Getting colonoscopy in 2 weeks

It is completely natural to be anxious, so don’t get anxious about getting anxious. But try, if you can, to reduce the stress a bit. Stress makes the digestive system malfunction and doesn’t help if you are already having problems. We all get anxious so you can’t stop it altogether of course.

We all found our first colonoscopy stressful and I had mine twenty years ago and it has much improved since then, even though I had got (unnecessarily) worried about it even then!

Take it in stages and try to think about each stage separately. First is the clear out the day before. It’s like a tummy bug without all the aches and fever. It’s not the way any of us would choose to spend a day but it’s more of a boring nuisance than anything. Follow the instructions as exactly as you can and keep drinking water because you dehydrate. I recommend some loo wet wipes and some Vaseline to prevent any soreness. It will end in time for your test (not always the case in the old days as I well remember) so no need to panic. The more closely you follow the instructions the better the view will be.

Stage 2 - the test. Actually, most people are surprised to find this is NOT the worst bit. You have the option of a sedative and sometimes you don’t even remember much. The colon is shaped like the letter ‘n’ and the colonoscope goes up the right hand side first, goes across and then down the left side. The vast majority of people have no pain but many people (me included) find the bit at the first turn not painful but a bit pushy/pully. After it goes across the discomfort usually ends. It goes in quite quickly and then they withdraw more slowly to look at everything. This is the direction of travel your gut expects (obvious, if you think about it) so this is usually completely pain and discomfort free. But, if you are one of the very small minority that does find it painful (can sometimes be the shape of the gut) then tell them straight away. But, as I say, it is very unlikely. You can eat afterwards as normal but you might feel a bit empty and gassy for a few days because you ARE empty and a bit gassy. They’ll tell you what to look out for. 

Stage 3 is the result stage. Often they tell you there and then. Sometimes they take a bit longer for analysis. I don’t know why they want you to have the test but you very strongly have age on your side and so it’s most likely not to be anything nasty - like inflammation. When I was your age, I had terrible digestive symptoms and they didn’t have good tests then. It was irritable bowel syndrome, corrected by a few diet changes (cutting down wheat, cutting out broad beans, baked beans). But I know how distressing it can be. It had quite an effect on my life in my 20s and I thought it couldn’t be nothing because the pain was bad and it was happening all the time. I wish they had the tests then that they have now.

So, the whole thing about the test is far far worse in your thoughts that it will be in reality. Try not to draw yourself in on the day because that closes things. Imagine you are on the loo instead (sorry!). 

Very best wishes and remember if you are worried nearer the time about any aspect there are lots of great people on this site who will help you out because we have all had this test (sometimes quite a few times).

David 

I’m like you in the fact that I have been diagnosed with Anxiety, and the build up to the two colonoscopies I’ve had were very stressful and worrying, and I’m a complete wuss when it comes to hospital procedures. I needn’t have been worried, they aren’t that bad really, the worst bit by far, that a lot of people say, is the bowel preparation. It’s tough going, around 12 - 14 hours stuck on the toilet passing water frequently certainly took it out of me, it’s tiring, draining, unpleasant and can make you feel quite groggy. Everyone’s experience of this is different, some breeze through it, others find it tough going, but as long as you have some wet wipes to hand, a cream or petroleum jelly to apply as your bottom can get sore and a good book or a tablet to hand, you’ll be fine. The colonoscopy itself is a blessed relief after going through the prep, partly because you know you are near the end of the whole ordeal, and partly because it really isn’t that bad, especially if you opt for sedation and pain relief, which you will need a cannula inserted for. It still can hurt but I found this was due to the air they pump inside of you to inflate your colon allowing them to see everything clearer. My advice here is not to be afraid to pass wind, it will ease the pain. A lot of people don’t remember the procedure at all, I however was aware of everything, and ended up watching the whole procedure on the screen like I was watching my favourite film, I found it very interesting. The doctor will check your rectum, colon and terminal ileum, and may take biopsies, none of which you really notice, and within about 20 minutes it’s all over and time to recover. About half an hour later the doctor goes through your procedure and any findings and then you are free to go home. Just make sure you don’t drive and there is someone close for the next 24 hours if you have sedation.

I know it’s easy to say but really do try to not worry and let your anxieties get worse, it is normal to feel anxious about what seems to be a quite unpleasant procedure, which it can be, but you will get through it and I’m sure you’ll be thinking the same a lot of us have thought afterwards that it wasn’t actually as bad as we imagined.

Take care and all the best.