[Astridetal]

I will have a colonoscopy on Friday because of recurrent abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea. The GI doc suspects inflammation. Please all keep me in your thoughts and prayers if you pray. I hope that my mental health condition won't be exacerbated by the procedure. I have dissociative identity disorder, and th ehost and all child parts have been notably quiet lately. I worry that a child part will be triggered, because medical trauma is in my history. I didn't tell the staff that I have DID, so please have your fingers crossed that it won't be triggered.

[lynn P.]

I'll keep you in my prayers. Only the preparation is hard but the actual procedure is easy because they put you to sleep. You won't feel any discomfort afterwards, except maybe a little bloated temporarily. Would you feel better taking a family member or friend with you. Some also bring something soft to hold. If you tell the nurses/doctors you're nervous they often will understand - you don't need to give details. I hope everything turns out good and they find an easy solution to your problem.

[Astridetal]

Thanks for the reassurnace. I will only be sedated, not put to sleep. I will bring my husband but he won't be with me during hte actual procedure He will be there right afterwards though.

[Astridetal]

Well, just an update. I was totally knocked out for the scope, so didn't notice a thing of it. The result is that it's all normal, which is good in that I didn't want to have inflammation or worse, but which is bad in that there is no effective treatment yet. The most likely cause of my symptoms is constipation, for which I've been treated for a long time already.

[lynn P.]

Happy everything went well for you ((Astridetal)). I've had a lot of problems with constipation and yes this can cause lots of problems with digestion. Take a look at how you can improve your diet with fiber foods - like Fibre 1 cereal has 14 grms of fiber and add lots of fruits /vegetables. I also take 3 Senna tablets and 2 stool softeners at night with a glass of water. As long as your doctor says its okay - try that. I don't take it more than twice a week because your intestines can become dependent on laxatives. There's also completely clear dis-solvable fibers as well.

People should be getting 30 or more grams of fiber daily. If you're not getting that and want to increase it.....do it gradually and expect some bloating and gas. You can also soak 3 dried figs in water over night and eat those in the morning. Limit tea since this is constipating - I love tea. Exercising also helps. Happy it went well and nothing serious is wrong.