successful colonoscopy

[Worcstom]

Hi all,

Had to post this to repay the hope and kindness shown to me, over the last few weeks !

As previously mentioned, I’ve had anal discomfort since the turn of the year, with gp putting it down to ibs.

Blood tests and negative fit tests, end of January 24, so kept getting gp check, and used every ointment out there. Felt I was being treated like a hypercondriac or pest !!

So such a shock, two weeks ago, I record an over 400, positive fit blood test and referral to the 14 day fastrack colonoscopy.

Just also to add, weight has been falling off me.

So today I have had my colonoscopy, which was so much easier than I thought, with no pain or discomfort. As everyone says the prep is the difficult bit, but at least now, we are only taking 2x 500mls of fluid, that didn’t taste that bad

Read so many horror stories, not on here I will add, thinking life was going to drastically change ?

So my relief at finding 4 small polyps, removed painlessly and 2 internal Hemorrhoids, as the cause of the blood.

I had a conversation with the nhs cnsultant today, who said most of us have polyps and they bleed as do hemorroids. And it’s got a lot more chance of being these !

Bare in mind I have never seen blood in stool, toilet or on toilet paper, so not knowing where it was coming from was so frightening.

He hates the conspiracy theorists, who convinced me my high test feared the worst ? Probably less quantity of blood in my high test stool, than in a hemorrhoid bleed in the toilet ?

And the weight loss, we belive, is the constant worry of the situation ?

So please don’t fear the worst, like I have and thank you all for your support. ❤️

[BabsyWabsy]

I am so glad that you have fund some answers. It must be a relief.

[Mgt8]

Thank you so much for posting this. I am due to have polyps removed soon and am dreading it. It's good to hear it worked well for you.

Could I ask what pain relief and sedation during the procedure worked so well for you?

Thanks,

Mgt

[Worcstom in reply to Mgt8]

Hi, the sedation was 50mcg Fentanyl and 2mg Midazolam. Just makes you very chilled and quite nice !

No pain throughout and since. I’m not saying that would be my Friday afternoon of choice, but nothing like what I was expecting !. To the point that if I had to have another this week, my only concerns would be the dietary conditions of the beforehand prep.

Still amazed how painless the polyp removal was !. They did the first of four and nothing, not even like a pinch or scratch ?

So for the next i purposely watched the screen, so I knew the exact timing and again nothing.

Now I’m a little squeamish and never watch hospital programs on the tv. But watched most of what went on in between chatting to the consultant and nurse.Smiled to myself, at one stage, to shut up and let them get on with the job at hand.

Two hours from walking in the door to being finished, drinking tea.

While I think of it a little information on the bowel prep I had. It was Plenvu and although naming the flavours “melon” and “fruit cocktail” was stretching it, it was all ok, with addition water as recommended. Belive this is now pretty standard.

Just to mention my procedure was UK NHS.

Again horror stories of having to drink a gallon of fluid is rubbish. Two split doses, 12 hours apart, with each dose 500ml

Hope this helps, and puts you more at ease .

[Mgt8 in reply to Worcstom]

Thanks so much for your detailed reply. Reading it has calmed my nerves a little. It's always good to share what went well. I shall now walk into the hospital with a little more confidence thanks to you.

Have a great weekend...👍

[Mgt8 in reply to Worcstom]

Hello Worcstom,

I had my colonoscopy with polyp removal yesterday and just wanted to confirm to anyone who reads this thread that, happily, it all went just as you explained.

Only exceptions: As I have a kidney transplant I was given moviprep instead of plenvu to protect my kidney. This was taken in 1 litre of water. Drinking it was fine on the first dose; spread over 1 hour. It did the job but the diarrhea, kept going for over 5 hours instead of the 2 hours I had been told. So the next dose I took a little earlier. I wasn't going to do this again if they couldn't do the procedure if the effect was still going. The second dose was not so easy to get down and I left a bit.

Watching the colour screen was fascinating. Last time I saw inside myself was watching the MRI of my polycistic kidneys and seeing just how much space they took up. I too probably asked too many questions but there was so much to ask about.

Once again, my thanks for writing your post. I do hope others preparing for this procedure read it. It certainly made my experience easier to prepare for.

