Long - upcoming scope concerns

[mygutssuck]

I have called my GI's office 3 times now to discuss my concerns regarding the prep for my upcoming colonoscopy and I end up in tears each time after. His secretary is nice enough, but she really doesn't seem to grasp what I'm saying or where I'm coming from.

I am concerned about the prep they want me to do, as I've thrown up similar preps in the past. Also, I am scheduled at the end of the day and am not allowed to have anything to drink after 7 am the day of, except for the 2nd half of the prep that will need to be consumed that morning.

I asked if I could use another prep that I've had in the past that worked well and agreed with me. She said no, has to be the one they picked. Asked if I could go on cancel list for earlier time, as explained I carry water bottle with me at all times due to dehydration and I'm concerned about not being able to drink the day of. She said I could go on cancel list, but won't be any earlier than after lunch and that people don't usually cancel. She offered to move me to another month, after lunch, but I said no, as I've already booked off from work and know if I move it, I probably won't do it.

She also said if I was concerned about the prep that I could take extra laxatives 3 days ahead of the scope. This made no sense to me, as I explained to her my concern is vomiting from the prep and dehydration from the diarrhea and no fluid intake being allowed morning of, along with a late scope time. I reminded her that I don't have an issue going to the bathroom, that's why I'm having the scope (diarrhea, intermittent blood, crohn's surveillance) and that I'm chronically dehydrated.

Any ways, I am frustrated and stressed about this scope and feel like although the secretary is nice, she doesn't understand my concerns at all. I'm tempted to just cancel, but already promised GI I would do whatever tests he recommends and be compliant with any treatment he suggests this time around.

I feel like I'm being a nuisance to her and that I'm just being difficult. I am also worried the scope won't show much and I'll get told it's IBS, only to end up in ER yrs later again and told it's crohn's again. My husband says I'm just looking for a way to cancel it again and that I'm in denial. Maybe I am.

Sorry for the length and thanks for letting me vent.

 

[InkyStinky]

:hug:

His secretary is nice enough, but she really doesn't seem to grasp what I'm saying or where I'm coming from.

Is it just reception you've spoken with? Have you requested to speak with your GI's nurse(s)? I don't deal with reception at all except to schedule appts or request to be transferred to the nurse's voicemail.

I feel like I'm being a nuisance to her and that I'm just being difficult.

Currently I have a difficult GI office to work with, so I feel your pain! But, your GI's office wouldn't exist without patients. You are a patient. They need to address your specific concerns directly!

I know how frustrating/fatiguing this is. But call the office and request to speak with a nurse. Have a list of questions written out to ask (I always forget everything as soon as I actually have a nurse on the phone!)

 

[mygutssuck]

Thank you for the response and suggestions .

Sorry to hear you have a difficult office to deal with as well.

Unfortunately, it's only the receptionist that I've spoken with about this and there is no GI nurse or any other nurse at this office. The Dr. seems good so far, I just wish his assistant understood things better.

A friend suggested I just do the other prep I know I can tolerate, but I don't want to get cancelled for not following orders.

The only thing I can think of is to just try my best to do the prep they want and if I get too dehydrated I'll go to the ER and see about an IV. I just hope if that ends up happening that they will still be able to do the colonoscopy.

 

[InkyStinky]

Ah, well, without a nurse I'd leave a message asking your GI to give you a call - leave your cell number or a list of numbers where you can be reached at different times of day.

Depending on where you live, your GI's office may be closed already for the weekend. How soon is your scope?

Your concerns sound very reasonable. Not sure if the receptionist would try to convince you that you don't need to speak with the doctor.... if so, explain that your list of concerns regarding this medical test have not been answered, and you need a call back from your GI.

 

[Lewie1980]

I have difficulty with the Pico Prep due to the artificial sweetener in it. Not sure what issues you have encountered but if I have the Pico Prep my GI usually recommends it causes excruciating pain (think "laying on the floor for 3 hours shaking" type pain). When I explained this to my GI she said I can have a different one next time which makes me think they are interchangeable.

The important thing is that things are clear for the camera. Provided you aren't using a prep that irritates the lining of your Gi tract then it shouldn't matter which prep you've used.

Good luck with it.

 

[Daisy123]

I am always allowed to drink clear fluids until the time of my scope which is always in the afternoon. Are you having am endoscopy or colonoscopy?

 

[Lewie1980]

Had a midday colonoscopy 4 weeks ago (usually every 2 years). I hate the prep, even when they don't make me sick, but I would rather know what's going on inside as I am paranoid about bowel cancer and strictures.
Besides, there's something cleansing about waking up from the procedure after you've been sedated (I know that probably sounds strange).

 

[mygutssuck]

Hi everyone, thank you so much for your replies, support, and suggestions

InkyStinky: I can't seem to get past this receptionist and she truly doesn't seem to understand what I am saying or asking. She just keeps recommending I take extra laxatives or rebook for a later date, but same time and prep. I can not deal with her anymore. I will definitely be mentioning it to the GI when I see him next. I've given up on calling there anymore at this point because I'm pretty sure she's going to rebook me far down the road for the test if I call again and I can't see him until I have my scope results. It will be done in a week.

I called a pharmacist and asked them if it really mattered which prep I use and he said it does matter, that I need to use whichever one the GI wanted, and that GI's here are known to cancel the test if you don't use the prep they want

Daisy123: I am having only a colonoscopy this time. The GI did mention doing an endoscopy down the road, but he wanted to start with colonoscopy first. Instruction sheet says nothing after midnight except 2nd half of prep in am day off test.

Lewie1980: Glad to hear your Dr works with you on the prep. Your reaction to the pico prep sounds dreadful. Hope you are all doing ok.

My reaction to this particular prep is nausea, pain, vomiting, and of course the expected side effect of diarrhea.

I plan to take gravol the first day, but can't have any meds the next day. I have a friend on standby to bring me to the ER the day of the test if I get too dehydrated. I don't really know what else to do other than that.

Again, thank you all for your kind replies and support. It's very much appreciated I really can't wait until this is behind me.

 

[UnXmas]

Can you take an anti-nausea med to help keep the prep down? You can buy these over the counter without prescription (in the UK at least).

These preps are taken with people with severe digestive disorders all the time - if you drink enough up to the point where you have to stop drinking, you shouldn't become dangerously dehydrated.

There are various preps for these procedures - I've never been able to work out why one doctor/hospital uses one method, and another one uses something different. I'm sorry this receptionist isn't allowing you to tailor the prep to your needs, but it's probably not her decision to make - she's likely just passing on the doctor's chosen method and doesn't have the authority to allow you to change it.

That said, it isn't always necessary to finish the prep. If you're already passing clear liquid, with no solid pieces, it probably isn't necessary to finish the second prep.

I know the temptation to cancel tests. But if you don't have it done, and then later go to a doctor because you need further help with managing symptoms or you want a clear diagnosis, it's quite likely that they will just recommend the scope again, and you will only have to go through all this again further down the line. It does seem a waste of time if results are negative, but doctors often want to know that they've ruled everything out.

I'm not sure I agree with them, but I do know that if I want further help from them, they'll expect me to cooperate.

And I can tell you how relieved you'll feel once the test is done!