Undiagnosed and about to have a Colonoscopy

[AbbyB11]

Hi Everyone!

I have been poorly for a while now and due to my family history (mum - Ulcerative Colitus, uncle-Crohns and my Grandad-Bowel Cancer) I had blood tests taken, which showed inflammation of my bowel. I have just had an appointment at the Hospital and they have booked me in for my colonoscopy next Friday (which I am very nervous about, and the awful prep that is taken.) My symptoms: severe diarrhea (especially within a few hours of eating) stomach cramping, nausea, weight loss and fatigue, all point to Crohns but I am not sure and at this point I just want a diagnoses so I can start to feel better. I am in my final term/semester at University and all the stress from that and how ill I feel is really starting to take its toll on me.

Can someone please give me some advice about the Colonoscopy, prep and some reasurance that I wont always feel this poorly

Abby

 

[mickey]

No real way around the prep. However, follow the directions EXACTLY as prescribed. Make sure you drink plenty of water, to keep hydrated. It is more tiresome to go through the prep, but consider yourself as having a "clean slate" when you begin eating the next day. Focus on ONLY good foods/drinks (no preservatives, etc.) and get yourself on a healthy eating pattern. I would highly suggest a good probiotic on a daily basis, as this will help you balance your bacteria in the belly. I was recently advised by my doc to increase the Natren probiotics to 5/day (slow increase from 1/day) and am feeling incredile results already. Swelling almost gone, bowels more normal, ...good news. I am researching her mention of a study that showed probiotics will reverse crohn's and colitis. Worth trying it for me!

 

[Catherine]

Hi Abby

My 16 year old was dx in late january and is so much better after 8 weeks of treatment.

 

[Dr.Who]

As far as the colonoscopy goes - the prep is safe, and far less bothersome then crohns itself... and during the colonoscopy they should give you meds that will virtually knock you out... unless your like me and would rather watch whatch the tv monitors but thats another story.

 

[Angrybird]

Hello and welcome to the forum :bigwave: The prep for the scope is not the best thing you will ever experience but the test itself can be so good at getting an acurate picture of what is going on inside and the doc can usually tell you a bit about what they havd found straight away. All I would say is if you haven't already then get some sudocrem to help with the soreness created by the loo visits.....

Wishing you all the best and pls keep us updated on how you get on.

AB
xx

 

[KWalker]

You should have a look at my "colonoscopy adventure" thread. I made it in hopes to help people like you who feel nervous about the scope.

I just had a scope two weeks ago and the whole thing was a piece of cake, even the prep! Not to say it won't make you uncomfortable a little but it honestly went much better than I was expecting.

Best of luck!

 

[AbbyB11]

Thank-you everyone for your replies

Angrybird - thankyou for your advice, I have got a pot of sudocream at the ready lol and toilet wet wipes instead of paper!

KWater - I will look at your thread now, thank you for pointing me in the direction of it.

Will keep you posted on the prep and scope next week and hopefully they might be able to tell me what is wrong- fingers crossed!

Abby x

 

[AbbyB11]

KWalker* sorry for the typo!

 

[David]

Hi Abby and welcome to the forum I'm glad you decided to join us!

The worse part of the colonoscopy is worrying about your first colonoscopy. I was pretty anxious too! But once you're done and at home you think to yourself, "Ah, that was no biggie, I can do that again".

Please keep us updated as to your progress. I wish you all the best.