positive bowel screening result

Glad you decided to go ahead, travelsafar. 💐

Had telephone call this morning with doctor which last an hour. He was lovely and gave me lots of information. I am booked for the test on the 22nd May. Thanks for all the posts from everyone.

I opted not to have any pain relief and I was absolutely fine. I was cursing my poor eyesight because I was trying to watch on the screen.

I had 2 polyps removed and felt tired for hours afterwards but that was because of my frequent trips to the loo before.

Please go for it as others have said its not something to fear. I like you had a positive test convinced it was from a bleeding stomach ulcer since I'd been getting symptoms of one. Doc convinced me to just have the colonoscopy "just to rule it out" thank heavens she did. Found a large polyp 2cm consultant reckoned I'd a window of about 18 month before it would have turned nasty. Regular colonoscopies for me from now on and it's a life saver, and far better than the alternative. Sending love.

I opted to have no anaesthetic, they convinced me that it didn’t make much difference.
Of course, as I’ve only had one, I didn’t know the difference.
It was fine but I think I have a fairly high pain threshold and used a really good relaxation technique, I find that if you ask medics for a couple of mins to relax they are pretty good about it.

glammagran
Thank you for letting me know. I had no idea. Here, they use what’s called “twilight” anesthesia which puts you under just enough to not feel anything but you may hear voices. You kind of drift in and out. All of a sudden they’re telling you to get dressed!

No matter what the application to the procedure is - for some it could be a life saver. Do not forgo!

Top tip is to use a straw to drink the bowel cleansing prep.

Gundy you lot are lucky in the U.S. to be put under. We don’t get a choice.

Never, ever forgo a colonoscopy when needed! You don’t feel a thing (they put you under) and before you know it, you’re up and out of there.

Most people don’t like the “drink/cleanse” you do at home before going in. It’s a nuisance more than anything.
USA Gundy

Please have the colonoscopy, I had one twenty two years ago and cancer was found, it was Stage One thankfully, and successfully dealt with. I dread to think of the outcome if I hadn't had it.

I’ve had it twice. Once after a positive test and another time when my GP was concerned about some blood tests. The worst part is taking the laxative. Do not stray far from the loo! The second time I was asked if I would be happy to have a student doing the procedure. I agreed and in fact because he was very closely supervised it was fine. The sedative they give you helps. . All they found were a couple of polyps which they removed, and diverticulitis.

I found the clearing out meds OK as have to takes laxatives regularly and used to it. Anusol to keep soreness away.

I had Fentanyl as pain relief before procedure and it went well tho my hip mobility to wiggle around helped and I watched the screen high on opioids … so OK.

I’m with Greciangirl. I found mine very painful too. I certainly did not feel even remotely sedated and was suffering from severe IBS (which is vastly improved now).

Yes very silly indeed, The emptying out is not pleasant for sure, but there is nothing to the colonoscopy itself, just a lot of wind afterwards. Get it done and put your mind at ease. Time for big girl knickers I am afraid

A colonoscopy is a few minutes of discomfort, or maybe I had a hamfisted doctor! But better that, than dealing with an undiagnosed problem later down the line. It will be fine. Good luck!

Think of it as self-care. Not anywhere near as nice as a massage but I bet it's a lot better than a leg-wax! All best to you!

No point in me telling you that you are being silly, as I think your question is rhetorical and you are just looking for reassurance.
I have Crohn’s disease and I have had this procedure many times. It really is nothing at all to worry about. It’s all very dignified and not at all uncomfortable, you really won’t feel a thing. However if you are anxious, as many people are, just ask to be sedated and you won’t even know it’s happening really you are sort of a wake sort of asleep. Be aware though if you chose this option, you will need someone to pick you up and stay with you for so many hours.
This is over in about 30mins weigh that against your life and it is a no brainer really.

It would be very stupid indeed to refuse a further examination, as the earlier bowel cancer, if that is what it is, is treated the better.

Ask the hospital if they are still using the old-fashioned colonoscopy or the new treatment where you swollow a tiny computer chip that photographs its way through your digestive tract, finally being passed with a motion, retrieved and read by the hospital.

I have no personal experience of this form of colonoscopy, but have heard it is greatly preferable to the former treatment. I know it is available in Scotland, so presumably it is in other parts of the UK too.

I had a colonoscopy when I was eighty. Proved to have cancer.
It had just started to get into the liver. Had op to remove part of bowel and was Ok until five years ago when I had anal cancel which was cured by radiotherapy..
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Please don’t worry too much about the colonoscopy. You’ll be sedated anyway so won’t know too much about it! I too had a positive result in 2015 despite having no symptoms. If I hadn’t have had the colonoscopy and subsequent treatment I’m fairly sure I wouldn’t be here now. Please don’t ignore it! Wishing you all the best x

Please, please go ahead and have the procedure. I had four in the past two years as polyps were found and one was “turning” which means I have to have a check up yearly. They are so kind and truly help and support you and explain everything.

I am able to write this reply as I did follow up cancer checks. I had ovarian cancer 20 years ago and after an operation and chemotherapy am still here. Now have bladder cancer, and am having treatment for that. I would not be here now if I had not had the ovarian cancer treated and have had 20 years more life so far (intend to carry on a bit longer) As other say if you dont do anything, now you already know it is there and will worry about it, so I do urge you to go and have the treatment and look to the future you can still have. The best of luck with it all

I have a colonoscopy every 5 years, as recommended by the medical profession here in the States. Always wise to get it done.

I’ve had it without sedation - the advantage to this, is you don’t need anyone with you or to get you home.
It was totally painless….and you can watch the procedure on a screen whilst the nurses and doc chat to you.
The movieprep drink is ghastly after the first few glasses and you can end up with a sore bot. If this is the case, tell the nurse at your pre- procedure interview and she’ll ask the doc to apply a numbing gel (which is very effective).
If you’re really fretting, you can opt for a sedative but have to wait longer afterward and then need to be driven home.
You can opt for no sedative but have the cannula attached ready, in case you get stressed and change your mind, then they can administer a sedative immediately.

Of course! Visited two friends today who both had positive results. One was pronounced clear after colonoscopy the other had a 3 cm growth removed. Please please don’t ignore