Colonoscopy - Ugh!!!

Raynne413

singingflutelady wrote: »

Yes, bloody diarrhea 20+ times a day, exhaustion, rash and very sudden weight loss 20 lbs in 2 weeks when I was only bmi 20 to begin with). I had tachycardia and was weak but that was from the anaemia

Then I can definitely say that is not my problem. And I'm very sorry to hear you went through all of that!

steuartcj

Follow the doctors outline, it's only a short time. Not a big deal. I'm 64 and have had a number of them. Only suggestion is have some sugar free gum on hand for the Hungary moments etc.

lorinbc

If you would like to have a laugh about colonoscopies look up Dave Barry's account. Very funny

singingflutelady

rosebette wrote: »

My husband, who is a big guy and high risk (diabetic, overweight, and family history of polyps, cancer) had one last year. He just brought laptop and cell phone in the bathroom, along with a couple of books. He weathered the procedure in good form. However, I'm 50+ and am supposed to have one myself, the routine one you have to have after age 50, and almost scheduled one this summer, but had some friends tell me some scary stuff -- one had a perforated bowel that needed surgery after the colonoscopy caused some damage. One woman was "out cold" for 8 hours after the anesthesia supposedly wore off so the medical professionals were quite concerned, and one other person lost his wife -- she died immediately following from sudden drop in blood pressure (she wasn't elderly or unhealthy, just around my age). All of these women were 45-55 and small size, like me. I'm starting to wonder what my risk of these side effects are versus actually getting colon cancer; I don't have a family history of colon cancer, and my mom, who is 86 and in perfect health, never had a colonoscopy. After hearing these horror stories, I'm actually on the fence about having one unless I show some medical indications. I've heard that there is another test that is noninvasive that can provide the same information. However, I know for Crohn's and diverticulusois and related conditions, the colonoscopy is the only way to detect if there's a problem; fortunately, that's not an issue for me.

I think your risk of cancer is probably higher than dying from a colonoscopy. Deaths from anethesia are very rare and if you are worried about that they can do it without anethesia. Everyone should have regular colonoscopies after a certain age. Colorectal cancer is quite treatable if caught early.

kar328

lorinbc wrote: »

If you would like to have a laugh about colonoscopies look up Dave Barry's account. Very funny

OMG, yes. I had mine in March and reading that was great. Made me feel better about the whole idea. I also laughed so hard I couldn't catch my breath. Just read it before you take the laxatives.

Follow the instructions given. My provider uses a company that sends you the instructions and prep, both written and in email reminders as the time approaches (waking up to see an email from them sucked, but it was helpful). Had to do the low fiber five or so days beforehand (you'll appreciate it later). Mostly I read labels so I didn't go too close to the daily fiber allowance. Did the Miralax/Gatorade combo the day before. I read a lot of tips in a thread on this site - reading material and an ipad, Kindle, phone in each bathroom. Disposable wet wipes are a must. I bought a pack for each bathroom - you'll appreciate them afterwards as well. Vaseline or butt paste between all the fun. I wore loose, easy to remove yoga pants. My prep included drinking 64 oz of the Miralax/Gatorade combo, so I bought a 32 oz water bottle that I knew I'd never want to see again, rather than use the one I have at home now. ( It took me weeks before I could walk past the Gatorade in the supermarket without flinching and I still have not had any since). This is because it gets to the point where all that's coming out is the Gatorade and mine was lemon/lime.

My liquid diet consisted of jello - the prep company sends you a box, plus some broth. I bought lots of ice pops and more jello. I didn't use as much as I thought I would.

The procedure was no where near as bad as I thought. They told me their goal was not to have me unconscious - I said "Yes, it is!!" - but to be comfortable. I was awake for a lot of it, I watched the screen, but felt no pain/discomfort of any kind. Afterwards I was starving, so I suggest planning ahead to where you want to eat and celebrate. My friend and I went to a steakhouse. Good luck and definitely read the Dave Barry article.

Raynne413

kar328 wrote: »

lorinbc wrote: »

If you would like to have a laugh about colonoscopies look up Dave Barry's account. Very funny

OMG, yes. I had mine in March and reading that was great. Made me feel better about the whole idea. I also laughed so hard I couldn't catch my breath. Just read it before you take the laxatives.

Follow the instructions given. My provider uses a company that sends you the instructions and prep, both written and in email reminders as the time approaches (waking up to see an email from them sucked, but it was helpful). Had to do the low fiber five or so days beforehand (you'll appreciate it later). Mostly I read labels so I didn't go too close to the daily fiber allowance. Did the Miralax/Gatorade combo the day before. I read a lot of tips in a thread on this site - reading material and an ipad, Kindle, phone in each bathroom. Disposable wet wipes are a must. I bought a pack for each bathroom - you'll appreciate them afterwards as well. Vaseline or butt paste between all the fun. I wore loose, easy to remove yoga pants. My prep included drinking 64 oz of the Miralax/Gatorade combo, so I bought a 32 oz water bottle that I knew I'd never want to see again, rather than use the one I have at home now. ( It took me weeks before I could walk past the Gatorade in the supermarket without flinching and I still have not had any since). This is because it gets to the point where all that's coming out is the Gatorade and mine was lemon/lime.

My liquid diet consisted of jello - the prep company sends you a box, plus some broth. I bought lots of ice pops and more jello. I didn't use as much as I thought I would.

The procedure was no where near as bad as I thought. They told me their goal was not to have me unconscious - I said "Yes, it is!!" - but to be comfortable. I was awake for a lot of it, I watched the screen, but felt no pain/discomfort of any kind. Afterwards I was starving, so I suggest planning ahead to where you want to eat and celebrate. My friend and I went to a steakhouse. Good luck and definitely read the Dave Barry article.

Thanks! They only have me starting a lower fiber diet three days before. Oddly enough, I can have cooked veggies, just not any raw veggies. What did you try to keep your fiber below?