First colonoscopy a success!!

[Iam197963]

So I went in today for my first colonoscopy and it was all clear aside from some diverticulitis causing a bit of inflammation, but no polyps, no growths, nothing of concern, which was a complete surprise. My anxiety got the best of me and now I can focus on getting back to life, with some changes of course, diet, drinking and smoking are factors that I now realize I need to change in my life. I'm ready for the next one when the time comes as I will be a frequent flyer just as a precaution from now on. So yup, all good, no follow up appointments and I'm in high spirits!! Thanks again for all the positive support here as I know many of us have gone through this experience with mixed results. The sleep was absolutely amazing and so was the Dr and my nurses!! Take care all

[Angiecat]

Wow. Thank the good Lord for that! I'm so glad for ya. I bet the stress and anxiety you've felt has improved loads since! I'm hoping for the same for myself after mine. I'm happy for ya. I can just imagine what joy you feel 🙂

[Iam197963 in reply to Angiecat]

It's a blessing for sure, I was expecting at least some polyps or something, but nope, surgeon was very thorough and said minus some diverticulitis, colon is completely clean and clear! My pain was being caused by a larger diverticula that became infected, but yeah, my anxiety has dropped by a lot, now with colonoscopy, as well as CT with contrast, no major abnormality to be seen! I will be going for another colonoscopy in 5 years as a screen just in case though, I think now that I know what to expect it makes it easier to just get in and get it done. I hope your results come back clean as well and I'm sure they will, I thought the worst but was worried about it for months for nothing. All the best to you and good luck

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

what awesome results. That is great to hear. Yeah, you can't help but get some anxiety when you're not exactly sure what's going on. Getting good answers is key and you got them. And yes, the sleep is absolutely amazing.

Thank you for updating everyone. And it's great that you got good news.

Tom

[Catsandsunsets]

That's awesome news 🎉

May I ask what your symptoms were that prompted you to get a colonoscopy?

[Iam197963 in reply to Catsandsunsets]

Thanks, it started as pain a couple years ago and after CT was told it was diverticulitis. Just this year the pain came back, lower left side, front, back, and sometimes into my leg. I was noticing changes in bowel movements, either constipation or very soft to liquid stools. Once again I was sent for CT with contrast and it showed some thickening of my descending and sigmoid colon, so my dr recommended that we take a further look and have a colonoscopy scheduled, along with the radiologists notes saying " some mural thickening of distal descending and sigmoid colon, but overall bowel is unremarkable, but further visualisation would be needed" his words exactly, this led my Dr to send me in this direction. Of course depending on where and how much colon is thickened, it can mean many things, the worst being the big C!! Anyways, after months of stressing about the possibility of what this might be, I discovered after my colonoscopy that it is still in fact diverticular disease haunting me, and the rest of my colon was clear of polyps, growths, or anything really. The thickening is due to inflammation caused by my diverticulitis, but what a piece of mind knowing that all is well and I made a big deal of nothing. Now I will be going every 5 years for a screening just to be on the safe side of things. Hope that answers your question, take care.