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roseanxiety
07-02-17, 23:30
I am scheduled to have a colonoscopy in 8 days ( if I don't cancel due to anxiety). My fear is not the procedure itself. It is getting the results. It is a screening colonoscopy and I have no symptoms but I still have this irrational fear that something bad will be found. Does anyone else have this problem of being fearful of what you will hear after the procedure? I can't stop thinking about it.

Pepperpot
07-02-17, 23:36
I had a colonoscopy and it was ok. They told me what they found (which was nothing) straight after.
I think you're just going to have to be brave and try not to worry too much - easier said than done I know x

hopeful927
08-02-17, 17:01
Well we are made from the same mold for sure. I have had 2 colonoscopies, and after the first one they found nothing. I just had another one a year later and they did remove a polyp. The doctor said that it was not cancer. They can tell a lot from seeing it. Everything has to be sent away, it is the law. I do have to wait for 4 weeks for final confirmation so I have been dealing with anxiety for sure. What I tell myself is that even if, then I will just take care of it. I also am challenging myself to trust my doctors, and if he said it wasn't cancer, then it ISN"T cancer. It is a constant battle, but you have to be firm with your mind because it will always go to a dark place. Self care is very important as well. Take time for yourself, go for a massage, buy something that will soothe you. You deserve it. It will all be ok.

Annie0904
08-02-17, 17:23
I am going for a colonoscopy on 18th Feb. I had my pre assessment this morning. The nurse told me that the majority of them come back with nothing wrong.

roseanxiety
09-02-17, 03:55
Thank you for your replies. I know it's a very common procedure but I am still anxious about it. What was your preassesment for? I wasn't scheduled for one. They just gave me a prescription for th prep with written instructions. Good luck to you. I will repost after mine and report how it was.

Annie0904
09-02-17, 09:48
I didn't have a pre assessment last time but did this time. They just checked my bloods and blood pressure and explained the procedure and prep to me. I am a lot more anxious today. I am getting so anxious that I think my bowels will probably empty without the prep!

Capercrohnj
09-02-17, 22:18
I'm a GI patient (Crohn's) and get colonoscopies pretty much yearly. I never had a "preassessment" per say though I do see a GI regularly.

And no your bowels will not empty enough without the prep. You might think they are but until you have done a prep you will realize how wrong you are ;) the test itself is nothing and you get a nice nap.

Annie0904
10-02-17, 10:55
And no your bowels will not empty enough without the prep. You might think they are but until you have done a prep you will realize how wrong you are ;) the test itself is nothing and you get a nice nap.
Yes I know, I have had one before and know I need the prep, I was just trying to say how nervous I am :D It is actually the prep that scares me more than anything. Last time I had Fleet which was horrendous. Thankfully that is not used anymore and I am told the moviprep is not so bad but it still scares me after last time.

Capercrohnj
10-02-17, 14:37
Luckily I have never had an enema. Here we use Pico salax which is the easiest prep. It's powder youix with 1 cup of water twice.

Annie0904
10-02-17, 17:47
Luckily I have never had an enema. Here we use Pico salax which is the easiest prep. It's powder youix with 1 cup of water twice.

Yes the one they have given me is also a powder to mix with water so I guess it is similar to yours.

roseanxiety
11-02-17, 04:24
My prep is a gallon of water mixed with a yucky tasting thickish substance. It is hard to drink without gagging. I am getting more nervous as the day draws closer. The only thing keeping me from cancelling is thinking what if I have something and I don't catch it early. Then I will be sorry. But BELIEVE ME , I am dreading it! Extremely worried about getting the results too. Thanks for the comments and support.

Annie0904
11-02-17, 12:41
The same with me...I already cancelled one in December but I know I have to do it this time as I am only worrying more about if there is anything wrong. My blood tests are all fine so that gives me some reassurance. I think yours is a few days before mine? I have mine on 18th Feb.

roseanxiety
12-02-17, 01:46
I am just so darn nervous about this. My prep is miXed with a GALLON of water I think! (I pick it up Monday). Even when I am not thinking about it I can feel underlying anxiety. Getting startles and just an uneasy feeling. Even though I am scared, I want to get it over with. I know the relief will be HUGE!! I just hope I don't have polyps and then have to wait for a biopsy! :scared15:

Annie0904
12-02-17, 09:31
Me too. I know I am not going to be able to do any work this week. I just wish I could be sedated for the week until it is all over! All I want to do is sleep so that I don't have to think about it.

roseanxiety
13-02-17, 00:56
Annie, is yours on Saturday? Mine is Thursday. I wish I could stop thinking about it. I know rationally it is foolish but I am so scared. I will be so glad when it's over with.

