Colonoscopy before and after
Posted , 4 users are following.
I thought I would share my experience with you guys as I know it can be a scary time waiting for your colonoscopy. My story starts 2 years ago when I had my first colonoscopy due to bleeding I was 35 at the time.
I was so scared I believed something terrible was going to be found, I was suffering blood in bowl, constant loose stools and stomach cramps for a couple years. When I took moviprep the day before to clear my bowls there so so much blood I was freaking out. Next day I was on the bed had no pain sedative just gas and air and have to say why painful at some points want so bad, a 2cm polyp was removed and was found to be benign. I was told to come back in 3 years to see if I had anymore. This brings me to now, I had been experiencing lose and flat stools and blood again for a few months and was sent for repeat colonoscopy early (again anxiety kicked in and feared the worst) took bowl prep again was moviprep and again at the end of the prep was bleeding. Today I went in for my colonoscopy and chose to be sedated ( NHS) I was awake threw the colonoscopy but some how don't remember much as I thought it was over in 5 mins but had been in for half an hour, I would strongly recommend the sedative if you are extremely anxious as I was. This time was clear of polyps and just had grade 2 pro internal hemmorids. So for you guys out there that are putting this off out of fear for the worst I understand I nearly did twice, but has you can see from my story even when you believe all the signs are there for it to be the worst there's a strong chance it won't be. Once you have had the colonoscopy you know and knowing is everything, putting it off because of worry will only make worry more trust me my anxiety was so bad I had to take diazepam in the weeks leading up to it.
Trust me guys half hour of going threw a colonoscopy is a lot better then the months or years you spend with the worry of not knowing in the back of your mind
3 likes, 16 replies
hank1953 leemid
Posted
dimmy leemid
Posted
Hi leemid
I agree with everything you said. The only thing i worry about when having a colonoscopy is the risk of perforation of the bowel by the scope ( 1 in 500 approx). I have had bowel cancer twice. When i had my initial colonoscopies before my operations i wasn`t bothered if my bowel was perforated during the scope because they were going to open me up anyway!. BUT now i am "all clear"...everytime i have a colonoscopy (every 2 years)...the only thing that worries me is perforation and having to have another operation when there was nothing wrong with me in the first place. I know the advantages outwieigh the risks so i will keep on having them...next one in March next year...regards
leemid dimmy
Posted
Hi dimmy
Great news on being all clear. I don't think the fear of a colonoscopy will ever go away but as you so rightly said the benefits out way the risks so much, a colonoscopy can literally be life saving. Good luck for March next year pal
TheToad leemid
Posted
Hi there. Thanks for your post. My 3 yearly one is due in about 2 months and I'm already nervous, even though every test so far has been good. The prep and procedure didn't bother me the first time, but it's the fear of the 'what if?' I'll do it of course and will have reached the 4 year milestone. So, that's a good achievement, but my brain keeps on saying, 'ah yes, but....' Sigh.
leemid TheToad
Posted
Hi john
That's exactly how I feel it worries me sick.
There's a couple things my doctor told me that I try to remember, it is believed that 95% of colon cancer started as a polyp and it takes many many years for a polyp to get to that stage in the uk it's believed to be around 10 years so your screening is set to catch any polyps long before they make that change and only 1 in 10 of polyps will make this change anyway.
Another fact to remember is people who undergo routine colonoscopys have less chance of dieing of colon cancer then the general public.
TheToad leemid
Posted
Thanks. That was encouraging! I keep telling myself that as I was all clear almost 3 years ago, then that is the starting point for any new growths. And if they take about 10 years, then etc, etc. But the 2 am voice in my head says, 'ah yes, but...'
?I think part of the problem is that the surgery 45 months ago was an emergency. From a CT scan to theatre in about 3 hours and a comment from my surgeon that, 'one more night and we could have lost you.' Scary, or as my Dr said, lucky.
