Anxious person's experience
Thought I'd (41f) add my experience here in case it's helpful to others who have anxiety like me.
Long story short I've always had bowel issues, but also have always had a lot of anxiety in general and those can go hand in hand. In 2018 I started experiencing red blood in my stool in addition to my normal issues. I also have a family history of colon cancer. The doctor suggested a colonoscopy and it was scheduled. I was POSITIVE something bad would be found, that's what my anxiety told me. Long story short I made it through half of the prep and fainted in the bathroom and hit my head (I was fine but was too anxious to finish).
After this I ended up seeing a different doctor to see how I could get this done in the best way for me. I felt more listened to by this doctor and we made a plan to use a prep with less liquid and to do it in the hospital so I could be fully sedated. I used suprep and was able to get through it. The colonoscopy itself was a breeze. One benign polyp was found and it was such a huge relief. I was told to come back in 10 years unless something changes.
Earlier this year I felt I had an increase in blood in my stool and decided to go back to my doctor. I was way less anxious this time since I successfully completed it last time. We opted for the suprep again since I did good on it last time but I ended up vomiting half the second dose (fun for someone with emetophobia). Luckily I was cleaned out great despite that. This time they found 4 sessile serrated adenomas, pre-cancer. I am actually very relieved. I feel so grateful I trusted (didn't trust?) my gut and didn't wait until the 10 year mark. Now I'll go every 3 years.
All this to say that if you're having anxiety about the prep, the colonoscopy itself, or what they may find, I get it. But try not to wait. I'm so thankful I found a great doctor who actually listened when I said how anxious I was and tailored the experience for me so that I could actually get through it.