Colonoscopy next week..canceled previous two

[scaredycat]

26/f. Family history of cancer and colon cancer. I've had fresh blood in my stools for 2 years. I had 2 sigmoidoscopies that found nothing. The GI group wants me to get a Colonoscopy because recent blood work showed low ferritin. I canceled twice already and my appt is next week. This is the farthest I've gone without canceling. I'm terrified. I'm afraid of a perforated bowel or infection from the procedure. I know I may have cancer but just the procedure scares me. I keep talking myself out of it. I don't know what to do. I have a lot of anxiety and don't know what's best for me. I have a baby and so scared of something happening to me. I can't even breathe thinking about doing this.

[pantufla]

I'm glad you are following through with the colonoscopy. I can only talk about the procedure. I have had several. They aren't a big deal. Last one, I got propofol and was out. They are very safe. The prep is irritating, but that is the worst part. You'll be fine.

[scaredycat]

Yes, I will see what happens. My family is pushing me because my aunt had colon cancer very young, and my parents, grandparents, siblings, etc. all have cancer. I'm just so scared of something happening DURING it.

[peanut_8]

Hi scardycat. Welcome to Colon Talk.

I can understand your apprehension. It's an invasive procedure, and if you haven't had one before it sounds terrible. However, complications are extremely rare. I've personally never heard of a perforation from the procedure. Since you have such apprehension, could you request anti-anxiety medication from your physician? Something like Ativan could really help get you through the procedure.

Also, pretty much everyone I know says the prep is the worst part. If you need any tips regarding it, the good folks here can help.
Best Wishes, peanut

[Nik Colon]

The chances of a perforation is small. Also, if there is something it's better to find out now than when it's too late.

[scaredycat]

I will try talking to my doctor, if I don't cancel.

May I ask what prep everyone liked trying? I'm doing Gavilyte C but had an option of Miralax/Dulcolax. I do not prefer Dulcolax.

[mike1965]

The procedure is not that bad. The prep is not all that fun. You need to know if you have cancer. If you do and do not find out there will be serious consequences. All procedures have risk but they are minimal for a colonoscopy. If you do have cancer you want to catch it early. In the end it, you are the one that has to make the decision you are comfortable with. I pray all goes well for you.

[Bev G]

I felt just as you do about my colonoscopy in 2009. Despite symptoms, I cancelled 2 or 3 of them before finally going (at my son's insistence). Yup. Stage IV colon cancer. I don't think it would have been an earlier stage had I kept the first appointment, butt who knows? Please get it done. Don't cancer again. You probably do not have cancer, butt if you do, knowledge is power and you'll find the strength to get on it. Get it done!

Best wishes to you.

[scaredycat]

I felt just as you do about my colonoscopy in 2009. Despite symptoms, I cancelled 2 or 3 of them before finally going (at my son's insistence). Yup. Stage IV colon cancer. I don't think it would have been an earlier stage had I kept the first appointment, butt who knows? Please get it done. Don't cancer again. You probably do not have cancer, butt if you do, knowledge is power and you'll find the strength to get on it. Get it done!

Best wishes to you.

I'm sorry. Can I hear your story?

[esscape]

I had one after my sister diagnosed rectal cancer. Nothing really bothered me at all. The prep is funny though, you need to sit very close to bathroom:)

[peanut_8]

I've had quite a few colonoscopies, and by far my favorite prep is the miralax/dulcolax/gatorade one. You get to pick your favorite gatorade flavor, or you can go with smart water.
Best Wishes, peanut

[wwroam]

I have a colonoscopy next Wednesday.
Because I'm diabetic and have impaired kidney function ( Folfox will knock about 20% off kidney function anyway), it's old school Moviprep . It's easier on the kidneys. As long as it is refrigerated I don't have a problem.

[Nik Colon]

As fas as prep, I would pick preopik, if they don't have that, the Gatorade with miralax wasn't bad either (and I had to do a double dose of it, plus dolcolax, plus magnesium citrate cuz constipation issues for my last one). The worst was my first which was golytly.

[jhocno197]

Go have it done.

Gatorade/Miralax was super easy on me.

[helen098]

My disabled brother told the doc that there was nothing lightly about the golighty prep

Another tip is to eat less a day or 2 before the prep not fasting just eating lighter
Remember everything that goes in must come out

While the prep is not fun it is so much more fun than cancer