Conoloscopy Concerns

What concerns me is, I am needlephobic and I do want to be out for the procedure because I do not want to wake up and be in excruciating pain as I've read some of the horror stories on previous patients waking up and being in indescribable pain, which frightens me, as well as being needlephobic - I am severe needlephobic so cannot tolerate any type of needlework on my body. Unless it is of absolute necessity, I will say no. People have lived with Fistulas for many years and whilst I don't want to, I'd rather live with the Fistula pain and try and have a normal life than enduring that type of agony during a procedure where there is a good chance of waking up. 

 

Did you not discuss this with your doctor or the consultant who arranged for the colonoscopy? I'm sure that it not new to them. Many people have it done without sedation so then you should not need a cannula in your arm.

The majority of people will tell you that a colonoscopy is no big deal. The pain is normally caused by the air they need to pump into your colon. I had a couple of severe twinges that made me swear but in reality the procedure is not as bad as the preparation:-)

Derek

My biggest fears are 

1) Needles - I can't handle needlework conscious - last time I had an op, I stood my ground and said I wanted gas so I knew nothing about the cannula going in.

2) Waking up during the procedure - If there is even the slightest chance of this, I don't want to go through unbearable, excruciating pain.

3) Post-Pain - I don't think you will be in too much discomfort afterwards, at least not in the excruciating sense. 

Therefore, I would preferably like a light anaesthesia, such as a quick whiff of gas so I can't see the cannula going in my hand, a drug powerful enough that puts me out during the procedure without chance of waking up and as minimal a pain as possible when coming round. I think that's reasonable on my part, but I don't want to sound like one of those patients, because I'm not, I'm just trying to do what's right for me. 

Thanks Derek. 

Regards

Robin

 

Hi Margaret, 

Yes I am v. terrified. I am not looking forward to taking the prep, but I'll do my utmost. I don't want to be aware of the procedure in any way, shape or form. I'd rather just have a general, which I know can be done. I just don't want to waste anybody's time. Also, the fact of waking up during the procedure, frightens the absolute hell out of me - I just want to go into "theater," they put me out, then wake up later with minimal pain. I am also severely needlephobic so them putting a cannula in your hand/arm is a no-no for me anyways. I would need gas then general anaesthetic, especially for something that might be considered a typical procedure. However, as a patient, I believe I do have rights. I'd rather live with my Fistula than run the risk of fearing waking up during the procedure - after pain I can deal with. 

Thanks for your response

Regards

Robin

 

Babs

Thanks for your response - all I can say is "oh, dear." I have a severe aversion to needles - normally when I have an op, which I know this is not, I have gas inhalation, then the general anaesthetic. No problem. However, I cannot handle any needlework awake. I've had emla cream before but they literally had to restrain me on the table and then I apologised afterward for being difficult. I was only a child then but I have a severe phobia about needles and now, its the same. Another thing is, I want to know absolutely nothing about the procedure so I might need to request a meeting with the hospital before I go ahead or at least speak to my doctor, I think. Also, I'm sure there's another way they could find what they need without the need for a conoloscopy. I'm not going to put myself in a situation where I feel uncomfortable. Of course, I do want the Fistula sorted, but now I am extremely concerned. Thanks for your advice, Babs. 

 

a: You could try hypnotic therapy prior to the procedure.

b: there is a virtual colonoscopy (CT scan) that shows everything in complete detail. Most hospitals should do it. Privately it is around £700. You still need to take the laxative and of course they have no way to take biopsies or remove polyps.

Is a Virtual Conoloscopy painless? I've heard that comparing the two, there isn't much difference and with Virtual Conoloscopy that there is no sedation. Hypnotic therapy is viable, I suppose. I feel so useless, right now and don't want to look like a wuss, in all honesty. I've had this Fistula for five months and if it was something serious, I surely would have noted a decline in some areas of my health? In myself, I feel fine, no weight loss (i'm relatively fat), appetite is still here etc. Whilst obviously not a definitive diagnosis of it not being something serious etc., I think it is encouraging and my GP's/Surgeon agreed. Should I ask to go and see my GP, in your opinion, Derek? The thing I'm most concerned about is upsetting my family but at the end of the day, it is my body, with the greatest of respect and of course I want it treated, but in a way I feel is right for me. 

 

There can be no pain having a CT scan. nothing is being inserted into your body... Oh. there might be contrast dye. Google virtual colonoscopy to see.

I most cetainly would see my GP.

My hate is anything touching my tongue or throat, it sometimes takes me all my time to clean my teeth. I was advised to have an Endoscopy and my uncle had gone into cardiac arrest and died when having one. I went to see my GP who had a student with him. I told him of my throat problem and about my uncle. He said that one of the partners in the practice had suffered the same fate. Would you have one I asked. No, he replied. He asked his student  and she replied 'No way'

He arranged for me to have a barium swallow X-Ray instead. Since when I have had three more.

 

From NHS choices:

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Anal-fistula/Pages/Diagnosis.aspx

 

I read that they stick a tube up your backside, a few centimetres, to look for things. I have asked all around about the process of conoloscopy and some have said if you make enough waves, they will give you a General, especially if you are super anxious, which I am. Some say don't look at the needle going in. Not as simple as that for someone who is extremely needlephobic, not someone who is needlephobic, but could tolerate it. All my operations most recently have involved GA with gas then the injection, but I understand this is an Outpatients procedure. I just don't want to upset my family if I decided against it or feel that I was being unreasonable in this circumstance - surely there must be alternatives that I can discuss, without fear and make the righr decision which suits me. 

 

Thanks Derek - you've been a great help.

Best

Rob

 

Let us know how ou get on after speaking to the consultant. Hopefully he is a person of understanding.

If he/she is not, then I will consider alternatives that are painless because I am going to stick to my guns, here. There shouldn't be any problem doing a conoloscopy under a General Anaesthetic. I will ring on Monday morning.

Thanks for your support. I will let you know how I get on when I ring up tomorrow and explain about the fact I had a panic attack and have severe needlephobia - there will be other ways besides a conoloscopy, there always is another solution.