anyone else had abnormal results of bowel cancer screening

My friend had bowel cancer at 50 ,was treated and died 35 years later of a heart attack. So even if the worst came to the worst (which it probably won't) all is not lost. Thinking of you

Mishap That's such a good post. The waiting seems endless and your mind thinks of all sorts.

Etheltbags1 Keep your pecker up. The oscopies affect your dignity more than anything else, especially the 'cleansing potion' - powerful stuff. Don't mean to sound flippant, just taking the edge off your anxiety I hope. I've had both ends done twice and was terrified the first time - fear of the unknown, I suppose. I was sedated, so really knew nothing until it was over. So pleased you'll have someone with you.

ethel, I had a colonoscopy a couple of years ago. I was very nervous, but it was better than I expected. They did insist that I had somebody with me for the night when I went home, because of the sedation. DD stayed over, but I spent the time cooking for her and felt absolutely fine. If I had to go through it again I would tell the doctor a lie and not ask her to stay. I have piles, so have chosen not to do the screening test in the future, because of the likelyhood of false positive readings.
I hope the outcome is good for you, and that the result is reassuring.

I also have had a colonoscopy, decided not to have sedation and I did not need it. One polyp was removed because they can be pre cancerous. The bowel preparation is far worse than the colonoscopy- it was a breeze in comparison.

Good luck

ethel Stay away from people who are likely to say something to make things worse! Stick with us, we'll look after you. I was very scared some years ago for a procedure that I had to have done and also gave in to what I call "nebulous fears". I spoke to a doctor friend of mine about it at the time, who listened and then said "But it has to be done". And every objection I had, she replied "But it has to be done". In the end there was nothing to be afraid of and I had tortured myself for nothing.

Anyway I googled the phrase "nebulous fears" to see if I could find anything to help you, and came across this blog, perhaps it will make you feel better:

andhereweare.net/2014/03/how-to-face-your-fears.html/

You can do it!

Don't panic too soon, ethel. Far more recalls are because of technical difficulties with the test, or because of false positives due to minor damage - piles, scratches, cracks, food, and so on - than to real bowel tumours. I imagine it is like the mammogram recalls - only one in ten of those turn out to be cancer.

Probably the first thing to happen will be a repeat of the poo-sticks test. If it is to be a colonoscopy, you will get an appointment and be sent lots of info and a sachet of laxative to take, to make sure that you are thoroughly cleaned out for it. Then you eat nothing overnight and drink nothing but water before the procedure. They look after you very well, and give you medication so that you feel nothing and are not anxious.

still waiting for the test, going for a check up Monday, what a horrible long wait.

Hope the appointment goes OK tomorrow, etheltbags.

Sorry, I was thinking today was Sunday - best wishes for Monday!

Good luck for Monday etheltbags1, I hope it goes well and I'm sure it will

One more day ethel Just think this time next year it will almost certainly be just a distant memory, and even if it isn't good news -I have quite a few friends who have had bowel cancer and are all still alive and kicking!!!

Glad that there is only one ay of waiting left for you and sending all good wishes to you for tomorrow. Please do let us know how it goes. There are lots of GNetters who will be with you in spirit.

yes thinking about you on Monday ethel lots on here giving you virtual support...

Monday isn't the day Im going for test, I have to go in just for check up or something. I don't really know but I assume they will give me a date in the next few days. Im just coping by going off into another world, reading, watching silly tv etc. thank you all again for your kind words.

Luv you all. x

Hopefully you will come away from tomorrow with a bit of clarity about what is needed in the way of tests (if any). It will be good to know where you stand. I hope the appointment brings some peace of mind for you.

Well I went for a chat tot he nurse who terrified me even more by showing me explicit pics and saying I might die or have a bleed while they are doing the test (to be fair she said its rare but I am still scared).
My colonoscopy booked for 28th.
Scary!!!

ethel they have to say these things, just in case you are the 1 in 20 millionth person it will happen to.
It's called informed or valid consent - if they haven't told you of every single risk, no matter how tiny, they haven't informed you properly and you haven't given valid consent.

It is a result of the litigation culture, and sadly, as you have found out, it produces an awful lot of completely unnecessary anxiety.
It's a pity that sometimes these explanations are not balanced by genuine reassurance.

You will be fine

Oh dear. Is it a colonoscopy that the nurse is talking about? Please please do not fret. I have had 2 of these with no trouble at all - and no sedatives offered then.

