Colonoscopy next week. Canceled twice.

Thank you for your kind words. I am actually OK with the prep! I had a C-section and the epidural didn't work. I am weird when it comes to what I am afraid of!

Thank you. I will definitely talk to the doctor and demand he doesn't perforate my bowels. I'm sure I will be his hardest patient of the day. Unless I cancel

No you are not allowed to cancel!!! You went through a c section without epidural working ul definitely find this easy! And I think I was my surgeons worst patient too as I kept telling him il haunt him, my kids will hate him and all this nonsense lol but really I thought I'd b traumatized for life and it's already a distant memory and will be ok for the next one in a few years. You have no idea what a relief it is when it's done. The only thing that will bother me is the prep but even that wasn't half as bad as I expected, just keep the loo nearby and I only had cramps before I used the loo the first time after that it was a lot of tummy noises and living on the loo for a few hours but no pain in my case. Go for it and please please please don't cancel!!

What prep did you do? I'm supposed to do Gavilyte.

I used Klean prep. You are going to use it 😜

Megan, you have no idea - I went in to the Dr with a contract listing all my concerns from my research! 

Women with fibroids

Single use colonoscopes

cleaning the colonoscope

Sedation

Perforation risks etc etc

Tbh the sigmoidoscopy's that you've had carry all the same risks, yet you've come through two. Plus, once you've had the colonoscopy, that's the furtherest check - and the one that can treat at the same time.

The biggest risk at the end of the day is not getting it checked - and that's from someone who was trying to find every way of avoiding this procedure. I have a fear of the medical profession and of not being in control of what happens to me.

As Ella says, there's nothing like the relief afterwards. If it helps you, research the colonoscopist so you know they are an expert in the field and accustomed to doing many (250 -300 year is recommended to keep up expertise). Say no to students etc.

All the best - I truly hope to see you posting afterwards that it was fine and you are glad you did it - like Ella!

My original doctor wasn't available so I'm seeing someone I haven't met. Queue anxiety. However, his page on their website states "I perform advanced/interventional procedures (complicated ERCP, EUS, EMR of large polyps etc)". So if he can do that, he should be able to handle this. RIGHT?

Oh and my original doctor only graduated in 2011. This doctor seems more advanced.

It sounds as tough you are in good hands - this specialist will have been used to precision and skillful internal manouvers and have experience of what to look for in terms of symptoms on the screen. Since I think you said you aren't going for sedation - they will be aware that you are alert and able to question everything and speak up for yourself too: A Quote from research: 

"British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) guidance states that, if an unsedated patient demands that the procedure is abandoned, then the colonoscopist must recognise and respect that consent has been withdrawn and terminate the procedure immediately.18 If a sedated patient appears to withdraw consent through verbal or physical actions, the colonoscopist may pause and see if cooperation may be regained. However, if it is clear that the patient continues to withdraw consent and patient safety may be compromised, the procedure should be terminated"

So you will be able to make sure they go slow and they will be expert in spotting abnormalities. The whole procedure seemed peaceful and respectful to me and that's what I wanted to be awake to experience.

Your specialist sounds special - googled their expertise: I'm assuming many of these procedures accompany colonoscopy's - at the very least they must require skill, precision and dexterity to avoid internal perforation.

Endoscopic Mucosal Resection (EMR)

EMR encompasses the removal of precancerous and early gastrointestinal tumors using minimally invasive endoscopic techniques. EMR is currently used to remove tumors of the esophagus, stomach and colon/rectum, along with Barrett's esophagus and colon polyps. EMR can be used to avoid surgical treatment of these lesions.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

ERCP is an advanced endoscopic technique used to examine the biliary and pancreatic ducts. Small catheters are passed through the endoscope into the ducts, and x-rays are used to obtain images of the ductal anatomy. ERCP is used to remove stones, diagnose and treat Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction, treat strictures using dilation balloons and catheters, and place stents to facilitate drainage of bile and pancreatic juices. ERCP can be combined with choledochoscopy and EUS to perform additional therapeutic maneuvers.

Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)

EUS combines traditional endoscopy with ultrasound imaging to visualize structures within the wall of the GI tract and beyond. A miniature ultrasound transducer is housed at the tip of an endoscope, allowing for visualization of a broad range of structures from the esophagus to rectum. From within the esophagus, the mediastinum and associated lymph nodes can be seen, and diseased nodes can be sampled using fine-needle aspiration (FNA). From the stomach and duodenum, the abdominal vessels can be identified, along with nearly all the organs of the abdomen including the liver, bile ducts, pancreas, spleen, adrenal glands, and kidneys. FNA is often performed, and interventional EUS drainage procedures such as pseudocyst drainage are possible. From the rectum and colon, tumors colorectal cancers can be staged, and disorders of the anorectal sphincter complex can be diagnosed. Throughout the GI tract, lesions arising from within the wall of the GI tract (submucosal tumors) can be characterized by EUS, and tissue can be obtained via FNA for diagnosis.

That's what I thought! Glad you agree.

All the best for today, Hope to hear all goes well