I'm having a colonoscopy on Monday to diagnose what's wrong and apart from being terrified of the diagnosis, which could be anything at this point, I'm really worried about being nervous and antagonising the medical staff because of my wimpishness. I tend to have panic attacks at the thought of needles let alone anything else. Please does anyone have any advice for me about overcoming nerves? I will be having sedation, thankfully, which I posted about the other week.
Advice on being brave for colonoscopy?
- Thread starter Lizzie
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I look at having a colonoscopy as a 'time of rest'.....remember, wioth good drugs you won't even know when they start - or end - just going to sleep and waking up. Make sure the medical staff knows about your anxiousnous - maybe they can give you somethingin pil form to start to mellow you out before they start an iv.....
Good luck with everything!
Good luck with everything!
Hi Lizzie. Just a word of warning to start, a colonoscopy only looks at your large intestine and the part where it joins up with the small one, so you may not recieve a diagnosis from that test, as CD can occur from mouth to anus, wheras UC is restricted to the large intestine.
Certainly tell the medical staff how you're feeling. They deal with lots of different patients and won't turn a hair if you're anxious or scared.
And once the prep is over, I promise that is the worst part!
Certainly tell the medical staff how you're feeling. They deal with lots of different patients and won't turn a hair if you're anxious or scared.
And once the prep is over, I promise that is the worst part!
Is the prep part similar to having a blood test taken? I had a bit of a panic attack when I had a blood test at the start of all this, couldn't speak or breathe properly, but the nurse was very kind and calmed me down. I've mostly had bad experiences in the past (at the dentists, never had health problems that required hospital before) where medical people have been very impatient and sharp with me.
It would be nice if I could have some tranquillisers first. I'm not sure whether you go to sleep in the UK, as on a previous thread they said that was more an American thing. The nurse who booked me in put down sedation and painkillers on the form (painkillers because I am having biopsies?). She said they were under a lot of presssure for time because of the government's 14 day targets or something, so I'm worried they might rush things and be impatient because of all that.
Hi, I meant the laxatives you have to take beforehand 
The 14 day target would be to get your appointment and be seen, so they will not be in a rush when you are there. And yes in the UK it is twilight sedation, so you are very sleepy but if they need you to move onto your side or something, you are able to do that.
The 14 day target would be to get your appointment and be seen, so they will not be in a rush when you are there. And yes in the UK it is twilight sedation, so you are very sleepy but if they need you to move onto your side or something, you are able to do that.
Hi, I meant the laxatives you have to take beforehand
The 14 day target would be to get your appointment and be seen, so they will not be in a rush when you are there. And yes in the UK it is twilight sedation, so you are very sleepy but if they need you to move onto your side or something, you are able to do that.
Oops, I misunderstood you about the "prep"! I've not really thought much about the laxative. I have got myself organised for that by buying a load of my favourite homes and gardens magazines, and I'm planning to spend tomorrow afternoon and evening from 3.00 pm, when I start drinking the stuff, lounging on the bed (near to the bathroom of course) and reading. Maybe I'm being totally naive about it, but I honestly don't believe anything can be worse than needles, can it?
If you really don't like needles then maybe not. Some people have a really easy prep but for most it's quite rough. By the end of it you will know what "peeing out your butt" means i'm afraid!
Be prepared for long spells in the toilet so have some magazines in there too. It may seem at some points like it will never end but I promise it will. I had an afternoon test and found a bath the next morning (when I had finally stopped going) really nice and soothing.
Hopefully after the prep you will think, "needles, what a piece of cake after that, the worst part is over and now the scope will be easy".
Good luck!
Be prepared for long spells in the toilet so have some magazines in there too. It may seem at some points like it will never end but I promise it will. I had an afternoon test and found a bath the next morning (when I had finally stopped going) really nice and soothing.
Hopefully after the prep you will think, "needles, what a piece of cake after that, the worst part is over and now the scope will be easy".
Good luck!
StarGirrrrl;316147 By the end of it you will know what "peeing out your butt" means i'm afraid! Good luck
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The staff in hospitals deal with anxious patients all the time. When I went for my colonoscopy, the staff spent loads of time talking it through to calm me down (I have a more of a fear of the unknown than them telling me they are going to shove something up my butt!) So don't worry about annoying them.
