anyone else had abnormal results of bowel cancer screening

counting the hours while taking the disgusting movie prep and having the disgusting results. Just want it to be over with now and the next 24 hours as my mum is 'looking after me' and never stops talking. I just want to be back to normal.

Nearly there now etheltbags.
We'll be thinking of you tomorrow and hoping that all goes well - don't forget to come back and tell us how you got on. I'm sure Rowantree especially would appreciate being reassured.

Poor etheltbags - I have only just read this thread and can totally sympathise with your trepidation. I was going to post asking if anyone had had a colonoscopy and could reassure me because I've just been told I have to have one. I am extremely anxious about the procedure too, but the doc at the hospital was very reassuring. I just wish I hadn't googled it and read some of the forums - which tend to select for those whose experiences weren't great.
I've also heard experiences of a friend who's had a few colonoscopies and says they really weren't a problem. I'm trying to remind myself of that rather than believe the scaremongers (there are always those and who's to say they are more believeable than those who report no problems?

Will be thinking of you tomorrow. Remember, they are being careful and thorough. Just because you're having a colonoscopy doesn't mean that you have got cancer!

I had a colonoscopy this morning. I was accompanied to the hospital and we waited together in the waiting room after checking in. A nurse then took me into a room on my own to complete a health questionnaire, take my BP, temperature and weight, explain the procedure and to give me an opportunity to ask any questions. I was then taken to a cubicle and asked to change into a hospital gown. The consultant then arrived and asked me to sign the consent form. I was then escorted to the procedure room where I was given an IV sedative and the procedure was then done. I was given oxygen to breathe and my vital signs were monitored throughout. It was not pleasant, but neither was it awful. I was then moved to a recovery room. I got dressed and had a cup of tea and a biscuit 20 minutes later. The nurse then explained the test results to me, then she phoned my husband to say I was ready for discharge and escorted me to the waiting room and handed me over to his care. My appointment was for 9.15am and we left the hospital about 11.30am. Hope this helps.

Ethel - the reason the hospital is asking for the person taking you home to be in the hospital, is so that they can see you being taken home as you leave the building, in order to avoid irresponsible people like the friend you have quoted above, from pulling the wool over their eyes and trying to drive themselves home when they are a danger to other road users after sedation.

The hospital are acting responsibly in this and not responding to a shortage of staff. The person you take with you can be as involved or uninvolved as you choose - the staff just need to see you leaving the building with a responsible sober driver so that they know that you and others are safe, and that someone is getting you home and settling you in in case you still feel a bit woozy..

They have seen people behave irresponsibly and are taking steps to prevent that.

I do hope that today's laxative routine is not proving too arduous; and I send all good wishes for tomorrow.

I usually go and do something in London while DH is being 'done'. By the time I get back to accompany him to Euston he will have seen the consultant and heard if all was clear. If a polyp has been removed it will be sent for biopsy and he will get the result at the next clinic or be recalled if there is a problem. I do not stay in the hospital! Good luck!

I have attended local hospitals for various procedures. In the ante-room, there were other patients waiting to have colonoscopies or something similar. Not a single one of them had a friend or relative in the room with them and neither had I. Everyone who was having sedation had someone ready to take them home.

Why not phone the hospital contact number with your questions and fears? They get asked the same things by all patients. It is clear that you don't trust those GNers who have had the procedure to tell you the truth, perhaps you would be happier hearing it from those who deal with it every day.

You could ask:-

Tell me truthfully how much pain or discomfort I will feel? I want to know so that I am prepared.

Why do I need someone to be with me going home after the colonoscopy? Do they need to come in with me while it is going on?

What proportion of people getting this test turn out to really have a tumour, and what proportion don't? So that I know whether to be aware that it just might happen or to be ready to hear that it is very likely to happen.

Will they tell me to my face if they have found anything or do I have to wait for the report to go to the GP?

Will I feel any after-effects in the next few days?

What will be the next step?

Plus anything else that is bothering you.

Write down everything you want to ask and note the answers down. You may miss things out if you are anxious.

