Colonoscopy: just how bad is it?

[kimmjmc]

This issue with me can be solved quickly with an answer to the following grotesque question: does bright red blood during a bowel movement always mean hemorrhoids?   I certainly do have some of those external suckers, which don't cause any pain, usually.

Age 52 female, in good health.  The only prescription med I take is Allegra-D for allergies.  Had my gallbladder removed in 1995.  But for the past six months I've had noticeable blood during bowel movements and a lot of gas.  To be even more explicitly gross: sometimes the bowel movements come out unusually thin-looking (but I wouldn't go so far as to call them "ribbons."  Ribbons are those airy strips of cloth girls use to  tie back their hair).  Sometimes I go for a few days with bouts of diarrhea (told you this would be gross).  But no weight loss, no sir, in fact, the opposite.  Weight gain, with most of it in my abdominal area (but that's not unusual for a postmenopausal women with a sedentary job, I believe).  Can hemorrhoids on the anus cause the bowel movement to become "thin"?  I don't have a lot of abdominal pain, just a pressing sort of feeling in the nether regions at times, nothing very annoying.

Would I be overreacting to ask my PCP to refer me for a colonoscopy? I'd much rather not go through such a procedure unnecessarily.  I've heard coworkers describe the very unpleasant drinks that precede an even more unpleasant flushing out evening spent mostly on the toilet.   A friend of mine said that something went wrong with his sedation during a colonoscopy.  He was in no twilight sleep, but couldn't move.  He was also in great pain, but couldn't speak to complain about it.  Scared the heck out of me.

So I hope to hear that bright red blood is always hemorrhoids, and that gas and only somewhat strange bowel movements happen to the best of us.

[Morecambe]

I think you must seek medical advice and get to the bottom of this bleeding - which is never normal.  You may well have haemorrhoids but there are other causes of rectal bleeding which, as I am sure that you have suspected, are more sinister.

Type in rectal bleeding to google/yahoo and log on to one of the many sites that will appear.  You will then be more informed when you speak to your doctor who, I hope, will suggest a colonoscopy.

I suspect that very occasionally a colonoscopy does not work out perfectly - but in the vast majority of cases things go smoothly.  Share your fears with the doctor who performs the colonoscopy.  A further reason for suggesting a colonoscopy is the fact that it is probably the most comprehensive test as far as (hopefully) providing reassurance.  The way you have phrased your question hints that you hope that the cause is benign but that you yourself are not completely convinced.  

When I had my colonoscopy, the purgative solution was raspberry flavoured and not unpleasant.  The bowel evacuation was not pleasant - but not unpleasant. I did not spend all evening on the toilet - but did have to visit the toilet perhaps ~6 times.  Take a book into the toilet with you!!

Good luck
regards
Morecambe

[mammo]

Everyone starting at 50 should have a colonoscopy. I am surprised that your doctor has not already suggested this to you.  My children had to have them yearly throughout childhood, and continue to, due to FAP an inherited disease.  I figured if they could handle it (with no complaints) I certainly could too.  It is not bad at all.  Nothing like everyone said it would be like.  The prep the night before is just running to the bathroom for a few hours but then you're done.  They do sedate you and the scope is over before you know it.  Look at it this way, if something is wrong, you'll have to have one anyway, and maybe more tests.  So, why not go ahead and have it, get peace of mind and maybe head off something serious, or find that it's nothing.  Don't allow others to scare you from being vigilant with your health.  I think fear of the unknown stops us sometimes, but I've seen a lot, and trust me, education is your best weapon against anything.  Get your scope and relax so that you can enjoy your life without fear and worry.

[underpants]

The freshness of the blood does say piles to me - anything darker and I would worry. As haemorrhoids are usually in the lower chamber of the rectum a colonoscopy isn't really nec - your doctor should be able to take a look and check out the varicose little monsters. No too pleasant but it is his job.
I really don't want to add to your fear of a colonoscopy but mine was very similar to your friends and I was totally awake and in a lot of pain - I'd never have another. The worst thing was that they were trying to check for an ulcer - they didn't find one, but it was because they missed it - so it's not even 100%. I had to go back and have an endoscopy, which was much less traumatic and it showed up on that one. I was told later though that if you take medication or drink a lot of alcohol your tolerance to the pain killer is much greater and that was apparently why I could feel everything during the proceedure( not an alcy, but do like a drink and am on pain killing medication for rheumatism) - so if you're not taking anything you should be fine if you have to have it. The toilet bit wasn't a problem at all - just like having the runs.
Hope this helps a bit.  

[kimmjmc]

Thanks for the replies.  I believe I will go to my PCP and announce that I never thought I'd say this sentence, but I want you to refer me for a colonoscopy.  The symptoms probably are due to piles, but since the test is recommended for someone my age, I'll get it done and out of the way and remove any small nagging worries.  I'll try to establish a prearranged signal with the person threading the tube up my nether regions if the anesthesia isn't working but I can't move (blinking furiously?).

[rem223]

I just had one without sedation (good for me, probably a bad idea for most).....Even without sedation, the exam was a breeze and detected a rather serious condition, that at least now I know about.  See your doc, get the test and don't worry about it.  Thanks again Mammo.

[April2]

I've had two colonoscopies and one endoscopy. It was a breeze. Don't worry about it. The worst part is the drink the day before. You'll actually feel pretty good when the whole thing is done because you've been cleaned out!

[coughting]

Just tell the GI dr that you do not want to know anything during the test.  That you don't want to wake up during the test and he will give you more meds.

Also tell him you want him to try and check the small intestine also, but once again tell him that you want to not feel anything.  This will let him know your are serious.

I have chrons and have had several of these.  Not one was bad.  I remember seeing the screen a couple of times, but no pain.  None.