colonoscopy on monday.. advise, help?

[placid_hotel]

hey all! this is my first time posting so i don't know if im categorizing this right... anyways
I have a colonoscopy/endoscopy (yes at the same time) scheduled for Monday. I'm terrified. My emetophobia is very severe. I already had to do a barium swallow and i couldn't even do that because i panicked and felt sick for 4 hours until they let me go because i was taking too long. So I'm not sure how I'll handle this.

My question is has anyone here done this? was the prep awful as everyone says it is? was getting to the hospital just as bad? i desperately don't want to feel nausea or v* (also i would like to hear personal stories of this not family e.g:my mom,dad,uncle,cousin,sister,neighbor etc.. had this done. no offense)

follow up question, has anyone done this enough times to suggest the best way to ensure that i have a good experience with this? (like small sips? or what diet did you follow before or tips?)

Also is it bad to get a colonoscopy being young?

I'm female, 20 years old and I'm getting it done by my pedriatic doctor in the childrens hospital (i guess i still fit there?) if that helps anyone. thanks!

[Carrie84]

I had a colonoscopy 2 years ago, when I was 28. I know you are having two procedures done but I can tell you it really isn't too bad. I Was extremely nervous before the prep and before the procedure but the procedure itself it's fine. The prep is the worst part purely because it doesn't taste nice at all but it is manageable. I had moviprep - 2 litres in total. Yes it gives you very bad d* for a good few hours but I found the best way was to sip it through a straw slowly and immediately follow up up with sips of lemonade. This helped. You need to stay near the toilet and keep up your clear fluids the whole time so you don't get too dehydrated. Not eating for 36 hours is not great but you will manage fine with sugary drinks and clear soup. The procedure for colonoscopy is fine, you are taken to a little room once you have your gown on and get on the bed, the nurses were very friendly. The consultant inserts the camera up your bottom and you can see it on the screen if you want- this is weird! It literally only lasts a few minutes- seriously. It's not too uncomfortable and you don't need any sedatives imo. I didn't feel particularly n* with the prep, just gassy. Just drink it slowly and through a straw. Good luck!

[mhartse]

Is there a reason you are getting it? You are kind of young. I only say that in hopes their not making you do unnecessary procedures. Ive never had one, but my mom has had both and never V from it. It's not pleasant but its not terrible. Maybe ask if u can bring headphones or something just so you don't have to listen. That is what I always feel is ideal to just zone out. I think you will be okay and hope some one else has answers for you!

[andee]

Hi, there have been other threads on colonscopies, endoscopies, etc. I had one and did a thread on it as well. Please look for those, very helpful!!

[tiredofitall]

I had an endoscopy several years ago under conscious sedation. It was nothing. I felt fine afterwards. Never had a colonoscopy though but have had two abdominal CAT scans with contrast so I had to drink two large bottles of barium which gave me gas and d but no n.

[placid_hotel]

ahh im not sure i could handle being only slightly sedated since i haven't completed most of my other non-invasive medical tests due to panicking. But im glad the prep wasnt that bad for you. thanks for answering!

[placid_hotel]

Is there a reason you are getting it? You are kind of young. I only say that in hopes their not making you do unnecessary procedures. Ive never had one, but my mom has had both and never V from it. It's not pleasant but its not terrible. Maybe ask if u can bring headphones or something just so you don't have to listen. That is what I always feel is ideal to just zone out. I think you will be okay and hope some one else has answers for you!

yes, I've had digestive problems ever since i was little but its only recently it started getting worse. I do admit sometimes its because of my emetophobia and anxiety that i start feeling sick but my GI has felt inflammation around my stomach and she recommended it. and thank you!

[placid_hotel]

Hi, there have been other threads on colonscopies, endoscopies, etc. I had one and did a thread on it as well. Please look for those, very helpful!!

will do, thanks!

[placid_hotel]

I had an endoscopy several years ago under conscious sedation. It was nothing. I felt fine afterwards. Never had a colonoscopy though but have had two abdominal CAT scans with contrast so I had to drink two large bottles of barium which gave me gas and d but no n.

that scares me! i have had an endoscopy before but it was when i was little and i was completely knocked out. im worried that this time i'll only be sedated because im having both done in one go. i don't know if i can be completely unconscious this time though.

