Page 1 of 1

Colonoscopy October 5th, Age 30. Freaked out.

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 10:55 am
by ColonMan317
Hey everyone, just registered to get some input from folks on here. I've had 3 episodes of rectal bleeding over the last few years. The first time was a few years back (can't remember exactly when) and happened when I was pushing so it was chalked up to hemorrhoids and had no other symptoms. The second time it happened was January of this year - no pain, no pushing, just happened. Again, chalked up to hemorrhoids. Last time it happened was two weeks ago and so I went to a GI this time.

They found internal hemorrhoids but, luckily, they want to be safe and do a Colonoscopy. Now, I can't stop freaking out. I'm thinking about every possible other side effect I may have. For instance, my poop lately has not been coming out in a long strand but in multiple pieces. It's easy to pass and I have no pain but it makes me think there is a tumor that is messing things up in there. I know that I won't truly know anything until the Colonoscopy but just wanted to vent. It seems no one I speak to really understands how much I'm freaking out.

Re: Colonoscopy October 5th, Age 30. Freaked out.

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 11:47 am
by erins
Good for you getting checked out (and kudos to your GI for playing it safe).

I also had several weeks between my GI visit and the colonoscopy, so unfortunately the wait is normal—For the interim I found it helpful to remind myself that getting a colonoscopy was the best and only thing I could do, and that I was ahead of the game for doing it—it IS doing something, it isn’t just ‘waiting around’. Give yourself a pat on the back and keep doing it whenever those nerves show up—for some reason it really helped me to take credit for listening to my body.

Finally, Someone on here said Dr Google is a good mortician but a poor doctor. It’s hard, but try not to self-diagnose online—it only made me anxious.

Keep us updated—we’ll be cheering you on for a clean scope!

Re: Colonoscopy October 5th, Age 30. Freaked out.

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 1:43 pm
by NHMike
It's hard not to worry about what it might be but there are a of things that can cause rectal bleeding besides cancer. So one step at a time. I personally know several people that have had this and they had other conditions.

Re: Colonoscopy October 5th, Age 30. Freaked out.

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 2:16 pm
by O Stoma Mia
O Stoma Mia wrote:Here are some hints on how to get a good colonoscopy:
How to get a good colonoscopy
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?t=51653&p=401721#p401721

If you're going to have a colonoscopy done, then it is very important for you to follow your doctor's instructions for colonoscopy prep. If you are not given any written instructions, you can look at a sample set of instructions here:

Colonoscopy prep brochure
http://www.westchestergi.com/docs/WCGI_colonoscopy_brochure.pdf

Also, be sure to ask for a printed copy of the colonoscopy report that they generate (with photos, if possible). Here is an example of one such report:
Colonoscopy Report
http://www.md-reports.com/colon_rpt.pdf

You may also want to read the following journal article to check if they did, in fact, do a good, complete colonoscopy:

Colonoscopy: Quality Indicators
https://journals.lww.com/ctg/Fulltext/2015/02000/Colonoscopy__Quality_Indicators.3.aspx

Also, here are some questions to ask about colonoscopies.
Questions about colonoscopies
Colonoscopy - What to Expect

10 Questions You Need to Ask About Colonoscopy

Frequently Asked Questions About Colonoscopy and Sigmoidoscopy

Colonoscopy preparation guide UnivMich

Frequently Asked Questions about Colonoscopy

Common Colonoscopy Questions... Answered!

Ask About The Quality Of Your Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy Prep Solutions
http://coloncancersupport.colonclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=58394&p=460250#p460250
..
.
Remember, the most important thing is to have a good prep and a complete clean-out.

ooooo

Re: Colonoscopy October 5th, Age 30. Freaked out.

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 5:09 pm
by Lee
ColonMan317 wrote: . . . They found internal hemorrhoids but, luckily, they want to be safe and do a Colonoscopy. . . .


Chances are it is just hemorrhoids, butt it is wise for the colonoscopy to determine that. Anything else is just a speculation. Yes avoid Dr. Google, you can diagnoses yourself with anything with Dr. Google.

Does colon cancer run in your family?

Try not to worry, odds are you are going to be okay.

Lee

Re: Colonoscopy October 5th, Age 30. Freaked out.

Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2018 6:37 pm
by benben
Hey mate, you're on the ball with the scope.
And your doctors are GOOD to double check. It should be standard in my opinion.
Unfortunately I was in your shoes about the same age and my docs took the other method.
3 GI docs in 7 year period told me the rectal bleeding was most likely just roids and fissures.
I blindly followed their expert advice until 44. My PCP didn't even want me to do a scope until
I pressed and blood was found in a stool sample. This time I refused to not be scoped and WHAM stage 3b.

Obviously if you're seeing blood its most likely lower colon - sigmoid to rectum and probably very early on - it may just be some polyps or not even related.

You're golden to be proactive. Don't fret. You're doing all you can.

Re: Colonoscopy October 5th, Age 30. Freaked out.

Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2018 10:12 am
by DarknessEmbraced
I'm glad you're getting a colonoscopy and hope it goes well!*hugs*

Re: Colonoscopy October 5th, Age 30. Freaked out.

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2018 3:38 am
by O Stoma Mia
Good luck on your colonoscopy this Friday. Keep us posted on the outcome.

Re: Colonoscopy October 5th, Age 30. Freaked out.

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 11:26 am
by ColonMan317
Thank you for everyone for the responses. Tomorrow is the day and I'm ready to just get it over with, whatever the result...

Today is the dreaded prep day. I freaked myself out by looking at reviews of Suprep online and am hoping I don't barf it up tonight. Other than making sure it's very cold, anyone else have successful ways for drinking the Suprep quickly and easily?

Re: Colonoscopy October 5th, Age 30. Freaked out.

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2018 6:51 pm
by Lee
ColonMan317 wrote: . . . anyone else have successful ways for drinking the Suprep quickly and easily?


If it says to drink 8oz every 15 min, it okay to bump it out to every 20 mins or what works for you. The best thing is to try and not throw it back up.

Good luck tomorrow.

Lee

Re: Colonoscopy October 5th, Age 30. Freaked out.

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2018 6:34 pm
by ColonMan317
Hey all - just finished up. I’m completely clean and it was just hemorrhoids!! Thank you so much for the well wishes - I am extremely happy I checked and feel 100% better now that it’s all done.

Re: Colonoscopy October 5th, Age 30. Freaked out.

Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2018 9:25 pm
by jmn
Great news! Glad it was hemorrhoids and nothing more serious.