But enough about me - thanks again for your reply.
joann51897 leemid
Posted
I am so so scared I have to go this morning for my colonoscopy doing the 2nd part of my prep as we speak. I went for a ct scan and they found a mass on my colon never had blood but I have had some mucus in my stool. I have never been more scared in my life. I am so scared they r gonna tell me I have colon cancer I'm a 42 year old woman with 3 boys thank God I have a great husband standing by my side or idk what I'd do. Please say a prayer for me 😢.
leemid joann51897
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So sorry to hear what your going threw stay strong there is every chance that it will be benign please let me know how you get on I will be thinking about you today
TheToad joann51897
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joann51897 TheToad
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Ty John I went n I was scared to death. The prep was horrible I was up all night did the prep so then u kno ur up couple hours after that. Slept 2 hours before I went finally went I was so scared. I did get the seditive woke up I wasent in pain I watched them and talked to them for a lil bitduring they gave me more to knock me out again but stubborn me stayed up. Anyways they removed everything I had 2 polyps 1 small 1 and one the was 4cm so I'm very concerned about that 1 and it had a lil stem on it I only know that because that's how they got it off so easy. Well then of course here's me I have to go online n look everything up n then it says those r usually more possible to b cancerous so now I'm freaking out!. They did get it all out and I'm so thankful for that but if it comes back as cancer I believe they r gonna have to go back n do surgery to take part of my colon. Anyone have any opinions about my experience??? I'm open to any. I'm just sick of being so nervous all the time I just wanna b my happy self again
leemid joann51897
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Joann that's great news I'm so glad what they found was polyps. Please stop worrying Joann I know it's hard but stay away from the internet. Yes the lasher they are the more chance of being pre cancerous but what your missing is the chance it's not are greater then the chance it is. I was thinking about you yesterday and said a payer for you and I believe they have been answered to go from seeing a mass on a ct scan to having everything removed on a colonoscopy is such a good result, I know that anxiety and worry will stop you from seeing this as health anxiety is a terrible thing.
Please try to look at it this way no matter what the test come back as ( my money's on ok ) it as all been removed now you will have repeat colonoscopys no matter what the results and noting will ever have the chance to grow that big again, you now have the peace of mind knowing any future polyps will be removed before they can make any changes. Studies show it takes many many years for a polyp to turn in to cancer nearly 50% of people will have a polyp at some point and 75% of them will never know. Now you know all growths have been completely removed celebrate I believe you have had the best out come possible from your situation and I honestly believe you are now going to be fine regardless of the test results.
God bless you and stay off the internet for answers unless you look on the NHS websites which will give you facts.
TheToad leemid
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Agreed! I was trying to reply Joann, but kept losing the post with sudden reloading. I copy and paste but still couldn't finish. But relax, that was a very good result!
joann51897 TheToad
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Ty guys both so much I lost this post some how it wasent giving me notifications and I was waiting for replys and they were here. I am still very nervous I had a little breakdown yesterday after dinner and my husband tried explaining to me even if it comes back cancer they removed it so worst case they would have to go back in n clean out the margins. The polyp they removed was 4cm n that scares me so much and even through he said he was happy it had a little stem on it because he could get all of it if course here is me reading those r more of the time cancerous. I finally went to the bathroom there was no blood or anything still really soft and kinda weird looking but I'm hoping all is ok. I really appreciate all the prayers and please please keep praying for me is b so happy f it came back no cancer. Ty both so much for all of your kind words you have no idea how much they mean to me.
leemid joann51897
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God bless you Joann anxiety is a terrible thing.
In regards to it having a stem I believe they are classed as pedunculated polyp, mine had a stem was just over 2cm, I can honestly say I've never heard that it means they have more chance of being cancerous, if anything it sessile polyps (flat) that I've heard are the worst as they are flat and can be missed on scans. Your husband is right no matter what it is it's been fully removed you are going to be fine.
I honestly believe it will come back ok the fact everything was removed during the colonoscopy and no surgery was needed is a really good sign your going to be fine Joann
joann51897 leemid
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leemid joann51897
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No thank god it was a Adenomatous polyp it bled constantly which was scary .
The wait to find out is where the anxiety kicks in I know it's not nice try and stay positive