the worst and the actual procedure was fine on just gas and air.

I had one last year at 39, similar to you markers were high on the stool test. I went. It was nothing. Didn’t even feel it. All clear. The only thing was that reading posts about the prep diet you do before and I slightly over did it. Did it for like 10 days and gave myself a pile which I’d never had beside. I was that constipated. Don’t make that mistake.

@Soubriquet yes, it’s moviprep. I’ve just finished the lot and it has been working.

I’m currently in bed, feeling sick. At least it’s stopping me from feeling hungry!

I went to check for hereditary cancer and discovered that the pain I had been hospitalised for a few months prior was diverticulitis. Realised I'd had quite a few attacks over the years. Also, it's really not that bad (the bowel prep was the worst bit).

Just go. My husband did this recently due to blood which turned out to be a small hemmorhoid. The prep wasn't nice but it was just a day....he did it without sedation and it was apparently fine. All clear, no polyps which means low chance of developing bowel cancer in the coming years. If nothing else, it will give you peace of mind....just do it.

Glad you’re on the move @CutiePatooties! MoviPrep is the devil!s drink! I had it for my first 2 colonoscopies but something different the last time.

This is the worst part!

At least you've got it down which was more than I managed.

Aspartame makes me literally throw up and I only managed most of the first litre. The rest came straight back up.

Good luck tomorrow

All the best today OP.