has anyone had a colonoscopy??

[me]

hi everyone, i have been having bowel and stomach pain which has gotten progressively worse over the last 4 months.  My doctor has ruled out the easy stuff like infection and now wants me to have a colonoscopy.  I suppose since I am only 28 the fact that she is ordering such an invasive test is a really bad sign isn't it?  I know I have bowel cancer and I know it has spread but I am really scared of undergoing the test.  has anyone else ever had it and how bad was it?

[Folkwire]

I hear how easy it is rather often. I am only 18 and thus I have never had one, but my dad has and he told me while it's a little uncomfortable(not painful, uncomfortable), it's really quite easy.

Also stress and anxiety are very famous for causing stomach and bowel disruptions. I don't know how bad your stomach pain and stuff is, but chances are it is just worsening because you are worrying about it. My sister's stomach was ALWAYS upset for about a 3 year period when she was in high school and first year of college, and they tried all kinds of tests but all she had was GERD and anxiety problems, because she is dreadfully paranoid about what people think of her.

[Sarah44]

Hi Me-It's true that colonoscopy is usually for us older anxious ones. I'm 44 and got one due to stomach pain. I was so nervous that I had colon cancer. The worst part is the worry about that. The test itself is not bad at all. As all will tell you, the prep is no fun. You can't eat solid food and have to drink a solution that clears the rest of what  is in you out. Do not plan to get far from your bathroom the day before.

I felt so much better that all was normal. Diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome-IBS.

I think it is worth going through the test for peace of mind since you are having problems. It's really not that bad.

Sarah

[VILLEFAN4]

Hi me.  yes i've had two colonoscopies done.  it is not at all painful.  the worst part is the prep. for the procedure.  with all the laxatives and stuff.  it was mildly uncomfotable.  and the fact that you are only 28 doesn't mean anything.  i had mine in my very early 30's.  it just means that you have a good and thorough doctor. you will do fine i bet.  has anyone ever suggested that you have IBS (irritable bowel syndrom)?  i have that and i suffer from bouts of pain on and off.  it's a classic condition for those of us who suffer from anxiety.  let us know how you are doing.  we are here for you.  stacey

[wrdsilly]

Ditto to Villefan,  I had mine at 30.  It's all par for the course, they do it so they rule out stuff, but at your age they confirm it's nothing so they can definitively call it IBS (which I'm sure it is.)  The colononscopy is nothing; for the prep work treat yourself to 5 new magazines for the bathroom reading.

Good luck!

[tehil]

Was your "cancer" diagnosed by an MD or by Google? ;)

Yes, it's an invasive procedure, but don't fret. My ex who suffers from IBS had to have one at 28 as well. It wasn't a comfortable procedure, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. The one bright side to having such a procedure is that the payoff (when he tells you there's nothing wrong) is going to be even that much sweeter considering what you had to go through to get it.

[Bronte]

Hi Me!
No, it's not a bad sign at all.  It's preventative.  They will look and see that there is nothing wrong with you and tell you that you have IBS and then we will all say 'welcome to the club' to you    It is very rare that they find anything wrong in someone as young as you - trust me.
I've had a colonoscopy (and two endoscopies, a gall bladder scan and x-rays of the gallbladder with radioatcive tablets and barium meals and a barium enema - so aren't I the lucky one eh?  lol
The colonoscopy is nothing to be afraid of.  They will give you an injection in the back of your hand and your in twilight land.  You're awake, but you don't remember much if anything about it when you come back to earth.
The only thing that I found with it was that I was full of wind afterwards, which was a bit uncomfortable and I did bleed some the first couple of times afterwards when I went to the loo, but then that eased off.  I phoned the doctor about that because of course I panicked, but I was told that it was trauma and would heal naturally and it did.
Don't worry about it.  You will  be fine.  Promise 
Bronte

[Itzomi]

I had one done a few months ago because I'd been having flat stools for months.  I was afraid I had a tum,or or blockage in there somewhere, but...nope!!  Just muscle spasms, I guess! 

The test itself is no problem at all!!  It's the prep that's a killer.  Drinking all that formula, crapping your insides out, wiping 'til your hiney stings, etc. 

Oh...and when you use the restroom afterwards to "clean up," I guarantee you will sound like the horn section of an Earth, Wind, & Fire concert. 

[me]

Thanks everyone for your responses.  I am still very anxious, not necessarily about anything being wrong (ive already convinced myself of that) but Im worried I will have some sort of reaction to the sedative they use and panic. I guess you have to do what you have to do. 

[Sarah44]

You could tell your doctor that you are very anxious and ask for valium for before. I took it before my MRI and it helped alot.
Sarah

[sarahgotsissues]

I definitely think that prep is the hardest part!!!
Laxatives are a bitch!