Red Flag Colonoscopy - freaking out a bit!

[Greysowhat]

I got a sudden pain in my lower left abdomen about 6 weeks ago. It started as a niggle and built up to bad pain in a matter of hours. It eased off 2 days later. It felt like an ovarian cyst and being post menopausal I was worried so went for a private pelvic scan. All was clear on that so GP did all my bloods and a FIT occult blood test. Bloods all good but FIT came pack positive and high. However I had been taking a lot of Ibuprofen for the pain and also for a tooth issue and ibuprofen can cause gastrointestinal bleeding. GP knew I was taking it. 17 or so years ago I had a bowel movement that had fresh red blood in it and this was after taking a lot of ibuprofen. I know that's a bit unusual but GP at the time said yes, that was probably it. So I was putting the high FIT result down to that too. And I had strained muscles all around that area, back, psoas and iliacus so I decided the pain was from that. Pain is actually getting better now with massage stretching and strengthening. I can feel where it's all tight in the front of my pelvic bone

To complicate issues I used to suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction which gave me the most annoying constipation! But I had that under control for the last year or so but now its back as I'm so concerned about upcoming scope and all my focus is on having a normal bowel movement every morning.

Also I had a clear sigmoidoscopy around 6 or 7 years ago and a clear FIT test around 4 or 5 years ago.

So here I am again not being able to go to the loo and freaking out as part of me thinks I'm developing a bowel blockage while the other part of me is thinking it's just my pelvic floor turned to concrete again! I just can't relax.

Any advice, opinions or tales of your experiences would be much appreciated.

So you’ve been referred for a colonoscopy? Sorry not clear

Sorry, See, I am in a state! Yes, got a text from my health board saying I was triaged as red flag for a colonoscopy. Should be having it in round 3 weeks time.

I fully understand your worry, but you need to try at least to take a deep breath. Only a very small percentage of urgent referrals result in a bowel cancer diagnosis. Try to think positive - you’re in the system, you’re going to get a diagnosis one way or another, and you’re in good hands. Wishing you the best.

Thank you. I'm autistic so prone to extreme anxiety reactions. I know it's probably nothing to worry about. Cancer doesn't usually pop up as an acute pain. My bowel blockage is all in my head - and pelvic floor. I know all this but still I'm in a state of anxiety.

On the plus side, I needn't worry about not being able to go to the loo in the couple of days before the scope!!!

And I love your user name! 😁

I've been having gastro problems, I went to see my GP and they said I needed blood tests and FIT test.

The FIT test was positive.

In the last two weeks I have had 2 colonoscopies (the first one the prep had not worked fully).

They found a couple of polyps which they have removed. Otherwise my bowel was clean. They have tattooed the site of one and I have to go back in three months.

I know how worrying it can be OP but they can only confirm or rule out what is there.

Good luck with it.

Oh and I asked on here about the prep, the first one I could not complete. The consensus seems to be that make the prep in a jug and chill it for an hour or so.

Did they actually use the terminology “red flag”?

Yes.
"xxxxxx Trust have received a referral for Greysowhat for an appointment with colorectal surgery which has been triaged as Red Flag"

TWO?? Good grief. Well done you for going through all that. I had a sigmoidoscopy a few years ago and the prep wasn't too bad but I think the colonoscopy prep is a lot more intense. I was dreading the black tea and thought I'd cheat with a little bit of semi-skimmed but I definitely won't risk it now in case of any residue.

By the way, I will get sedation, won't I??? I didn't for the sigmoid, just gas.

The author has poor grammar!

Yes.

I was offered sedation or gas and air. I took the sedation.

There was a member of staff at my head who kept telling me how well I was doing.

I've got to have a colonoscopy after I had a perforated bowel a couple of months ago . It was solved by antibiotics and they cant see any issues on the latest CT scan but want to go in and have a look just in case.
I just want to say, my appointment only took 3 weeks and it isn't an emergency. If they thought yours was serious, wouldn't they have pushed it through earlier? Just a thought to put your mine at ease a little maybe?

I picked up my prep this morning to take next week. Not looking forward to that much!

Likely to be a combo of polyps and/or diverticulosis. They remove any polyps they can during the procedure, and advise on diet strategies for diverticulosis, mostly high fibre stuff. The diverticulosis itself doesn't cause many problems but it can now and then trigger inflammation called diverticul - ITIS which is quite painful. That may be what you have and it's very common and not dangerous at all. I had both during recent colonoscopy and that's all the information I was given.

They do of course check for signs of bowel cancer also. As for the prep, I just chug it down as quickly as I can (I've had several), I don't bother with the instructions about every half hour or so, but do space it out a bit, and take as much as I am able when I feel able, in order to get it down me! I use a pull up adult incontinence nappy and that helps me not worry about accidents before I can make it to the toilet. Sorry for TMI!

Definitely take the sedation. No question about it.

Yes GP mentioned diverticulitis. And yes, I'll definitely take the sedation! Thanks for the tips

The sedation worked really well for me, I was able to watch interestedly on the screen all the time.

Mine turned out to be IBD so now on lifelong meds but so far they have worked well and I am not unwell with it currently.

There are loads of things it could be other than cancer. I know it’s hard not to worry. I was in a similar state 3 years ago when I had my first colonoscopy- I had a high calprotectin though, not FIT but it’s still a red flag. And awful gut issues. It was clear though - had another one a few months ago as was getting new symptoms and there was some inflammation but no cancer. Still not got to the bottom (pardon the pun) of it all. Waiting for my gastroenterologist appt now.
And yes, get sedated. I didn’t drop off for either of mine but yes very uncomfortable. I got told I had a twisty bowel which a lot of women have apparently and it makes it more painful.

Thanks all for all the helpful comments. I'm now waiting patiently (not!) for my appointment. 😬

It could be diverticulitis. I had a colonoscopy yesterday for the same. Procedure was fine, a lot easier than I expected. Had mild sedation, awake but more relaxed and they offered gas and air for any uncomfortable parts. They took a couple of biopsies to rule out other things but all seemed fine and nothing much to report. The prep beforehand was pretty grim, just try and get as much down as you possibly can to ensure you’re all clean, drink loads of clear fluids and follow the recommended low fibre diet beforehand. Good luck!