Frightened to death of having a colonoscopy

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.

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.

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!

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.

Same as you OldFrill.

I have had 4 colonoscopies and as others have said, they aren't that bad!
I find the prep is the worst bit. The actual thing is just uncomfortable.
Just keep thinking that it could save your life if there is a problem found. Most people are clear though.
Good luck.

Oh thank you, thank you. I can’t stop thinking about it and will be up to full steam by Sunday I think!

Katyj did they tie off your haemorrhoids at the same time?

I’ve had one and echo others here. Follow the diet and prep, take the sedation - you’ll be fine

I presume that most of us would be anxious about this procedure.
I was persuaded not to have sedation and it was fine, just a couple of uncomfortable moments (wind). The worst bit was waiting to go in, the staff put in a cannula and then ignored me to chat about their social life. It would have relaxed me a bit to be included in some conversation.
During the procedure I had someone talking to me and that helped although every time I tried to look at the screen she pushed my head down again.(In a nice way) it must have put me in the wrong position I presume but I would have liked to watch.
* I was wrong about the worst bit…. Have just remembered the preparation! Stay close to the toilet!

I have had a couple of Colonoscopies which weren’t as bad as I feared. I also had a camera Endoscopy which was wonderful. I swallowed a large capsule and the technician followed it on a screen. No pain, no fear and apparently very accurate. You pass it naturally afterwards. They need to do something about the flavour of the laxative though, it is unnecessarily horrible.

I have had several as I am at med-high risk of bowel cancer. I have also reassured approx 20 people that a colonoscopy is no problem at all. Would have one of those over a filling any day!

Take the sedation and you will be in a lovely “couldn’t care less” mood. You can watch on screen if you like and you usually get a colour print out to take home. If not, lay back and relax.

Honestly, don’t waste any more time or energy worrying about it, I promise it will be fine.

It’s not that bad! Go for sedation!

I have had several without sedation (my choice) and can assure you it really is not a big deal - it's the prep that is the trouble!! I would advise that you use relaxation exercises as you might have used in labour - make a conscious effort to relax the muscles round your anus and it will be much easier then.

My DGD has Crohn's Disease and is always having colonoscopies - they are just a normal part of her life and she thinks nothing of them.

Just relax - it will be fine. I hope that they are able to give you a clean bill of health.

Do insist on sedation. I’ve had several colonoscopies and I’ve always insisted. This won’t knock you out but you’ll be quite sleepy and it will be over before you know it. Worth having it done for peace of mind. Will be thinking of you

I had one last year and as others have said the prep is the worst bit.
I recommend keeping it in the fridge and drinking it through a straw.
Stay close to the toilet at all times.
I had sedation and a mild pain killer and it was all fine. The staff were lovely and I received a print out afterwards.
I was diagnosed with Diverticulosis, nothing sinister thank goodness.
Please try not to worry it really isn't as bad as you think it will be.
The best of luck to you xx

I had one a few years ago, and I decided I did not need sedation, and I did not. The staff were kind and chatted with me throughout the procedure. The prep is the worst and getting up during the night several times to use the loo.

Even a couple of days later, I needed to be close to a loo.

Please do not worry. I had 3 polyps removed, and again, I felt nothing.

Dollymixtures. Sorry I forgot to say, no they didn’t, I did ask if they could do anything he said to see my GP. When they’re active I use pessary’s which calm them down.

I’ve had a colonoscopy, it was all fine, sedation is really good, I didn’t feel a thing.

My DH has had two, and several polyps removed, he was not in any pain.

I had one without sedation and it was okay. Some hospitals do not regularly offer sedation. I assumed I would be getting sedation and on the day was told they do not do this and I would have to rebook if I needed sedation. Also you do need someone to take you home if you have sedation.

My local hospital also expected me to self-administer an enema which I could not manage and had to rebook and get the nurses to do it before the procedure.

The usual prep is a liquid you take and I had that prior to another surgery. It did not work for me for several hours and was then up most of the night once it started working.

Oopsadaisy1

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!

Haha, you’re right about that, best take a book into the bathroom and stay there.
A colonoscopy itself is ok with some sedation and the staff are very pleasant and respectful.They don’t usually remove haemorrhoids tho, only polyps if found.Good Luck OP.

The prep is by far the worst part! I had sedation, felt nothing.

Absolutely no need to be frightened. As has been saud the worst part is drinking the solution beforehand. Just keep near your toilet and you will be fine.