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Urgent Help Regarding Colonoscopy and Endoscopy

Posted , 7 users are following.

crispyswinger1
crispyswinger1

Hi All,

So quick summary here of my issues...Past few weeks I had abdominal cramps on one side and I lost a few pounds (maybe from worry). Had more BMs than usual but they weren't unhealthy ones. Anyway, doc recommended i get a colonoscopy and an endoscopy on Monday bearing in mind i am going abroad for 2 weeks to Cyprus on Wednesday morning!

So I'm feeling way better than I was when I reported the issues to the doc and very concerned that the procedures may make things worse! e.g. could cause problems like bleeding that will stop me going on holiday, could cause problems with my stomach for days/weeks due to the healthy bacteria being flushed out or from unclean endoscopes being used etc.

So I really need to know what folks suggest bearing in mind the above and the fact I will be away from the UK for 2 weeks following my procedures. Need to know today as if I decide to cancel the procedures it will need to be done Friday by 9am UK time!

Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks smile

0 likes, 39 replies

39 Replies

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  • joel96803
    joel96803 crispyswinger1

    Posted

    Of course, you should discuss this with your Doctor. I am not a doctor, but I believe that for safety reasons, you should not take such a trip, in the rare case that a complication develops in the week or so following your procedure.
  • crispyswinger1
    crispyswinger1

    Posted

    Thank you both! 😊 really appreciate the replies and i see where you're coming from with the "if something goes wrong" rather than the "you'll definitely feel rubbish". See I've had them both before and other than a sore throat from the endoscopy I was fine...

    Both doctors (one was my specialist) said that there will be no issues at all... Obviously that's going off the fact that nothing would go wrong... But there can be complications with any procedure I guess

  • etheremail
    etheremail crispyswinger1

    Posted

    On the face of it, the tests suggested sound rather radical on those symptoms. The risks, however, are very low (the holiday is statistically far more risky lol). if it is the weight loss that is worrying the doctor and it is continuing and unexplained then I would have the tests. If not i would take the holiday and see how i was when I got back.
  • SophieJane010
    SophieJane010 crispyswinger1

    Posted

    Hey there! I understand your concerns but I would just go ahead and get it over and done with if I was you, that way you will be able to enjoy your holiday so much more! Also keep in mind that complications are rare!

    I had my endoscopy and colonoscopy done a couple of days ago and was so nervous about it, but honestly the procedures themselves felt like nothing after it was all over and done with. Not sure what drugs they gave me but there was virtually no down time. I woke up, had something to eat and went home and cleaned the house (feeling much less stressed than I had been a few hours earlier!).

    Keep in mind a little bleeding is common, especially if they take some biopsies but it's nothing to worry about.

    I understand that everyone's experience is different but I was like you ... I was panic attacks and I just could not relax as I was so stressed out. You'll feel better getting it out of the way IMO!

    Good luck with whatever you decide smile

    • crispyswinger1
      crispyswinger1 SophieJane010

      Posted

      Hi Sophie!

      Awww that's great! I'm really glad yours went well!! smile wish I'd have read this in the first place! I panicked loads, realised my symptoms aren't as bad anymore (even though I lost some weight) and then cancelled on Friday! sad. I then panicked again after I'd done it but then it was too late to re-schedule it!

      I spoke with the hospital today and they told me to go ahead with the prep tomorrow and then ring back on Monday morning and they would try and fit me in...however they also said they may NOT be able to fit me in...so now stuck as to what to do sad

    • crispyswinger1
      crispyswinger1 SophieJane010

      Posted

      By panicked again I mean I am was/am worried now that I should have gone ahead with it but it was too late to reschedule...messed this one up!
  • crispyswinger1
    crispyswinger1

    Posted

    Wish me luck all! I'm doing all the prep tonight and not even sure if I'll be able to get the procedure done tomorrow! Already haven't eaten in about 15 hours and I was in tears with panic earlier about it all
    • etheremail
      etheremail crispyswinger1

      Posted

      Very best of luck! Nearly everyone thinks it's a bit miserable but nothing AWFUL and you can have a nice meal afterwards. If you have some Vaseline it can help with soreness and I took a detective story in the loo. You'll be laughing about this part of it by Tuesday.
    • crispyswinger1
      crispyswinger1 etheremail

      Posted

      Really thank you for getting back to me! 😊 hehe did make me smile that 😊 just worried myself further by reading all the horror stories of perforations and people dying from them etc! Also with me buggering up cancelling and then rushing around trying to re schedule it hence not being sure if I will actually have it tomorrow or not! Need to ring them in the morning and find out
    • etheremail
      etheremail crispyswinger1

      Posted

      Perforation is incredibly rare so don't worry. And remember the statistics are worldwide. You're more likely to suffocate in the hospital lift lol
    • crispyswinger1
      crispyswinger1 etheremail

      Posted

      Hahaha made me laugh! 😊 thanks for the reassurance! I have been torn for days now and making myself ill thinking about whether to go or not which is how I ended up in a pickle with the appointment. Fingers crossed they can fit me back in!
    • SophieJane010
      SophieJane010 crispyswinger1

      Posted

      Aw you poor thing, the panic is the worst part. The prep is disgusting hey... It reminded me of drinking lemon flavoured dishwashing liquid. Yuck yuck
    • SophieJane010
      SophieJane010 crispyswinger1

      Posted

      You sound exactly like me 😂 I always jump to worst case scenario. I was so happy for it to be over with I kept telling the nurses they were the "nicest people in the world" while I was waking up haha. You'll be fine
  • crispyswinger1
    crispyswinger1

    Posted

    Wow! This prep tastes worse than I thought! It's like liquid tuna!!! and I HATE fish sad
    • lady67208
      lady67208 crispyswinger1

      Posted

      I doubt they would ask you to go through the prep unless they were pretty sure they could fit you in for the procedure, especially in a private hospital.

      So it should all be worth it. Hope it all goes well and your holiday smile

    • crispyswinger1
      crispyswinger1 lady67208

      Posted

      Guess so yeah 😊 and I did ring the ward and they told me they can see me on the list of patients for tomorrow! Gonna ring the actual doctor in the morning and triple check!

      Thanks for that! I appreciate it 😊

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