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How do I well prepare for my Colonoscopy?

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Posted 12/4/2012 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hey
I am 23 yeas old, male. I have recently found a fresh red blood after wiping. I have no defecation pain. Recently, I started eating healthy and lots of fibers. Do you think this might be internal hemorrhoids, or cancer?
I have been to a doctor and examined me by inserting some short tube that has a light on it. It only took a few seconds. Was that for the internal or external hemorrhoids?

I am having my first colonoscopy in less than two weeks. I will be using suprep bowel prep kit. I have read lots of horrible experiences about it and on the same time some people were not suffer from any side effects.

How do I avoid the nausea and vomiting?
should I dink a lot of water?
What is the best preparation in regard to the diet before the colonoscopy?
Posted 12/4/2012 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
Eat lightly for the day or two before you begin prep. Drink as much water as you can during prep. You will be fine.
Posted 12/4/2012 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much, but how do I avoid nausea and vomiting?
How do I make the taste better? should I add some lemonade and mix it with the prep?
Posted 12/4/2012 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
I think your reaction to the prep is not predictable. I've had three scopes and three different preps and three different reactions, none of which included vomiting. Once was no problem, once was dehydration to the point of fainting, once was a terrible migraine.

I think the taste is going to be lousy no matter how you mix it. Your doctor or the pharmacy will tell you what liquids are alright to mix it with. I think most people find a lemony flavor to be the most helpful. I tried each time to drink it as fast as I could and I really didn't spend time tasting it.
Posted 12/4/2012 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks a lot. Your comment was very helpful :)
Posted 12/5/2012 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
up
Posted 12/5/2012 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
it's not fun, but currently the only way it's done. if you fail drinking the stuff, you'll just have to reschedule, pay for more prep and do it all over again. just drink it, determined to get it all down and keep it all down so you you only have to do it once - this time. at some point, maybe this time, you'll be doing it the rest of your life every 5 - 10 years depending on what the experts decide.

typically, red blood is from the colon and below. black blood is from the stomach and above. if it was something serious like cancer i think you would have seen other signs and symptoms before now.

Post Edited (greatunclebill) : 12/4/2012 8:04:03 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/5/2012 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
I've struggled with the taste, no matter which prep, so I chug it down, I don't even breathe, I just down it as fast as I can. Then I have my toothbrush ready with toothpaste on it, next I chew a strong flavored piece of gum, make sure you don't swallow the gum, then I spit it out and do a whole body shake. This is just my personal routine.

If you can keep the prep down, then the rest will happen as it should. Stay near the bathroom, keep reading material on hand, buy soft TP, not the thin industrial strength stuff, keep track of your liquids through out the prep day.

Once you're done with the prep, and you report for your procedure, the worst is over. If you can tolerate receiving an IV without trouble, that's it, next thing you know they'll be giving your the sedatives in your IV and you'll be waking up in the recovery. Once you're alert enough to get dressed, you can go home, you must have a driver.

I would also like to suggest you pack along a chilled bottle of water for the car ride home, do not guzzle it, just sip it (in fact when they offer you a beverage in the recovery room, remember to just sip it, I downed one once and it all came back up 10 minutes later, I had a mess on my hands). I also bring along Club Crackers with salt and have a few on the car ride home, while I doze. Once home, I fill a tall glass with iced water, keep a bowl full of Club Crackers, both next to my bed, I doze, wake up, sip more water, eat more crackers and then in an hour or two, I'm ready for a small meal - cup of soup, half sandwich, etc.

Of course there are those that feel well enough to go out to eat on the way home. More power to them, perhaps this will be you! I've just never felt that alert to sit in a restaurant, groggy from the sedative. No thanks. You'll also release pent up air they pumped into your tract to see the colon walls - you will have no control when this comes out, but it's all PERFECTLY NORMAL. Remember that.

You will do just fine. I've had 11 colonoscopies by now.
Posted 12/5/2012 8:43 PM (GMT 0)
It's really not that bad. Thinking about it is probably worse. I made sure to have some clear broth, which I had a couple of teaspoons of after drinking the lemon drink. (Yes I added crystal light lemonade drink mix to mine). Schedule for the morning.

Really you don't "go" all night or anything. You'll go a few times or a few more and get cleaned out. It's very important that you do prep correctly as mentioned above or they won't do it.

No one I know has ever vomited or been nauseous. The hardest part is that you're drinking a lot. That makes you full.

