So what is a colonscopy like for those you've had one?

[Hawaii Hiker]

I'm 41, and my MD is recommending a colonscopy since my mom had colon cancer....She was diagnosed w/it in 1992, she survived and is doing well....My last physical in Feb. was fine; metabolic, CBC, urinalysis profiles were all good, EKG was good....Echo done two years was good..

But i HATE hospitals, and tests...I was nervous during an echocardiogram (and that test is SIMPLE), how am i going to deal w/a colonscopy...lol

And thoughts from people who've had a colonscopy....

Thanks

[Justitia]

1. You'll be knocked out & won't know anything happened. The prep before is the not fun part.

The actual procedure takes minutes. You will get a nice IV, say "night-night" and just wake up hungry and ready to go to lunch.

Good luck!

[Lochloosa]

3. +1 Nothing to the procedure. The hours before that suck. Just have a good book handy.

[SharonAnn]

14. I don't know. I was asleep both times. Woke up quickly with ravenous hunger. Went to

Cracker Barrel and had a great big meal.

The prep is totally boring, need to stay close to a bathroom for parts of it.

[TNDemo]

2. The procedure itself is nothing,

since you are put out for it. You may say some goofy things and not remember it for the first hour after waking up. The prep is the biggest issue. It's not really all that horrible but get some aloe toilet paper. My biggest issue was that I got so sick drinking the Gatorade with medicine. I didn't know it at the time but I was diabetic and it was shooting up my glucose so high I got ill. So if you do have symptoms like that insist on a finger stick when you get there. More than likely you will just get good and cleared out, have it done with and spend the next ten years with peace. Enjoy that first meal!

[Libby2]

4. Try not to worry.

It's not bad at all. As Justitia said the prep is the worst.

Good luck.

[atreides1]

5. It's the prep that is a pain

You'll remember going to sleep and then waking up in recovery.

[Lefta Dissenter]

6. there was a good thread

a month or two about the prep, etc.

You'll deal with it just fine. I was petrified for mine, and it was FINE!!!

Depending on what prep you're given, it will range from sorta sucky to very sucky, but that thread that I'll try to find had lots of great advice.

Let the Dr., nurse, anesthesiologist know that you're petrified and that you don't want to know anything that's going on. The last thing you'll know is counting (I can't even remember which direction they asked me to count). Then you'll wake up with some gas pain and you'll want to go home to eat and fart! :D

[northoftheborder]

10. Ditto all above. Here, it is done in an oupatient clinic, not the hospital.

I tried drinking that awful sweet stuff in a wine glass! Psychologically, it helped!

[northoftheborder]

12. thought of something else to suggest:

Tell the doctor before the procedure starts and you are put to sleep, to WRITE DOWN the findings. You'll still be under the influence of the sedative, even if you're awake talking, and it's hard to remember exactly what he said. They insist on someone else being there, and driving you home.

[gkhouston]

32. LOL, I was finishing a book the last time I had one. Doc thought it was funny

because he was sure I wouldn't remember what I'd read. He was wrong. Then again, he'd also told me I'd sleep through the procedure and he was wrong about that, too.

[teenagebambam]

7. Agreed, the prep is the worst part.

I wasn't knocked completely out, just kind of half-drugged. But I think going completely under is an option if you're nervous.

[BillStein]

8. It isn't fun, but not that bad

The hardest part is the prep... you need to clear the colon- I'll let you use your imagination there. But you'll be sedated for the actual test, and once it's over there are no aftereffects (except sleepiness from the anasthesia). Try to relax and remember prevention is better than any cure.

[The_Casual_Observer]

9. You feel nothing. Having to give myself an enema beforehand was the worse part

but they don't seem to require that anymore.

[liberal N proud]

11. Not to worry - the worst part is the prep

The best part is its an excuse to fart profusely for the day.

If you are lucky will wake up in time to see your asshole as they pull the scope out.

[remember2000forever]

13. Drink The Prep Liquid Through A Straw.

Don't know why but it helps to get it down.

