Re: colonoscopy fear

[Anne Mills]

Next Thursday I have to have my first colonoscopy and I am terrified. I am afraid that I cannot do the prep and I will vomit or I just will be a disappointment if I can’t do the whole thing. I’m scared of the procedure though my friend tells me when he had it he was out for a couple of minutes and so it wasn’t painful. My heart rate is at 94 95 today just because I am so scared. I realize it’s in a week but I’m having a problem living in the day. Boo

 

[bin_tenn]

Sorry you're anxious about this procedure, but I've known so many folks who don't have anxiety disorder who also felt anxious their first time. I think you'll be just fine. My fiancee has had a few (in her 20s) because of Crohn's. Sure, it's not the most enjoyable thing in the world, but it's not so bad.

 

[Otherside]

I had a colonoscopy a couple of years back. Prep was the worst bit. Can be difficult to drink the entire thing. Wasnt the nicest tasting. Did not vomit, but was a bit disgusting the other way, but otherwise not to bad. I would just grab a book and stick on a movie, and sit on the toliet with it.

The actual procedure - I was done under sedation. Is a very strange expierence if you've not had it before. Don't really recall much from the procedure. Wasnt painful. Was anxious before it. The gas thing pretty much made all anxiety go away.

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[mollyfin]

Next Thursday I have to have my first colonoscopy and I am terrified. I am afraid that I cannot do the prep and I will vomit or I just will be a disappointment if I can’t do the whole thing. I’m scared of the procedure though my friend tells me when he had it he was out for a couple of minutes and so it wasn’t painful. My heart rate is at 94 95 today just because I am so scared. I realize it’s in a week but I’m having a problem living in the day. Boo

My mom has had them before and she doesn't remember a thing about them because of the anesthesia. Bowel prep is unpleasant - I had to do one before a surgery I had - but you'll get through it. Use baby wipes instead of toilet paper though! I had no nausea or vomiting; the hardest part for me was drinking it all because the taste was so strong (not BAD just really sour). I'm emetophobic (I'm guessing you might be too?) so I'm really bothered by nausea, but it wasn't an issue for me.

 

[Fraser]

Prep sucked. That **** you drink is gross. But it sucked in "ugh, I feel weird" kind of way, not in a "this is a terrible thing that is worth getting anxious over" kind of way. Peeing out of your butt feels weird. At the start of the procedure itself I had some mild discomfort. It felt like I suddenly had uncomfortable gas. I mentioned this, they upped my meds slightly, and then I don't remember too much. Not a big deal at all, not worth getting stressed over.

 

[blueberries]

Hi - I've had a few colonoscopies in my time. As others say the prep part is the worst. I have terrible emetophobia so was beyond worried that I would get n and v. But I didn't. Just had lots of d! I did take an anti-nausea med beforehand as a little added insurance. When talking to the anesthesiologist before the procedure I also asked him to give me some anti-n meds in case the anesthesia made me sick. Most people do not get sick from it, but again, I wanted the extra insurance.

What prep are you taking? I have problems swallowing and drinking lots in a short amount of time (and I hate terrible tasting things) so my doctor prescribed Clenpiq which is much easier than the others. Almost tastes good. The night before you drink one glass of it and then 5 glasses of water over the next 3 hours. Then repeat early the next morning but this time with only 3 glasses of water. Only down side was that for some people it's not 100% effective so my doctor had me drink a bottle of magnesium citrate the night before the prep to get things started. To me that stuff is nasty. If Clenpiq is an option for you I recommend it.

The procedure itself is a piece of cake, I was even awake for one of them. It was my choice but halfway through when I said ouch they put me out. I'm always super anxious before these but afterwards I realize how easy it was and wonder why I wasted my time worrying about it.

If you have any questions ask away. Facing the unknown or a new experience can be very daunting. From my experience it really isn't all that bad.

 

[Anne Mills]

You guys are all so awesome!! Thx!!
Echoing a lot of what I have found online And I was able to call the clinic today and ask them a bunch of questions which helped calm me down for a bit. I am feeling like I wont vomit now because of what you guys have said. One of my big worries is that I will stain my bed or my carpet but I have some ideas to take care of that Eg plastic bags in the floor and exercise mat covered in more bags in my bed. Luckily I am feet from the bathroom.
another fear is that even though the anaesthetist knows their job, I am on so many psych meds that I am worried that they will screw up and I will not wake up from the procedure. And then of course now I am afraid that they might find something bad. As I had some dark stool and blood in my stool in the last year. But what can I do this is something I cannot avoid. Had a delicious burrito with brown rice and beans in it tonight and then eating A large container of Cool Whip before I have to simplify my diet for the next week. Ha ha Ha

 

[blueberries]

One of my big worries is that I will stain my bed or my carpet but I have some ideas to take care of that Eg plastic bags in the floor and exercise mat covered in more bags in my bed. Luckily I am feet from the bathroom.

I assume you mean staining your bed because the di will be so bad you won't be able to get to the bathroom in time. Everyone is different but I never had to go so bad that I couldn't make it. Just be careful about passing gas though. That's one thing you don't want to do unless you are on the toilet.

 

[Anne Mills]

Thx for sharing the experience and I know what you mean about passing “gas” when in such situations. LOL

 

[Anna70]

During the colonoscopy, do they give you a shot for anesthesia? I am scared of the anesthesia.

 

[blueberries]

During the colonoscopy, do they give you a shot for anesthesia? I am scared of the anesthesia.

Yes, they give you the anesthesia through a vein in your arm or wrist.

 

[Anna70]

Yes, they give you the anesthesia through a vein in your arm or wrist.

Thank you for answering my question, Blueberries.

 

[Otherside]

They dont always do anaesthesia - I had twilight sedation.

Might be worth asking beforehand which you are getting.

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