Terrified of colonoscopy problems

[Aleman200]

I've read a few stories about people having tons of issues after their colonoscopy and the leaflet says something like 1 in 4000 people get perforation or some other complication and i'm absolutely petrified of something happening during the procedure.

[Justinian]

Relax.

[Superworrier]

Hey please don't worry I have had this done three times and came to no harm many on here have also had it and come to no harm .
The leaflets can be an anxiety hot bed for us .

Nothing like that will happen you will be fine

[AndyB510]

I think the words 'mild discomfort' sum it up. You will have, or can ask for intravenous sedation, they may ask you to roll onto your side and there may be short twinges as they manoeuvre the camera around etc but its bearable.

They also provide a screen and suggested to me I might like to watch, I declined that little pleasure! All in all, although intrusive, the whole procedure shouldnt take long (30 mins?) and the disclaimer stuff about perforations etc is just something they have to list to cover themselves, it is by no means a likely outcome as the odds suggest.

Finally your relief that its over will be all encompassing, as will the severe flatulence in recovery I remember being wheeled next to a poor old woman who had just undergone a hip replacement when the air they had pumped into me decided it needed to come out!!

In summary, a routine procedure, please dont panic it will be over quicker than you know

[Aleman200]

Thank you guys, i feel much better about it after reading your posts. It's just not very informative of the after-procedure time, like what if i find blood or something when i go, or how long will it be before my bowels go back to normal!

And i agree, next time i'll avoid the leaflet i think!

[Aleman200]

Oh, and it's not very clear on what i can or can't eat while waiting to use the stuff, any advice?

[Pepperpot]

http://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/re...olonoscopy.pdf

[Aleman200]

Thank you that was useful! Do you think i should keep taking my citalopram like normal?

[Aleman200]

Not sure if it's the anxiety or what but not eating today has made my last solid movement all tiny rabbit pellets. I take my first sachet at 5pm tonight. Wish me luck :x

[AlexandriaUK]

Good luck, but you want need it promise, I also have had 3 and the fear of the unknown was my biggest problem first time which was a while ago and done in tiny cottage hospital with very old equipment, all changed since then do no probs, still only wathef first five mins but told them I didn't want to watch anymore as it was a repeat LOL