colonoscopy- a bit scard

Preps nor scopes have never made me flare. I felt sort of horrible for a few days but usually my body did a turn around. I understand your fear. I think that is on anyone's mind who has Uc and having to prep. But try to reassure yourself that you are being proactive in your care by having the scope. The scope is not only for a "look-see" but to check for any cancerous changes as well. When was the last time you had a scope?

they only gave me one prep. this is the NHS so they dont have different options. My last scope was 6 years ago. I was having minor symptoms they said that they didnt see anything on the scope at that time and i was sent home. They did lose those results though.

I dont know i am in a panic about it. they currently dont know the extent of my uc thats what they want to find out.  They keep talking about pan colitis but im not in any pain and i dont have any bleeding or mucus at the moment. so how can it be pancolitis.

I do want to check for cancer but wouldent i feel sick if i had that?

Hellokitty said...



I do want to check for cancer but wouldent i feel sick if i had that?

Scopes are a preventative procedure, having Uc slightly increases our risk of colon cancer. Which is why we have frequent scopes, especially after the 10 year mark. The longer you have it, higher the chances. But not only do they check for inflammation but also to check for dysplasia which produces no symptoms.

I do want to check for cancer but wouldent i feel sick if i had that?

No, sometimes there are not symptoms for colon cancer. My friend a little younger than me had a c-scope when she hit 50 and they found cancer. She was non-UC and didn't have symptoms. They removed a foot of colon, she recovered and is fine now.

We UC'ers have symptoms that can mimic colon cancer (blood mainly) and have a higher incidence of CC so have to be more vigilant. The good news is that colon cancer is one of the slower growing cancers which is why many people don't need a scope more than every 5 years. My DH is due for his second one and he's 63.

The doc doing the scope takes biopsies in various locations and checks for pre-cancerous cells.

Regarding your pancolitis question. The reason they need to know the extent of your UC and where it is located is that different drugs treat different areas of the colon, all UC is not the same.

Wouldn't it be great if they didn't see any UC in you? That's what I'm trying for. I guess then they'll called me a slacker and label it IBS

I've had UC since 86 and have had many colonscopies. For me, the worst thing is the prep - I hate it! I can't walk down the drink aisle at the store and see Gatorade and not fell ill. The gas afterwards is a little uncomfortable, but you get through that. The drugs they use are GREAT!! LOL! I always ask the girls to go slow so I can enjoy them as long as possible.   Plus, I always sleep great afterwards, and the next day I'm fine.

Good luck!

Get yourself some Baby Wipes, Vaseline, and some kind of pleasant Shampoo-smelling candle to help a bit.
(You don't want the whole house smelling like cologne or some weird gross artificial fruity strawberry banana melon whatever )

It is always a blast (hah) when you're all done with scope and you got to fart in front of your DR. cause your so bloated with air. Those first 5 minutes until you can bail ;)

@ Red. I agree. You know after awhile, you have to develop a sense of humor. Diarrhea & Farting can't forever be gross or scary. Especially to those who work in the field and/or are close to us.

Humor is best way I found to cope.

Post Edited (archiestyles) : 3/27/2011 8:23:47 PM (GMT-6)

I found that when you do the prep, apply vaseline or zinc cream and sit on the toilet, try not to wipe your bum after each spurt of diarrhea as this wipes off the protective zinc cream, aggregates the anus and causes the burning sensation which I found was one of the most unpleasant parts of a colonoscopy.