colonoscopy

[Lastboyscout6]

Hi…so had colonoscopy today and said all ok but have taken biopsies anyway - what would they be looking for if camera looked ok ? Can they still be concerned about cancers ? The nurse said because I have had ongoing diarrhoea but all a bit vague- had sedation so I probably didn’t ask the right questions - has anyone had this ?

[meadfoot]

Its routine to take biopsies. Everything looked ok they say so that is reassuring. Better that they give a thorough check. It all sounds very encouraging.

[Lastboyscout6 in reply to meadfoot]

Hi thanks for your reply.

The report said examined to the caecum- diverticular disease, otherwise normal. Random colonic biopsies taken.

So I think it seems ok other than taking the biopsies but I have heard people have them quite often but this seems to be more when there are polyps ?

I don’t know to be honest I’ve had loads of tests since Christmas and ongoing symptoms so I think I just feel a little overwhelmed by the whole situation and not having any real answers.

[meadfoot in reply to Lastboyscout6]

Thats understandable. Its a stressful time.

[Luisa22]

Maybe the biopsies were to check in the Lab for microscopic colitis? It's the only way to test for that. MC causes diarrhea.

[Lastboyscout6 in reply to Luisa22]

That could be a possibility… I’m just concerned that they are looking for something more worrying but then thinking if something was really bad wouldn’t it have shown up on camera ? Plus I've already had ultrasound and CT with contrast

I think I’m just sending myself mad by over-thinking everything all the time, I’m trying hard not to think the worst all the time but can’t get a handle on my anxiety

[Luisa22 in reply to Lastboyscout6]

I totally get that. These things can be worrying until we are clear about what's happening inside. But it does sound like your GI team are being very thorough. I know that MC can almost always slip under the radar as it's completely invisible even in a scan or colonoscopy, and the only way it can be discovered is by taking a small biopsy sample and looking at it under the microscope. Hence the name!

[BabsyWabsy in reply to Luisa22]

I agree Luisa. This is exactly what happened to me. Something that can only be diagnosed using a microscope and is often overlooked. If it is microscopic colitis, they may prescribe a course of steroids. This is what happened to me, and it did help.

[gussmithy]

Taking samples away is pretty routine, that has always happened when I've had colonoscopies. No cause to worry.

[KB08]

Hi 👋 I had a colonoscopy on Friday. Also said mine was clear but have taken lots of biopsies. Like others have said I think its standard procedure. I also had biopsies when I had an endoscopy. Iv now got to have an mri. Try not to worry too much. I know its hard because iv been poorly for 2 years now and can't seem to get to the bottom of it.

[Stella-123]

Did you have a qfit test first ?

[Lastboyscout6 in reply to Stella-123]

Yes it was negative just raised calprotectin levels but not massively high

[Catspaws100]

Biopsies are routine with colonoscopy, try not to worry.

[Julie182]

How did everyone find the bowel prep and how long did the effects it last?

[Lastboyscout6 in reply to Julie182]

Not going to lie it wasn’t pleasant ! I had my first dose at 6pm the night before and I was on and off the toilet until about 11. Had a toilet trip about 3am. Then had the 2nd dose at 5am and was much the same as the first - was still going to the toilet till about 12. A few times each hour more frequent earlier on.

[Lastboyscout6 in reply to Lastboyscout6]

With the 2nd dose I was able to sleep/snooze in between toilet trips so this felt better as the hours passed quite quickly

[Lclmlbls in reply to Julie182]

Everyone is different, but no one escapes the unpleasantness of it. Some preps are worse than others, depends what you’ve been prescribed. It makes it slightly easier to deal with if you prepare yourself for the worst rather than thinking it won’t be too bad. Just keep thinking “this will be over this time tomorrow “. I slept on a blow up bed in the bathroom next to the toilet. Good luck if you’re due to have one.

