Feeling really, really down.......

[Italie]

Hey

Usually I would just deal with this myself but since I've found you lot recently I feel that I can get it out my system a bit here - hope that's ok.

Well, I went to the hospital today after my latest flare up and I need a colonoscopy, and Ultrasound to rule out any ovarian issues because all of my symptoms dont fit with Crohns. Today's doctor said she wasn't convinced I had Crohns at all. I've been on this rollercoaster since the beginning with one doc saying it is Crohns and I need to accept that, then others saying they dont think it is. It's getting really tiring.

The thing that's upset me the most is the Colonoscopy issue. I have asked in the past if I can get it done under general anaesthetic as I had a really traumatic time with one a few years back and have been told that it's too risky under general and the fact that I'm Diabetic means definitely not. My GP and various consultants told me this. Today, the doc said the same thing and then when I told her about my past experience (and started crying!) she said "well, we'll just do it under general if it's going to distress you too much under sedation". Now I'm thinking - all these people told me it's risky and now they're saying I should do it?? I said to her " a minute ago it was too risky??!!" and she said "well, it's not THAT bad........" I just dont know what to think or what to do. I could live with the inflammation (bleeding, D one day, C the next 5 days) but I dont want to risk my life just so they can label my condition!

I feel so down about it all now and have been on the verge of tears since my appointment. Maybe a good cry would help but I'm in work at the mo and it's not a good look for the boss!!

Thanks for listening x

[tamesis]

Hi Italie,
**HUGS** Sorry you're feeling so down. It's really hard having all different doctors tell you different things, and to tell you that you may not have a disease you've though you had for 13 years, that's kind of a punch in the gut!

About the colonoscopy under a general, i guess that's really just a decision that you'll have to research and make for yourself, whether it's worth the risk for you or not. Sorry to sound crass, but you have asked countless doc's to do it under general and they've told you it was too risky, but now that one has finally agreed you're not happy with that either? I'm just wondering what you really wanted them to do for you then?

I understand the whole process of figuring out exactly what is going on is really frustrating, and soemtimes it feels just helpless, so i really hope that you can find some answers soon!

[Christy]

((((Italie))))) All of the waffling back and forth with a dx has understandably been hard on you. I'm so sorry you are going through such a rough time.

Before the procedure you will have to meet with the anathesiologist, right? At least, that's the way it has always worked everytime for everyone I know. WHen you meet them don't be afraid to express your concerns over the risks, bring up all the health issues you have and be upfront in asking their opinion ~ a doctor can be a great doctor and still not know squat about anasthesia. I always try to get information from the best source available.

[imisspopcorn]

Feel better Italie......I'm, not sure why they wouldn't sedate you....It's pretty standard here. Try not to stress about it. Once you speak with the anesthesiologists, he should put your mind at ease. I hope you get some answers soon.

[Peaches]

Yep - we get sedated all the time here in the US (Is "general" a different term than the sedation they give us I wonder??) Did you have a scope with nothing before? I have had that - in a general doctor's office - and it was *no* fun. Not sure why they can't put you out for 30 minutes to get you through the scope, sounds strange.

I do think that getting the scope is very important though, I wouldn't blow it off. If you *think* you have had Crohn's for thirteen years (it isn't an "on and off" kind of thing BTW - if you DO hav it - it is for life, incurable) - have they never put you on any kind of medications to control it? I'd want the scope with biopsies to confirm whether the diagnosis is correct or not. That way if it is - they can hopefully treat you for it to make you feel better.

I'm sorry you are having a rough time! Hopefully they will get it figured out for you and help you to feel better soon!

