Colonoscopy Anxiety

Well I can totally relate. I have overwhelming anxiety when it comes to colonoscopies, but in my case it's more about the prep because I have so much trouble with it. But they always find polyps during my scopes. I worry about what they will find. There is colon cancer in my family. What helps me is telling myself that if there's something to find, I'd rather they find it than not. The earlier they can find and remove a polyp, the better.

Just think what a relief it will be to have it done and over with. I don't have much other wisdom to share, but sometimes just knowing you are not the only one to feel this way can help.

I don't think they are rare. I think only once did I have just one polyp - usually I have more than one. My GI always is able to tell that they are inflammatory (or she uses other terms that basically mean the same thing), and then the biopsies confirm it.

What was the pathology result of your polyp that was removed? There's always some anxiety regarding polyps and cancer...i had hyperplasia polyps during 2 scopes...nothing since.

I'm grateful for the scheduled visual and biopsies...my thoughts are that if it's cancer, it would be caught early and I can live eithout a colon.

q

Hi! I totally understand the anxiety, and although it doesn't change the reality, it's pretty much impossible for many of us to not do it anyway.

Where was the polyp found?

Good to hear remission has been long.

q

My wife is having a colonoscopy and told the Doctor that she wanted me present in the room with her. The Doctor refused to allow me to be present. Even though my wife told him numerous times that she wanted me with her, What can we do and can we file a complaint

Colonoscopies create a very high chance that I will flare. It has happened three times now. So I get them rarely. I know it's not ideal, and I do still get them, but I try to only do it if there is other evidence (like CT scan) that my bowel picture has maybe shifted and we should have a closer look. If the changes seem major enough to warrant investigation, then I'll get scoped. I never do them routinely. I don't do them "just because".

At the end of the day Colonoscopies for IBD folks are to check for polyps and inflammation. Finding both will help prevent polyps growing or find new ways of treating the Colitis. My Colonoscopy is tomorrow and as usual I’m super anxious but my doctor says the 2 year interval is a preventative measure rather than something to worry about. But anxiety is real.

Post Edited (LondonRed) : 12/14/2020 7:29:29 PM (GMT-7)

I had the colonoscopy - they found 2 polyps (5mm and 2mm) and no inflammation in most of the colon. They found some Erythematous Mucosa on the right side which was biopsied.

Will go again in 2 years - that’s twice in a row they’ve found tiny polyps. Anyone else had them?

Is it normal to have tiny polyps appear every two years? 3 in the last two scopes for me.

Them being common makes me feel a little better I guess. Wonder if others on the board have had them.

I don’t have the pathology results back yet.

What I do know is that the precancerous Adenomas are the most common (65%) of all polyps are these. Only 6% of these actually turn into cancer even if left alone. The more important thing is that (a) they are below 10mm and (b) they are removed.

Just wondering if others have had these regularly.

Adenoma - 4mm. Totally Removed.