Of course, you will have to trust the professionals to be straight with you. My experience has always been that if you ask a direct question, you get a direct anwer. I have been through it all twice. Once for myself, which ended in a lumpectomy for breast cancer and no further problems (now 9 years on) and once for my dear husband. His tumour was far more advanced and had spread, so there was not a happy ending, but all the staff were wonderfully supportive and caring.

All our questions were answered, honestly but with compassion. People are nicer than you suspect they are going to be.

ethel believe it or not, some people would actually tell the nursing staff that 'someone was coming to pick them up' when actually no arrangements had been made, the patient thought they would be ok to go home by themselves, and then the patient would have to be kept at the hospital longer than necessary while someone was found to take the patient home.

That's why hospitals insist on the escort being in the building before the sedation is given. They probably wouldn't allow your friend in the room while you're having the procedure even if you wanted her there.

You need someone with you after sedation, you might feel a little spaced out and light headed as I did after endoscopy.

etheltbags If your friend had been sedated, then it was very irresponsible of her to drive – just as irresponsible as those people who think they are safe to drive when they have drunk alcohol or taken illegal drugs. The fact that she didm't have an accident on either occasion is fortunate but no excuse or justification.

You don't need anyone in the hospital with you.

You need someone to get you home.

That's what we've all been saying.

That's not what im asking Nellie, Im asking why do I need someone in the hospital with me, if the taxi drops me off, surely the staff will look after me, then I will ring my friend to pick me up when they say Im ok to go home. What could be simpler than that.
I would really stress out if I had to cope with someone there all the time as I really don't want all and sundry (apart form gnetters) to know my affairs.
the same friend has had this done twice and said she was ok to drive home, just pretended her husband was driving and around the corner she got into the driving seat, she only had light sedation.

Ethelbags If you have sedation it is recommended you have someone with you for about 24hrs (or however long it is) in case you start feeling unsteady or unwell. They are worried about this as everyone reacts differently to medication. It's not just somene to "hold your hand".

Didn't you read janeainsworth's post of 19.42 today, ethel?

If you're having sedation they can't just discharge you without someone to get you home, you wouldn't be safe to drive or make your way to public transport on your own.

They're not saying someone has to be with you during the procedure. Please try to stay calm and not panic.

I am having someone to pick me up, if she cant manage a neighbour will pick me up but why do I need them with me, I wont discuss anything with anyone who is with me. I would be so embarrassed if anyone was with me and they got emotional if I have bad results.
Why can the nurses 'be with me'. Im worried that there aren't enough staff to cope if they need to bring the public in.

DH has had his results straight away both times with a copy sent to his GP. I always go with him because of not driving after the sedation.

If you're having sedation ethel you have to have someone with you to make sure you get home ok, that's all.

I got mine then and there when I had a colonoscopy ...

DH got his results there and then too.

I thought if you were referred by a GP or consultant then the results should go back to the referring doctor.

When I've had gastroscopies, I've been given a print-out of their findings before I left the hospital.

I got the results there and then , and a copy of print out for the gp but my sister was in the waiting room and not a fat lot of use , luckily all was fine

They won't give you the results straight away, ethel, at least they don't here in Wales. They will send them to the doctor who sent you for the scan and then he/she will give you the results.

I think they advise someone with you as your vision could go a bit fuzzy but that is temporary.
Have pmd you.

Been reading all your comments and will give you all an update as soon as I get back home Friday.
I have not slagged off the NHS as some of you think, I just meant that I couldn't bring the appointment forward as so many people had adjusted their lives to help me the following week, they would not have done it earlier as I had no one to bring me home, this is one of the worst things so far, having to tell people that Im having the test done, I like to be private, (not counting g net as I don't know anyone personally).
In the past I had a similar test but I told no one and had to have an operation, then I told my immediate family and work only. (I was ok on that occasion as DD lived with me and is sensible and looked after me well).
Im still scared but resigned, tomorrow have to take the laxitives, yuk.

Why do people keep asking if Ive got someone to be with me. I think it would be worse to have someone there as If they give me the results I would be the one comforting the relatives. Maybe its because the nhs is so short staffed they ask relatives/friends to help with the prep.