Frightened to death of having a colonoscopy

I had a colonoscopy and endoscopy in the same session (one after the other, not at the same time!). The sedation is very effective and the nursing staff were lovely and caring. I was given the preliminary all clear before I even left the ward. Please try not to worry and good luck.

I had my first colonoscopy in 2009 and have had quite a few since. The first one was done without sedation and was not too bad. To be honest I find the awful stuff they give you to drink to clear you out is worse than the actual colonoscopy when you are sedated.

I too am on codeine medicine for a different issue and have all sorts of medication for the side effects of that too. I feel for you.

Good Luck

As others have said the prep is definitely the worst bit. I had one a few years ago so things may have changed a bit. I was given disgusting laxative powders to take the day before, and talk about the world falling out of my bottom. The advice I was given was to be very close to a toilet otherwise the mess would be considerable. The procedure itself was a breeze, I was given a sedative and I slept through the whole thing. This was on the NHS. As I said things may have changed a bit since I had one. My friend has a private doctor, she had a colonoscopy, the doctor gave her tablets to take rather than powders. He also advised her to be sitting on the toilet when she did. For her the procedure the following day was no problem.

Forgot to say you will get the result at the time of the procedure. Always be careful if coedine, it can cause terrible constipation. I am sure you will be ok.

It's not as bad as you think. If you opt for sedation you will be kept in hospital for hours afterwards. Gas and air will be available if you need it and even if you do need it you can still go home after 20 minutes of observation during which time they give you a cup of tea and a biscuit. Good luck'

Are you frightened of the colonoscopy or what it might reveal?
Everyone here has said that. the procedure itself really isn't too bad and there is no real need to be frightened of it.
Obviously, if you have an obstruction, that is serious, even if it isn't cancerous.

Absolutely no need to be frightened. As has been saud the worst part is drinking the solution beforehand. Just keep near your toilet and you will be fine.

The prep is by far the worst part! I had sedation, felt nothing.

Oopsadaisy1

Same here, I’ve had 3 now, opted for sedation, but you can watch it all on screen if you choose.I’m not sure that will remove hemarroids, but will remove polyps if they can and will give you results when you come to. The staff were brilliant and very sympathetic.

Prep is not unpleasant to take but please stay very close to the loo, don’t think you can sit in the sitting room and watch TV and get there in time cos you won’t!

Haha, you’re right about that, best take a book into the bathroom and stay there.
A colonoscopy itself is ok with some sedation and the staff are very pleasant and respectful.They don’t usually remove haemorrhoids tho, only polyps if found.Good Luck OP.

I had one without sedation and it was okay. Some hospitals do not regularly offer sedation. I assumed I would be getting sedation and on the day was told they do not do this and I would have to rebook if I needed sedation. Also you do need someone to take you home if you have sedation.

My local hospital also expected me to self-administer an enema which I could not manage and had to rebook and get the nurses to do it before the procedure.

The usual prep is a liquid you take and I had that prior to another surgery. It did not work for me for several hours and was then up most of the night once it started working.

My DH has had two, and several polyps removed, he was not in any pain.

I’ve had a colonoscopy, it was all fine, sedation is really good, I didn’t feel a thing.

Dollymixtures. Sorry I forgot to say, no they didn’t, I did ask if they could do anything he said to see my GP. When they’re active I use pessary’s which calm them down.

I had one a few years ago, and I decided I did not need sedation, and I did not. The staff were kind and chatted with me throughout the procedure. The prep is the worst and getting up during the night several times to use the loo.

Even a couple of days later, I needed to be close to a loo.

Please do not worry. I had 3 polyps removed, and again, I felt nothing.

I had one last year and as others have said the prep is the worst bit.
I recommend keeping it in the fridge and drinking it through a straw.
Stay close to the toilet at all times.
I had sedation and a mild pain killer and it was all fine. The staff were lovely and I received a print out afterwards.
I was diagnosed with Diverticulosis, nothing sinister thank goodness.
Please try not to worry it really isn't as bad as you think it will be.
The best of luck to you xx

Do insist on sedation. I’ve had several colonoscopies and I’ve always insisted. This won’t knock you out but you’ll be quite sleepy and it will be over before you know it. Worth having it done for peace of mind. Will be thinking of you

I have had several without sedation (my choice) and can assure you it really is not a big deal - it's the prep that is the trouble!! I would advise that you use relaxation exercises as you might have used in labour - make a conscious effort to relax the muscles round your anus and it will be much easier then.

My DGD has Crohn's Disease and is always having colonoscopies - they are just a normal part of her life and she thinks nothing of them.

Just relax - it will be fine. I hope that they are able to give you a clean bill of health.

It’s not that bad! Go for sedation!

I have had several as I am at med-high risk of bowel cancer. I have also reassured approx 20 people that a colonoscopy is no problem at all. Would have one of those over a filling any day!

Take the sedation and you will be in a lovely “couldn’t care less” mood. You can watch on screen if you like and you usually get a colour print out to take home. If not, lay back and relax.

Honestly, don’t waste any more time or energy worrying about it, I promise it will be fine.

I have had a couple of Colonoscopies which weren’t as bad as I feared. I also had a camera Endoscopy which was wonderful. I swallowed a large capsule and the technician followed it on a screen. No pain, no fear and apparently very accurate. You pass it naturally afterwards. They need to do something about the flavour of the laxative though, it is unnecessarily horrible.

I presume that most of us would be anxious about this procedure.
I was persuaded not to have sedation and it was fine, just a couple of uncomfortable moments (wind). The worst bit was waiting to go in, the staff put in a cannula and then ignored me to chat about their social life. It would have relaxed me a bit to be included in some conversation.
During the procedure I had someone talking to me and that helped although every time I tried to look at the screen she pushed my head down again.(In a nice way) it must have put me in the wrong position I presume but I would have liked to watch.
* I was wrong about the worst bit…. Have just remembered the preparation! Stay close to the toilet!

I’ve had one and echo others here. Follow the diet and prep, take the sedation - you’ll be fine

Katyj did they tie off your haemorrhoids at the same time?

Oh thank you, thank you. I can’t stop thinking about it and will be up to full steam by Sunday I think!

I have had 4 colonoscopies and as others have said, they aren't that bad!
I find the prep is the worst bit. The actual thing is just uncomfortable.
Just keep thinking that it could save your life if there is a problem found. Most people are clear though.
Good luck.