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Colonoscopy Fears

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/13/2013 3:44 PM (GMT 0)
Trying really hard to talk myself into getting one, just to check for polyps. I should hear from my blood work where I had my iron checked any day, so I'm thinking about telling them then to schedule it..not sure to go with a surgeon or gastroenterologist? My dad uses a surgeon for routine checkups with diverticulitis (I think) or similar. How is prep now? Any recommendations? Fears of perforation even though there is no reason except for carelessness of dr. and also fears of waking up like last time..are you awake or know what's going on? I just remember waking up in complete misery there for a few seconds when I had one. It's been 13 years and I know that's terrible. I went with a friend a few months ago and her's did not seem bad at all.
Posted 1/13/2013 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
My signature doesn't show up every time for some reason...but 28 now, no meds, and overcoming flare and it's very very mild right now.
Posted 1/13/2013 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
i've only had my colonoscopies done by gastros. so far, no perforations yet. my gi doc that i go to now has crohn's so i think he is extra careful when doing them- only takes a very small amount of absolutely necessary biopsies. biopsies always lead to lots of bleeding for me.

i woke up once during my colonscopy but pretended i was still asleep. it actually didn't hurt me at all. i mentioned this to my next doctors and i've never woken up during on since. i've had 8 total.

i think you should have one just to see how your condition is. 13 years is a very long time but since you are in a mild flare, i'm sure it won't be half as bad as all of my colonoscopies.
Posted 1/13/2013 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
If you have had UC for 13 years without having a colonoscopy (or at least a flexsig) then I would really consider getting a new doctor.
Posted 1/13/2013 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
i don't think it's urgent in the least - but it also wouldn't (and shouldn't) hurt either - go with what your gut and butt are telling you -
Posted 1/13/2013 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
I've had a colonoscopy only once a couple years ago and it was no big deal but I was scared like you were.

The prep is the worst part because you can't eat solids for something like 24 or 48 hours before, so you're hungry as heck, as well as having to take this watery solution that makes you go to the bathroom very often the night before (to completely empty your colon so the doc can actually see the walls). You'll basically spend the entire night on the toilet.

The day of the operation was very smooth. They put you on a bed and put a needle on the top of your hand that will deliver the sedatives (in my case I had a pre-injection of something so that I wouldn't feel the needle at all since I'm needle-phobic). I then remember mumbling something in a daze for 5 seconds and then I was knocked out cold. Woke up shortly after and it was all done. You'll be a bit gassy for 30 minutes and maybe a bit out of it for a few hours but that's it for the after-effects.
Posted 1/13/2013 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
For UC the threat is not just polyps but flat lesions not in polyps. Anyway, perforation is pretty much unheard ofdone by an experienced scope driver- unless one were ghastly ill . Also, if you do a good prep, the scope operator / drug prescriber (aka GI) can see what she's doing.
Posted 1/13/2013 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
just go for the scope....you should have biopsies throughout. If all is good precancer-wise and no polyps...you should be good for 3 years before you need your next one.

q
Posted 1/13/2013 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
I have probably had a dozen of them over 25 years. My first GI put me into twilight, which was very uncomfortable, but interesting to watch! He was very skilled, quick. My current GI puts me out, and the only discomfort is having so much gas to release after (they blow in air to see things more clearly).
You really have nothing to fear, and the photos are very informative, fascinating.

The prep is really the worst part, not being able to eat at all. And no matter what your prescribed drink is, you will be sick of it my the time the evening's flush-out ends. Treat yourself to something good to eat before you start, because it won't be with you for long anyway. I also treat myself to something good to eat after!
Posted 1/13/2013 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi guys new to this site but found some threads very interested and helpful.
Got my first colonoscopy on Thursday and the bowel prep (picolax) on Wednesday.
So nervous as have been having bowel problems since the day I was born.
When I was about 6/7 I had to take picolax once a month as was so compacted.
But I'm worried about the picolax because ATM I have the opposite symptom (diarrehea).
I have been off work now for 12 weeks with severe stomach cramps, kidney stones, bowel obstruction and my body has definately had its fair share of ailments these last 3 months.
Can anyone share any of their stories about picolax as so worried. Not too worried about spending time on toilet, because have bought lots of funny books e.g. Drunken texts from last night :)
JUST WORRIED about STOMACH PAIN AND SICKNESS.
sorry for long winded post but really really need se reassurance as I'm only 19
Thankyou in advance!
X
Posted 1/13/2013 9:59 PM (GMT 0)
     I had lots of colonoscopies when I suffered with UP.  My problem was always proctitis.  A few times my GI doctor could not go up as far as he would like because of the ulcerations and he feared perforation.  This annoyed me somewhat because he KNEW I was flaring and still insisted on doing the colonoscopy.  I remember he did not want to do them if I were on a high dosage of prednisone either.

     The prep I was always prescribed was the Nulightly shocked .  I hated that prep, but for some reason my GI said for patients with UC it was the safest.  Not sure if this is true though.  I know there are a LOT of other preps out there.  When hospitalized they gave me magnesium citrate.  It tasted a bit like 7Up..not bad at all.

     Like Peety stated, the worse is the prep.  I would mention your episode of waking before the test was completed though.  Maybe they will be extra cautious about the amount of anesthesia to give you so it won't happen again.

     Best of luck!

Posted 1/14/2013 10:04 AM (GMT 0)
Man I've been very unlucky. I'm 30 years old. I have approx 10 colonoscopies and sigmoidoscopies just since 2007. It always ends up my blood work shows inflammation but my doctor wants to see how inflamed I am. I am a huge baby and I get through these no problem. Like everyone else says the prep is the worst part except I don't like the iv either. I too like the magnesium citrate prep. Whatever prep you does usually better cold. I mix the magnesium citrate with a can of sprite and drink through a straw. Using flush able wet wipes usually helps with the rawness of your bum. I have woken up during one but I didn't take it badly. If you are worried about that just tell your anestia doctor or nurse and they can account for that. You can do it. The fear is rally worse than the procedure.
Posted 1/14/2013 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
I find that the bowel prep is easiest if you sit on the toilet for as long as you can without wiping yourself. It is the wiping part that I find hurts the most.
Posted 1/14/2013 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
My first two scopes were done by surgeons and they had me drink that magnesium citrate and take Dulcolax and I was miserable. The taste made me vomit and the pills gave me horrible cramps. My last scope was done by my gastroenterologist himself and he had me buy a large bottle of Miralax and at 5pm the night before the scope I had to add half of it to any clear liquid (or something without red dye)...I chose Gatorade...and the next morning I had to use the rest of the bottle. I had NO cramps and it was easier to go to the bathroom. It was so easy that I wasn't sure my bowels were clear, but he assured me that morning when I got to the hospital that they would be clear. Instead of anesthesia(it made me sick the first two times) he gave me Demoral and I fell asleep. They did the procedure immediately. He took so long that I was beginning to wake up and I only remember him saying he was almost done. I could see everyone and I could see my colon on the camera but I felt NO pain. It was not traumatizing to me at all. I do remember trying to wiggle my finger to let them know I was awake, but the heart monitor was already telling them that. I will have it done next spring and I look forward to it. I was very relaxing and the staff was great, but I have it done in the same hospital where my regular appointments are done. Btw...I have high anxiety in such situations and would do anything to avoid them so having total faith after the last scope means a lot.

Go have it done so the doctor can know how to properly treat you. Ask for the Mirilax prep. smilewinkgrin
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