CT Colonoscopy

[M3LZY]

I'm going for a CT colonoscopy next week I'm really apprehensive. I have long covid and contracted diffused vasculitis through this. Looking for reassurance really. TIA ❤

[Bushlady]

Good morning. Why are you having a colonoscopy? My husband has had many and he said it’s nothing to worry about. I have Large vessel Vasculitus which was diagnosed after a Pet Scan. Do you take any steroids?

[M3LZY in reply to Bushlady]

I've had blood in my stools old and fresh blood. Pain in multiple areas of my torso. I'm calling the hospital Monday as I don't feel comfortable with having the contrast dye. Especially after last night's episode of chest pain on breathing in my heart area again.

[Juneelizabeth in reply to M3LZY]

Hi . A CT colonoscopy is an important screening test for the symptons you have just to check everything is OK with your bowel ( the whole length ) I’ve had both colonoscopy and CT colonoscopy through the last 6 years as follow up to bowel cancer in 2015 when I presented as a medical emergency and needed surgery to save my life

I would urge everyone with the symptoms you describe to have a colonoscopy as early detection can save your life and if anything is wrong pick it up and offer treatment

A colonoscopy isn’t nice and it feels very different when it’s YOU having it and someone else

I would follow the advice given about the preplanning ( being near toilet facilities on the prep day ) as the movi prep make you need to poo often quite quickly in order to clear your bowel

It needs to be as empty as possible so the tiny flexible camera inserted ( usually via rectum) can see as much as possible of the bowel

If you have a sedative during the test you are relaxed and it is not painful

If you are squeamish you may just want a kind nurse to hold your hand …you would not be normal if you weren’t frightened and anxious if you’ve not had this test before

But please explain to your medical team your concerns Tgey have heard it all before

And please please have that test too

Good luck

Best Wishes

June

[citygirl1234]

Hi, I had a colonoscopy recently and was also dreading it. Honestly, it really wasn’t as bad as I initially thought it would be.

CT colonoscopy has the same prep process as colonoscopy so here are my tips:

- On the prep day make sure you don’t have plans and have access to a bathroom.

- Wet wipes can really help

- Follow the instructions (including diet) as best you can and ask if you have questions

- The prep is not super pleasant but I found it easier to drink through a straw and if I put it in the fridge

- Have something nice to eat planned for after it’s all over

If you’re feeling really anxious ask your GI doctor / nurse or your GP (ideally in advance) to give you a sedative to take on the day to help relax you.

Finally if you do have to have a colonoscopy as well, then this colonoscopy confidence campaign is worth looking at. It really helped me feel less anxious about it. bowelcanceruk.org.uk/about-...

You’ve got this x

[winfong]

I've had numerous colonoscopies because of other conditions I have. They seem to be one of those procedures that are a lot worse in anticipation than in actuality. Take any stories you've heard from friends and families with a grain of salt.

[M3LZY in reply to winfong]

Thank you. I think I'm just concerned as covid ripped through me. And left me with joint, neurological, heart, vascular and GI issues and diffused vasculitis, costachondritis and possible myocarditis a few mths on from the infection. It didn't help last night early evening. I had been doing some light watering and did a short walk and when inhaling in chest/heart and shoulderblade pain hit again. Last episode of this was was December and pain was closer to my heart this time... I'm embarrassed to say I'm not vaccined I caught covid a mth before 1st jab was due. I have no idea which way vaccine will go for me so haven't risked it.

[winfong]

You've got quite a bit going on. I should have read your profile. I apologize for not doing so before responding. Your situation is definitely not the same as mine.

What are your doctors saying? I'm guessing one thing we might share is seeing a lot of different specialists. If that is indeed the case, I hope they are talking to each other. If you do have myocarditis, your cardiologist really does need to weigh in.