Worried!

[Denni200]

Hi there.  I posted a while ago about some blood in stools which emergency department dr said was internal hemorroids.  I have since seen my GP and he has recommended a colonoscopy as a precaustion which I am having done next week.  My question is, is it a good sign that I havent had any bleeding since the last incident nearly a month ago??  I take fibre supplements and I have been regular and the (sounds gross) stools look fine.  Do you think I have anything to worry about?  Also, am worried about this colonoscopy and going under sedation.  Can anyone tell me about the procedure.
Any info would be appreciated as I am a BIG worrier!! Thanks.

[Denni200]

Thank you guys for your responses.  I am 42 years old.  It's the anaesthetic that scares me, the feeling of losing control.  I am not taking the liquid.  They have given me the pills and its a whopping 65 of them I have to take!!!  Is it good that the bleeding has stopped??
Thanks

[darlene57]

Hi,
I have just had this procedure done, which is routine for me. It is a walk in the park! The worse thing for me is the prep that you have to do. I do not like drinking the liquid meds they give you. I heard the nurses talking when I was waiting for my procedure, that they have pills you can take now, I think they said 45, but to me I would rather do that.
I had the same problem with the bleeding last year and had the internal hemorroid surgery done and there was not much to it. I had no trouble at all. I also had the external done before too, and that was much more painful.
Good luck!!
Darlene57

[Morecambe]

Hi - a properly administered colonoscopy should cause you no worry or pain.  The procedure is as follows:-

- purgative the day before or on the day/nil by mouth etc
- a sedative just before the procedure (needle in the arm)
- to all intents you become unconscious
- the instrument is inserted via the anus (it is about as thick as a garden hose ~ 2cm in diameter)
- this instrument has a light, air blowing capability to inflate the intestines, a pair of pincers to take a biopsy snip, a cauterising filament etc etc
- the procedure takes about 20 minutes
- then you wake up, have a cup of tea, rest in the hospital for ~2 hours and then go home.  
- You must not drive a car for ~24 hours.

There is a very slight risk of perforation of the colon with the colonoscope in which case an operation to repair the colon is necessary. (ask your doctor about this - maybe 1 in 500???)

I don't know how old you are, but if you are 40+ then you are in the age range when the more sinister diseases can occur and the colonoscopy is probably the most comprehensive test by which to secure (hopefully) a negative diagnosis.

Good luck
Morecambe