Multiple Colonoscopies

Hi,

im 62 & been haven't these procedures since my 30's. At the beginning they were never a problem other than the prep stuff.

I was usually given very mild sedation. That was in Germany. In 2008, I had it done in France, also not an issue. But then in 2013, they found 33 polyps, and did 2 within 3 months of eachother. It turns out to be a very nasty cancer gene and now am supposed to have every 6 months. Because of lockdown I've avoided 2 years. Now the next one is 14th June. I am having GA, as tbh, the last one they did end of 2019, it was horrible. I had both the Gastroscopy and Colonscopy done together. I was under local anaesthetic. Almost 2 hours into it, I was hallucinating and it wasn't funny. So they have kindly agreed to do a general this time. And it's because of the polys really that it's become an ordeal. So there is a huge difference in a check up and actually getting these things removed. 
like most, I find the prep the worst part & they want me to take double this time! Not sure I can cope with that! Also that they need to do these procedures so often or part bowel removal..Thanks for reading of you have!

 

  • Hello Pebblerose,

                                 double Moviprep!!!! That really is anchors away stuff and l do not envy you this one tiny bit having had several myself in the past.Your propensity to grow polyps is concerning and makes me wonder how your bowel copes with so much scar tissue as a result of removal, l suspect it must leave some niggling issues behind.

    Good luck this time around and hopefully you get a much better result,

                                                                                                                     David

  • Hi David,

    thank you for your msg. I haven't thought too much on that, I do have problems but I'm much more concerned about the ongoing colonoscopies. I suppose it's getting through one at a time.

    im pretty certain I won't get the double prep down. But I'll do my best. They never get them all because the prep is not working properly. 
     

    Thanks

  • Pebblerose

    Hi I'm 65 will be 66 this November. 

    Like you I've had loads of colonoscopy procedures 39 of them so far.  Have had numerous polyps removed ,hence the need for the colonoscopys. I had a flat sessile polyp that had to be cut away in five sections ,it  was  injected with blue dye before it was cut away, as it was flat on my bowel wall,so had to be very carefull to not cut or perforate my bowel wall. It kept growing back,and has high grade dysplasia, pre  cancerous cells. So i was scheduled  for a right bowel resection very quickly.  That was in  2014/15  can't remember now. It wasn't a nice operation, and i went into illyis, which is where you keep being constantly sick,where your bowel doesn't want to work. But In time it started to work properly again.. I got through that, and if you have to have a bowel resection, im sure you will too. Yes it's tough on the body,but the body is  remarkable at just how it goes through so much  and heals.  

    I've always had problems with my bowels, I had ulcerative colitis when I was 18yrs old,they originally thought It  was crones disease, but it wasn't.  I've also got diverticulitis, and have suffered with internal and external piles,and bleeding from time to time.i also had my bowel come through my stomach wall,  after my operation causing a hernia,which I had to have repaired with mesh inside me.

    I then broke both my wrists ,the right one badly in four places, and had to have both wrists in casts  for weeks

    I then was diognosed with gallstones, was due to have my gallbladdrer out,but the surgeons weren't aware i had mesh inside me from my hernia repair.  So i was told a specialist surgeon would be needed, and i was put back on the waiting list,which i waited  for over a year, in this time ,I had no pain or problems,so I decided not to go ahead with the operation  as i felt I just needed a break lol. I'm still OK, no pain and I'm back to eating anything I want,with no problems. 

    It's surprising how many people actualy go through simular things 

    I try to stay strong and positive.ive also had breast cancer in 2020,I had lumpectomy, and all lymph nodes were removed from under my right arm. I had 8 rounds of chemotherapy, and 15 radiotherapy sessions. I'm on Letrazole and Adcal tablets for 10yrs, and just after Christmas 2021 I was diognosed with vin3 ,pre cancerous cells of the vulva.  I'm under a gynecologist for this,and I've seen him twice, and he's just monitoring it,my next appointment with him is August 2022. I'm obviously worried that it's just being left and monitored, but gynecologist says it's best. My gp has just arranged a  refferal  for a dermatology vulva clinic  to look at  things ,as I think my gp is also concerned as it will be 6mths this August since I saw my gynecologist, so I'm glad my gp has took it upon herself to get me looked at by a dermatologist as well . I also have a bad right side shoulder I've rotator cuff inflammation, and an Impingement in my shoulder, and arthritis in it too.plus lymphedema in my right arm,and trigger thumb .

