Sigmoidoscopy tomorrow. Some advice needed from a very anxious person.

I posted quite some time ago, about symptoms i was getting, and was really really nervous about them.

I believe i have UC. I have been bleeding quite a lot of bleeding throughout the years, sometimes really bad with stomach cramps, and when i have it, I am bed ridden with it.

My doctor send me to a gastroenterologist who arranged a sigmoidoscopy, but i suffer really bad with Anxiety and i could not go through with it, so i cancelled it, but then i really regretted and went back to the doctor told her about my worries and she convinced me to have it done again.

I prepared myself for it, and i was ready to do it, and i came down with a bug i rang the hospital, but they had to cancel it, because i had to be free of all symptoms for 48 hours, so my appointment rescheduled for tomorrow.

The thing is i have woke up feeling really anxious again, I am worried about having it done, I am also worried about the enema i have to do before hand as well, I know to some this may sound stupid, and immature, but to me its a really big deal.

I have never gave myself an enema i am worried about doing it. What happens if it does not work.????. Or what happens if it starts my bleeding off again, as on the bottle it says it can cause bleeding if you have a bowel disease, I did tell my consultant about this, but he told me, that the benefits out way the risks????

Can somebody just give me a little bit of advice. I just want to hear some advice from people who have had these procedures, I really do not want to coward out again.

I really need this done, but i want to be calm.

Many thanks.

I really really appreciate both of you for replying to me. Its good to hear from others who have had these things done.

I think mainly the worry i do have is if the enema brings on my bleeding, as its really quite painful when i get it episodes are bleeding with the cramps, also i have never done an enema so its just a bit scary not knowing what to expect regarding cramps, and making me go to the toilet. I suffer badly with constipation.

Regarding the procedure itself, I suppose its the risks that come with it, not knowing, this is what worry's me. I do not want to be sedated.

I do not take meds for my anxiety, as i only really get anxiety when i have to go through something like this, and i just panic, I wish i was not such a baby.

The nurse on the phone said it can be uncomfortable but not painful, I think i have worried myself by googling.

I just wish it could be morning, Its the waiting that is making things worse.

fruitgirl said...
Definitely stay away from google.

Yes, the enema might exacerbate the bleeding and cramping for a bit. BUT, if you do indeed have UC, the sigmoidoscopy will show that you do, and you'll be able to start treatment for it. Then, you'll be much less likely to have episodes of bleeding and cramping in the future.

Just make sure you're right beside the toilet when you use the enema and you'll be fine.

Yes, I think i will stick by the toilet. thinking of actually doing it in the bathroom and staying there sorry if there's TMI.

I last bled in may, as sad it is i actually note it down when i have the episode now, which lasts only for about a day, but is quite scary as its quite bad, what with cramps and all.

This is why i am determined to combat my nerves and have it done, I need to know what it is i have. I just hope i have not left it to late. 10 years now i have it for, but can go years before i have one.... In that time i am symptom free. Weird i know.

Thanks for reply.

iPoop said...
Both the enema prep, and the sig are slightly uncomfortable but brief. Of the two, I always think of the prep as being the worse of the two. If you have active bleeding then the salt from the enema might sting a little (salt on a wound and all). So if you survive the enema then think of the exam as being not as much trouble or discomfort when compared to the prep/enema.

Yes, I have read that before that a lot of people hate doing the enema more than the procedure itself.

Funny thing is, I have a friend who has had 4 children and before all of these birth she has gave herself an enema, and swears by them, she thinks i am being strange, but i just worry that's all.

I am sure i have no active bleeding at the moment as i have no bleeding and i am feeling pretty good.

I think your right tho, I think its getting past that point first. I think i am looking at not thinking about the enema, just getting straight to it, as thinking is the worst for me.

Also, I have young children here, My husband will be at work, and i am worried about them downstairs on their own when i am doing it.

I know its one thing after another with me.

