Colonoscopy :: Worried About The Procedure
Apr 26, 2010
I too am terrified of having a colonoscopy scheduled for this Friday. I have read the different experiences and don't know what to think as the experiences are so varied. Last year I had a flexi sigmoidoscopy without sedation, or pain relief, which was okay - just a bit uncomfortable. A polyps was found and therefore the doctor wants to check for more higher up. But the colonoscopy seems to be more undignified and painful. I do not want to be sedated as (a) I need to keep my memory for work; (b) I do not like being out of control; and (c) I have read some awful experiences of people being sedated. Therefore I am just going to have the pain relief. During the flexi I was embarrassed at the sensation of wind needing to be released and regardless of being told it is part of everyday work for the medics - it is not for me. This adds to the undignified process. So, although intellectually I know that having a colonoscopy will save my life, I am still very worried about the prep, the procedure and of course the results.
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I've been having pain in my right lower abdomen for some time now and did some tests and all seem clear. Today I went to a surgeon who tested me and said all feels very normal. Since my dad had colon cancer at 56 he suggested I do a colonoscopy just to make sure there is nothing. I need to wait till the 20th April and I'm already freaking out. Will they tell me immediately after the colonoscopy if something is wrong? I'm 39 with 2 kids and always assume the worst that I have cancer.
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I had a colonoscopy 3 days ago as I have Crohns and was awake for the whole thing. I told two nurses beforehand I didn't want to be awake for the procedure. Although I was given pethidine for pain relief there was still a lot of unbearable pain and I was shouting and crying but they just carried on. Afterwards they wanted the bed so I was given a cup of cold water and told to get dressed after about half an hour. As he was passing, the doctor told me he had taken several biopsies and the Crohn's didn't look too bad - then he walked off. I am now having nightmares and palpitations. I went to work yesterday but was sent home after a couple of hours as I couldn't stop shaking. I suffered sexual abuse as a child and this has triggered flashbacks. I can't stop crying. I will never have this test again as I would rather die.
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I am 20 years old and am due to have a colonoscopy. I cancelled my first appointment as i was so scared and was having night tremors and panic attacks at the thought of it!
Have read so many horrible stories and want to know actually how painful they are?
Would also like to know whether the painkillers and sedation is recommended as i hate needles and don't like the idea of not being aware of whats going on, dont want to feel like i'm not in control.
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I'm having a first colonoscopy soon, and am concerned at the pain aspect, Doctors tell me it is virtually pain free, and I have a history of poor reactions to anaesthetics with previous hospital procedures and Dentists, where they just don't work, anybody else have this problem and how do you overcome it.
I have always told the Doctors who tend to just ignore what I say, I have to assume that any pain relief I get will not work until much later in the day, is this manageable?
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My husband was referred to a specialist to undergo ligation for internal hemorrhoids using the CRH O'Regan System. They told him they will need to rule out colon cancer before the ligation procedure. He is 39 and has dealt with hemorrhoids since his 20s, no familial history of colon cancer, no anemia or other red flags that he is at risk for cancer. I am more concerned about the colonoscopy than the ligation. Do all physicians require that testing?
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Just came home from a colonoscopy this afternoon and with the experience fresh in my mind -
I thought I'd share my thoughts.
Never having had a colonoscopy before, I was really wound up and worried in the days before the procedure.
The question in my mind was, just how painful is this going to be? Would I be able to deal with it ?...
So on the day - after a delicate conversation with a nurse on the day, I decided to go for entonox with sedation as a backup if things proved too much.
To get to the nitty gritty - So how painful is a colonoscopy? Well there is a difference I believe between pain and discomfort.
During a colonosocopy - With all that endoscope piping inside you, your insides will get thoroughly pushed and pulled, and so your body will be stretched.
The best I can describe it, is that feeling when you're carrying very heavy shopping bags for some time and your arms really really ache. Not pain but potentially a lot of discomfort.
So If you are someone who struggles with any discomfort, then maybe sedation is the way to go.
However- if you're someone who is prepared to put up with some stretching pulling discomfort (again not really pain) then confidently go for entonox.
In the examination room for the procedure, I was handed the mouthpiece and not given any instructions at all. So here is my take...Just take what you need. When you feel a bit of pulling and pushing, just take one or two lungfuls of gas and then breathe normally for 30 seconds or so. Don't take any gas if you are not in any discomfort as it was simply make you feel lightheaded and woozy. Again just take what you need. It kicks in with 20-30 seconds. Gas & Air is really quite *powerful* pain/discomfort relief.
Best advice - The most important thing is to try to relax.
Two reasons :-
1 By consciously trying to relax, it makes it easier for the job to get done, there is less pushing and pulling needed to fight your tense muscles and so therefore is less discomfort.
2 if you really think anything is going to be unpleasant and focus intently on it, your mind will create a sensation despite what is actually happening... A self fulfilling prophecy.
Just listen to the radio and take your mind somewhere else...
