colonoscopy and endoscopy Monday. Really nervous!

[Anxiouscheekster521]

I have my first colonoscopy and endoscopy scheduled for Monday. I’m so nervous. Anyone have ways to calm down their nerves??? 😬

[Dance22]

hi I had my first one in February this! I was the same ! the staff were very good I had a sedative just to relax me and I was fine, it’s uncomfortable but not painful, all the best the staff will reassure you 👌

[Alloagirl]

Hi, I understand anxiety as I suffer badly from that. Have to say that you will have sedation for the colonoscopy so will not be aware too much what is going on. The nurses were marvellous and very reassuring while the docs got on with the job. As for the endoscopy my husband had one recently and said they sprayed a local anaesthetic down his throat and some sedation injected. He felt nothing and it was over quickly. Try not to worry too much. Easier said than done I know.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi Anxiouscheekster521,

I am proud of you. 👏❤️👍 I think you are being taken seriously now and you will get some good answers from these tests. I think to help with your nerves, you just need to focus on doing the prep for the procedures properly. It's very important you do that. And this being your first colonoscopy and endoscopy, I can see it's new territory that you're covering. I remember my first ones and I didn't know what to expect but I focused on the prep and knew it was necessary and it would get me good answers and help me in the long run.

Every year I have to have a colonoscopy and they CT scan. But every three years I get to have a colonoscopy and endoscopy just as you're having done. Given my experience, I actually look forward to these procedures. I go under full anesthesia with a drug called propofol. I must say it is very relaxing. I find it to be the most relaxing time and I actually look forward to it. The procedure itself gives me good answers and I never have to speculate about what's going on. It is just a necessary evil but a good one because of the answers it can give you.

When you get your prep kit, I would move the timeline up an hour and a half on everything. The prep is designed to clean you out so the scope can get good images and your doctor can do a great job. By moving the timeline up, when it's time to go to bed you can relax and you won't have to keep worrying about finding the potty. I also find mixing some lime Gatorade to the mix to help with the flavor and I'll add some extra water to thin it out a bit.

I do wish you the best with the procedure. I think you're doing great and you'll be getting some good answers. Please let us know what you find out and also what you thought about the experience. It's always interesting to hear the perspective of new patients getting new procedures.

Thank you,

Tom

[Anxiouscheekster521]

thank you all so much for your support! I was able to get through the prep ( 🤢 ) and had a successful colonoscopy and endoscopy. They did find one polyp that they removed. They called it a “ sessile “ polyp. They said it was small- 3 mm. They also sent off biopsies of stomach and other areas. The actual procedure as y’all said- was very relaxing actually. Once they reassured me and had me on the table as soon as I was out- I was up again. Wild!!!!

[Mondlee in reply to Anxiouscheekster521]

So did they tell you when will be your next colonoscopy?

[Anxiouscheekster521]

because I had polyp he said in 5 years

[Anxiouscheekster521]

I was also diagnosed with h pylori per the stomach biopsy