Going to have a Colonoscopy - Fluffy stories please....

[heavenly]

First of all...no horror stories please....only positive posts in this thread....I am a sensitive soul......

Had some tummy problems (diarhhea and constipation) leading up to my 48 hr panic attack I had in the middle of August. Since being put on Olanzapine, every has calmed down, no diarhhea, no constipation, everything fine. I am convinced that my anxiety attacks lead to my tummy problems and that there is nothing physically wrong me but but GP wanted me to go to see a specialist. Went to the hospital yesterday for a sigmoidoscopy, I did really well, didn't need to take a diazapam, procedure only lasted a couple of minutes. He said he couldn't see anything at all untoward, but wanted to make sure...great.......so I will have a colonoscopy in a few weeks.

I can choose sedation or gas and air...I am sure someone up there is testing me, any old hospital appointment is bad enough, but when you suffer from panic and anxiety attacks, not ideal!! Oh well..another challenge!!! Anyway, I have coped with being back at work for 2 weeks, and I never thought I would, and I coped with the appointment yesterday, so in a few weeks, I know I will be even stronger and I will cope!!

Question, I will take an Olanzapine in the morning of the procedure, is it safe to ask for sedation at the hospital as well? Or better to stick with just the gas and air. I might even take a Diazapam in the morning as well, that is fine to take with the Olanzapine, just not sure the added sedation at the hospital is ok to mix it with!


Any positive (not as in 'its great'....I know it won't be great...lol...but as in 'not as bad as first thought',) type of things/experiences and tips for the night before and/or the day, will be hugely appreciated!!!

[Kerry B]

Hi I have Crohns Diease and have had a few colonoscopy alone the way...........to be honest the worst part for me was the day before taking the sachets as my consultant used to say he liked me shining like mirror inside. The procudure I didnt really feel as they gave me an Injection which made me feel no pain, I remember waking up and my stomach felt like it had been blown up like a baloon. In fact I am due to have another one in the next 6 month. good luck

[heavenly]

Thanks for the reply Kerry. Yes, I have read a few stories on here about the night before. I suppose its the anxiety part of it, going through a procedure, that concerns me. But I can take a Diazapam in the morning if I feel extra anxious, just better make sure I tell the doctors, in case Diazapam and an injection doesn't mix.

[calm]

i have crohns too....and it is the sachets.....but just stay at home and be near a loo - but honestly that isnt too bad either...just yuk taking them xxxx

you will be fine...honestly....you dont feel a thing...i had sedation.

check with your gp re: the diaz....ok my love xxxxx

[heavenly]

Thanks hun. I am a little confused about what I am having done next though. When I saw the specialist, he gave me a quick examination then shoved the camera up there, it blew some air up there, took about a minute. He then said he wants me back for a procedure, and on the way out, the nurse has given me a booklet saying Flexible Sigmoidoscopy.

I thought that is what I just had? I'm confused, would it be a colonoscopy next? If so, why did she give me a leaflet for a Sigmoidoscopy? Perhaps I should ring the specialist's secretary, to make sure.

I'm muddled enough as it is on the meds! Would be nice (ok...well not nice, but you know what I mean!), to know what I am actually having!

[nomorepanic]

Hi there

There are 2 types of sigmoidoscopies - I have had both.

One is called rigid and one is flexible.

You need to find out if you are having a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy as whilst the procedure is very similar the prep for them is very different.

Let us know when you find out and good luck

[heavenly]

Hi there

There are 2 types of sigmoidoscopies - I have had both.

One is called rigid and one is flexible.

You need to find out if you are having a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy as whilst the procedure is very similar the prep for them is very different.

Let us know when you find out and good luck

The nurse gave me a booklet called Flexible Sigmoidoscopy as I was leaving. So what was the procedure called that I just had? As in, a camera went up there for about a min, and air was blown into the bowel to open it up?

Sorry to be a pain, its all new to me and on my meds, I do get a little befuddled about things.

I rang the hospital yesterday, but had to leave a message on the secretary's ansaphone, no reply yet.

[ElizabethJane]

I I have had several colonoscopies in the past and always with sedation. I have just had a series of blood tests to eliminate various bowel diseases. My Grandmother had bowel cancer so I will be screened again. I'm not looking foward to this tbh and as the others have said the piccolax or 'fleet' bowel prep is the worst. When I have mine done I will allow a day at home for the laxatives and then a day off for the procedure then I will try to get the next day off too. I usually have to follow a bland diet the day before too. Things like white bread and white fish . Take care. I hope it goes well for you. EJ.

[heavenly]

I I have had several colonoscopies in the past and always with sedation. I have just had a series of blood tests to eliminate various bowel diseases. My Grandmother had bowel cancer so I will be screened again. I'm not looking foward to this tbh and as the others have said the piccolax or 'fleet' bowel prep is the worst. When I have mine done I will allow a day at home for the laxatives and then a day off for the procedure then I will try to get the next day off too. I usually have to follow a bland diet the day before too. Things like white bread and white fish . Take care. I hope it goes well for you. EJ.

Well got my letter today, 1 October for the procedure, it still says you will either be having a flexible sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy...I have left another message on the hospital ansaphone, I would like to know what I am having!! Picolax was in the envelope as well, with instructions on what to eat/drink the day before. 1 October is a Friday, so I will make sure I am not at work for the Thurs or Fri, and the day after the procedure is a Saturday, so thats ok.

Am thinking of cancelling it, to get a later date, I haven't been on my meds long, this whole anxiety/panic thing is very new to me, I really wanted a bit of time to have passed before I put myself through this sort of thing.

Note - spoke to a nurse at the hospital, I am having a colonoscopy. I told her I get panic attacks and might want to take a 2mg diaz before I get to the hospital, she said it was ok to do that, but must tell the staff at the hospital when I get there, as they offer another form of sedative as well.

Will leave it a week I think and decide if I am up to it, or if I want to put it back a bit.

[ElizabethJane]

It is entirely up to you whether you go ahead with the colonoscopy at the beginning of October. I have have always gone for sedation then I don't remember a thing. My Dad has regular colonoscopies too and he has them without sedation. We are all different. You will have to do what is right for you. I will opt for sooner rather than later when I get a date.