As for the needles, I'm terrified of them too. I tend to find having another person, whether it's a relative or another nurse, stood on the opposite side to where they are putting the needle to talk to and I just take deep breaths (and hum a little) until it's over.
Good luck on monday x
As for the needles, I'm terrified of them too. I tend to find having another person, whether it's a relative or another nurse, stood on the opposite side to where they are putting the needle to talk to and I just take deep breaths (and hum a little) until it's over.
Good luck on monday
x
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Oh the prep is by FAR the worst part. And I don't even care about sitting on the loo for hours. It's drinking it all. Bleughh.
The actual colonoscopy is fine. I've even had times where the sedation makes me feel so great that I'm disappointed when they've finished. Don't worry about the needles. They'll out a canula in your arm so that they can just administer all the drugs via that. It's like a tiny bit worst than a blood test, but just don't look.
I had my first colonoscopy when I was 9. If I could have one then, you'll be fine!
The actual colonoscopy is fine. I've even had times where the sedation makes me feel so great that I'm disappointed when they've finished. Don't worry about the needles. They'll out a canula in your arm so that they can just administer all the drugs via that. It's like a tiny bit worst than a blood test, but just don't look.
I had my first colonoscopy when I was 9. If I could have one then, you'll be fine!
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I used to be really wary of needles, and at some point I just started looking directly at my arm when they'd start to put them in. I realized with a good phlebotomist sometimes I don't even feel anything. If looking away and building tension through anticipation never works, try staring it down and seeing how small and fluid a motion the whole process is. I know this would never work for everyone, but I figured I'd suggest it incase doing the opposite still doesnt go well.
As for the colono, You'll be either asleep or deliriously unaware. That will be the easiest part Good Luck!
As for the colono, You'll be either asleep or deliriously unaware. That will be the easiest part
Good Luck!
Hi Lizzie, hope you are getting on as ok as you can when prep is involved!
Be sure to stop by sometime and let us know how everything goes.
Be sure to stop by sometime and let us know how everything goes.
Thank you everybody for your support, it was much appreciated. For me the most horrible part of the prep was drinking the stuff and I was puking it back up by the end. I had no idea that would be so hard. I shall never drink anything lemon-flavoured again in my life.
The diarrhoea was no problem, I just thought it was comical having to go to the loo literally forty or fifty times, just like a bad case of the runs. I always managed to get there in time, though I was constantly running up and down the stairs. One time I only got halfway downstairs before I had to race back up!
I found the colonoscopy very scary and painful and the sedation had no effect whatsover on me (50 mg Pethidine and 1 mg Midazolam). I screamed my head off almost all the way through, to the extent that the endoscopist said she would have to abort the procedure if I didn't calm down. I asked them to gag me rather than stop but they said they couldn't do that. Anyway, I calmed down a bit and tried to chat about my home decorating plans, which was a bit surreal. The endoscopist said that the reason the sedation didn't work was because I was so stressed out by the time it was administered. I think it would have been better if I could have had some tranquillisers beforehand.
The fantastic news, though, is that I appear to have unspecified colitis (pending biopsy results). I was convinced it was bowel cancer but this is looking unlikely, fingers crossed.
The diarrhoea was no problem, I just thought it was comical having to go to the loo literally forty or fifty times, just like a bad case of the runs. I always managed to get there in time, though I was constantly running up and down the stairs. One time I only got halfway downstairs before I had to race back up!
I found the colonoscopy very scary and painful and the sedation had no effect whatsover on me (50 mg Pethidine and 1 mg Midazolam). I screamed my head off almost all the way through, to the extent that the endoscopist said she would have to abort the procedure if I didn't calm down. I asked them to gag me rather than stop but they said they couldn't do that. Anyway, I calmed down a bit and tried to chat about my home decorating plans, which was a bit surreal. The endoscopist said that the reason the sedation didn't work was because I was so stressed out by the time it was administered. I think it would have been better if I could have had some tranquillisers beforehand.
The fantastic news, though, is that I appear to have unspecified colitis (pending biopsy results). I was convinced it was bowel cancer but this is looking unlikely, fingers crossed.
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:thumbdown::ywow::stinks:
oh man, sorry about the sedation not working!
oh man, sorry about the sedation not working!
