Will_lay wrote:I’ve been lurking on this page for a few weeks now, I’m scared and need advice. I’m 33 years old and I have a severe anxiety/panic disorder. As you can imagine it greatly complicated the issue of getting a colonoscopy with I know is the gold standard. With that being said, my father died from colon cancer at 46. When he was diagnosed he underwent gene testing to see if he had any hereditary syndromes that could be passed and he was told they were none. My understanding from doctor google is even though he didn’t have any hereditary genes to pass I’m still at an increased risk because of his age. I’ve been to the doctor,she treats my anxiety so she’s aware of the issues. She has just ordered cologaurd for me to take.ive taken fobt tests and they were negative. I’m trying to exhaust all the other tests at my disposal. My symptoms right now are narrow stool, random cramps and occasional diarrhea. The cancer my dad had was in the large colon on the right side stage 4. Thanks for the help guys
Hey Will,
I had severe anxiety/panic disorder with agoraphobia and can well understand how many hurdles that creates. You say that you have a doctor who
treats your anxiety, yeah? On a scale of 'one-to-flying monkey weather' : how difficult is it for you to attend your doctor's rooms? What about waiting
in a chemist for your script to be filled? How about going to the supermarket to buy groceries? Travelling on public transport? Driving anywhere....
can you do a dentist's visit?
Tell us what you CAN do.......
As I am a consultant in panic anxiety disorders (in my region, which is Melbourne), I would like to know if your anxiety/panic disorder had been
complicating your life before your dad received his diagnosis and if the condition became more debilitating after his death - (what year was that?)
Do you have siblings who share your concerns regarding the hereditary factor?
When you think about undergoing a colonoscopy, what terrifies you the most? You will be anaesthetized you know. I would be so turning up for one of
them just for that nice buzz and a couple of hours of peace from the invasive crazy squirrel anxiety dervish thang. How will you reward yourself
afterwards?
A severe panic anxiety disorder has you over a barrel, which by the way, is the perfect position to assume for a colonoscopy.
Hope that the Cologuard returns a result that can wind back your anxiety.