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Colonoscopy - what to expect?

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 5/6/2006 12:21 AM (GMT 0)
My GI dr has scheduled my colonoscopy for this coming Tuesday. What can I expect? It is my first time with any medical procedure (I had my wisdom teeth cut out in high school- im now 35 years old). I'm a little nervous because I don't like needles or hospitals and I've had a really bad week with my stomach,etc.  I don't like the idea of being unconscious and naked with someone shoving a camera up there!  But this week made me realize that I can't continue like this- running to the restroom at work 5-8 times a day. Or breaking out in a sweat thinking I might not make it home to the bathroom.  And the pain, discomfort, and humilation of it all.
Posted 5/6/2006 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
For me personally, the procedure wasn't bad at all... I was happy to be unconscious and didn't mind having a camera shoved up there only because my GI doc has pretty much seen all anyway. I'm sure everyone will agree that the worse part is the prep. What kinds of prep options did the doc give you? We can probably give our opinions on what is better based on our own experiences. I have had a few colonoscopies and the only one I got nervous for was the first one because I didn't know what to expect but I had no discomfort besides mild cramping and very sleepy after the procedure. Someone will have to take you and drop you off. Be careful with eating right after, you will be hungry but don't eat anything too heavy and stay close to home since the laxative effect takes a while to wear off. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask. :)
Posted 5/6/2006 6:44 AM (GMT 0)
I had my first colonoscopy in March. I was given a sedative that knocked me out and gave me "amnesia" so to speak. Couldn't tell you a thing that did or didn't happen! I wasn't totally naked either - had the great gown and socks on! I will agree that the prep is the worse part... It was particularly hard on me as I have severe C. I did have a hard time eating for a few days afterward, however I attribute part of that to not wanting to fill up my colon since it was so clean!

You should be just fine, good luck!
Posted 5/6/2006 2:06 PM (GMT 0)
I just had a colonoscopy a couple weeks ago. As others have said, the prep was defineatly the worst part! I was not completely asleep. The procedure itself was not bad at all. I had some cramping at first and they had to increase the sedation; but I still remember it all. They had a TV screen where I could have watched what the camera was seeing, but I only peeked at it once or twice. I watched the heart moniter instead. I was full of gas, but fine afterwards. I wasn't unconscious, or naked (hospital gown), and I never felt too uncomfortable. You'll be okay. And I hope you are able to get some answers! I have a small bowel follow through on Tuesday, which is alot easier than your colonoscopy; I'll be thinking of you!
Sami
Posted 5/6/2006 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
I have had awake and not awake and I will take not awake anyday. In my case the awake one was extremely painful and I hollered a lot. It is fairly unusual to be awake because of the cramping and also they dont always know what they will find but you will have an IV and they can increase the amount to make you comfortable. I just happened to have a sadist for a DR. I guess. I changed DRs. and had no problem with the last one and was awake the minute it was over. Try not to worry and once you get there and see the other patients coming and going you will relax more. It is only one needle and a little one at that.
Posted 5/7/2006 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
The prep is the worst and being awake for a colonoscopy is barbaric for a doc to put a patient through, a sigmoidoscopy is okay awake but a colonoscopy is much more invasive and painful when you're awake.
Posted 5/7/2006 2:51 PM (GMT 0)

When I had a barium enema [the highlight of my life to date!!], the instruction sheet said not to take to stuff till 4 p.m.  Fortunately, I took it at 10 a.m. and was able to get some sleep that night as I was pretty much cleaned out by then.  Might want to keep that in mind depending on your situation--I'm blessed with the Big 'C' so it takes longer to get my system moving.

The waiting and worrying is far worse than the procedure.  All I remember is glacing up at the monitor and seeing what looked like a pink wormhole.  Next thing I knew, I was in recovery coming to. 

Posted 5/8/2006 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
Oh, they must be doing that different there as my friends were not put out for the Barium at all and neither was I but mine was years ago. My friends were recently and they just drove themselves. I didn't know they sedated you for barium. It takes a while for me to clean out also. I think it may depend on when it is being done when you shoudl take it but I take mine early also. Mine is never till afternoon.
Posted 5/9/2006 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
Canyonbabe:

I was offering advice IBS sufferer regarding starting the prep early and using my barium enema as an example. Sorry for any confusion.
Posted 5/10/2006 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
I had my colonoscopy this morning and it was painless! Except for the needle, but that was just built up in my mind (always have hated needles.) Honestly, the prep was the worst tasting crap that I have ever tasted and I don't know if I could do it again. It took me all night to get that stuff down. It tasted like thick salty soap water! ugh! I am glad that it is over and I should have results back from my colon biopsy next week. I was so out of it I really don't know what the dr said to me. My next scare is flying to L.A. next weekend. I will only be there a few days for a concert, but I don't like being in a different city and not knowing how my body is going to react at any moment.
Posted 5/10/2006 3:33 AM (GMT 0)
Oh, also, my dr did say that me an antibody in my blood was elevated indicating a possible allergic reaction to wheat. Don't know much about this, anybody have any info?
Posted 5/10/2006 6:48 AM (GMT 0)
You may be gluten sensitive. They tested that on a biopsy from my endoscopy for me but I was negative.
Posted 5/10/2006 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
Look up Celiac's Disease. That's what a gluten allergy is known as.
Posted 5/14/2006 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hi!  I hopeyour colonoscopy went well.  I had one on April 28th.  I'm 26 and I was a NERVOUS WRECK at the hospital where I had it done.  I had never had an IV or anything like that.  I have bad "white coat syndrome" where you have anxiety in hospitals and are scared of Dr.'s and all of their little "gadgets".  They had to give me 3 times the dose of "put you out medicine".  I don't remember a thing.  My Doc Dx me with IBS with diarrhea.  This IBS stuff is for the birds.  It really changes your life.  I dion;t think enough people realize how bad IBS is to live with.

Hope all went well!

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