[Bekindtoyou]

Hi, there may have been a bit of inflammation or a patch that looked a bit suspicious so they will just be checking areas to rule out further problems. The fact that they've told you everything's OK should be reassuring enough and I'm sure the consultant/gp will tell you s much next time you see them.

[Lastboyscout6 in reply to Bekindtoyou]

Hopefully 🤞

The report said random biopsies so not sure if they had targeted specific areas but will just have to wait

[Leo70]

I had a colonoscopy at the beginning of January when 2 polyps were found, and routine biopsies were also taken to check for microscopic colitis, so they are probably checking for that and other possible inflammatory conditions of the bowel. Fortunately my biopsies were negative and polyps benign.

[Lastboyscout6 in reply to Leo70]

Thank you … helps to hear it can be pretty normal to have them taken even when nothing is visibly seen on the camera

[bburzycki]

Seems pretty normal - I have not met a colonoscopy for me that they have not taken biopsies for anything that looked "normal" but still to make sure.

[Lastboyscout6 in reply to bburzycki]

That’s good to hear thank you

[Confused01]

Common place to take biopsies..maybe taken for healing ulcer, polyp (would remove if an issue there and then but would biopsy). Biopsies are often for reassurance. Mine and hubbys they have always said when/if there is an issue and put on the report.

[Corneater]

hi there.. I’ve had at least 6 colonoscopies and it’s routine that they just have to be very thorough so take biopsies. I think they’re just to look at all possibilities so don’t worry. Worry makes everything worse

[Orchid99]

I too am having a urgent colonoscopy on the 5th March after getting a positive fit test result. I'm really nervous because the last time I had one in 2020 it was so painful so i want sedation this time. Did you feel much when you were sedated? I'm looking forward to the prep to a point because I suffer with slow transit colon so I am always miserably backed up despite taking laxatives everyday, would be nice to be fully cleaned out!

[Lastboyscout6 in reply to Orchid99]

Hi … my procedure was fine, the sedation seemed to really help. I didnt feel any pain and it seemed really quick. The worst bit fir me was the prep but as you said that part will maybe be helpful to you 🙂

Hope it all goes ok for you

[Orchid99 in reply to Lastboyscout6]

That's reassuring thank you. I just want to know that there's nothing serious going on. Fingers crossed you get good results from your biopsies.

[bungi1961]

I have just read your post "SORRY" Well were they looking for polyps if so they should of said so as I had 2 Colonoscopies in a month early 2021 ( PREP stuff worse than the colonoscopy as I didn't know when the POOP was going 2 stop ) if they did!!! I would give the place where you had it done and ask them if they don't know they may give you a phone number that you may get answers!!! as when you are having things done it can be confusing when you are worried about things as both times I had them removed is that of any help? Well take care OK

bungi1961

[-lilybet]

hey I’ve just awaited 8 weeks for my biopsies results even though the report said no cancer seen I spose they double check! Thankfully I was all clear from cancer but no real answers to the ulcer or inflammation that they found so still waiting for the report from the consultant it’s such a long wait and worry especially if you suffer with anxiety like I do!

Fingers crossed 🤞 for you and good results back x

[Lastboyscout6 in reply to -lilybet]

Gosh that’s a long wait for you!

Glad you had good news but then frustrating as you still don’t have answers.

[Hidden]

If you were in the US, I would say they are padding the bank account. I know it's routine to send samples to pathology if it were a voluntary procedure such as dermatology. But I would think that randomly removing tissue samples from a person's body should warrant an explanation.

[Cleof]

I was told my biopsies could take upto 8 weeks. Like everyone else as said routine to take them. I was told everthing was fine just pockets of diviticolocis biopsies just to check for IBD. At my appointment i was given a full report of what they had done with a little drawing of the procedure and showing were the diviticular were, they normal add photos to the report but the camera didn't work when they did mine, hence the drawing. Hope you get results soon try not to worry as everyone said routine procedure.

[Lastboyscout6 in reply to Cleof]

Thank you it is reassuring hearing people who have had the same experience