These nurses/doctors are obliged to warn you of the worst case scenario before they get to you to sign the permission form, but these happenings really are vanishingly rare. If you were a betting person and someone offered you the same sort of odds on a horse you definitely would not put money on it! - you would laugh.

It is the same with operations and any sort of medical intervention - they have to spell out the rarest of possibilities. Please try and remember that this procedure happens all the time - it is so common.

I remember my DD who was in obstructed labour and needed a caesarian - there was nothing else to be done to save them both - and the blooming registrar frightened her to death by telling her, with no tact at all, of all the possible dangers of the op. I was furious with her - she could have done it more tactfully. She was so blunt at a time when my DD was under threat and already frightened and in danger.

Please not worry - there are so many Gnetters here who have had the same procedure and have ben fine, as I am sure you too will be.

I was worried when I had a colonoscopy, even packed a bag in case of hospital admission, but of course everything was fine. Even the preceding laxative was no problem! I would not be at all concerned if I were to need another. I was told the results on the spot, although had to wait for biopsy report, which I think was done on gastroscopy which I had at the same time.
You will have many Gransnetters at your shoulder on 28th, all wishing you well.

28th it is then - no doubt we will be all in contact just before to boost your confidence. Hard to do but try to ignore it for a while.

I am still in absolute terror of this coming test, been reading on internet of the pain some people have during a colonoscopy and realise that everyone has been feeding me lies about how 'painless' the procedure is.

They tell me that they are screaming and rolling around on the bed in such agony, I have had three weeks of torture just worrying about it but hoping it would be ok, now I know its not. there are dangers too with the sedation, I have a horrible cough and when I lie down I cough worse so I know there are risks with chest infections/problems.

I am so scared of having treatments of any sort, I just want it to stop.

I had the chance to bring it forward to last Friday but I had no one to take me/bring me back so couldn't do it. why do the NHS just seem to think you are available at any time to fit in with their appointment cock ups. I have had to get my daughter to take time off work, someone has had to disrupt their life to stand in for her, my friend who cant now take me is grumbling that she has to pick me up when Ive had the test. (this friend is very ill herself and will struggle to drive the journey to the hosp). My elderly mother has now offered to babysit me for the day, she has had to cancel things that she had planned. I asked about patient transport if no one available to pick me up and they said I still need someone to accompany me as drivers are not specialist trained, yet my friend would be allowed to take me home alone and she is not medically trained, this does not make sense.

I just hate to be a burden on anyone and I wouldn't do it for anyone apart from my DD or DGD.

Ive got 5 more days till I know my fate. My whole life is 'on hold', everything I do or think about centres upon 'colonoscopy', I cant concentrate or do anything much. Does anyone know how this feels.

Everyone has NOT been feeding you lies but I can appreciate your worry. Rather like childbirth there will always be scaremongering anecdotes about "rolling around in agony" but why should you believe these any more than the calm reasoned sense of gransnetters who have been there? DH has a colonoscopy every year and next month will have a sigmoidoscopy as a follow up - it's basically the same procedure but doesn't go as "far up". I am not misleading you when I say he is not batting an eyelid at it. Do please try not to work yourself into such a state- remember (or learn) breathing exercises, take the sedation and by the time you wake up it will be over!

We have NOT been feeding you lies, etheltbags YOU WILL NOT GET PAIN. GUARANTEED.

Why would they subject you to pain when they can avoid it? How could they carry out the procedure on someone who is rolling about screaming? Could you stick a tube up someone's bum and guide it round the inside corners if they were thrashing around?

They NEED you to be calm and painless, so they will make sure that you are. You do your bit by telling them that you are afraid, they do theirs by reassuring you and medicating you.

Don't believe all you hear - some people like to make the most of their experiences. Some people are in countries where you have to pay extra for anaesthetics. Some like to see you squirm.

Why assume that it is US who are telling you lies? We call a spade a spade on this forum, we would have said something like - "It is no fun but better than ignoring it" I have had these colonoscopies, and THEY WERE NOT PAINFUL.

Now go to your GP, tell him/her how utterly terrified you are and ask for an extra tranquilliser to stop this constant panic. You don't have to put up with it. Be pro-active, not a passive sufferer.

Signed, your Dutch Auntie.

And, contrary to appearances, those two similar posts were a coincidence. No, there is not a secret cabal ganged up against people asking for reassurance.