Scared about a screening medical procedure(trigger warning?)

This probably applies more to people whose bodies are over 50. Have any of you ever gotten a colonoscopy? I'm supposed to have one on Monday, and I said I would because I wanted my husband to have his second one and I haven't even had my first one yet because I've been putting it off. So it didn't seem fair, and if I get one now and it's fine then I would just wait to have another one until I'm like 70 or something.

I don't feel like I know my system well enough to even know how everyone is feeling about it--I know some parts are really scared, but I only started feeling that this morning. At first I thought I didn't want to be asleep for it because I've never had general anesthesia for anything and that idea was scary, but then I read more about what people wrote who weren't asleep for it and I don't think I could handle that at all! I haven't had a lot of actual trauma to the body, but pretty much all of it has to do with that area and that function, and I'm not even sure how I'm going to make it through all of the yucky prep that you have to do, which is supposed to be even worse than the actual procedure. And there's no choice at this place for being a little asleep, or having something for anxiety and pain--you have to be all the way asleep or have nothing to help.

There's a part that likes the idea of following all the directions really well and doing a good job this weekend. And maybe it's better to just not think too much about it. Maybe this is one of those instances where the ability to dissociate will come in very handy. But I don't want to traumatize the little ones so I should probably try to explain it to them instead of ignoring the whole thing.

Looking for any helpful advice!

We can't comment on a colonoscopy, having never had that. We have had more than our share of experience with a bunch of other medical procedures, from 'exporatory' things up to major surgery. Some awake, some under a general.

My suggestion would be to talk it through with all your parts. Only you (all of you) can decide whether you want to go through it awake or not. There's pros and cons either way.

For us, if we're gonna be awake it's important to know absolutely everything. Even if its yucky or scary or unpleasant. We just need to know. (Of course then we might wish we were asleep, or could at least put on headphones and play music, to tune out the medical stuff...)

I'd suggest it's important to talk to the people doing it too, to let them know if you have specific concerns or whatever. If they're good, they'll listen to what you have to say, and offer help or at least try to help you work through the concerns.

Good luck!

Hi GangsAllHere,

They want us to get one of those too but it's SO hard to even think about! Everybody just freaks out. Host is worried that the stupid awake-but-out-of-it drug they give you will make us switch in front of everyone and he'll be embarrassed. We can hide the Littles and Colin can front because he's pretty tough. I just feel ashamed. Kind of a mess. Host says we need it though.

Why won't they give you something for anxiety? Sounds stupid to me.

Do you have a really safe place for your Littles to hide where they won't have to connect with any of this? That's important. And make sure the Protectors know you consented so they don't try to rescue you. (That happened to us once. The Protectors kind of popped out in the middle of a stupid procedure and decided to fight their way out of the clinic. Not pleasant for anybody. )

Good luck,

Iain

We have had 2 and we are not over 50.

We have had general anesthesia 3 times, and it is a current fear of ours. We don't like it at all. But we have never had general for colonoscopy and to be honest it wasn't a bad experience. But we are sciencey/medical so we have an easier time coming at it from a biological/medical perspective I think. our body is an organism to us, we just happen to inhabit this one.

The prep is unusual and a bit uncomfortable. But I find the not being able to eat more troublesome. You cannot eat anything that will interfere with them looking at your colon. Therefore, please adhere. then all the work is for nothing.

You can tell the kids your garbage chute need to be checked to make sure it is working. There is nothing worse than a broken garbage chute. and maybe give an example of something in your home that took some time and effort to repair (and maybe clean out first) and that the effort was worth it.

Also tell your Dr. you have anxiety attacks during medical procedures where you aren't in control. Then at least they will be prepared for a reaction. Even if it doesn't happen. You won't surprise them.

The two I have had have been quick and many were fascinated to see our intestine! but again, we are sciencey.

I wish you the best.

Samsland,
I’m very sciencey/medical and fascinated by biological stuff, but from what I’ve read, a colonoscopy without any sedation/relaxation at all is very uncomfortable and occasionally very painful. I had three babies without ANY pain medication (two at home, on purpose), but I’ve read that that doesn’t predict the ability to handle a colonoscopy. Besides the discomfort there’s all the psychological stuff around having something put in there, and also the worry that if I move suddenly it could cause a big problem. I don’t like the idea of general, but having never had it, I don’t really have a basis for judgement, and it’s very appealing to think of just going to sleep and waking when it’s all over. They use propofol which is very safe when monitored and has fewer after effects than others.

Iain,
I would also worry about the awake-but-out-of-it drug. I had an elective surgery a few years ago where I had that, and the doctor told my husband afterwards that I conversed with all of them throughout the operation. And there was something about how the doctor interacted with me afterwards that made me worried that I had said embarrassing things.
You could find out if your insurance will cover general. The place where I’m having it used to use a twilight sleep but too many people were waking in the middle of it, so they decided to just have general for everyone.

VioletFlux,
Thanks, that’s helpful advice-I might try calling them again to ask more questions.

And thanks all of you about the advice on how to handle littles. Explaining it, talking it over, and making a plan for them to be safe-those are all good ideas.

We've avoided having one, even though we are at risk because our father had stage one rectal cancer. He was successfully treated for it, though.

We also have formative trauma issues concerning anything that involves being touched "back there."

MDs

MakersDozn wrote:We also have formative trauma issues concerning anything that involves being touched "back there."

Yup. I'm leaning much more toward just being asleep for the whole thing. My plan is to try to talk to a nurse tomorrow, and just ask them to walk me through exactly what will happen when I show up there. I think if I know that, and then I'm asleep before they start doing anything, and just wake up when it's over, then I should be ok. It was really hard to concentrate at work today. And tomorrow I see my T and I don't think I even want to talk to him about this.

Hi,

Good ideas.

For us if there's something we don't want to talk to our T about we probably should.

Iain

Hi Iain,

Haha. Zing! You got me. (Very politely, though)

Thanks, I needed that.

the Gang

I’ve had 2 of these done -family history and then they found abnormality on my first one. The prep is no fun but I took a bunch of stuff into the bathroom and read a lot.
Definitely get the things to drink on their list because you don’t want to repeat this.

The sedation is not general anesthesia. No intubation . It’s a short acting IV medication so you’re asleep when they begin but wake up soon after even though groggy .
I think they expect people to be scared . I tell them I’m afraid and they’ve been supportive and caring.

I guess I look at it as preventative so that I’d rather get these done than have surgery like my family member . That’s what I focus on .