Good Luck!
Posted 12/9/2012 9:16 PM (GMT 0)

greatunclebill said...
it's not fun, but currently the only way it's done. if you fail drinking the stuff, you'll just have to reschedule, pay for more prep and do it all over again. just drink it, determined to get it all down and keep it all down so you you only have to do it once - this time. at some point, maybe this time, you'll be doing it the rest of your life every 5 - 10 years depending on what the experts decide.
typically, red blood is from the colon and below. black blood is from the stomach and above. if it was something serious like cancer i think you would have seen other signs and symptoms before now.

Thank you very much. I recently had a thin stool sometimes and it was not completely solid. This morning when I woke up I went to the bathroom 3 times. now it is 4PM. I am worried about the times I go to the bathroom and put the load.

I really don't no what these symptoms are. I am fit and go to the gym more than 5 times a week. I do not feel fatigue. I just don't know what is going on and really anxious.

I will do the colonoscopy just to feel better. I have been so miserable the past two months.
Posted 12/9/2012 9:21 PM (GMT 0)

Marsky said...
I've struggled with the taste, no matter which prep, so I chug it down, I don't even breathe, I just down it as fast as I can. Then I have my toothbrush ready with toothpaste on it, next I chew a strong flavored piece of gum, make sure you don't swallow the gum, then I spit it out and do a whole body shake. This is just my personal routine.

If you can keep the prep down, then the rest will happen as it should. Stay near the bathroom, keep reading material on hand, buy soft TP, not the thin industrial strength stuff, keep track of your liquids through out the prep day.

Once you're done with the prep, and you report for your procedure, the worst is over. If you can tolerate receiving an IV without trouble, that's it, next thing you know they'll be giving your the sedatives in your IV and you'll be waking up in the recovery. Once you're alert enough to get dressed, you can go home, you must have a driver.

I would also like to suggest you pack along a chilled bottle of water for the car ride home, do not guzzle it, just sip it (in fact when they offer you a beverage in the recovery room, remember to just sip it, I downed one once and it all came back up 10 minutes later, I had a mess on my hands). I also bring along Club Crackers with salt and have a few on the car ride home, while I doze. Once home, I fill a tall glass with iced water, keep a bowl full of Club Crackers, both next to my bed, I doze, wake up, sip more water, eat more crackers and then in an hour or two, I'm ready for a small meal - cup of soup, half sandwich, etc.

Of course there are those that feel well enough to go out to eat on the way home. More power to them, perhaps this will be you! I've just never felt that alert to sit in a restaurant, groggy from the sedative. No thanks. You'll also release pent up air they pumped into your tract to see the colon walls - you will have no control when this comes out, but it's all PERFECTLY NORMAL. Remember that.

You will do just fine. I've had 11 colonoscopies by now.

Thank you so much for your help. I will try to drink it at once and if I cannot I sill keep sipping.
Posted 12/9/2012 9:24 PM (GMT 0)

Jacey86 said...
It's really not that bad. Thinking about it is probably worse. I made sure to have some clear broth, which I had a couple of teaspoons of after drinking the lemon drink. (Yes I added crystal light lemonade drink mix to mine). Schedule for the morning.

Really you don't "go" all night or anything. You'll go a few times or a few more and get cleaned out. It's very important that you do prep correctly as mentioned above or they won't do it.

No one I know has ever vomited or been nauseous. The hardest part is that you're drinking a lot. That makes you full.

Good Luck!

do you guys know a good diet I should follow in the few days before the colonoscopy. That make the prep procedure easier.
Posted 12/11/2012 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
Taken from livestrong's website, it's recommended you have soft cooked foods, soups, such as vegetables, bananas, applesauce. Avoid raisins, popcorn, seeds, fruits with skin left on. Also, skip foods with red dye 5 days prior to your procedure and also ibuprophen for that 5 day span.

Good luck.
Posted 12/12/2012 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you

Counting down for my colonoscopy. Really stressful and nervous.
Posted 12/12/2012 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
Just remember, when you hear people complain about colonoscopies, they are 99.9% of the time referring to the prep, not the actual procedure. Just plan to remain home, close to the bathroom, have good reading material on hand, and you'll do fine. Day of, the worst of your procedure will receiving an IV. From there, you're golden. Truly you are. For my first procedure I was shaking like crazy, couldn't stop, during my pre-procedure prep (taking my weight, asking me a series of questions). The nurse kept telling me - honey, the worst is over. But I didn't believe her! Thought she was told to say that. Well she was correct. Even now I know I had the procedure, when I wake up in recovery, it feels like they haven't started yet. Each and every time. That's how fast and painless it all goes.

