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Need a colonoscopy but very afraid

natthewife
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Hi everyone! I'm going to do a brief run through of my problems and my fears in hope of some advice.

 

im a 37 year old and been having bowel problems for a while worsened in last few months. 
I go through periods where my stool switches to chronic diarrhoea with lots of mucus, pain and bloating. This can last upto a week of non stop symptoms and it doesn't matter if I don't eat which I've tried out of desperation! I still have diarrhoea and horrible pains. I can wake up the next day and be back to normal until it sets off again. I'm really fed up with this so I want to go to the doctor to arrange a much needed colonoscopy but they petrify me! Literally terrified

 

ive only ever had a couple of instances with rectal bleeding and nothing in last few months so I'm unsure if I even need to see the doctor or am I over reacting?? 
 

these episodes take it out of me. I know it's causing me some dehydration which is what makes me tired but I'm confused which it switches between normal/abnormal so quick? 

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    Hello from the age of 17 onwards I've had many colonoscopys and sigmoidoscopys too all without sedation much to my consultants dissaprooval but its my body I know what I can tolerate xx what scares you about them I had the exact same symptoms as you mine turned out to be bad ibs and I was prone to polyps which caused mucus and bleeding and different stools and never consistent x

  • Offline in reply to Janey123x

    I'm more afraid because my disabled husband had a very bad experience during his a couple of years ago which has stuck with me. 
     

    I wasn't aware I could suddenly develop IBS at this stage in life so that's interesting. My symptoms were mild to start. A day or 2 of loose stools every few weeks but now it's becoming debilitating when it hits and being so prolonged makes me feel very ill and run down

     

    im just so fed up x 

  • Offline in reply to natthewife

    Hi

     

    I had a colonoscopy a couple of weeks ago due to spotting and stool changes. Was mildly apprehensive.

     

    I can tell you, the staff are normally really friendly, you're on your side (not face up!). I went for no pain relief and it was just like having a tummy ache for 20 minutes. 
     

    By far the worst (or best? ) part was the soluble drink preparation you have to take. Tastes vile and properly clears you out: nothing left. 
     

    So, in short, don't be worried. It's no biggie and you get immediate verbal feedback, then a letter confirming results about a fortnight later. I've had much worse hangovers!

    x

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    Hi please don't worry about having the colonoscopy it's really not as bad as you are imagining I was terrified mortified horrified embarrassed at the thought of having mine done  but everyone at the hospital was fantastic and put me totally at ease, I had 3 polyps removed and a large one that I am having surgery to remove tomorrow along with some lymph nodes thankfully I had a the colonoscopy done and hopefully the surgery will be all the treatment I need.

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