Colonoscopy scheduled plus MRI -need some reassurance!

[shesmiles]

Hello all,

I'll try and be brief.

I'm not looking for a diagnosis just wondering if anyone has been through anything similar?

I was referred to a colo-rectal specialist 2 weeks ago after about 6 weeks of left sided abdominal pain - I don't want to go into huge detail but I also explained to him that I often feel "stuck" when I go to evacuate my bowel. I haven't had any mucus or blood in stools as far as I can be aware.

I've a tendency to get a trapped wind feeling by my left hip which can keep me awake.

To throw into the mix - I was told earlier this year I had impingement of my femoral nerve which was causing what I thought was hip pain. Did physio and basically felt cured!

My GP thinks it's my back (the nerve thing again) but referred me to colo-rectal "to be on the safe side".

I felt ok about this but....I've just had an abdominal ct scan come back fine. (Great!) and I expected the MRI because of the GP suspecting nerves in my back were the culprit......but the colonoscopy has me scared.

The process unnerves me and I'm also questioning the need if ct looked good re my bowel. I am being a wuss I know and should be grateful for the thoroughness of the consultant.

My fears stem from my Dad. He was told he had sciatic pain but we went on to find that he had cancer (lung) which was advanced and a secondary tumour was affecting his sciatic nerve. I haven't discussed this with my GP or consultant as I don't want them to think I am getting myself in a tizz. But, I guess I am.

Anyone think of anything constructive to help me along? Sorry it's a bit long - once I started I couldn't stop!

[lavender123]

I hope this might help you a little bit my son had a colonoscopy and MRI scan as he has crohns. He said it was painless, and bearable , I think you are gives something to calm you down, muscle relax. He is on steroids now, until his sees his consultant, your be alright, the staff are very kind.

[chickpea]

I've had a colonoscopy to diagnose Crohn's.
I promise you, it was absolutely fine. You will be given sedation and pain relief and I only felt slight discomfort briefly when they were going around the bends. Afterwards, I couldn't remember some parts of it - it was like being nicely drunk.

[lavender123]

Yes that's how my son said , feeling a bit woozy but no pain. He had the MRI scan and cat scan the lot really. You will be fine :)

[shesmiles]

Thanks for responding folks......

I think I'm just a bit overwhelmed with stuff - I only had the ct this week and although it's clear the follow up seems to be coming at me thick and fast (and I had thought a good ct might let me off the hook re a colonoscopy)!

Have to admit it's the prep that gives me the collywobbles. I've read the threads on here and people seem to say it's not so bad so I'm going to hope for the best. Just aware whenever I've had loose stools I've had a lot of pain in my abdomen and you kind of shy away from inducing that.

It's scheduled for the 9th December - the MRI is next weekend. Think I'll be ok with that though. Just keep my eyes closed.

At least I am now getting some sleep as GP prescribed 10mg Amitriptyline which has seen off the pain and leaves me suitably woozy. He still thinks it's my back and I'm holding on to that thought.