colonoscopy anxiety
Posted , 11 users are following.
hi , i am being referred for this but having known nothing about it, i've looked stuff up on line and now i am feeling very anxious! ignorance is definately bliss if you're a worrier!! can any one out there put my mind at ease please? i am worried how the prep stuff will affect me - do you really need to stay chained to the loo all day and night? i won't be able to have sedation as i'll need to drive, as i am a full time single parent and carer. i'm too mortified and embarrassed to ask for friends to step in and help me out! is it an ok thing to go to alone? thank you
0 likes, 17 replies
shirley61689 mummymayhem
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ella18145 mummymayhem
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Don't be embarrassed. U won't be able to drive the day of prep as u will need the loo. I wasn't on it all day but for a few hours u will def need the loo as trust me you won't be able to keep it in lol It wasn't as bad as I was thinking to be honest so don't stress too much. I was sedated so can't say much about how it goes without. Although was totally fine afterwards I wouldn't have dreamt of driving due to sedation. But by the evening I was back to normal doing housework, playing football with my son and walking the dog and most of all feeling happy and relaxed knowing I did it ??
jessie2150 mummymayhem
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Hello. Don't be so anxious about it, just think of all the hundreds of people having it done every day !
I don't have anyone with me when I go, but I've found the nurses and doctors are wonderful before, during and after and they are all very reassuring.
I'm in UK and the prep starts 3 days beforehand changing to a light low fibre diet (hospital gives a list of does and don'ts). The day before 2 senna tablets then some hours later a laxative powder mixed with water. I have never had any problems with this, but don't leave the house! No food 24 hours before then another powder.
I try to start a low fibre diet in advance anyway, and think this makes things easier as there isn't so much to get rid of (if you understand).
I hope that is a bit of help, and I'm sure all will go well for you. j
jessie2150 mummymayhem
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mindy410 mummymayhem
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shirley61689 mindy410
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jessie2150 shirley61689
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Got to agree with you there shirley. My hospital info. says "The aim of these drugs is to make you relaxed and minimise any discomfort. You will be awake through the whole procedure".
My understanding is they never 'knock you out' just relax you.
joe10258 jessie2150
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In the US, they "knock you out" so they can go as quickly as possible to enhance their revenues. It is a huge industry in the US, in fact. According to an article on a website of a gastroenterologists' association, 55% of GI docs refuse Medicare patients (the govt program for those 65+ yo) because the reimbursement is so much lower than what can be negotiated with private insurance companies available to those under 65 yo. Yet, many of those who would benefit from this test would be those on Medicare. Then again, the GI docs keep their eye on that pot of gold that the pre-Medicare patients have.
It is sad, but often doctors will often only talk about medical options after discussing what insurance coverage is there. It is all about the money.
FA54321 mindy410
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Hi Mindy,
mummymayhem won't be asleep as she is not having sedation. I had one without sedation and watched it on the monitor.
mindy410 mummymayhem
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jessie2150 mindy410
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rsteinbach90 mindy410
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mindy410 jessie2150
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joel96803 mummymayhem
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TheToad mummymayhem
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Just adding my bit. I found the prep ok, just a lot of drinking! Yes, stay near the loo and have some baby wipes or something handy. I was mildly sedated but remember everything. I think they want you to be able to follow instructions like moving a bit etc. The actual procedure was no problem at all and I was quite chatty throughout. Interesting to watch on the screen too. A snooze when I got home, after eating anything I fancied. You'll be fine. Don't drive! Keep us up to date if you can.