[katiesummmerfield]

I've had the same procedure done last year! I'm 17, and I was 15 when I had it done. I had no problems with the prep (I did the miralax prep with ducolax) I found it a little hard to drink so much liquids but it didn't make me anywhere near n*. The day of was totally fine EXCEPT that morning I had my period and I get excruciating cramps and the only thing that helps is Advil, but I wasn't allowed any food or meds after midnight so until they put me under I was screaming in pain but it totally wasn't caused by the procedure. It was kinda good because I didn't have time to be worried about the thing because I was dying of womanly problems I was put under general anesthesia, I had it done at a children's hospital, and I had no n* or v* when I woke up. I felt so good when I woke up, no pain (I had slept off the cramps) only a little sore throat but I barely noticed it. Don't stress, it's a very simple procedure and I got through it!! I've also had two barium swallows and I had trouble drinking it both times, so don't feel bad at all. I don't think its an easy thing to do for ANYONE, so don't worry

[LouLou!]

I am 21 and have had several colonscopies. (For reasons not related to emetophobia). You honestly have nothing to worry about!! I know EXACTLY how you're feeling! I'll be honest, the preparation is definitely the worst bit, it doesn't taste great and obviously you'll then be spending lots of quality time with the toilet! But I was allowed to drink at home so I felt far more comfortable. I'd advise to drink the prep through a straw, not too quick, and keep taking sips of water in-between. I listen to some music whilst drinking it and that gives me some motivation to just drink it! You will feel drained as you can't eat, but the whole thing will be over before you know it! The actual procedure is really nothing to worry about. You'll get taken into a room and given a gown to put on. They just run through paperwork (if they haven't already done it in a previous consultation) and then when its your turn, you just get on the bed, they administer some medicine and its as simple as that! I've had different experiences with mine. The first one I had I was so nervous, I think they must have given me lots of sedation that I cannot remember any of it! The ones after that I have been awake and they talk to you the whole way through and its been absolutely fine! You'll honestly feel so relieved once you've had it done!
P.S. I too could not drink the barium, disgusting stuff!!

[placid_hotel]

I am 21 and have had several colonscopies. (For reasons not related to emetophobia). You honestly have nothing to worry about!! I know EXACTLY how you're feeling! I'll be honest, the preparation is definitely the worst bit, it doesn't taste great and obviously you'll then be spending lots of quality time with the toilet! But I was allowed to drink at home so I felt far more comfortable. I'd advise to drink the prep through a straw, not too quick, and keep taking sips of water in-between. I listen to some music whilst drinking it and that gives me some motivation to just drink it! You will feel drained as you can't eat, but the whole thing will be over before you know it! The actual procedure is really nothing to worry about. You'll get taken into a room and given a gown to put on. They just run through paperwork (if they haven't already done it in a previous consultation) and then when its your turn, you just get on the bed, they administer some medicine and its as simple as that! I've had different experiences with mine. The first one I had I was so nervous, I think they must have given me lots of sedation that I cannot remember any of it! The ones after that I have been awake and they talk to you the whole way through and its been absolutely fine! You'll honestly feel so relieved once you've had it done!
P.S. I too could not drink the barium, disgusting stuff!!

awesome! i feel like 10x better now. thanks for sharing your experience and tips, it makes me feel better that I'm not the only person that has emet and has to go through this and that its completely doable I hope your ok since you had to do this more than once! cheers

[cmu315]

I'm a 24 year old female and I've had multiple endoscopy/colonoscopy procedures due to my Ulcerative Colitis. The prep I had was Miralax, which is very gentle and just softens your stool instead of making it d*. I never experienced any n* or cramping from the prep either. Barium swallows are WAY worse! You will do great and the procedure will be over before you know it!

[placid_hotel]

I'm a 24 year old female and I've had multiple endoscopy/colonoscopy procedures due to my Ulcerative Colitis. The prep I had was Miralax, which is very gentle and just softens your stool instead of making it d*. I never experienced any n* or cramping from the prep either. Barium swallows are WAY worse! You will do great and the procedure will be over before you know it!

thank you for mentioning what prep you used. I forgot to mention the prep im using is magnesium citrate and I've only heard good things about Miralax and not so much on magnesium citrate.