Flex Sigs are not painful, just a bit uncomfortable. Imagine a Pap lasting 5 minutes. It's similar to that feeling, different place on the body of course though. I had a prolonged Flex Sig once and needed about 10 biopsies, I didn't feel any pain from these, just mild pressure. So again, don't sweat the pain but I second the idea to bring a friend who can drive you home and ask them to give you something for anxiety.

You could just fabricate that you feel nauseous and ask for Phenergan. It's great, not only does it quiet an upset stomach but it makes you sleepy.

Good luck.

Marsky said...
Flex Sigs are not painful, just a bit uncomfortable. Imagine a Pap lasting 5 minutes. It's similar to that feeling, different place on the body of course though. I had a prolonged Flex Sig once and needed about 10 biopsies, I didn't feel any pain from these, just mild pressure. So again, don't sweat the pain but I second the idea to bring a friend who can drive you home and ask them to give you something for anxiety.

You could just fabricate that you feel nauseous and ask for Phenergan. It's great, not only does it quiet an upset stomach but it makes you sleepy.

Good luck.

I have nobody to go with, but i do not mind. I will probably be better off really. My parents are babysitting for me, and my husband has to work, and all my friends work.

I am worried about the pain, I have had examinations and a rigid sig, but this is a first for me, so it is the worry of fearing the unknown i just hope tomorrow comes quick.

At least my appointment is at 11 in the morning. I do not have to wait long.

I think you'll do fine. Just put herself somewhere else mentally, they may ask you if you want to look at the video screen but I never do, I laugh and say - are you crazy! I don't want to see what I look like inside? They probably have to legally ask you if you want to view the sigmoid area. The Flex Sigs I've had, I just imagine I'm on a beach in Hawaii. And before I know it, the procedure is over. The good news with a Flex Sig is you can drive yourself home. If they opt for a biopsy or two, bring along a few maxi pads for your underwear, the XL or overnight ones are great for this purpose because they go way up in the crotch area. For added protection on the ride home. I'd treat yourself to something on the way home, carry out a nice warm lunch from your favorite deli perhaps, plan a bubble bath and a magazine to read when you get home. Maybe a nap if you have someone to watch your kids. These are the images you can focus upon during the procedure and then I'm hoping you'll announce to the staff - you're done, it's over?

Flex Sigs are fast. Remember that. Like a pap!

Marsky said...
I think you'll do fine. Just put herself somewhere else mentally, they may ask you if you want to look at the video screen but I never do, I laugh and say - are you crazy! I don't want to see what I look like inside? They probably have to legally ask you if you want to view the sigmoid area. The Flex Sigs I've had, I just imagine I'm on a beach in Hawaii. And before I know it, the procedure is over. The good news with a Flex Sig is you can drive yourself home. If they opt for a biopsy or two, bring along a few maxi pads for your underwear, the XL or overnight ones are great for this purpose because they go way up in the crotch area. For added protection on the ride home. I'd treat yourself to something on the way home, carry out a nice warm lunch from your favorite deli perhaps, plan a bubble bath and a magazine to read when you get home. Maybe a nap if you have someone to watch your kids. These are the images you can focus upon during the procedure and then I'm hoping you'll announce to the staff - you're done, it's over?

Flex Sigs are fast. Remember that. Like a pap!

Thanks for this. I have to say i am very grateful for your help, it is actually helping me, I was very nervous when i woke up, but all this advice is helping me.

I do not think i want to look either, It would make me very uneasy seeing my bowel. Plus i am already nervous of what they may find. I am kicking myself that i have waited over 9 years to have this done.

embersglow1 said...
I have a severe needle phobia and general doctor anxiety. Being blessed with this disease has been extra hard for me because of my phobia.

Normally my doctor prescribes me some valium for the procedure. I pick it up the day before (only prescribed 2-4 pills) and take it on the way in.

Very very helpful. But then you need someone to go with you. Cuz you can't drive.

Everyone's advice about the bathroom is right... stay in the bathroom. I get myself all set up before a prep. Then just hang out. Its not "fun" but I just make myself a little oasis in the bathroom and let the poop come! :)

I do not have a toilet in the bathroom, its next door toilet is on its own. there is not enough room in the toilet to lay down, and this is the instructions it gives me on my enema, so i am hoping i at least have time to get up.... Otherwise i am cleaning the place up before i leave.

