Hello and thank you for posting.

I am sorry to hear about the worry and anxiety you have about a having a colonoscopy. You may have had an opportunity to talk with a member of the colorectal team and been able to say why you are worried about having one. If not I do think you need to. 

I don't think anyone looks forward to having a colonoscopy. Having one for most people is at worse uncomfortable and awkward. Some people will be sedated as this can make having it done more comfortable.  While some people may find having one is embarrassing please know that the endoscopist (the health professional who carries these out) will have done these many times and will not be embarrassed, they also will respect your privacy.  

Because you have cancelled this test a few times it is likely that you will be asked to go back to your GP if you have concerns about any symptoms you have. I am not sure if the colorectal team will want you to have any other test this is because the colonoscopy is the best test to see inside your large bowel and that can take a biopsy if it is needed.  Scans (for example CT scans) can only take pictures and on its own cannot take biopsies.  Do re-consider this especially as your describe your symptoms getting worse.

We have information about having a colonoscopy which includes a video of someone having it on our website here 

I hope you will be okay. Please get back to us if you need any more information or support.  You may find it helpful to talk things through with one of the nurses on our helpline.  The number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

Take care,

Caroline 

Hi Caroline,

Thankyou so much for your reply,  I got an urgent call to go to the hospital today, I thought to discuss things but not, they all seemed confused as to what was going on. However in the end they have now suggested a colon endoscopy camera capsule, which to me if possible is a great relief. So I hope this works for me at least.

I do appreciate your comments and know it takes sometime to reply to so many emails you must receive. I think my problem is that I have had several unfortunate incidents, in hospitals, dentists etc that going to hospital becomes a self fulfilling prophecy in that it will be horrible and it always seems to be horrible for me. So needles I struggle with terribly, and then the loss of control and then to be 'exposed' etc in such a way is just so daunting for me. I can sit here and think I can do it but as the time comes I become increasing more anxious, it actually comes in waves, I breakdown and cry and then the next day I can be much better. My GP won't help me because they say if they give me anything it might contradict what they give me in hospital. Inote your links etc but unfortunately for me the more I know the worse it is. In an ideal world I would not want to know anything until afterwards. I can cope with the pain I think, but going to hospital seeing the coloured clothes they wear, then having to wear the ID bracelet, removing your clothes, to me it just depersonalises you and then YOU are the focus of their attention is just so daunting and that is what petrifies me to the core.

I will let all know how it goes when I hear something next

MG351

Hi Caroline,

Thankyou so much for your reply,  I got an urgent call to go to the hospital today, I thought to discuss things but not, they all seemed confused as to what was going on. However in the end they have now suggested a colon endoscopy camera capsule, which to me if possible is a great relief. So I hope this works for me at least.

I do appreciate your comments and know it takes sometime to reply to so many emails you must receive. I think my problem is that I have had several unfortunate incidents, in hospitals, dentists etc that going to hospital becomes a self fulfilling prophecy in that it will be horrible and it always seems to be horrible for me. So needles I struggle with terribly, and then the loss of control and then to be 'exposed' etc in such a way is just so daunting for me. I can sit here and think I can do it but as the time comes I become increasing more anxious, it actually comes in waves, I breakdown and cry and then the next day I can be much better. My GP won't help me because they say if they give me anything it might contradict what they give me in hospital. Inote your links etc but unfortunately for me the more I know the worse it is. In an ideal world I would not want to know anything until afterwards. I can cope with the pain I think, but going to hospital seeing the coloured clothes they wear, then having to wear the ID bracelet, removing your clothes, to me it just depersonalises you and then YOU are the focus of their attention is just so daunting and that is what petrifies me to the core.

I will let all know how it goes when I hear something next

MG351