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Good to see you looking at the brighter part of the experience: No cancer! Congrats on getting through it. They say these traumatic experiences build character... or something... so cash in on that!
Thank you. That it's not cancer is the main thing and I still feel almost faint with relief even now (fingers crossed about the biopsies and for the moment the colitis issues are taking a back seat until I get a precise diagnosis).
It's funny to think I was worried about being zonked out by the sedatives. If only! I had been expecting someone with me to keep an eye on the sedation and top it up if necessary rather than a rather cross doctor dashing in, jabbing me with something and then off again. The staff couldn't have cared less about the sedation failing, I was screaming that it wasn't working and it was obvious that it wasn't. I'd read on these boards that they'd top you up with gas and air but none of that happened. I think there was a lot of pressure for time and that's why I didn't get much help. They had loads of people booked in and they would rather have aborted the procedure half way through than give me adequate sedation as that would have taken time.
I think you need to make a formal compliant to the Hospital, they have no right to treat you the way you did.
Remember, YOU pay THEIR wages through taxes and as such they are fully accountable!!
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Oh no, I'm sorry to hear it was traumatic Lizzie! I have my first colonoscopy next tuesday and I am a massive wimp to when it comes to hospital/medical things to :-(
Rachel
Rachel
Part of me does feel that way, but I also feel ashamed and embarrassed about being such a coward and phobic about needles etc. After all, many people have much worse things done to them than colonoscopy and don't make a peep about it! After the procedure I chatted with a lovely old chap who had bone cancer, couldn't swallow and had just had his oesophagus widened and he was so stoical about it all, it made me feel terrible about being such a coward.
I did feel very belittled, though, and still can't quite get that out of my mind, whereas the pain and discomfort have faded into the background a week on.
I hope yours goes better than mine. I'm sure the trick is to try and be as relaxed as possible, easier said than done of course. Most people seem to find the prep the hardest bit, so my case was unusual, I think, and I do have a massive fear of needles and stuff. It's a shame you can't opt for full anaesthesia.
Hi Lizzie. I had my Colonoscopy on the 7th and I couldn't stand the prep either. I also had a camera down my throat (cant spell proper word) and was more worried about that. As it happened I didn't feel the camera down the throat but was very uncomfortable with the colonoscopy too. It woke me out of sedation and they didn't get to look as far as they hoped. I was very inflamed and perhaps you were too. I had a great doctor though who was understanding and I am surprised that you were not treated better. Sorry to hear that but I am so glad that you got better news than you expected.
Hi Artificial/Rachel, I wish you the best for Tuesday. Try not to be nervous. I just thought of it as a step forward in the right direction and it will be. Best of luck.
Hi Artificial/Rachel, I wish you the best for Tuesday. Try not to be nervous. I just thought of it as a step forward in the right direction and it will be. Best of luck.
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Wow... sounds like a lot of you had bad experiences with the colonoscopies. Mine went without incident. The only needle they used was for the IV insertion. Slight pain but then again I'm not bothered by needles. It would be bad for me if I were bothered by them as it seems every time I visit the doc she orders a blood test (maybe 10 in the last 3 years).
As with everybody, the prep was by far the worst part. I did not throw up but was definitely on the verge of it as I was getting close to finishing the gallon of lemony nastiness. It's interesting to note that I haven't had any lemon-flavored drinks since then (3 months ago), all subconsciously.
I had both the endoscopy and colonoscopy done at the same time. Whatever they used knocked me out almost instantly. I remember waking up during the colonoscopy portion but the nurse anesthetist took care of that within seconds from what I remember.
I'm dreading the fact that I'll have to endure the nasty prep stuff again for my upcoming pill cam
As with everybody, the prep was by far the worst part. I did not throw up but was definitely on the verge of it as I was getting close to finishing the gallon of lemony nastiness. It's interesting to note that I haven't had any lemon-flavored drinks since then (3 months ago), all subconsciously.
I had both the endoscopy and colonoscopy done at the same time. Whatever they used knocked me out almost instantly. I remember waking up during the colonoscopy portion but the nurse anesthetist took care of that within seconds from what I remember.
