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Oh gosh I was so afraid of this. I have severe anxiety and my gastro told me this morning he wants me to have a colonoscopy done and Im having it next Monday. I told him I was afraid and scared of the prep what if it doesnt work? He is so nice but I am absolutly petrified, to the point that I literally feel sick. I took a xanax to help calm me down but I feel like I am in a panic attack that wont stop. Please tell me all about a colonoscopy does it hurt? Will the prep work for me? He told me I will be in a twilight sleep he said its like I will be asleep but not totally asleep. I know I am probably going over board but I am absolutly terrified and to make it worse the morning of the procedure I cant take any medication which means I cant take a xanax...Please tell me what you can thanks
 

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Even if you are very anxious I think you can search over the internet and determine for yourself that the prep *always* works. In fact, as I posted earlier, it may be a relief for you if you are suffering from constipation. You take clear liquids and the bowel prep prescription(which to me did not taste bad as mentioned by others) and then evacaute yourself multiple times. Use a baby wipe to soothen your anal area since you will be having several bowel movementsFor more comfort - try having the colonoscopy first thing in the morning. I slept at 12, woke up at 6:30, went for colonoscopy at 7:00. The procedure itself was painless. I got sedated and completely relaxed and woke up to find that the procedure was done. No remanants of pain, nothing. I was hungry for the first time in several days since my stomach was cleared.Good luck.
 

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Dana, as I said before, the procedure is a breeze. However, I was completely knocked out. I can't comment on twilight. Why not find a gastro who will use anesthesia, or ask your doctor if that's something he can do?What kind of prep do is he having you do?Dana
 

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Discussion Starter · #4 ·
I am taking colyte for the prep. The doc said its a little different than what he gives most because of my history of constipation. My test is at 12:30 it was either I schedule it for this monday or I wait another 3 weeks and i figured i would worry myself sick in 3 weeks. He explained to me that twilight sleep is the same thing as being asleep.He said that his diagnosis for me is more than likely going to be IBS but he doesnt like making that diagnosis without being totally sure theres nothing else going on.My blood work came back fine.I am just scared my anxiety gets the best of me and what really scares me is I cant even take anything that morning to calm me down I am afraid i am going to make a fool of myself.
 

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You really don't have to worry at all. What's there to worry about? The evening before is annoying just because you can't get off the toilet, but if you have some magazines to waste away the time that part should be fine
When I had my colonoscopy, I just went in, layed down on a bed and watched Family Matters (who knew that's what's on at 8am?) while I got my IV and everything. They wheeled my into the room where the doctor was, and they gave me a shot for "conscious sedation," but I just completely conked out (and apparently almost everyone does)next thing I knew, I woke up and the nurses gave me a coke. I was kind of farty for a couple hours, but that's not a big deal especially while you're still in the hospital...everyone in the gastro section will be farting!I was warned that I might feel mild cramping, but like I said I didn't feel anything and it was a piece of cake. To me, it was just like going to the hospital to take a nap instead of doing it at home. Nothing at all happened that was any cause for anxiety.
 
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Dana:please dont' be so afraid of having the coloscopy. It really is quite easy to go through. The prep is a bit 'hairy' but you will do fine...and, just think, you won't suffer from constipation at that point...lol. The sedation they give really makes you forget the entire thing...you are amazed it's over already!!I have severe constipation...so can understand. But try not to worry too much...it is not bad at all. I'm sure you will come back and tell us that 'gee, it wasn't all that bad'!! Good luck!NatzoSwift
 

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Dana, please tell your doctor that you want to sleep through the procedurem and that you're really anxious about it. I did that, and my doc was very nice about it. He told me he'd be sure I was asleep. And I did sleep through it. I've had four of them over the years. Same doctor. Always slept through it. No problems.
 

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I was also completely out when I had my colonoscopy. Never felt a thing and when I woke up, I had no after effects. Wasn't even sleepy. Doctor told me I needed to go home and go to bed, but I went about my every day life. Wasn't sleepy. You don't need to worry about the preparation. It definitely works. You'll probably be sick of popsicles and jello, however. I was also terrified but wouldn't hesitate to have it again.
 

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quote:Originally posted by EJ:I was also completely out when I had my colonoscopy. Never felt a thing and when I woke up, I had no after effects. Wasn't even sleepy. Doctor told me I needed to go home and go to bed, but I went about my every day life. Wasn't sleepy. You don't need to worry about the preparation. It definitely works. You'll probably be sick of popsicles and jello, however. I was also terrified but wouldn't hesitate to have it again.
I wouldn't recommend going about your everyday life! My Dr. said that I couldn't drive or sign any legal documents for the day, and someone had to be with me until the evening. Even though I felt fine, looking back I know I did some weird things because I was still kind of "drunk."
 

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hi there im sure your colonoscopy will be fine as so many others have tended to be my story was a tad differenythe prep to clear bowels before me nearly killed me with pain and blacked out 8 times it was called picalaxthe enema at the clinic did thhe same at the clinic and even though heavily sedated during the procedure i screamed the whole way through in pain begging him to stop but have not heard of anyone else having so much pain so goodluck i will ask for a general next time
 
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