Good luck. Just wanted you to know this so hopefully you'll relax some.
Posted 12/15/2012 7:54 PM (GMT 0)
I'm 27 and got my Colonoscopy back in May and when my doctor told me I needed one because they couldn't figure out my abdominal pain, I FREAKED OUT!. I literally begged for every alternative but was told this was the best way. I thought I was dying of Cancer because my Grandmother died off it when i was a kid. I went ahead and scheduled an appointment. The biggest thing is the anticipation. For my prep the day before all I had was chicken noodle soup, crackers and water. I ate really light to make the prep easier. I agree with everyone the prep is the toughest part. There is nothing you can mix with it that will make it better. What I did was buy a Sprite and every time I took a gulp I would sip Sprite immediately after to kill that taste. Please stay close to the restroom like everyone suggest because once you get going, there ain't no stopping. Once you finish the drink you will feel awesome......well not physically but mentally. The day of the test is easy. I was nervous on my way there, but once I got on the bed and they wheeled me back for some reason I felt really calm. All i remember is asking the Doc will the drugs make me sleepy and he said yes, then suddenly I woke up in the recovery room. Doc told me I had a perfect Colon. I hardly remember that day really but I do remember trying to eat some subway after and I got nauseous, so I decided to lay down. No side effects or pain from the test at all. I'm sure you will be okay man!
Posted 12/15/2012 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
Big-Boy and the other guys
You don't know how your words have helped me overcome my fear. I have been miserable and anxious for two months. I have cancelled an appointment before because I did not get the prep until late night the day before my colonoscopy.

I have literally been miserable and people around me could recognize that.

I want to get it done and I have reached the point where I don't care what will happen. I just want to be back as I was just before I had been through this.

Pray
Posted 12/16/2012 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Well, It's 3:30 PM and I should start drinking the prep at 7 PM. I will start at 6 PM.
Today I woke up at 1:30 PM so it was over and did not have a light breakfast. All I had is a cup of coffee and apple juice.

I am afraid I will throw up after drinking the prep at once. should I sip it?
Posted 12/17/2012 6:02 AM (GMT 0)
How is the prep going? I always chug as much as I can get at once and have some water standing by immediately to rinse my mouth.
Posted 12/17/2012 6:45 AM (GMT 0)
My first chug was not bad at all. I only drank 90% of the 19 oz with three or four sips. It was not too bad tho. I expected way worse.
Now it is 1:40 AM and I am scheduled for 8:45 AM. The arrival time is 7:15 AM. I should drink the second dose three hours before I leave (3:30 AM). I was so sleepy so I called the pharmacist to ask him whether it is ok to drink the second dose earlier. He refused to tell but he told to follow what is instructed by the doc.

I am concern about my stool is not 100% pure water. some pulps are there and I am afraid my bowel will not be clear enough. I thought because of the 10% I left in the first dose but the 16 oz is meant for 175 pound man. I am 137 pound so I left the 10% of the first dose for safety considerations :)

I just had a cup of coffee and lots of cigarettes lol.
I will stay up till I get ,y procedure done because I know if I nap I will wake up next day which will be so frustrating.
Posted 12/17/2012 7:51 AM (GMT 0)
Just drank 35% of the second dose and could not drink more! I am done
I cannot drink anymore :(
Posted 12/17/2012 8:22 AM (GMT 0)
Just completed about 45% of the second dose. 20 minutes have passed and nothing yet. Feeling nausea a little bit.
Posted 12/17/2012 9:16 AM (GMT 0)
Question:
The doctor will do a sigmoidoscopy for the first third of the colon. If he finds pylps or anything serious, he will do a full colonoscopy.

Do you guys suggest I do a full colonoscopy since I am fully prepared?

Anyone has done a sigmoidoscopy ??
Posted 12/17/2012 12:08 PM (GMT 0)
Well, we vets on this forum always suggest a colonoscopy, it's the gold standard to view the entire colon.

Can't say if they'll still perform one or not, you're probably checking in for your appt. as I type this.

I've had several sigmoidoscopies - they're not painful, they're just somewhat uncomfortable. Again, not painful, the GI doctor can only view the lower colon, and IMHO, one should always opt for a full and complete colonoscopy.

Check in with us later today and give us the update on how your appt. went. Hopefully better than you had hoped and you got a full scope.
Posted 12/17/2012 12:57 PM (GMT 0)
I am dressed up waiting for my procedure. I really want to do the sigmondoscopy insdead of the colonoscopy.
I want to be sedated but not sleep.

Pray
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