Help, I need to get a grip - colonoscopy next week

[jenkel]

I have a routine colonscopy for next week and am slowly losing the plot. It’s for no reason other than my dad had bowel cancer, I had one about 20 years ago and have now been called back for another. No symptoms and had a negative fit test recently. I was really quite Ill with the prep of the last one. I am absolutely terrified of being so ill again and terrified of what they might find. I know I am overreacting massively but I’m on a slippery slope and can’t seem to get control of it all. Part of me just so wants to ring up and cancel. Just knowing what my dad went through is stopping me.

Do not cancel. The prep is not nice, as you know, but the procedure is relatively quick and you know straight away there is no problem. Focus on how you will feel once its all done.

Ahh it’s horrible when you have to do something really unpleasant for no immediate benefit (in the sense that this isn’t a treatment for a current issue you’re having). I always try to think that catching something early will ultimately hopefully reduce the unpleasant treatments you may have to have more of if something is caught late.

I have no specific tips, but maybe in the past 20 years the prep has been reformulated a bit to maybe reduce the side effects (that might be overly optimistic of me..).

I’ve had a few now, every 5 years. The last one I found the prep easier to tolerate. It seemed to take longer to get things going but did do the job!
Focus on the end game and the positives of being offered this screening.

I think the prep has improved from 20 years ago as the volume of laxative drink you have to take is reduced.

Does someone or something rely on you, maybe think you’re going to do it for them?

If you follow the light diet now it should be fine if you don’t manage all the prep in a few days.
Still have to drink gallons in the area I live in but only managed half of it and it was fine. Take the optional sedative as well
ypu could ring up and see if you can have a different prep. They are usually very helpful

I agree the prep has definitely improved. Still unpleasant but slightly more gentle...

Also agree with PPs who said how important it is to follow the diet guidance on the days before.

Wondering why you have been referred for colonoscopy with a negative FIT test and no symptoms. Have you had polyps in the past?

Dad died from bowel cancer in his 40s

For a long time I struggled with unpleasant/uncomfortable procedures. I tried to talk myself round by saying 'its not too bad' or ' it's uncomfortable not painful'. Never really worked. Now I just call them what they are, which 'gross'. And bizarrely, it's better than trying to kid myself otherwise. I don't know why. I think my parents always told me things would be ok, and they generally weren't, so keeping that lie up didn't help. It was a habit that needed breaking, and I needed to allow myself that space to not be ok. So, I guess I'm saying, you won't feel ok this week. And that's alright. You are entitled not to be. Go easy on yourself. You don't have to be tough. Tell your boss, tell your husband, and everybody else you need a bit of slack this week. Do you know what, they'll all give you it. Sod being 'fine'!

I see. Sending good wishes for you. Agree that the prep has improved.

I also have a family history of bowel cancer but the vast majority of colonoscopies rule out anything cancerous. Even better, during a colonoscopy they will nip off polyps that might turn into to a cancer in the future. The prep is hard work but only a few hours of your life. I was only lightly sedated and found the colonoscopy itself absolutely fascinating. My insides on a wide screen TV, surprisingly pink and shiny. Made up for the discomfort when they pumped the air in but I think my experience was a bit of a one off (I have previous on sedation not working) and you may well be completely out of it and remember nothing.

Even if it is the worst news, if they catch it early the odds are much better. Go for it and good luck.

One tip, start the low residue diet a couple of days earlier than they tell you to and it makes the prep less uncomfortable. You can also start the prep drink earlier and take the process more slowly as long as you finish each stage by the deadlines. This means you aren't trying to swig as much of the drink at a time.

I got that advice from people that have to have an annual colonoscopy.

Make up the prep & chill it first. Use a straw to drink (it takes it past the taste buds), drink it from a small glass with a 'chaser' of lemonade/lucozade/apple juice or similar to rinse the taste away. It's bloody hard trying to drink it in bigger quantities - & there's really no need.
Get yourself some disposable toilet wipes (much kinder on the bottom end!). You can even chill them for extra comfort.
Definitely stick with the low residue diet for the few days leading up to the prep - it's a kindness to yourself & really makes the prep work so much better.

Definitely don't cancel - you'll only regret it so that'd be pointless.

Ex Bowel Cancer Screening Program Manager

OP, if you do decide to take it with another drink, make sure it’s one that isn’t red or purple-coloured and this can stain the wall of your gut.
Good luck with it.

My brother had them yearly in America for insurance compliance. They always gave him propofol. Most people seem to be fine with colonoscopies but I have bowel kinks and the sedation given to me didn't work well enough. If I have the procedure again, I'll demand a stronger sedative and pain relief.