Hi all.

Hi KDK99 and a warm welcome to the board. These first few weeks of tests and waiting for results are very stressful but all necessary to get to the bottom of what’s causing your initial test results. A colonoscopy is usually the first test and, as you’ve seen from online, it can pick up polyps and they can take sample from these during the process to send off for analysis. They will check if these polyps are harmless or cancerous and whether they need to be removed. 
Only 1 in 10 colonoscopies results in a cancer diagnosis - there are conditions that can cause similar symptoms like piles, colitis, crohns, diverticulitis although they can sometimes give you an indication during the procedure.

Its a good few years since my diagnosis but I had a colonoscopy in 2021 and yes I had to lie on my left side. I had a phone call with a colorectal nurse before hand who goes through things like the procedure and what medication you’re on so you could discuss the issue with lying on your left side during the phone call?

I don’t want to bombard you with information before you know 100% what you’re dealing with but please feel free to ask anything you like - everyone on here is happy to share advice and experience 

Take care

Karen x

Hello KDK99,

On these pages we have probably all experienced what you are going through at the moment. Like many others I have had a few colonoscopies and can say that the teams who carry them out are kind and considerate people who are there to help - not hurt - you. This is an important step in your diagnosis and it doesn't take very long to carry out. Discuss your concerns with the team beforehand. Most people say that the worst bit is having to drink a purgative at home before the procedure, but this part is also quite important for the colonoscopy to be worthwhile. You will probably be offered a mild sedative just before the procedure which is a relaxant (it works) but you won't be rendered unconscious. Bear in mind that the sedative takes some hours to wear off afterwards so you won't be able to drive home and should be accompanied. The procedure is not painful but can be uncomfortable at times as the tiny camera negotiates the bends, but a whiff of gas and air does the trick. Try not to feel embarrassed as the team are doing this process day in and day out and have seen it all before! They will make you comfortable as it makes their work that much easier and quicker.

Most people say stay clear of the Internet as you will be swamped with information, most of which won't concern you. A bit like reading a medical dictionary where you end up thinking you have all sorts of things wrong with you.

Best Wishes and keep us updated.

Dulac

Hi. I am in exactly the same situation as you are at the moment. I am waiting to have a colonoscopy and gastroscope in under two weeks, a got a call from the nurse who works in colonoscopy centre who asked me a few questions about my general health etc, so perhaps that might be the same for you to. I am terrified about going in and am not looking forward to them one bit, but they need to be done. Like you I googled to much, finding symptoms I haven't got but now keeping thinking of them so I really regret doing so now. My Fit test was also positive and the level was 95 and it should be less than 10 I was told by my GP. My blood tests were also low.

At the moment I am probably the most anxious I have ever been in my life and have to admit I am terrified. Normally I am a person that's tackles any problem head on but not this one. I am trying to do things to stop me thinking and distraction does work sometimes, my dogs get walked very often each day when I am going down that anxiety spiral. For me it's the fear of the unknown and the hearing the outcome of the tests. But I have learnt one thing from this, it's okay to say you are not okay. I did tell my daughters but was shocked at their responses ie. why are you worrying when you don't know anything yet (not helpful). My husband is great to talk to but when I talk about the outcome of the tests, he just says "we have to think positively", and at the moment I just cannot think that way at all. So linked into this community and I am so very grateful for people's responses.

I have spoke on the phone with a nurse who gave me good correct information about everything which really helped and he was so easy to speak to, why don't you give that a go as it really helps.  But I do truly understand how you must feel at this time.

Thinking of you. Cathy

Thank you all for your replies. They are much appreciated. It does sound like we are in similar situations Cathy.

I didn’t get told any numbers, just that there was a ‘lot’ of blood. My own GP is back in work Monday so I’m hoping to catch up with him. 

I haven’t told my children yet, as I don’t know if I even have anything. But that doesn’t stop me feeling anxious. I too hate the unknown and waiting. Give me a crisis and I will full on try to deal with it, but when I have to wait for something that may/may not happen I’m very impatient! 

im trying to keep busy too but my disability prevents me from doing much. Just got to stay as strong as I can. I also am not keen when people say stay positive. I’m more of a realist do I just say to them I’m not positive or negative. I’m just trying to get through each day without being so anxious! The doctors didn’t give me enough info, and Google gives too much! 

I hope that all goes as well as it can for you. If you’d like to message each other along our journeys I would be ok with that. It’s reassuring to have others to talk to, and so kind of everyone to share their stories and support. 

Take care all, and ty again.

KDK99 (Karen) 

Hi again. 

Just wondered how you are doing and I hope you managed to get hold of your GP and got the information that you needed. I am going to the hospital on Sunday afternoon to get both my tests done, I am praying that the do give me some sedation.

I had a real wobble over the weekend and admit spent my time in the early hours crying and being a totally negative person. My emotions are all over the place at the moment and don't seem to be controlling them to well. Like you I am a realist which I have to say is making my situation worse I think but am a little fed up with hearing "oh, it will be something and nothing" courtesy of my family. 

Like you say, we both seem to be on this new pathway at the same time so please keep in touch to let me know how you are doing. 

.

Take care of yourself. Cathy

Hi Cathy, 

of course I’m happy to stay in touch and go on this journey with you. 

When people say “oh it’ll be fine” or “im sure it’ll turn out to be nothing” I think they’re trying to comfort us in their own way. They’re trying to be positive. The problem with that for me, is that it’s THEIR version of support, rather than the support I would like. 

We are brought up to be grateful for what we have and tolerate things that actually make us unhappy. In truth, people on this forum will be the closest in terms of what we experience. But nobody has the right to tell you how to be/think/feel. We are all individual and it’s happening to you, not to them (your family).  

I’ve found my family worrying about my mental health as I do struggle with it. But I feel I’m coping ok atm. I just hate waiting. I wasn’t happy with the letter I got that was full of abbreviations without much actual information. I wrote an email to PALS at the hospital and the lady there was amazing. She told me what will happen on the phone call with the hospital on Friday, and what will happen after.

if people truly care about you they will support you. As hard as it is, im trying very hard to just get through one day at a time. Now may be a good time to filter down my ‘friends’ list! Always interesting to see who keeps in touch. 

take care and let me know how it goes. 

karen