Colonoscopy

Hi everyone... Last week my oncologist recommended that I have a colonoscopy. I have had some blood in my stool for about a month and a half. I had a consultation with an internist yesterday, and he also said I need to have one (my rheumy also suggested it). So, I scheduled it for June 28th.

I am so nervous and scared about having this done. I know people have them done every day, but I am still just really anxious about it. Has anyone had this procedure done before? I also have never had any type of anesthesia before, so that is another thing I am worried about. I would welcome any experiences! So far, I have talked to one person who's had it done three different times, and she said the preparation the day before is the worst part. Oh, how I hope this is true!

Thanks so much,

Heather

Heather, your friend is absolutely correct - the preparation is the worse part. I had my third colonoscopy last month. The actual procedure was a piece of cake because I remember NADA, zilch, zero. The medications my gastroenterologist used do not put me "under" but rather make me unaware of the event. He uses a combination of Versed and Demerol. Versed is commonly given for colonoscopies. The actual procedure took less than 35 minutes and I had to have some biopsies and polyls removed. I did NOT feel them do the biopsies nor did I feel him remove the polyps. When he was finished, I got up, got dressed and my friend drove me home. You will need to have someone drive you home because they will not let you drive after receiving the medications.

Please don't get yourself worked up over the procedure. Far better to get that blood in the stool situation checked out than not. As everyone has likely told you already, blood in the stool can be an indicator of some conditions that need treatment. Good luck - it will be fine....

Heather,

Don't worry a bit!! I am a 30 yr old female. Been there done that!! Everyone else is right, the prep is by far the worst!!! Mainly because I dont like to drink stuff I do not like!!!! And yes....you will spend nearly the entire day before...in your bathroom, so make it cozy!! A tip for you, I did not drink the entire jug, I drank it until my stool was just clear water!!! (maybe 3/4 of the jug) Hang in there!!! And good luck!

Jen

Buy the good toilet paper (I like Charmin Ultra for the day before) and some aloe baby wipes. And a few good magazines. You will be fine. Yes the worse part is the prep. I was given the Versed as well and I don't remember a thing so I was fine. Kinda groggy coming out of the anesthesia but I was ready for breakfast afterwards (at home of course

Hi Heather,

   Good luck with the colonoscopy! Like the others said, the prep is the worst part. If you sip on sprite before, during and after the prep, it helps settle your stomach. After the prep its a peice of cake, like Ides said.. .

   Take care and let us know how it goes. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

                                                                  Babs

Hi Heather,

It's just as everyone says, the prep is the worst part.  They told me if I could get at least 3/4 of the jug down, that would be enough.  Some facilities offer a flavor packet to mix with the medication in the jug, the cherry's not bad. Kind of has the flavor of salt-water, though.  The actual test is done while you're sedated, not too heavily, but enough so you don't feel a thing.  They used Versed and Fentynl for me and the Versed is not only a sedative, but has amnesic qualities to it, hence the not remembering anything afterwards.  The only problem is, you may say things you might not remember!  When I had mine (at the same hospital I work at), the physician was a Dr. I know quite well, as was the nurse.  I told the nurse when I "came to" that I was so glad the Dr. wasn't there when I woke up, as he had just been-pardon the expression- up my a**!  She said, well you spoke to him for several minutes before he left--I have no clue what I said!  I think everyone worries before the test, cause they 1) don't know what they'll find, and 2) it's embarrassing.  The nurses are really great at putting you at ease though.  Take care, and good luck..

Lori

Hello everyone,

I am coming into this one a bit late I think, but just to say I have had this done a few times and as the others say, the preparation beforehand is worse than the actual procedure.  I have only everr had a fizzy liquid type thingummy for cleansing and it was a bit harsh, but if there are tablets to do it then that is better I think.  I think in my case it was quite a bit more harsh because I was very sore in the area anyway.

Also the sleepy bit that you go into is good too.  They didn't normally put me "out" but I don't actually remember much about what is going on.  Next thing I know I am in recovery.  

I don't know how it works where you're going to have it done, but I found it a little embarrassing afterwards with all the animal noises going on in the recovery room.  Just trying to lighten things up for you, please don;t think me rude hee hee !!

Seriously though, please don't worry it is the best thing to have done under the circumstances.  Much better to be safe than sorry. 

Best of luck.

goldenwings 

Post Edited (goldenwings) : 6/11/2007 6:17:17 PM (GMT-6)

ive had a colonoscopy. one year ago. yeah, the prep was so bad i felt like i had to puke everything i hadnt eaten. it tasted so bad. i didnt have any IV placed but it didnt hurt. it felt funny and weird but it was really fast.

I have had a couple done myself and the pills are the better way. It is so much easyer to do. nothing to be scared of... you get to sleep and when you wake up .....all done.


Best to you...

Have you gone yet? It's a little over an hour since you posted and I am hoping things have started to move. Your colonoscopy prep instruction sheet should tell you who to call, what to do, if you haven't had a BM by a certain time. If you don't go tonight, it could be possible that you won't be sufficiently cleaned out for them to do the scope tomorrow.

Let us know....

BTW... it's almost 8:00, so it has been 6 hours since I drank the mag. citrate and 4 hours since I took the Dulcolax.

If there is no phone number call your gastro's office, they should have a phone service that can reach one of the gastro doc's & they will call you back. I have never took the mag so I'm not sure how it will work you. I do know the dulcolax takes a while. I have bought the mag before when I was constipated but after the pharmasist telling me not to leave the house if I took it I chickened out on taking it.

HI I started my dulcolax (4) at 5:30pm, and my osmoprep pills series at 6:30. I started going at 8:45ish. How long do you think I will keep going? It's 11:30 now and i'm still going brown stuff--not clear-- every 10 min or so. It's really liquidy, but no clear yet. Does anyone know how long it will take to clean out?

Also, my instructions say to take 8 more pills in the morning 3.5 hours before my procedure. SO that would be 5:30 because my colonoscopy is at 9am. Will i keep pooing up until i Get there? It takes at least 30 mins to get to the hospital... and I don't have any diapers! What should I do if i have to "Go"? umm... sorry for the TMI. but this is really causing me a bit of worry.

Also, how do they tell if your prep was successful? Before or after they put you through anesthesia?

Thanks a lot to anyone who knows these answers!!!