Coloscopy anxiety

Hi all,

At my smear last week the nurse found an "irregular shaped lump " on my cervix (it says 'OS' in my notes).  I have a coloscopy in two week's time, and I'm so anxious as my smear hurt so much (I'm post menopausal, with untreated vaginal atrophy and no active sex life for many years).  I just about made it through the smear, but felt sick and dizzy at the end, and that was only a few minutes of having a speculum in.  My Dr has given me some vaginal oestroegn cream, but I'm not even sure I'll be able to imsert the applicator as it's so painful up there.  She's also given me a some low doese valium to take before the colscopy to try to calm me down.  On the plus side, this worry is stopping me from thinking too much about what might be found, but on the negative side I cannot envisage how I'll be able to get through the procedure.  I wondered if you had any tips to help me on the day.

Thankyou for any advice

  • Hello and thank you for posting.

    I'm sorry you are feeling this discomfort with your smears. Unfortunately anxiety often leads to muscles tensing, and this tightening can make this procedure difficult.

    I have posted here a link from the Jos trust Charity website, with tips in helping them to be a bit more tolerable.

    Others on the forum may also come forward with their own thoughts.

    Take care and I hope this gets sorted for you soon.

    Sarah.

  • Thanks for the info Sarah. I'm hoping that the sedative may help on the day, and I'm now using cream from the Dr to help with the dryness.  I guess I'll just have to try and get through it so that i know what I'm dealing with.