Scared lonely and needy

It's very understandable that you will be feeling anxious right now - about the procedure itself, yet also the results of it.

I have had two colonoscopies in the past four years. One sedated, & the next not. I was terrified at the idea of having the first - hence I opted for sedation. For this, I felt very little discomfort, & felt 'quite out of it,' - however, because of my tumour at that time, it was of a very short duration, as they could not get pass the mass.

Following my bowel resection, my next Colonoscopy was the following year - & this time, I chose non sedation - as being quite independent, I wanted to drive myself there & back to the hospital. Yes, it was quite uncomfortable, but I was in control of the gas & air pump, which I used frequently - especially at points where the camera goes round the sharp bends in the Colon, & when they clipped out a couple of tiny nodules. But, the team around me were wonderful & encouraging, & didn't mind me swearing on occasion! I would say that the whole process lasted approx. 40 mins. & once done, I felt no discomfort, & was able to drive home within half an hour.

If you have sedation, you will need to be picked up by someone, yet also have someone to be with you for the next 24 hours.

Personally, having experienced both ways, I would choose non sedation for my next one. However, if you feel that the pain during the procedure is too much, you can also have that sedation half way through. (But - you have to have the support of someone to collect & be with you)

Re. your second question, I have no idea if there is a 'chat line' as such on here - but I find the forum acts as one - in that whenever you post a question, there will usually always be someone that will answer very quickly - from people that will know exactly how you are feeling right now. I have found lots of support & 'virtual friends' here. Yet also, if you want to bond with someone in particular, you can always send a friend request & DM each other at anytime.

I wish you all the best for this coming Friday - but at this stage, don't over worry about having a negative outcome - as it could just as easily be a positive one!

Marianne x

Hi Staceyoftheshire and a warm welcome from me too. I’ve had 2 colonoscopies and had sedation with both. You’re not sedated as in asleep just very relaxed but you can still watch what’s going on on the screen (if you want to) and talk to the nurses. Afterwards you’re left with a cup of tea and biscuit to come round a bit and then the result of the coloniscopy is discussed with you. As Mariannne says you need to have transport home and someone to be with you for 24 hours afterwards.

There is an online chat room and also a telephone buddy scheme which you could discuss with the support desk?

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/emotional-help/chat-online

Only 1 in 10 colonoscopies results in a cancer diagnosis so please don’t assume the worse?

Take care and let us know how you get on

Karen x

Hello

I had my colonoscopy yesterday, at last minute decided not to have sedation, was so anxious to know if they were going to find something that I wanted to know immediately, they tried to introduce me to gas an air but I didn’t like it. Felt weird so done a few puffs and decided to ditch it. It didn’t hurt, it’s uncomfortable but it didn’t hurt not even when I had to turn in bed so they could also turn the camera on the bends . the consultant kept talking and he was quite funny. I was also put on fast track colonoscopy due to months of rectal bleeding. All good! Just a big internal haemorrhoid that needs to come out. He said my bowel was perfect . And after knowing they didn’t find nothing out of ordinary I found very interesting seeing my insides on the screen. I was on the recovery room for about 20 to 30 minutes and then I was out. There were few people on the recovery room a couple asleep still. Other was awake and told me they gave her Fentanyl as sedation. I arrived at 12 and was out at 1 .10 pm. 
Hope it all goes well for you and with good results! 

Hi Staceyoftheshire  ,

I had my 1st colonoscopy at the beginning of December & had the sedation. I was completely aware of what was going on & only had one small twinge which was probably a bend.

You will need someone to take you home if you have the sedation.

I tried to remain positive on the lead up, as mentioned already, other conditions can cause similar symptoms. 

I was told after the procedure what was found & that I’d need a CT scan. From what I’ve seen on this forum, this looks like standard practice, so you go home with some info. I joined the forum during my week of digesting the results & have found it enormously helpful - stopped my head from running away with itself & helped me see that generally it’s a slow growing cancer & that there are many survivors here, many who have left & moved in, many having a good quality life living with.

Try & take one step at a time.

All the best for your upcoming colonoscopy.

B (Also of a Shire )

I have had a few over the last year all without  sedation. Does hurt when going around the bend of the colon. They do give you gas and air and stop if it is really hurting and then proceed again 

i had a sigmoidoscopy last week without sedation and that really really hurt but was too late for the sedation.  Gas and air was given.  I was in a lot of pain afterwards until the following morning.

I am due another way in April so like you don’t know if I should ask for sedation. 

hipe all goes well for you