My doctor will not prescribe me anything, I always have a cigarette, It helps me with my nerves... I know that is bad, but it does calm me when i am anxious.

DBwithUC said...
millions of enemas are done every year for cleansing or treatment. some are retention, some are to promote evacuation. There are also many many colonics, which involve more liquid.

you know the problem is you anxiety and exaggerated fear. I sympathize, but do not understand why you did not try to address this separate from the scoping.

you could practice relaxing and inserting an enema tube. you could progress to inserting some small amount of fluid. finally you can do a whole Fleet enema. these desensitization steps may not appeal to you, but there are simple, safe, and can only benefit you. You could consult a therapist through this process, and/or solicit some help from a spouse.

you have a serious phobia, and it would be best to treat it.

IMO it does not sound like you have UC. Bleeding for a day or two, spaced months apart, with an overall pattern of constipation - well that sounds more like IBS or even some kind of anatomical issue. It could be UC, but it is possible it will take more tests to diagnose you.

I understand you are fearful, but not only is googling every possible risk a bad idea, but I think soliciting too much support and discussion of your phobia increases its size/power and risks long term burden for short term moment of comfort.

Good luck

When i was told i would have to have a sigmidoscopy i did not know that you had to have an enema, I was only told when i had to ring the endoscopy department and arrange an appointment, she then told me on the phone that would need to have a enema, and she would send it in the post.... so as well as having to worry about having the sigmoidoscopy, I have also have to deal with doing the enema, as i have never done one before, so i am not really sure what to expect.

With all due respect, If you have never suffered with anxiety then you have no idea how horrible it is, I get very scared, I do not want to be like this. I cant help it.

I also know for a fact this is not IBS...... I always suffer exactly in the same way every time. Very bad stomach cramps, that make me want to vomit they're so bad, then diarrhea, then nothing but passing large amounts of blood for a whole day.... just blood maybe 20 30 times a day, and white mucous now i know IBS could not do this to your body...... The pain subsides after a day, but i can still see blood for at least a week, its just the fresh bleeding alone lasts for a day.

I had my sigmoidoscopy, and i hated it. I thought it was really very painful. Especially when they turned a corner. It seemed to drag on and on, I was so relieved when finished.

They told me i had early diverticular disease. They found nothing else but a few piles, but they did not need to do anything with them.

They really could not say what the bleeding was. They then went on to say that sometimes the bowel goes into spasm and this is what they think could be causing the stomach cramps.

I should not really be here, I really thought UC was what i had. I was wrong.

Thanks for all your advice.

P.s i hated the enema too. It stung, but it was quick.

iPoop said...
That's good that you do not have uc; it is a quite miserable disease.

If you are having cramps from spasms, ask for an anti-spasm medication. They are often used for people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. They can ease the pain and cramping from spasms.

The pouches (diverticula) themselves can bleed when you have diverticular disease.

Yes it is. I have been browsing the threads in this forum, and its very sad to see what people are having to go through. I am relieved that I do not have it.

I have to say i am also glad to find out what i have after all these years.

I am grateful for the people on here who gave me advice tho. And for giving me the bottle to go and have the procedure done. Its peace of mind for me.

Thanks for your reply.

sherbear46 said...
Glad you don't have UC. Read up on diverticular disease. From what I understand a flare up can be quite painful.

Thank you very much. I am also very glad. I have read up on a little bit about it.

This is what i told the consultant that my flare ups were very painful although i can go years without having one, the blood and the pain was bad, He said i would have to live with it and that there was nothing anyone could do about it.

He said it was down to my poor diet throughout the years.... I admit i know i do not eat very much fibre and hardly no fruit at all.

I knew it was not piles tho... I just knew that they could not cause that amount of stomach pain when i got the bleeding.

I was wondering if there was another forum like this where i could speak to people that also have it.

I found this this site really very good.