Urgent Help Regarding Colonoscopy and Endoscopy

A win/win situation is if you could secure another appointment tomorrow morning for when you return - so that you don't suffer some excessive waiting period trying to re-book when you return from holiday. Once they realise that you have good prudent reasons to defer, I hope they re-book there and then on the phone when you speak to them at 9am tomorrow.

Yeah does seem like the best bet really doesn't it... As I say the only issue is I've been worried sick, almost had a panic attack etc. From the worrying earlier this week and last...not sure if that's down to the symptoms I was having or just me over thinking them!

Re side effects, I only had the bowel prep and un-sedated colonoscopy. The bowel prep was unpleasant. No side effects of the procedure. Took about a week for normal movements. I would not want to be abroad with new menus after cleaning out the bowel. I think it makes sense to consider carefully how/what you eat immediately following. As you say, interrupting the natural bacteria balance etc. needs to be considered.

All the best - whatever you decide

Oh wow! I feel daft now for having mine! I've lost 6 pounds in a few weeks and have had cramp/tension for 2 weeks in one side of my stomach... Also very hungry right after eating but other than that there's nothing else. I'm only 26 and have had stomach problem's for years but never like this... I think they're only sending me for them because I'm private and they send you very every test and scan under the sun when it's private

Oh I see - well at 26 you haven't got that statistical worry to add on. Loosing weight and pain is an issue too of course, it's not daft. But there's nothing like getting a clean bill of health, so it's great to have that private health care to safeguard things. Waiting lists should not be an issue if you need to defer either.

Hi lady67208,

I read you saying you have been bleeding for 5plus months and they found nothing.I'm 61 and have visible bleeding for about the same time.I have had a colonoscopy too and they also found nothing!..can I ask if your still bleeding(i am)and what if anything has been suggested re further investigation?..So far I haven't heard anything 're further investigation but my symptoms are still ongoing and there has got to be some reason for continual bleeding?

I would be grateful for any input on this please.

Hi Heather56512,

I sympathise - it is indeed worrying. They suggested an upper endoscopy but because my symptoms did not relate to upper, and I am not keen on endoscopy's I asked for the capsule.

This delayed things because their procedure goes 1) Colonoscopy 2) Upper endoscopy and only then 3) capsule

They eventually agreed to the capsule, which I had last week and I am now chasing the results.

 

And yes - still bleeding, though not as much - and it is a shame really because the capsule is best done whilst the blood is visible and it subsided a week before the capsule. I hope they still find the cause.

The whole process has taken so long though between tests and chasing results.

Hi lady67208,

Thanks so much for your input.I haven't as yet been offered an endoscopy and like you don't want one !..I have never heard of the capsule. Could you explain what it does?.and what symptoms does bleeding coincide with the stomach ?

Sorry for bothering you again with questions but Google is informative but not a human so can't give u actual experience of this! :-)

Thanku

Heather.

I sense some fear of endoscopy which is not warrented. I have had two of them done a few years ago and it was no big deal. All the doctors did was to spray my throat to overcome my gag reflex and that was it. I get propofyl for my colonoscopies and my guess that if I have a double exam in the future, it will be done while I sleep, thanks to the propofyl. In most cases the only concern should be the findings and not who gets to see our butts or fear the almost total lack of pain. The discomfort in these tests is similar to a dental cleaning, but of course in a different location in the case of  colonoscopy..

Hi Heather,

The capsule is a camera very small like a pill. You swallow it and it takes images as it travels all along the digestive tract and it will eventually be passed in the toilet. They do not expect you to retrieve it wheh it passes but you also wear a belt around your waist which is recording the images over a period of about 8 hours. The belt is what you return to them.

The day before the capsule you stop eating around mid-day and you hopefully have an early morning hospital appointment to swallow the capsule with a cup of water and can leave the premises - you return the belt to the hospital at the end of the day - the images are interpreted by them from the belt. The capsule passes when it is ready.

There is a small risk of retaining the capsule - so they will ask you if you have symptoms of bowel obstruction. It is not that serious if you do retain it though, because they can retrieve it at the same time as they treat the obstruction that it detected. But that's all part of your consultation re. consent & risks.

I refused the upper Endo because logically blood that passes throught the stomach is likely to be black (because of bile etc) plus I have no intigestion, vomiting, reflux etc indicating upper issues. The blood is dark red and mixed in, plus of course the capsule will re-check the colon in case anything was missed on the colonoscopy. The bleeding symptome I have are mostly related to symptoms described with small intestine and colon.

If stool is thin - pencil like etc or there is pain - this may indicate an obstruction, in which case a capsule might not be best. The cases I read of retained capsule was with people with crohns but it is rare.

The capsule is best taken while there is still visible/active bleeding, so it can detect the cause and location.

Joel, 

while I am sure you are trying to be helpful - there is a lot more entailed then who gets to see your butt and whether you are successfully sedated through pain - plus Heather and I have both had colonoscopys.

The issue is about whether to have the upper endo and whether, upon weighing up all the issues, you feel to accept the procedure.

Many people have had awful experiences of both upper and lower endoscopys and all procedures carry risk - I was fortunate with my colonoscopy, but for some it does turn out to be quite a big ordeal, which is a 'big deal'

I know you mean to be kind - but you can never guarantee how someone else's experience is going to go - so all you can do is offer information towards them achieving informed consent or discussing alternatives.

Thanku so much lady 67208,your information regarding the capsule and stomach symptoms have been extremely enlightening.

I also have had none of the stomach symptoms you descibed so if the bleeding persists I will certainly go the capsule route.

As you said to Joel,everybody's personal experience is different and I wasn't in fact querying the pain of an endoscopy only the necessity of having one.

I truly appreciate you taking the time to explain fully the purpose of the capsule and your own personal experience and symptoms.

Let's hope we both find answers soon.

Take care and very best regards.

Heather.

Thank you Heather,

You are welcom, I hope we both succeed with our healthcare too.

All the best