     

    Anyway enough about me, I do hope evertything goes well for you, if you do need a bowel resection you will be well looked after ,and i pray all will be well with you eventually.  If you ever need an ear or a chat with someone who understands completely what your going through,Im here,well I do pop on here from time to time. X

  • Dear Jassoscared,

     thank you for your message! You've been through a lot and still are! My story, though different, is a long story of illness too.

    im on treatment for life for a chronic illness that without I would survive a year maybe. I've been ill chronically since I was 18 too. 
    and like you, I have multiple health issues. Including a replacement knee in 2011 and double Discectomy in 2015.

    The polyp thing is awful because it's ongoing and as you well know, & it's the prep stuff that I actually hate the most

    You sound very brave, I'm not sure I could ever go through chemo or radiation tbh. But then again, it's true that there's more fight in us than we realise. And I guess we all keep fighting when we have to.

    I pray a lot actually & my faith keeps me going.. 

    Thank you again for sharing your story, it's very helpful!

  • Pebblerose.

    Hi thanks also for your reply,

    we both seem to have a lot of health issues going on  from young age. I am not brave at all,I'm really not. My son was diognosed with testicular cancer ,not long before I was,that's what made me check my breasts,I was devastated when he told me as he was only 34/ nearly 35 ,as any mother would be.

    It  had spread to his stomach ,his chest and he had a spot on his lung 5cm tumour in his stomach and 3cm tumour on his chest.  Ge was under a oncologistin a london hospital, and he had to stay there at weekends hooked up to chemotherapy  from  Friday right through to a Monday evening , in all he had had 267I hours of chemotherapy, hes ok now  thank goodness ,clear  and has regular blood tests  every 3 mths and scans once a year . I prodded and prodded my right breast for two weeks,wishing the lump I could feel would dissappear, but of course it didnt,so I told my daughter ,who said I should go to my GP. I hated adding to the worry we all already had. Was hard telling my son and daughter that it was cancer. I said I wouldn't have chemotherapy ,as I was petrified, but as my husband had commited suicide in 1997,my children said " Mum you have to,you are all we've got now and we don't want to lose you too. So of course I had to ,and to be honest I'm glad I did now,it wasn't nice,but it was just about doable, it's surprising how you find the strengh to go through these things. My son on the other hand was soooo brave,he was actually looking forward to having his first lot of chemotherapy, and every one he had to be honest, he kept saying its zapping the cancer,and thats got to be good",his wife and girls were amazing too,his wife obvously knew,but the girls are young and just thought daddy had a bad case of covid, bless them. We are all different,and all handle our issues the way we see fit,and to be honest it's the best way. I do know what you mean about that awful prep  for the colonoscopys, it's draining, I hate it so much too. I can't take the one with orange in it,as I'm alergic to oranges and they've sent that on numerous tines as couldnt get the one i needed ,so ive had to take it sometimrs,which is awful .  And as I have internal and external hemoroids it makes me bleed and so sore,keep going to toilet ,it stings and feels like hot acid on my bottom, I've cried many times when having to have the horrible prep. But I now use a good nappy cream  perpanthin i think it's called,its yellow in colour,and although still very sore it really helps. I do hope things improve for you soon .xxx

    ,

  • Dear Jassoscared,

    braveness is not the absences of fear. You have been brave & courageous and been through so much! I don't have children and cannot imagine what you went through with your son!

    There have been many tragic deaths in my family, including sucides. So there are a few things we seemed to have been through that are similar.

     I'm glad you have your children to encourage you to look after yourself, I realise it's not easy! And it's wonderful you have grandchildren too! Keep going for them too!

    Thank you for your encouragement too!

    God Bless you & your precious family!!!