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First Colonoscopy Tomorrow--Any specific Questions to ask before I go in??

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 3/3/2010 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
I already asked if they are going in at least as far as the illium--my doc's assistant said that's the goal. That is where MOST of my pain is located, especially after eating salad. But then I get sharp pain on my left side too,...and then throughout the rest of lower stomach... so.... I don't know what to think. Hopefully it is just IBS....

BUT what IF they miss something just because they can't get up that far??
Am I supposed to be happy with that or ask for a pill cam?
What if the doc is totally satisfied w/IBS, even w/out a good look?
WHAT is considered a "Good Look"?


Any questions I should ask before they sedate me?
Any Questions I should ask when they call me w/results?

I'm really nervous about swallowing the prep down--last time 2 1/2 years ago, I wasn't able to keep the Fleet down. I heard this Moviprep is way easier, so I'm hopeful, but I WANT it to work out fine..... AND avoid any situations like some ppl here where their doc just kept missing the problem, until like 3 colonoscopies later--God knows how many years that took for them to find out.

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated!! Reading your stories break my heart and I want to make doctors better for ppl who suffer.

thank you for reading. blush
Posted 3/3/2010 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
Just had mine yesterday. I did the dulcolax/miralax prep which was fine - better than the old GoLytely!!

I don't think they'll have an issue getting to your terminal ileum. You should get a full debriefing after the scope. I always do, complete with photos!

1. Ask about biopsies - where they plan to take them (ideally randomly throughout the colon)
2. If you have a choice, ask for diprivan (propofol) as your anesthesia. The rest of the day is so much better.
3. Of course, have someone to drive you home.
4. Relax. The procedure takes only about 20min.

I'm sure it will all be good to go!
Posted 3/3/2010 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
thanks! You are so lucky you got to use miralax prep... they wouldn't let me and I called around to other docs and they as well. So I'll be taking anti-vomit pills 1/2hour before the prep. :D I don't think i'll get much of a choice for anesthesia, ONLY because I was told that I take more than the normal amount and that I'll be completely knocked out.

Why wouldn't the scope be able to get to the ileum?? it seems like that's not that far up there, but what could actually stop that from happening?

I'm excited to see pictures! Hope I'm awake enough to understand. LOL! after my endoscopy a few years ago, I wasn't even able to remember the drive home. But maybe they gave me too much knock out meds. :D apparently i was really happy after waking up and making really stupid jokes to the nurse when my husband was helping me out the door w/the nurse. He said I was the only one who thought they were funny.
Posted 3/4/2010 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I've had quite a few...they will be able to get all the way around, particularly if you have taken the prep properly - I completey agree that the Fleet is terrible, I had to down a ton of water just to keep it in. They should sit down with you afterwards to chat through what they saw - they won't have the biopsy results for a bit longer but they can tell how far advanced around your intestine the disease is, what type it's likely to be and how active it is.

They take pretty good polaroid style photos - definitely worth having a look! As you go on and have more done you'll start to recognise from the photos how bad (or not it is).

I had a short one done last year, no prep (I got in on a last minute cancellation) and no sedative! I got to lie there and watch the camera go round (like a less fun version of cinema). It's uncomfortable and hurts if the disease is active but it's worth it and doesn't feel like it takes that long.

Afterwards it's good to get some sleep...there'll be quite a bit of pain from the air they pump in to inflate it as they go around. Not a time to be out in public!

Good luck!!
Posted 3/4/2010 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
Thats funny smarties^^ When I had mine done a few years ago; my dad insisted on taking me to lunch. (He was my DD that day) Although I really just wanted sleep, he took me anyways... Granted, I was still groggy from being knocked out. I remember getting up from the table and going in the bathroom and "releasing the air!" Afterwards, I must have fallen asleep on the toilet cause I awoke to my dad and a waiter knocking on the door to see if I was okay lol! Definitely just go home and go to bed! :-)
Posted 3/4/2010 5:37 PM (GMT 0)
Ouch 101...you can still ask for the propofol.  I was like you.  I used to get Demerol and Valium for my scopes.  Well, like most drugs, my body got used to it and I now need really high doses of Demerol for it to work.  However, on propofol, I am asleep within seconds.  I love that stuff.  I have been using for a number of years now and I love it.  Besides, it doesn't hurt to ask.

Posted 3/4/2010 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
What A Life - funny and so true...all you want is a quick sandwich, sleep and no one to hear the noises!
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