Next week I go for my first colonoscopy (I'm 56) and have been putting it off too long due to no insurance and the cost ($1000, not including any removal of polyps, etc). I have had some blood with stools on and offf for the last 6 months and now added to that for the past few weeks lots of abdominal cramping and gas build up...unusual for me. Anyway, I'm scared. Has anyone had these symptoms and had all be ok?

Also, days before did you eat differently to make the fast day easier? Any suggestions? I am scared about all the pooping in one day given the bloodly mucus stuff I see already and fear getting all freaked out by it.

Any suggestions or comforting wordswould help. Thanks in advance...

Hi Angelina,

I understand the fear, it's stories like yours that reminds us why we need health care reform. You should never have had to wait this long and then have to worry because of it.

There are other more common reasons for blood in the stools. Hemorroids are a likely cause, do you have symptoms of these? Also if you have any strain then just a tearing of the small veins can cause this too, actually they aren't called veins but the correct word fails me at this time.

As for the test itself... it's not that bad. They can put you to sleep if you wish (and I always wish ) and then once you wake up it's over. The prep... is not so much fun. There are two camps in the prior-day eating camps. One that says let's pig out because we can't eat for 24 hours and we are going to poop it out anyway and the other camp that says let's cut the carbs so I don't get hungry when I can't eat for those 24 hours. I'm in the 2nd camp but I don't think either camp benefits in the bathroom since you have to drink the same amount and you either poop dark or clear but the time spent in the loo is the same.

Don't worry... pray and I'll pray with you. (((Hugs)))

hello,
being a hypochondriac and I feel really bad knowing how you feel right now. Went to check for you in the Internet and according to your symptoms, it could be a lot of things. Two sites actually mentionned that abdomninal cramping is usually not a sign of colectoral cancer. They mention tons of treatable diseases (please don't go and check as you know that googling is really bad before going for a test). I know my mom had polyps removed many times and that she had bleeding from time to time in her stool. nothing never came out of it, always had to have her polyps removed. I don't know much about it and I am no expert on the matter. I have had hemorroids though most of my life, even though I never had any children. They never really bothered me but I know that my mom and my brother used to have lots of bleeidng from it. I know that you will worry because that's how we are but from what I gather, it could be a lot of things before thinking the worse. I know that the more visible the problems or the more we feel them in our body, the more we make of it. trust me, I went this morning for a stupid eye test that involved no pain and since then my eye has been hurting me! What anxiety does to us is incredible. The slightiest worry and I start having abdominal cramps. If you have hemorroids, some people don't even realize that they have them as they really don't bother them much. Mine has only bother me on very rare occasion, otherwise, I don't even notice them. I know that since I started my premenpause, that I have seen a little bit of blood on the surface of the stool.
I know it is not much comfort but I want to send you a huge HUG
take care dear Angelina and let us know how your test went
Mrs buff (Beatrice)

I understand your fear and could not agree more - you should not have had to wait to get this done due to our woefully inadequate health "care" (?) system/insurance, etc. And the delay in getting done only adds (of course) to the fear. So, take a breath and another one. Your symptoms can very easily be something very normal (like hemmroids -sp?) or even a fissure. Try and not let your fear take over - I know- far easier said than done.

In terms of the colonoscopy itself - I've had 2 now and both were "a breeze". The memory loss drug (versed) is just amazing! I remember talking with the nurse and then that's "it" until I was back i recovery. No memory, no discomfort, etc.

In terms of the prep - it's not fun, but I find it MUCH easier to do an all liquid food regime starting 2 days before the procedure. Normall, they have you do the liquid diet the day before (the day of "prep") but it's been much easier on me to have less food in the stomach/colon more than the 1 day. That said, be sure and get your protein/nutrients - dont' just drink water or soda, etc.

Another suggestion I have is to use neosporin (or generic) on your bottom .... right from the beginning of when you start "cleaning out". It will prevent the tenderness/soreness greatly.

If you would like to PM me, please feel free. I so understand your fear and qusetions. kathleent

good morning angelina! don't worry the test is no big deal. The best part is that you will not remember any part of it!!! As to the prep, I would recommend a very light diet the day before, mostly clear liquids and easily digested things. No meat or starchy stuff. It tends to sit in your gut longer and obviously the less you have in there to begin with the less you will have to "purge". My husband nothing but clears the day before and did very well with his test. I think he had some chicken noodle soup (Campbells so not a lot of stuff in it!) and a few crackers but other than that, drank plenty of fluids. His prep went very well and was uneventful other than many, many trips to the bathroom! don't worry, you'll be fine. Keep us posted!
xoxo
Jan

What Jan said. I have a funny article about that procedure

Is it the Dave Berry one? That's HILARIOUS!!!!

YES!!!

hey Angelina, it's been quite awhile since I had one of those and I know they have fine tuned them alot in the past few years. It sound like what I am experiencing now. I just hope when I go for my yearly exam next week he doen't not recommend me for because I don't have insurance. Been going to the same dr for years and all of the sudden-no ins. and I am a stranger in a strange land.
I guess it is something else I took for granted when I was employed. When I was seperated from the job-I filed a long, drawn out grievance and missed the deadline for COBRA.
I got off subject, sorry. I hope your procedure goes well and you find peace of mind.
Senecaguns

I would suggest buying the wet flushable wipes and using them. You will likely become sore and tender during the prep process.

I had it done a few years ago and the prep was the worst part. You'll be happy when you wake up in the recovery room and knowing it's over.

I wish you luck!

Great idea about the baby wipes! I wish I had thought of that one.
Actually, I didn't mind the prep so much. I was so nervous about the procedure and what they might find, that I hadn't eaten for days so it was pretty painless (the wipes would have come in handy near the end though....;-)

I completely understand how you're feeling but please try not to worry about the procedure. The drugs they give you are fantastic, the nurses understand the anxiety of it all as well and are very kind. You will get through it and wake up as if it hadn't even happened.

Good luck to you!

Angelina:

You will breeze right through it!!!!!!
I know the prep is not fun but definitely necessary so try not to stress it.
As far as the procedure, you will not remember it.

((((((((((((angelina)))))))))))))))))
You can do this!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeaninne

Thank you all so much for your kind words and tips. I will definetly invest in some wipes. I am also going to go lighter with the foods even the day before the prep. I also read somewhere else on here a list of foods to leave out of your diet the week before so I'm doing that too. Yes, I am nervous but I do want to find out what's going on with me and get to work on fixing it. It's awful when you have no idea what to do to make yourself better.

Today has been an awful day...absolutely no energy, a toothache after the second half of a root canal yesterday (thought I would be done with that), have had little appetite today, feel very boated and full. Had to have a vaginal sonogram yesterday...still trying to regulate the bhrt I'm taking...called my doctor on Monday and said they won't change anything until I get the sonogram so lucky they had a cancellation and I got in...but still the waiting is very stressful which = anxiety for me...no call back yet. Gosh I know there are many who have it way worse than me and I know I must sound like a big baby here but that's because today I am a big baby! Thanks again everyone for taking the time to respond to my post.