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Frightened to death of having a colonoscopy

(106 Posts)
FriedGreenTomatoes2 Tue 14-Jan-25 21:00:15

Same as you OldFrill.

OldFrill Tue 14-Jan-25 20:57:52

Arrange for someone to take you and take you home. Stick to the recommended diet as if your bowel isn't clear they won't be able to complete the task. Take the sedation on offer. It's not pleasant, not particularly painful (may be some discomfort) and thank goodness you're having it as the diagnosis should set you on the road to recovery. I've had so many I've given up counting. Good luck, it'll soon be a memory.

Oopsadaisy1 Tue 14-Jan-25 20:30:45

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!

Katyj Tue 14-Jan-25 20:27:29

I had one last year and was also terrified. I needn’t have worried it was not half as bad as my imagination led me to believe. I didn’t have sedation, it was very uncomfortable in places but with gas and air it was okay.
They found 3 small polyps which they removed and haemorrhoids inside and out which were the cause of the bleeding.
Poor you you’re in the wars at the moment with your tooth as well. Honestly the prep is the worst bit. Good luck with everything.

Doodledog Tue 14-Jan-25 20:18:08

I had one a while ago, and was similarly terrified. It was ok, I promise.

The prep was by far the worst part - except maybe the waiting to be called into the cubicle. The procedure itself was fine, and I am a wuss. They chat away, and although you are awake, the sedation means they could drive a tractor up there and you wouldn't care.

I know it's pointless saying so, but do try not tow worry. It doesn't hurt, and isn't embarrassing - I was treated with dignity throughout.

Dollymixtures Tue 14-Jan-25 20:05:19

I’ve had one thing after another wrong with me for months and fell when in A&E so was prescribed codeine. This blocked me up completely so back into A&E again. They found a total obstruction in my colon which obviously worried me a lot. I was sent home with various laxatives, powders which I’m still using but my haemorrhoids bleed constantly (sorry, TMI).

I’ve got a colonoscopy this Sunday which is terrifying me. I think I’ll probably go for sedation so if anyone has any advice I’d be grateful. I have to do 5 days of low fibre diet which is hard work alone. I know the prep isn’t pleasant. I’ll be relieved if they can reassure me that the blockage isn’t cancer but I also hope they’ll tie off the haemorrhoids and rid me of them. Can anyone calm me down at all? On top of all this, I have to have a broken off wisdom tooth out this Thursday as well!