CT Colonoscopy

[splurge]

I recently had an episode where I passed a lot of blood in a poo (and I mean a lot!).
At the hospital I had two anal examinations (fingers), both of which were quite uncomfortable, as well as a telescopic tube inserted anally for about two minutes, which was so uncomfortable and unpleasant that I was actually crying. I probably should say at this stage that I've never had any gay sex so this was all new to me.

Anyway, my doctor has said that I need to have a CT Colonoscopy and I'm dreading it as the literature that that I've read about it says that the exam takes about 15 minutes. I could barely last the two minutes with the telescopic tube so I'm not sure how I am going to cope with 15 minutes.

Obviously I'm going to have the scan, but can anyone offer any suggestions on stopping me freaking out?

Thanks

 

[Redsox]

I think you can request that it be done under general anaesthetic. Here in Australia anyway.

 

[sixthson]

Before the actual colonoscopy, you are given IV pain medication and sedation. Some people sleep through the procedure, while others do stay awake and watch it on the screen before them. Most people have at least partial memory loss about it afterwards, due to the drugs. The worst part about the whole thing is the prep the night before when you have to drink a large volume of a laxative. YOu won't wander far from a bathroom for hours that evening.

Good luck, splurge.

 

[splurge]

Thanks guys - that's made me feel a lot better. I'll let you know how I got on.

 

[Benvolio]

If the Doctor specified a CT colonoscopy, it is an xray CT scan. They do not insert a long tube and sedation is not usually used. You will take the laxative, and a short tube is inserted and the intestine is inflated like an innertube to allow a clear view of all surfaces. You may want to google "CT colonoscopy" and read about it. I have never bottomed but I have had digital and other exams and am surprised at the great discomfort you are experiencing. Hopefully, the next time it will not seem so foreign and invasive to you.

 

[KaraBulut]

The term "CT colonoscopy" is confusing because "CT colonography" and "colonoscopy" are two different procedures.

Colonoscopy, plainly put, is having a big black rubber hose put up your ass. The procedure is a "scope" of the "colon". The colonoscope has a fiberoptic bundle on the inside that transmits images from the end of the scope to a viewer. So, this allows the doctor to see the inside surface of your colon. The scope is long and flexible enough that it can be passed from the anus then up and around to the ascending colon. The scope also allows for tissue samples to be collected for biopsy and it can be used to remove polyps from the colon. The standard practice during a colonoscope is to sedate the patient with medications that induce a sleep state where most patients say they do not remember the procedure. Most patients in the US and UK don't complain about the colonoscopy (which most patients don't remember); the usual complaint is about the preparation solution that you have to drink the day before to empty the colon. The prep solution empties the colon by inducing diarrhea, so the evening before you have the colonoscopy, you spend a lot of time running back and forth to the bathroom... quickly.

It's not clear why you were not given sedation during the colonoscope since that it is the usual practice.

A CT colonogram is a sophisticated xray. There is no colonoscope used. The patient is placed in a donut shaped xray machine, a small hose is inserted in the anus and air is blown into the colon to puff it up so that the inside of the colon is clearer on the xray images. You would not be sedated for a CT colonogram. You would feel distended afterward and you will fart for a while afterward, but otherwise it is not painful. Some patients find laying flat on their back uncomfortable, but this is a minor complaint.

CT colonograms aren't used very often in the US unless there's a specific reason to do one. Because it is an xray, there is a certain amount of radiation exposure to the patient. And the images in the xray aren't the same as "seeing" the surface of the colon with the colonoscope, so most doctors in the US prefer to use colonoscopy unless there's a reason to suspect that a tumor or growth is not visible in the colonoscopy. If something is seen in the colonogram, you may end up getting a colonoscopy later so that the doctor can take tissue samples.

The doctor may be suggesting a colonogram because of your extreme anxiety about having something put up your butt. You may want to ask why he wants the CT and whether the colonoscopy can be repeated using sedation. And you may want to do some reading about CT radiation exposure before you decide which procedure you want to have.

 

[lambdaboy]

The worst part is 3 days of taking strong laxitives and eating very little. Once on the table you will be out. They may take 20 min but when you open your eyes like me, got one when I was 24, and say will this take long and th Doctor laughed. So no discomfort but even if there was the alternative could be death DUH

 

[splurge]

Update time.

My first examination was a colonography, not a colonoscopy. The three days prep (restricted diet and laxatives) was manageable and the actual procedure was absolutely fine as no internal probing was required.

However, the results were not good and this lead to x-rays, an MRI, a colonoscopy and a CAT scan.

I was diagnosed with bowel cancer, stage 3 (i.e. reached the lymph nodes). A bit of a shock I can tell you!

I have just finished a 6 week course of daily radiotherapy and chemotherapy tablets and am now waiting for an appointment with the surgeon so that he can assess when to book me in for the operation to remove the cancerous area.

When I have recovered from the operation, I will be having double-dose chemotherapy (intravenous and tablets) for 18 weeks - just to make sure that all the cancer is blasted out.

Prognosis should be good, according to stats from various web-sites, so being very positive.

 

[palbert]

WOW, what a bummer! Glad you are getting good treatment and seem to have caught it in time.

All the best in your recovery!

 

[Spiff]

I'm so sorry. I can't pretend to understand what it must be like. Stay positive though and be strong to see it through.

 

[cityboy-stl]

I'm sorry to hear you must go through that but glad that the prognosis is good. Best of luck.

 

[RaKroma]

Hi Splurge I just noticed your update on your diagnoses. I wish you all the best and hope that you will be back to update us that your treatment went successfully!