In my case, with a few lungfuls of entonox here and there, the whole procedure was very manageable. Important - accept you will have some discomfort, but it really is no worse than overstretched shopping arms...The staff at good Hope Hospital Birmingham were brilliant, and looked after me very well.
So in summary, I found the experience nowhere near as bad as some of the horror stories you read the forums. I suspect it is only when things go wrong, or people just have a bad experience, that views get shared.
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What is this new thing they are doing now?
Last one I had, I had to drink all the bowel prep the night before.
Now, they are doing one on me the 26th of this month(January)
and I am to drink half of it the night before, and I am supposed to get up at 4:00 AM to start drinking the other half (Half Gallon I guess)
Last time I had one, they found a growth, as I had been putting off my colonoscopy, as I was afraid. Plus I do not/Did not have any one to stay after me. I sucks when you don't have anyone around that cares about you, and will stay after you. I told my doctor to stay after me, but she never did. It is really my fault though.
But it is nice if you have some one to stay after you.
Anyways, the growth WAS cancerous, and they had to remove part of my colon, and it had spread to the lymph nodes, so they had to do Chemo, and now I am worried about it coming back, and killing me. Don't put your colonoscopy off if it is due.
Also was anyone allowed to drink less bowel prep because they have part of there colon removed?
I asked the doctor today, but they have to call me back.
I told them I wanted it looked into, and not just told to drink it all.
I did have a hard time drinking it all last time, but that was when I did have the growth in me.
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I thought I'd let you know about my experience of a gastroscopy and colonoscopy with sedation yesterday. I found this web site two days before my procedure and found it really useful.
I was told that I would have to have a gastroscopy and colonoscopy about three weeks ago and I've been so so worried about it ever since. I have a phobia about being sick so the thought of someone sticking a camera down my throat filled me with dread :shock: ....all that retching HELP!
Anyway I got to the hospital and after a short wait a really friendly nurse called me through to an assessment room. She asked me all the usual health questions. I explained to her that I was so anxious and was really worried about the retching and being sick. She explained that there might be some retching as this is the natural protection process to stop you choking.
The nurse said what might help is the anaesthetic throat spray. She also said that the camera had a little suction tube on it so if there was any fluid in your stomach they could suck it away. I asked if they could give me enough sedation to make me sleep, she said that they are only allowed to use so much, but I would be nice and relaxed and may fall asleep.
I was then asked to change into one of those groovy hospital gowns. The Doctor then came to speak to me and went through the consent form. I told him my fears, he was very sympathetic. He then asked me to walk to the endoscopy room. The doctor asked me if I wanted the throat spray, I said yes please! He told me that the spray may make me feel that there was a lump in my throat but I would still be able to breath and swallow normally. He then put a cannula in my arm and tried to put my mind at rest, he then asked me to lie on my left side. The nurse said she had to put a little sponge in my nose, this gave me oxygen. Also she had to put a tube in my mouth this was a type of mouth guard. The Doctor said that he would now be giving the sedation.
I felt myself relax, the next thing I knew the gastroscopy bit was over and they were nearly finished with the colonoscopy bit, with one of the nurses holding my hand. That was quite interesting as I could watch the screen (if I wanted), there was just one slight bit of discomfort, then I was taken back the to recovery area. The nurses said that I had tolerated both procedures really well. I was so relieved that I could not remember any of the gastroscopy...not even one retch :D ! The nurses then brought me tea and biscuits and shortly after was allowed to go home. I just wished I hadn't worried so much, so I hope you don't either!
I would like to thank the Endoscopy staff at DCH for looking after me so well.
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I have had a rectal fistula diagnosed via colonoscopy. I have zero problems with it and would not have known I had it. From the operative report:
"midline anal fistula which was superficial with minimal amount of muscle involved within the fistula".
The surgeon said it should be fixed.
Why can't I just leave it alone? Do these ever go away on their own?
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I recently underwent a colonoscopy procedure, but it had to be aborted because of the pain I experienced during. According to my notes, I had 100ug of Fentanyl and 5mg of Midazolam. I have been scheduled another with 'supported anaesthetic' on the 3rd November.
I'm really anxious about it because, having been told that I won't be put to sleep, just under a very deep sedation, I fear that the sedation won't do anything other than make me a bit 'out of it' while also experiencing the same pain as last time - which was honestly the worst pain of my life, despite giving birth and going through some pretty painful dental problems.
The consultant said the pain was probably due to my small frame, therefore my intestines being somewhat compressed, so given that I haven't suddenly expanded in width i the past 6 weeks, I'm guessing it will be the same this time too (I didn't have any pain or inflammation beforehand that would be accountable)
I've been told that they will basically 'see how things go' this time, only with the support of an anaesthetist in the room who can 'up' the sedation to 20mg instead of the 5 that the nurses are authorised to administer.
I just feel like this is going to be a waste of time and will have to be aborted again, so if anyone has any advice or has been through similar, I'd really like to hear about it.