[bluecoat_fan]

15. You poop your brains our the night before...

You have to drink a gallon of special liquid the night before, which makes everything come out. Towards the end of the night, you will be drinking and crapping at the same time. That is the only bad part, the rest you will not remember due to the medication.

[Hawaii Hiker]

17. Yeah, did hear that the prep is awful, isn't it amazing that

they can't make a good tasting cherry or root beer flavored drink to use, instead of the god awful stuff you have to drink, :banghead:

Thanks everyone for your replies!..

[TheCowsCameHome]

20. Pretend you're donating to the RNC .

That may make it easier.

[BanzaiBonnie]

16. Not bad at all

Nothing to worry over. The only worry is if you don't get it done.

[snagglepuss]

18. It's not a given that you'll be knocked out. I believe it depends on the clinic.

My sister wasn't put under but mother and I who went to different clinics were. I was glad I was out because my sister said there was some discomfort, not a lot but some. My sister also had to drink those quarts of the ghastly tasting Kleen Prep whereas I was given a newer product that was a tasty fizzy drink.

So I would ask about those things up front. Definitely ask for the fizzy tablets.

My sister who has a friend who has to have the procedure every year gave my sister some great information that I followed but my Mom to her regret did not. The advice was to go on a liquid diet two days prior to the procedure.

I did a clear diet for days prior to the procedure which . Doing a clear diet well before the procedure makes the final prep less messy and uncomfortable but also insures a pristine colon. The doctor who did the procedure said my colon was utterly pristine and showed me the photos. The cleaner the colon the better.


Edit: They found a cancerous polyup on my 80 yr old mom removed it and five years she is fine.

[TheCowsCameHome]

19. The prep is the worst part. But Please, DO IT.

The prep is not much fun, but don't put the colonoscopy off.

They discovered a tumor in my wife's colon, fortunately it hadn't breached the wall and spread to the lymph nodes. She was successfully operated on laproscopically (sp) and was back up and running in no time.

If your mom has a history, you should above all get yourself checked out.

Please, do it.

[RedEarth]

21. Compared to colon cancer it's a walk in the park

My father had colon cancer(he too survived, but had to have a colostomy) so I've had a colonscopy done every five years(five total). As others have said the procedure is nothing, the prep is not fun, but so what...it beats the hell out of potentially not detecting a deadly disease....I had a good friend die of colon cancer and it wasn't pleasant.

[Uben]

22. It's a piece of cake.........

......just don't eat the cake!

[Kennah]

23. I'm 43, I have UC, and I've been through two

I had a sigmoidoscopy in 2000. Prep is the same, but I was completely awake for it. I guess being totally awake and getting to see up my own butt, I known what most Republicans see. Who would have thought a medical procedure would provide insight into one's political opponents?

Had a colonoscopy in 2003 and again in 2007, I think.

They keep tweaking the prep and switching between different "best practices".
- Drink the prep down quickly
- Sip it slowly
- Drink it through the straw provided

It just does not matter and it makes absolutely no difference, but follow the instructions. Maybe there will eventually be a breakthrough.

The prep solution taste is almost non existent, but the taste makes me think that I'm drinking plastic. You feel a bit nauseous while you are downing the prep, but I never hurled.

The prep is to completely evacuate your bowels so they can get a good look at your colon. I went to work the day before my procedure, my procedures were always first thing in the morning, and I believe the instructions were to start the prep around 5-6 PM the night before the procedure. Takes about an hour to drink down the prep.

Drink, poo, drink, poo, drink, pee out my butt, drink, pee out my butt, etc.

Once you get done with the prep, the worst part is behind you--no pun intended.

No solid food once I started the prep, and absolutely nothing to eat or drink the morning of the procedure. Be sure you follow that point. It's important.

Be sure to ask your doc about any vitamins or maintenance meds you take. Meds are usually OK to take the day of the procedure, but do ask.

If you catch a cold or flu or anything, call and ask the day before to see whether they want to proceed or not.

