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Posted 10/27/2008 1:28 AM (GMT 0)
 I'm scheduled for my first ever colonoscopy this coming Tuesday I am really apprehensive about this. the main reasons are that I just got back from a trip Friday body is just now recovering from some serious D, and I have been suffering from a hemorrhoid or two as well. Just today I started getting some solid BM. now I have to take laxatives before the test to clean out my system so they can see what they need to.

 I really need some positive words of wisdom from people that have already had this done.  they said they were gonna put me out for the test, which has always bothered me.

Posted 10/27/2008 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
The prep is the worst part of the procedure. My current specialist only gives me 'twilight' sedation. I am awake and aware, able to watch the screen images and make comments and discuss them with my Dr, though my thoughts and words are very slow from the sedation. My last c'oscopy I got to see the blue stitches from my resection. That was neat!

My first procedure (2002) was a sigmoidoscopy (very short camera insertion) and I remember being very awake and feeling mortified every time I had to pass gas. I kept appologizing to the Doctor and it was embarassing for me. My other c'oscopy procedures with other Doctors, I was completly knocked out and unaware until I awoke in the recovery room. I am not certain which I prefer. I liked not knowing what was going on, though I do like being able to comment about what I am seeing on the screen with this current specialist.

For the ride home...I am forever in fear of 'accidents'...so Hubby and I go prepared. Garbage bag to lay over the seat, be sure it is at least 3-4" up against the seat back, too. Towel on top of the garbage bag. Another towel for over my lap. I wear a dress and take my panties off, rucking the skirt of the dress up to my hips in back (so I'm not sitting on it).
This way, if I have an accident, the car is safe, I'm covered with my skirt/towel and we make sure the garage is clear so we can pull in and I can exit in the privacy of our garage and get cleaned up before going in the house to the shower.

Hope you don't need to use that last paragraph of information, but it is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I had to use it that first trip because Hubby missed our exit, it got me wound up and before I knew it, I was sitting in it! We laugh about it now, but at the time I was terribly distressed and Hubby felt awful about missing the exit.
Best of luck to you,
Heidi
Posted 10/27/2008 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
I've had four colonoscopies in twenty months, with a bowel resection thrown in the middle of the mix! They really aren't that bad, and I don't hesitate when told I need one. My doc has me do a Gatorade/Miralax prep and while it isn't alot of fun, I've found that if I do it in the early afternoon then I feel pretty safe from accidents the next day. I'm a person who doesn't mind being knocked out, and I definitely prefer it to being awake. I've had two scopes done at the hospital and the meds didn't keep me asleep completely the whole time, I felt some pain but nothing too bad, and my doc had to tell them to give me more. I've had two scopes at an endoscopy center and I didn't wake up at all until in the recovery area with my hubby next to me. All with the same great doctor. Just make sure that whoever is with you can remember what the doc says and might even want to write it down or record it for you. You probably won't remember everything the doc tells you! I have a one and a half hour ride home after and while I might be a little bloated and gassy, there is no pain for me. I'm usually tired and in bed by about eight o'clock, good to go the next morning. Good luck, I hope it's only good news for you!
Posted 10/27/2008 5:06 AM (GMT 0)
i just had my first colonoscopy a few weeks ago, gotta say the worst part about it is the day before, was not expecting the intensness of the cleanse, lol, just be sure you are near a bathroom at all times....because you will not make it if your more than 10 feet away.....as for the procedure itself, for me it was cake, they put me completely out, which i definitely prefer, especially since i was dealing with major fistulas and abscesses which were causing me extreme pain all the time, woke up in the recovery room a bit disoriented, but feeling great, went poop, changed my close and went and had some lunch, decided it was a steak day, lol, i deserved it, and paid for it later that night with some more pooping, lol.......maybe it was the mashed potatoes....still not sure if red meat works for me, sometimes it seems to, other times, not so much....anyway, good luck, i'll be sending some good positive healing vibes your way!
peace
Posted 10/27/2008 10:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hi My last 2 I was asleep for and don't remember anything so it wasn't too bad. I did find that the prep for me kept me up the night before going to the bathroom. I hope your bowels get back to settling down soon after your scope. It is worth getting done to find how things are doing. Good luck . lol gail
Posted 10/28/2008 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Cinpro! I was diagnosed 12 years ago and have lost count of how many colonoscopies I've had. Agreeing with fellow Crohnies here, the prep day is the toughest part... sleeping through the procedure is easier. Once you wake up, it's all over and then you can find out what the doctor saw and what's next for you. You'll be okay and I wish you lots and lots of luck as you have your first procedure.
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