Colonoscopy

I'm new to this forum and joined to get more information. I'm a  36 year old female who has had issues with my bowels as far back as I can remember, alternating between loose stools and diaherra. Especially, during times of high stress and anxiety (which has been most of my life as well). about six months ago I started a very low dose of Zoloft to help manage life, being a new parent, job loss etc. the side effect ended up being explosive bowels several time a day most days. I went to my M.D. and he took me off the Zoloft (which has help, now I only have loose stool once a week) and said I have IBS and that I've shown signs of it most of my life. As a precaution he sent me to a Gastro doc to get checked out,  who in turn also called it IBS after some stool and blood work. Now I'm on the second G.I. doc who has scheduled me for a colonoscopy next week to rule out Crohn's. I'm really afraid. I don't know if it's worse to know or not know. Is Crohn's something that just shows up, or is it something you have symptoms of for years? What were the signs that brought some of you to get a colonoscopy?

Any words of wisdom is appreciated!

 

First off, I agree...don't be scared.  Yes, dealing with a potential new diagnosis can raise fears and anxiety.  But it does not need to control your life. 

I was just diagnosed in November of 2009, after having 35 years of outward health, physical strength, and virtually no health problems.  My only symptom was excess gas.  As we kept getting further and further with doctors and more and more tests to try to diagnose, I could have let the fear overtake me.  But for me....it was easiest to just take it as it came.  I am the type that could have done all sorts of "What If's" before diagnosis, but I knew it would not do anything for me.  So.....I took a deep breath every time I thought about it or talked to a doctor, and continued on in life for that day.

I hope this helps.  Please feel free to email me if you want to talk more.  I totally understand where you are.