Getting Tests Without Reasurance

[rainbow]

help!!

my stomac has been upset (have to use restroom all the time an have latly been practicly attached to the restroom) for about a year and now im being seen by a gastrologist.

he has signed me up for like all the tests posable in a 3 week period without really discussing why their done an im very nervous and VERY enbarrassed by having to get a colonoscopy and endooscopy (mostly the colon..).

this seems like a very serious thing to do and he just wouldnt tell me really how its done and kept refering to the worst cases he's seen (for no reason)

i would just like to know why its done and if it is scary or not

thanks a bunch

[Jnkmnky]

You know....You've got to be comfortable with what's being done to your body. You really need to tell your doctor how you feel about what's going on and what he's planning for you. You don't have to submit to every test suggested by a dr. You need to make the decision to accept the tests, not feel forced to undergo them without any real understanding of why. You decide to accept the tests offered when you fully understand why their being offered and not before then. Tell him you feel uninformed and unable to make the DECISION to submit to the testing. This is not his decision, it's your's. Good luck- be strong!

[mytummyhurts]

I've never had a colonoscopy, but I have had the endoscopy and I can tell you that it's really not bad. I was very nervous too, because the idea of somebody sticking a tube down your throat and into your intestines is scary. But I don't remember anything of the procedure except being brought into the room and being hooked up to some machines (finger pulse sensor, nostril oxygen tubes) and then I woke up and my mom took me home and then I slept. Really, I recall it as positive because the drug they give made me feel nice and relaxed and it made me sleep deeply. Some people recall the bad tasting spray they give you to numb your throat, but either they didn't do this to me or I don't remember it. The drug can make you forget things that happened right before you fell asleep.

[julie5914]

Colonoscopy is harder than endoscopy IMO (I have never had endoscopy though) because you aren't given anything to sedate you that strongly. Sometimes they give you a sedative - you may want to ask for that. The worst part is cleaning out - you basically stay up all night cleaning everything out for the procedure and it is no fun.

Colonscopy is a little embarassing and uncomfortable, but just keep telling yourself that the doctors do it all the time. They are not embarassed, and there is no reason you should be. There is very little chance you will be in real pain; it is more like discomfort. I think it is worth doing when you have so many digestive problems - it gives peace of mind to see with your own eyes that your colon is healthy (if it is, and if it isn't I imagine it gives motivation to start treatment and confirmation of a diagnosis). Search the internet for how it is done and what to expect - that is what I did and it made it much easier. If you indicate that you are in too much discomfort or any pain, they will stop - they are not in the business of torture.

[judy05]

help!!

    my stomac has been upset (have to use restroom all the time an have latly been practicly attached to the restroom) for about a year and now im being seen by a gastrologist.

he has signed me up for like all the tests posable in a 3 week period without really discussing why their done an im very nervous and VERY enbarrassed by having to get a colonoscopy and endooscopy (mostly the colon..).

  this seems like a very serious thing to do and he just wouldnt tell me really how its done and kept refering to the worst cases he's seen (for no reason)

        i would just like to know why its done and if it is scary or not

            thanks a bunch

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You didn't say how old you are. Most doctors believe that everyone should have a "scope" of both areas at least once in their life, especially if you are over 50. These are diagnosing tools and have prevented a lot of diseases like colo-rectal cancer, lymphoma, etc. Anyone presenting with intestinal problems needs to have these done to rule out serious problems. Try to think of it as a screening such as mammograms and pap tests. No one likes these procedures but they need to be done. Neither of these, colonoscopy or endoscopy, are life-threatening procedures,

the nurses try to make it it as stressfree as possible. The prep for the colonoscopy

is a pain, but it is necessary for the doctor to look at your colon when it is free of fecal matter. The endoscopy only takes about 20 min, they start an IV, spray your throat to numb it, turn you on your side. I can't even remember the tube going down. You are not deeply sedated like in regular surgery and you are usually awake before you leave the room. You can leave as soon as you are able to swallow and your vital signs are OK.

Don't be afraid to have these done, if you don't you might imagine all kinds of things wrong with you. When I got sick i really thought I had cancer,(I always think the worst). After the scopes I had a picture of my problem and I was so relieved.

The doctor has to be honest with you about the procedure and the risks involved. Afterwards they give you a list of things to watch for after you go home. Nothing is risk-free and they have to explain it to you. If you aren't comfortable ask him to call you to explain the procedure. That's what they are being paid for!

[rainbow]

hey thanks mrs. judy

yeah i just got my 2nd round of blood work done so the procedures will be postponed untill the results .

i talked with the doctor longer an he said it will be alright if we wait till we see the blood work results. but i just looked on some websites an i think ill be pretty ok with it

but yeah i realize it will be better to get all the stuff done than to be sick forever.

oh and im 16 years old

and i was wondering also if along with going to the bathroom very fequently is bad nausia also a symptom alot of people get with gluten problems?

[judy05]

hey thanks mrs. judy

yeah i just got my 2nd round of blood work done so the procedures will be postponed untill the results .

  i talked with the doctor longer an he said it will be alright if we wait till we see the blood work results. but i just looked on some websites an i think ill be pretty ok with it

but yeah i realize it will be better to get all the stuff done than to be sick forever.

oh and im 16 years old

    and i was wondering also if along with going to the bathroom very fequently is bad nausia also a symptom alot of people get with gluten problems?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Rainbow,

Glad to hear that things are moving along. Don't be afraid of these procedures, most of us have had one or both done. Yes, nausea is another symptom of gluten intolerance. Actually there are over 200 symptoms, I'm sure someone on here can direct you to them. I myself had a lot of nausea, dizziness, diarrhea and stomach pain. I found out that I have severe acid reflux (from having the Endoscopy) and this very often occurs in Celiacs and can be the cause of the nausea. I never had a lot of heartburn but the damage was severe and I wasn't aware of it. I also had a lot of anxiety, never knowing when or where the attacks would occur. I knew where every restroom was in the stores. Hope everything works out for you. Just remember you have to keep eating gluten until the tests are done.

[jknnej]

Don't worry-I had both of these tests within the past year and it is so easy!

There is no pain involved. I don't know what doctor the other poster here had, but my doctors had me OUT for my colonoscopy. Just liike the endocscopy. I remember absolutely nothing about either procedure, or even the car ride home.

Other than them putting in an IV which is just like getting blood drawn, there was no pain whatsoever during either of these procedures.

You do have to cleanse the night before the test for the colonoscopy but that's more inconvenient. You get hungry and have to go to the bathroom all night. But it's not painful. So please don't worry!