I'm dreading the fact that I'll have to endure the nasty prep stuff again for my upcoming pill cam
Wow... sounds like a lot of you had bad experiences with the colonoscopies. Mine went without incident. The only needle they used was for the IV insertion. Slight pain but then again I'm not bothered by needles. It would be bad for me if I were bothered by them as it seems every time I visit the doc she orders a blood test (maybe 10 in the last 3 years).
As with everybody, the prep was by far the worst part. I did not throw up but was definitely on the verge of it as I was getting close to finishing the gallon of lemony nastiness. It's interesting to note that I haven't had any lemon-flavored drinks since then (3 months ago), all subconsciously.
I had both the endoscopy and colonoscopy done at the same time. Whatever they used knocked me out almost instantly. I remember waking up during the colonoscopy portion but the nurse anesthetist took care of that within seconds from what I remember.
I'm dreading the fact that I'll have to endure the nasty prep stuff again for my upcoming pill cam
That prep is awful and I really tried to down it but I told the nurse I was struggling (of course I was in over night) and she gave me an injection to help with the nausea. It really did. Only for that I wouldn't have made it. Are you in overnight? Could you ask for meds to help with nausea?
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Some advice from my last one, echoing what many others have said, the prep is by far the worst.
For the prep:
-Seclude yourself in a bathroom that no one else needs to use, you're going to be in there for a while.
-Keep yourself entertained. Mine was in first year college, so a laptop and reading material was in ample supply.
-Take your prescribed laxative. In my case it was to be mixed in four litres of gingerale, and was not recommended for crohns (This was prior to my diagnoses)
As for the actual procedure, it's moderately painless. the doctors gave me 10cc of something that made me really happy for about two hours. (I don't know for certain, but I'm fairly certain it was morphine.
I started feeling the after effects about 8 hours after the procedure. You may want to take some time off, and buy some lube / lotion.
For the prep:
-Seclude yourself in a bathroom that no one else needs to use, you're going to be in there for a while.
-Keep yourself entertained. Mine was in first year college, so a laptop and reading material was in ample supply.
-Take your prescribed laxative. In my case it was to be mixed in four litres of gingerale, and was not recommended for crohns (This was prior to my diagnoses)
As for the actual procedure, it's moderately painless. the doctors gave me 10cc of something that made me really happy for about two hours. (I don't know for certain, but I'm fairly certain it was morphine.
I started feeling the after effects about 8 hours after the procedure. You may want to take some time off, and buy some lube / lotion.
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I had a bad experience with a colonoscopy and the next time I had one I was literally shaking so hard they had trouble inserting the needle. My GI gave me a traquilizer shot, then waited about 15 minutes had the anethesiologist start the IV. Next time see of they will give you Propofol; that worked great for me. After a few more good experiences I'm no longer afraid; I get them every two years also looking for colon cancer. They found it three years ago in Stage 1, but they got it all and I'm free of it now.
Congrats on your good news!
Congrats on your good news!
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I want to be brave too.
...but I'm scared to death. I'm allergic to Versed, the drug that they usually use to sedate you. This is my first one. Will it be more painful because of not being able to use Versed?
...but I'm scared to death. I'm allergic to Versed, the drug that they usually use to sedate you. This is my first one. Will it be more painful because of not being able to use Versed?
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Dusty's right-I had a bad reaction to Versed once and the next 3 colonoscopies they used different meds-I personally liked Propofol the best. I woke up wide awake when it was over and didn't feel hung over the rest of the day.
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Insurance
:frown:I don't think my insurance will pay for profol. What will they use if that's the case?
:frown:I don't think my insurance will pay for profol. What will they use if that's the case?
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Everything was fine
They just used a tiny bit of Valium and Fentanyl. I was awake and alert and never got really drowsy so my day wasn't ruined and it was a lot less uncomfortable than I thought it was going to be. I wouldn't have any problem at all doing it again that way. It hurt a little at times but was very doable. We all ended up making a lot of fart jokes!
They just used a tiny bit of Valium and Fentanyl. I was awake and alert and never got really drowsy so my day wasn't ruined and it was a lot less uncomfortable than I thought it was going to be. I wouldn't have any problem at all doing it again that way. It hurt a little at times but was very doable. We all ended up making a lot of fart jokes!
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Tell me about it...that was my first. Now I have to have one every 2-3 years...but I think the first was the worst and most scary.
