I can't believe how insensitive doctors are when it comes to anxiety. I am scheduled for my first screening in a couple of days. I chose the colonoscopy because it is the only procedure where they are humane enough to knock you out and wake you when it's all over.
I am going crazy with anxiety and finally got 3 lousy valiums to help. I know they IV sedate you but I am going to be flipping out on the ride over and once I get there. I am going to have to take at least 1 or 1.5 10mg valiums or I will chicken out. Since my doctor nor the paper with the info on it didn't mention it, I am going to assume it will be ok to take it that morning. I hope it doesn't conflict with what they put in the IV. My doctor isn't exactly comforting about parting with such intelligence, but has anyone ever told you NOT to take a sedative on the morning of the procedure?
You had better check with the doctor about it. You don't want to get all cleaned out and then not be able to have it done.
I was very anxious about my first one but a dear friend told me what to expect and that it really was OK. Please listen to the people on the board that have one or more colonoscopies. I think having a pelvic exam is much more embarrassing and look how many most of us women have had. Everything is done very professionally. When you get in the room, they will tell you to lie on your side and then they give you the magic medicine before they do anything else. You will wake up back in the recovery area.
The prep involves just becoming friends with your toilet. You can't get very far away for awhile. I took a TV tray into the bathroom--I read, gave myself a pedicure while I was on the toilet.
I had one about 4 years ago. The worst part is the prep before. I had to drink a gallon of this stuff that made me very cold and like the above poster said, spent alot of time in the bathroom. You end up with just water for stools.
As far as the procedure went. It was not bad at all. The team of people were very nice and understood that this wasn't the best kind of thing to go through. Relax! It will be over before you know it and you will wonder what all the fuss you gave it, was about. It is just not worth it!
Take care!
Sher_A I had my first one 2 days ago. I was very anxious like you are but I wasn't offered any medication in advance. The only medication I could take the morning of the test was stomach meds. I would call your doctor and ask what you can/can't take. I was given sedation but I was awake anyways and watched the whole thing on the screen. Kind of gross looking.The doctor was talking to me telling me what he was doing like I was awake. I won't tell you that I was in alot of pain but I could feel them turning the corners. It took about 40 minutes. The worst part is the unknown once you've had it you would know what to expect the next time if you need it again. It's only embarassing when you think about it later after your done.
Like MommaBee I had to drink a whole gallon of this terrible tasting stuff and it made me cold also. At first I thought I was getting the flu.I would suggest not eating very much for a few days before. It will make the night before much easier. I worried all night that not enough was coming out even though I drank the entire gallon. Finally at 1 am I just about passed out from exhaustion (no food for 2 days) for a few hours and then it was off to the hospital. I was all worried for nothing as my doctor has this thing I called a pressure washer and cleaned out what ever was left in there (I know it's gross). Good Luck to you.
I was told not to swallow anything after the midnight hour before. Not even my thyroid medicine. Don't assume that you can safely take that pill without asking first.
Beyond that, I had my first screening in Feb. It was an absolute cakewalk. I know it's hard to convince someone with your level of anxiety about it, but if you do an advanced search of the subject here, you will find your fears really are groundless.
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