Day of the procedure, go in, sign in, strip down and put on a hospital gown, and I believe they said to take off any rings and jewelry. IV line goes in, and that's usually when my needle phobia kicks in and I feel nauseous. Gastro doc comes in, we chit chat briefly, and the last time doc and I chatted briefly about football. He's an Eagles fan, but I'm a Redskins fan. That was interesting.

The anesthesiologist starts the meds, you feel warmth in your arm, and if they ask me to count backwards from 100 I usually get to 98 before I'm out. Next thing you know, you wake up from what feels like a pretty good night's rest.

Be sure that you have someone to bring you home. They ain't gonna let you drive.

Do NOT be afraid or nervous. The mythology associated with a colonoscopy is completely disconnected from the reality.

[Lefta Dissenter]

26. HAHA

"I had a sigmoidoscopy in 2000. Prep is the same, but I was completely awake for it. I guess being totally awake and getting to see up my own butt, I known what most Republicans see. Who would have thought a medical procedure would provide insight into one's political opponents?"

:rofl: Best laugh I've had all day. That's a gem. :rofl:

[Kennah]

24. Colonoscopy is a cake walk compared to a barium enema

When I had the sigmoidoscopy, the doc also did a barium enema. Totally awake for that, and OH MY FUCKING GOD!

Barium enema has to be one of the last remaining legal forms of medically approved torture.

It felt like the barium enema lasted for hours, but it was probably no more than 15 minutes. When they were done, there was a bathroom available for me, and I vividly remember the nurse's words.

"That bathroom is for you, and you can take all the time you need."

I swear that I heard angels sing when I opened the door.

[DrDan]

25. the prep is infinitely worse than the actual procedure

you don't need to go to a hospital for this - it is done in a clinic. In and out in a couple o few hours - and you know the results before you leave.

Really nothing to be concerned about.

[virgdem]

27. I've had two colonoscopies...

my Mom died from Colon Cancer in 2003, and I had my first one in 2004. The prep is the worst. First time with Fleet Phosphosoda and the second time 5 years later with some crap named Go lightly, which really should be renamed GO IMMEDIATELY! You will spend much of the day or night before the procedure on the commode for clean out. The worst of it is the garbage you have to drink - it has a godawful taste and I threw up each time near the end of it. The procedure itself is not bad, as you will be knocked out during the procedure. You will be very hungry afterward, so plan a really nice meal in a good restaurant.

[phylny]

28. My advice is to use copious amounts of

Vaseline on and around your anus before you start to poop.

The worst part for me was that my butt was really sore BEFORE. During (asleep) and after (hungry) was a piece of cake.

[turntxblue]

29. Not that bad...

I had one last month, and I agree with everyone else that the worst part is the prep--although that was better than I expected. It seems that different doctors use different meds for the prep. I only had to drink a quart of the "medicated" Gatorade, although I had to drink additional Gatorade and water as part of the prep. While the medicated Gatorade would never be my "beverage of choice", taste wise, it was quite tolerable. The test, itself, happened as I was taking an absolutely wonderful nap. Woke up feeling great, and went out to lunch with my husband. Good luck to you and don't worry.

[Kennah]

30. And one more thought ...

... I had my wife stop somewhere after the procedure so I could get something to eat. I looked at the menu and said, "I'll take it."

[Paper Roses]

31. The prep is torture but the Pharmacist at Target told me to

add one of those tiny packets of Crystal light Lemon flavor only to the jug. I've had two of these procedures and believe me, the C/L make it better. You must use only the Lemon.

This same lemon flavoring suggestion was on the Prep sheet given to me by my Doctor.
I had to laugh when given the post procedure info. Simple really but it was suggested I have the procedure done again in 10 years.
Shoot, I'll be 78 by then. I think that is old enough to pass on another colonoscopy.

The Crystal light was available at Target in a small box with 10 tiny tubes of single portions for about $2.00

Get an AM schedule, then it is over with and no delays. I am told that the later-in-the-day schedules tend to run behind and you may have to wait. This is something you want to be done with, sooner the better.