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Chances are you are having your first colonoscopy too like me. I have decided to stop reading everyones stories about their colonoscopy experiences and to write about mine, mainly to stop myself freaking out. So hear goes, today I went to the hospital to collect my bowel prep, 'moviprep' pretty sure someone with a great sense of humour decided to call it that, good old bowel prep or perhaps 'bog hugger' might be more apt. Somehow I don't think a movie with the popcorn will ever be the same for me now. Anyway, spoke to a lovely nurse, who explained how to take the stuff, what I couldn't eat etc and about the procedure, and she didn't sugar coat it. So as I have to be at the hospital for 7.30am on Wednesday, I am allowed breakfast tomorrow before 9am. I can drink clear fluids all day. I have decided to stock up on energy drinks to take throughout the day, nurse said it was ok. I then start the moviprep between 5pm and 7pm, I have to mix a and b sachet in a litre of fluid and drink it, and drink 500ml of clear fluid after. Then I wait or maybe hug the loo, will let you know, loo permitting. Then the leaflet says rest for 2 hours, not sure if their interpretation of rest is the same as mine lol. Anyhow between 9pm and 11pm I have to mix another two sachets in 1 litre of water along with 500ml clear fluid to wash it down. It then says at 11pm or when you stop going to the toilet you can go to bed. MMMh. Well the nurse said as she went through the leaflet with me, "you might find you actually don't stop going to the loo". She then asked me if I had any worries. I said I was worried that I might poop my pants on the way to the hospital, (sorry a bit graphic, but do we all not feel that way). She did say some people do do, and suggested I wear a sanitary pad or the like. I also said I was worried it would hurt, whilst she didn't say it would or wouldn't, she said it could be very uncomfortable and for a few days afterwards too, but it affects everyone differently and that things settle once you get back eating and using the toilet normally again.
I am going to drink plenty of water and have a light diet of toast and eggs for lunch and some plain white rice and chicken tonight as although I wasn't advised to it seems it is better to avoid foods with any fibre in them. Probably have egg and toast for breakfast in the morning, then I am going to keep really busy till 5pm 'D' (for diarrhoea) Day as I am calling it.
I sincerely hope that I am sounding upbeat and chilled about this whole experience, that's my aim. In reality I am scared senseless, (poo less!!! - hopefully I will be by 11pm tomorrow night ha ha).
Because like everyone else not only is there the worry of the procedure there is the worry of what might be found.
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I recently had an ultrasound to check my kidneys and was found to have a mildly enlarged spleen at 13.2cm. My doctors have told me not to worry as this is just outside the normal range but I am VERY worried.I am male aged 57.
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my boyfriend and i are Muslims and he believes very strongly on the method that if a girl does not bleed then she has lied and is not a virgin! i should not be worried because i swear i am a virgin and that should be ok.. apart from during foreplay activities we have done like fingering.. nothing happened there was no blood.. so does this mean the hymen has already been broken?
i am a virgin, and have never had full sexual intercourse yet! now me and my boyfriend (of 11 months together) we are getting to the time we are ready, but the problem is, i am worried i will not bleed!
i know that it is possible without intercourse and can be broken by tampons and strenuous physical exercise. but i don't want this to shadow the first time sex, as i know he will not believe i am a virgin! so what should i do?
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So I'm really looking into having a water birth I have always wanted to do it so I think I'm a ask my OB if she thinks it would be a good idea because I really want to have one do u guys know anything about them an should I be worried about anything
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Should I be worried?
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I had a colonoscopy last week. The dr. had to stop the procedure because of a twisted ascending colon. Now I need to prep again and have a CT scan. Has anyone had this problem? What do I need to know? Is this the cause of all the bloat I am carrying?
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The doctor said my breast would get sore and now I'm 14 weeks one day and still no tenderness should I be worried?
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I have had the 24 hour ecg and waiting for results and on lowest dose of beta blockers. However I am eager to start work but do get breathless and feel my heart rating whenever I move really. Doctors have advised me to not go to work as "if I have an episode while driving to work or at work what am I going to do?" Says the doctor. I work in retail and I know that I'm standing up all day constantly on the move so it will be making my heart race. I am worried about my health and work but if tests do come back that I defo have svt will I be like this for life not able to work in a physical job like retail? Or on tablets all my life? We're you told you couldn't work due to it or how do you work with it?
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I went to the doctor a few months ago for a routine physical and mentioned that I had been feeling an occasional (0-10 times a day) thump in my chest (which I thought to be some sort of ectopic beat after looking it up online). They did bloodwork and an EKG and said my blood pressure was a little high but the bloodwork and EKG did not show anything to be worrisome. My doctor said it could be stress related (because this was right after Christmas) but I am still having them. She also told me that if they get worse to let her know, but they haven't got worse and I am just worried that I should be having them checked more in depth than what was done during my physical.
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I am terribly under stress after receiving a blowjob from a girl of unknown status in bissau west africa. The girl seemed very decent and we drank as well. But as i work on ship i can't share my pain i am undergoing with others. Pls my questions are
1. What are the chances for me to get hiv upon receiving blowjob.
2. Do i need to test this as no intercourse happened.
Please help me i cannot sleep . Or can i do rapid hiv test after 23 days of my exposure?
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