Posted by MPH on 5/22/2008, 8:28 am
137.222.240.66
Hi
I just wanted to post this as an encouragement to people who suspect they may need a colonoscopy but are put off, either because they fear the procedure, or they fear what might be found.
I am in my late 20s and started having problems 8 months ago - lots of wind, mucus, and rushing to the nearest toilet about 5 - 8 times per day. Most of the time there was no blood but on a few occasions there definitely was, mixed with the mucus. Increasingly, I felt I hadn't finished and would be back on the toilet within half an hour of having got off.
So what did I do? I worried and worried. I looked up symptoms on the internet and convinced myself I was going to die and there was nothing that could be done. Anyway, after seeing a doctor I was recommended for a colonoscopy.
The prep was nothing. Sure, it doesn't taste very nice but really it's no big deal. I just stayed at home and read a good book all day - without any guilt because I was 'sick'!
The procedure was nothing. They gave me an IV sedative and I chattered away to the nurse while the two consultants looked around. In the end they spotted a 2mm polyp which is currently being biopsied. The chances of a polyp that small being cancerous are about 1:500 so I'm not worrying about the results. One in five hundred? Life is actually too short.
IN CONCLUSION:
- I thought I had ALL the symptoms of bowel cancer and was sure I did. As it turns out I probably don't (crossing my fingers as I type this...)
- Getting checked out has solved all my worries and I feel about 1,000 times better.
- The prep was fine and the procedure was fine. It's really a piece of cake.
SO... If you're worried about your bowel symptoms, DON'T FRET AS MOST LIKELY THINGS ARE FINE BUT GET THE COLONOSCOPY DONE TO PUT YOUR MIND AT REST!
Best of luck to everyone on this site,
MPH
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