[Agent X20]

Hi Italie
There is always some risk attached to a general, which is why the doctors are reluctant to do it for a procedure like that (I assume). Maybe the best approach for them would be to discuss this with you and address your fears... maybe they don't have time to do that!
I sort of have the opposite problem, because I really hate the idea of being out for the count and not knowing what's going on. I had a flexible sigmoidoscopy without any sedation at all... ouch! I won't be doing that again.
I also had a hip replacement operation under a local anaesthetic. As well as the full spinal block I was whacked full of enough "happy juice" to make it a thoroughly pleasant experience... I can honestly say I've had worse visits to the dentist.
Knowledge is power... I really hope you can get someone who can go through all the possible risks and benefits with you, so at least you can feel happier and make an informed decision
Feeling down and close to tears is not unusual with this disease... so don't feel bad about that

[farm]

[Sue-2009]

""""""""""""HUGS"""""""""""""" It is always something! Sue

[tamesis]

I'm not sure about in the US, but here we go under conscious sedation, not general anaesthetic....General is when you are basically paralyzed, and have a breathing tube and what not. When i had mine i had the same fears, because i was not medicated enough for my last scope, and he just gave me extra. I think he said they used Versed and Fentanyl

[Nyx]

General anesthetic is dangerous for anyone, at least every time I've had it I've been told that it has it's risks. For me, it was worth the risk to have it! Have you had it before? Here, in Canada, they usually give IV sedation for a scope, and that's pretty pleasant; out for 30mins and pretty alert when you wake up.

Good luck, and try not too worry too much.

Cindy

I was given some sort of oral medication which has a side effect that you have no memory ... it was like being under a general without the risks ... you should ask your doctor about all your options before being 'blown off' which sounds like they might be doing.

New here ... I'll post an introduction later.

Liz

[swallowedafly]

Yeah, I had the same as the above and I'm in the UK. They gave me sedation, which made me feel like the whole things was quite funny and then about 10 mins after the procedure I couldn't really remember what happened.

Double check with the doc, I'm sure there must be a middle ground, but I don't know why doctors can be so awkward sometimes.

[Samantha]

Hi Italie, I think you should get the colonoscopy and biopsy/ies as it will be better to be diagnosed correctly in the end. I am sure you can insist on heavy sedation which is what they have done to me for my colonoscopy's. It was definitely not General, but I was completely out, however you do come round a lot quicker and easier than with a general. I really hope it all goes well for you, keep us posted!

[Pirate]

During sedation you are out but yet you are able to still respond to questions and orders. You just don't usually remember a thing.
I have had the same procedure nurse for the last 24 yrs and we have become good friends over the years. I have asked her about this in the past and she told me that patients are able to respond when sedated and when asked to move a certain way they are able to do it.
I have had many, many scopes done and only once have I come out of sedation during the procedure and that was because a differant Dr. did the scope.

[mharvey90]

^^^what Pirate said!
I had a colonoscopy back in August, after not having one for almost 10 years. I was super super scared about it, I did NOT want to be conscious whatsoever when someone was putting any kind of long tube inside of me...and everyone on here assured me that in one way or another I won't feel pain or won't remember anything. So when I went for my procedure, the nurses could see how nervous I was, and I told them as well. They told me that the standard is a drug cocktail type of deal. It's a pain medication (demerol I think) mixed with some type of sedative-hypnotic that allows you to actually be conscious during the procedure, but you honestly remember absolutely nothing from it. When I "woke up" I swore that they had given me a general anesthetic, because I did not remember a thing from the procedure!

[uab grad student]

I agree with everyone else's recommendation. My Dad is diabetic and he doesn't undergo general anesthesia for his scopes but does it with heavy sedation. He hasn't been in any pain or remembered anything afterwards. I think getting the colonoscopy is definitely a good idea in your case so you can get some answers. Best of luck!

[actoby]

Hi Italie, instead of the colonoscopy, you could ask the doctor about the pill camera. Swallow the pill and it takes pictures of your insides, it gets put on to a disk and the doctor looks at it like a movie. no pain involved. Just swallow the pill and go home, then go back to the doctor's office about 8 hrs later.The pill will come out on its own in a day or two.

[Mountaingem]

I've had about 6 colonoscopies/pathological studies, and only once did I have a bad experience with the meds. I also have asthma which complicates everything with sedation-even for dental work. Now they admit me to the hospital overnight and bring in anathesiologist (spelling?). My insurance company of course hates this but when you have other health issues they are better about it.I have had it done several times this way and it is all around a much better experience.

[uab grad student]

How are you doing Italie? Just wondering as this thread is from a couple days ago. I hope you are emotionally feeling better and get some physical relief soon as well.

**Hugs**