Annie0904
13-02-17, 09:23
Yes mine is Saturday and I can't stop thinking about it either. I just feel like I can't cope with anything at the moment. Just want to hide in my bed I am so anxious.

roseanxiety
14-02-17, 01:36
I picked up my prep today. It is a huge gallon jug that I have to mix with water. It is PINEAPPLE flavored!!!! I am dreading this so bad, but not dreading the prep as much as seeing if there is something wrong. You hear everyone saying that the prep is the worst part but not for me. Sorry for the continuous posts but I am so nervous and it helps to hear about others. I keep telling myself that there will be no definitive diagnosis immediately after the prep. I am bracing myself for polyps because a few people I know had them . According to everyone they are benign and are removed during the procedure.

Annie0904
14-02-17, 10:24
I am getting more anxious too. Yes I think they tell you the same day.

SLA
14-02-17, 13:10
I was referred for one by my GP yesterday.

It's actually stressing me out.

Annie0904
14-02-17, 14:39
I am getting sedated for mine so the actual colonoscopy part isn't worrying me too much, it is the prep before and the wondering about the results that is making me so anxious. I have been out for a walk today to try to take my mind of it. Not actually feeling too bad today.
Nurseanxiety do you start your prep tomorrow?

SwedishGirl
14-02-17, 19:44
I had one a few months ago. Ask for sedation and the procedure itself will be very easy. They were halfway through before I realised that they had started :-)

They gave me the results straight away and mine were all clear.

The prep wasn't enjoyable but wasn't awful. I had to drink 2 litres the evening before and 2 litres in the morning. I stayed VERY close to the toilet but walking around helps things go quicker. I mixed my drink with lime cordial to make it taste less horrible. Be careful not to chill it because that volume of cold drink will cool your body too much.

A tip I recommend is to buy baby wipes and nappy rash cream. You will want something kind and soothing on your bum once the prep starts working.

I worried about the whole thing way more than I needed to.

roseanxiety
15-02-17, 01:38
Thank you for your advice. My prep is pineapple flavored. I hope I can tolerate it. I have to drink it tomorrow starting at 2 pm and then drink 8 ounces every 20-30 minutes until it's gone. I will be sedated with propofol. I will be so glad when it's Thursday afternoon and the whole thing is over. I have been nervous and on edge for 2 weeks and it is driving me crazy!

---------- Post added at 19:37 ---------- Previous post was at 19:30 ----------

Yes, Annie, I start it at 2 pm tomorrow. I have to only take clear liquids starting tomorrow morning. I need to get some broth and jello. They called me for my pre-op intake today and said I am scheduled at 0930. I wish it was earlier. I have to be at the hospital at 8 am. I will definitely check in tomorrow and Thursday after the procedure. Like you, I am more worried about getting the results than the actual procedure. I have a horrendous fear of being told something bad is wrong. Even though I have no reason to believe that there will be bad news. I keep telling myself that if there is something that needs to be treated, then it is a good thing to get it done. I have come so close to cancelling so many times. These are the things that fuel my anxiety. I have health anxiety so bad. Well, I am rambling too much. I will post again tomorrow. Good luck to you.

---------- Post added at 19:38 ---------- Previous post was at 19:37 ----------

SLA, why did you get referred for one? When is it to be done?

Annie0904
15-02-17, 15:55
I have to wait until 12:30 on Saturday for mine. I wish I could fast forward! I have been cleaning my house to keep me busy. I will have the cleanest house in the town by Saturday!

SLA
15-02-17, 17:09
I've had a few odd things happen, and so I saw a Doctor on monday.

She asked a load of questions, stuck her finger up my ass, and then referred me to have one done!

Not sure of the date yet, waiting to hear.

Im slightly on edge, but holding up.

pulisa
15-02-17, 22:05
SLA, can you look at it as having a free colonic irrigation treatment? No one wants to be referred for a colonoscopy but as everyone says it's the preparation which is the worst bit. I was lucky and had just a 4 hour prep which was pretty full-on but over much more quickly. The consultant who did mine prefers the dynamite laxative effect!

It's the fear of the unknown and anyone would be apprehensive about this but it's really not that bad and you get the results straightaway. Choose to have sedation and it's better still....I think they give you midazolam which suits me just fine!:D

I really wish everyone the very best of luck with their colonoscopies. The anticipatory anxiety is so draining when you just want the time to fly by so you can get cracking on getting the thing done and dusted.

roseanxiety
17-02-17, 01:15
Well, it's over!!! The relief I feel is indescribable! Of course as everyone says the prep was the worst part. Lol. But really not for me. Mine was getting the results. Which I had one polyp removed which he said was benign.( they will send to pathology to confirm). Said to come back for another colonoscopy in 5 years because if you develope one the chances are slightly increased that you could develope others. He wasn't concerned.

I want to say thank you to everyone for the support I have received on this forum. I can't tell you how much it has helped. :)

Annie0904
17-02-17, 09:11
I am so pleased it is over for you and nothing serious.
I start my prep at 5 tonight. I am very nervous today.