Best wishes,

Mgt

[xjrs]

Well done for posting this. Great you have a good outcome. Statistically when you have a colonscopy, it is far more likely to be IBS or the type of things you mention than anything else.

I remember when I was waiting for my colonscopy, I'd got my head into a good space with it, tried not to think about it too much and distracted myself. I had one 'friend' who went on and on about someone she knew who had had a non IBS outcome from their colonoscopy (inflammatory bowel disease) - all whilst I was waiting to have one - even though I knew the statistics were in my favour, it did unbalance me. She really over dramatised the situation. It was really thoughtless and inconsiderate of her. Suffice to say she is no longer a friend. I've learned to try to stay away from toxic people and doom mongerers. Sometimes people just like for others to feel bad, to feed them bad stories, just so that they can feel better about themselves.

[Worcstom in reply to xjrs]

I think people are genuinely trying to help with their advice, but so much of it is misinformation.

That’s why I’m trying to be factual here as well as informative. At the same time not coming forward as an expert, within 24 hours.

[Everlong2789]

Thanks for posting your outcome. I was diagnosed with IBS in my 20’s (after a colonoscopy). I am now 54 and haven’t had a colonoscopy since. I have lost @10 lbs over past year and the IBS, which hasn’t bothered me much for years, has gotten bad in last couple months. At first, I wrote the symptoms off to that but then got the positive FIT test. And, of course, with my age I can’t tell myself I’m in a low risk category like I did in my 20’s. So now, I have a colonoscopy scheduled on Monday and have been incredibly anxious worrying that I may have cancer and it’s advanced stage and mad at myself that I did cologuard when i turned 50 instead of just doing the colonoscopy…especially as one small polyp was removed on that first procedure. I’m torn between just wanting to get this over with but feeling so fearful of waking up on the other side of it and getting horrifying news. Your post gives me some hope.

[Worcstom in reply to Everlong2789]

Hi, I know it’s a big worry but it’s a more likely to be polyps or ibd ?

Forgot to mention that during the colonoscopy they found a small amount of inflammation, that could be ibd and help explain the weight loss. Although the stress has been the major factor !.

I don’t know what the procedure was like 30 years ago but I have to say yesterdays experience was a breeze really.

2 hours to the dot, I went from walking through the hospital doors to having tea and buiscuits. No pain or discomfort. I walked out and could have gone to work.

Can I also add that these post are not to sugar coat the situation. Although I would love to make people feel better, I don’t believe in stretching the facts. They are a true account of my experience and feelings.

Try not to worry too much. You are now getting professional eyes on and please let me know how you get on.

[Everlong2789 in reply to Worcstom]

Thanks so much. I know stress could be at least partially behind the weight loss. I lost 2 of my dogs at only 6 and 8 to two different cancers within 7 mos of each other. With the first one, it was 3 months of fighting against bone cancer with radiation, chemo etc and driving all over to do it and all of the anticipatory grief. With my other dog, it was more of a sudden thing where she was out happily walking earlier in the week and had normal bloodwork then symptoms came on suddenly and severely and we ended up in emergency exploratory surgery only to find out there was nothing that could be done. And, in between all of this as I lapsed on checking accounts and emails, someone stole my identity so that was a whole stressful mess that actually landed me in the emergency room one night thinking I was having a heart attack. Over past month, I have really been trying to gain weight though to the extent of eating extra meals even though not hungry and drinking protein shakes and I can’t even put on a pound. Will definitely report back afterwards.

[Worcstom in reply to Everlong2789]

Hopefully Monday can give you a base line and positivity to move forward.

[anetap4545]

What did you anal discomfort feel like? I'm worried myself

[Worcstom in reply to anetap4545]

Hi, sometimes ache, sometimes itchy and at times sore.

I had cream treatment for fissures in April and now finding these hemorroids explains what’s been going on.

Please don’t think the worst and see your gp if worried.

[Mgt8 in reply to anetap4545]

Hi Anetap4545,

I asked for a numbing gel to be used and the doctor was ok with this.

All the best.

Mgt

[Live33]

Thanks for this post, Worcstom. I'll be having colonoscopy this Thursday and it's most reassuring to hear your story. I'm glad your outcome was successful. All best wishes,