HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Frightened of colonoscopy

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 1/12/2014 10:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone!

I haven't been on here for a long time. I hope everyone is doing well.

I am currently in remission (fingers crossed), but I am due for a colonoscopy, as it has been 10 years since my first one. I kept putting it off, and cancelled a couple of times due to having pains, so now I have been taken off the list, which means I have to phone up to arrange it myself. I've also missed a lot of hospital appointments, so I have dropped off that list too.

But I'm really scared. Not of the colonoscopy itself, but the risk of tearing. The doctors say it is a small risk, but I've had so much bad luck in other areas of my life over the past few years, that I'm worried it will happen.

I'm getting divorced, so I have no husband or boyfriend for emotional support. My sister has offered to go with me, and some of my friends have offered too, but somehow it's not the same.

I know I need to sort this out, and it's my own fault, but I just hate going to the doctors and the hospital.

I'm sorry to complain about something which must seem so trivial, but I think I just need to say it to people who understand.
Posted 1/12/2014 2:35 PM (GMT 0)
"Not of the colonoscopy itself, but the risk of tearing." Huh? Isn't that the same thing?

In any event they put you to sleep, or at least tell them to make sure of it!!! The misery is in the preparation and I think everyone here, or at least the old-timers like me, know that.

Good luck.
Posted 1/12/2014 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
Dizzy: What put you into remission?
Posted 1/12/2014 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
Dizzy,
Your apprehension is understandable. However, the fact that you made this post shows that you know you have to get on it and get your colonoscopy. Often our imagined fears are worse than real ones. Make the appointment. You're blessed to have a sister and friends who have offered to take you. Don't focus on not having your husband but on who you DO have. Good luck!
Posted 1/12/2014 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
I DO have a husband... but he works a new job and has had a hard time getting off for my procedures.
colonoscopy: one of his friends
barium enema: alone
hemorrhoid surgery monday: alone

I wish I had a sister and friends around who could be there for me! :)

Good luck, you'll do fine. Enjoy your nap!
Posted 1/12/2014 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
Colonoscopies are terrifying because of their preparation. Also, the longer you hold off the procedure, the scarier it becomes. Much of the fear is in your mind, and you need to eventually face it. I completely understand your position, it took me 5 years to follow up on my initial colonoscopy. Being afraid of it is not trivial, we all have to face that fear at some point in time. Also, look at the glass as 3/4 full, not 1/4 empty, and be thankful that you are blessed with a supportive sibling and set of friends.

Wishing you all the best, and hoping you find the courage to follow through.

Warnest of regards.
Posted 1/12/2014 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
The risk of tearing is microscopic, especially when you're in remission. The scope is flexible and only presents a danger generally to a very inflamed, fragile colon. You can do it, and ten years is far too long for those of us with UC to wait!
Posted 1/12/2014 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
You have a responsibility as well to get a c-scope done considering you have UC and have been doing well for a while.

The prep is the worst part....sometimes it depends on what prep one uses, however. I prefer the gallon ones, at least I can eat a light breakfast and then do the prep in the late afternoon.

I ask for sedation but to be awake to watch the monitor...so worth the show, and I want/need to see what's going on in there.

You can be asked to be fully sedated....

Plus, when it's all over, you'll be relieved and proud that you did it. You'll get the results of what's going on in there.

Looking forward to hearing how you did.

PS...when you get the results of the biopsies...please ask for a copy for your records.

You'll do fine...plus, we all will be able to be with you in "spirit"...been there and get it!

q
Posted 1/12/2014 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
"Much of the fear is in your mind"

I could be wrong, but I thought pretty much all fear is in his/her/your/my mind -
Posted 1/12/2014 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
^^ probably meaning rational fear vs irrational fear?

but you knew that, no?

q
Posted 1/13/2014 8:37 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone, it's nice to have support.

JohnPhx-Thankyou, I remember with my 1st colonoscopy I was very worried about the preparation, so I literally took all the medicine and a book, and just sat in the bathroom the whole day, reading and 'preparing'. I don't remember it being too bad except for the volume of liquid I had to drink.

garylouisville-Sorry but I'm not really sure. I've had two major flare-ups (ending in hospital), but minor flare-ups in between. After the 2nd hospital stay I would get pain and nausea more than anything. I find Asacol most effective as an every day medicine (Mesavant didn't work, and Azathioprine made me vomit solidly for 24hrs). When I have a bad flare-up, I usually go on prednisolone for a while, if that can't control it, I end up in hospital on IV cortisone. When I came home from my 2nd hospital stay I used Asacol enemas for about a month. Even when in remission I stick to a low-residue diet, as fibre tends to trigger a flare-up, whenever I've relaxed the diet I generally get ill. I was given a guide to follow by the hospital, which I try to stick to. There are some weird things on there, like avoiding sausages. I drink an Actimel with both lunch and dinner (I don't know if it helps or not). I sleep a lot. I try to avoid stress, as that's a big trigger for me. I hope some of that can help you.

Cita-Thanks, yes I've been putting it off for too long.

embersglow1-Oh I never thought of that. Good luck with your surgery, that must be today. You're probably in hospital now, but I hope everything goes well and the doctors and nurses are kind.

Izzy13-Thanks, I know it's nothing compared to what a lot of people on here are going through. I've never got over my fear of my UC.

Judy2-Thanks, I have cancelled a couple of times, when I have had pain and thought my colon wasn't up to it. As far as cancer goes, I'm apparently a low risk, so 10 years is what the doctors recommend. I have been postponing for almost a year though.

enfyre-Thankyou, that's actually really reassuring to read. I never thought of it from the doctor's point of view.

quincy-You're brave! I need to be fully sedated, as I also have a phobia of 'insides' (organs, blood, tissue, etc. ), to the extent that I used to faint in biology at school on a regular basis. I also have a history of fainting during my hospital appointments. I didn't know you could ask for that, but I will.

Thanks for all the kind comments, I will have to be brave and book it now!
Posted 1/13/2014 7:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! Good luck and hope all goes well. I have had 2 colonoscopies this year, and the worst part was the prep. I was given the gallon stuff for my second one and couldn't do it!! But they switched me to this orange-flavoured stuff when I told them and I only had to drink two dixie-cups full of it.

But as for the risk of tearing, I read this! :) Hope this eases your mind: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-230X/9/71

"Over a 3.5-year period, 10,124 endoscopic procedures of the colon (8,987 colonoscopies and 1,137 flexible sigmoidoscopies) were performed. There were 15 colonic perforations (0.15%). "
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply