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How bad is the bleeding with colonoscopy prep?

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Posted 6/22/2008 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
Just a simple question:

How bad does the bleeding get when taking the stuff required in preparation for a colonoscopy.  If the ulcers have been relatively quiet for a couple of weeks, do they open up viciously after taking the Fleet stuff?

My colonoscopy is Tuesday, so tomorrow I have to take the Fleet prep.  I'm fasting today in hopes of not having so much in my bowels.

But, just wondering how bad the bleeding will get tomorrow.

Post Edited (CavsFan) : 6/22/2008 5:02:46 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/22/2008 10:25 PM (GMT 0)
I'm bumping this so it doesn't drop to the bottom of the page.  I'm really stressing about this issue.

Posted 6/22/2008 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
You should only fast the day before, you will be starving and wak. Anyhow, I din't notice the blood during the prep. So, it won't be that bad, I don't think.
Posted 6/22/2008 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
"weak" lol
Posted 6/23/2008 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, bellski.  Hopefully the ulcers won't open up.  I know I'll be weak the way it is with not eating and don't want to add to it with severe bleeding.

Posted 6/23/2008 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
CavsFan, the prep usually doesn't aggravate the UC much at all. It will cause a very sore bottom and possibly a little bleeding from hemorrhoids if you have them, but most of the time that's it. Be sure you have wet wipes and a good barrier preparation - Desitin, A&D ointment or the like. This will keep the anal irritation down a bit.

And I'm sorry to tell you that fasting probably won't make it much easier. You'll just get lots of liquid rather than liquid with stool. Unfortunately, it seems we all have to pay our dues. But on the up side, the drugs they give me always make me feel really good for the rest of the day.
Posted 6/23/2008 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
No bleeding at all as of yet for me. I think I have passed alot of the liquid out since I did my prep today. This was alot easier than I remember. The halflytely is definately better than that other prep 10 years ago, lol.
Posted 6/23/2008 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
I don't remember the bleeding getting worse during a prep. Not sure why though - your question makes sense! You'd think that stuff would aggravate a tender colon.

Best of luck with your prep!
Posted 6/23/2008 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
I think that one of the reasons we don't see that much blood during a prep is because our colon, even though it's expelling liquid out, it's not really working because of the fasting. Now if you take a solid meal and do the prep, things might be a bit different. And because of the fasting, it can make it easier on the colon since the solid food isn't "scraping" things up on the way out. The only time I ever saw a lot of bleeding was during my inital diagnosis scope.
Posted 6/23/2008 3:52 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your responses.  You've eased my mind.  I've had UC for about 6 years now and have not had a colonoscopy for about four years.  Have absolutely refused.  But now, well, things are not getting better and the back pain is getting worse.  Also, I've found a lump in my lower back which has scared me.  The Cleveland Clinic last year, Dr Remzi, recommended for the second time for me to have J-pouch surgery but I've been stubborn about not having it.  I finally, with the help of a therapist, I've gotten the mental strength to go ahead and at least get a colonoscopy.  I'm a little scared of cancer, more than a little scared.  Colon cancer runs in my family on my dad's side.  Not that you all needed this info, but I'm just scared out of my mind.  I'm having a general anesthesea (sp?) during the procedure so I'll be totally under, my request.

Post Edited (CavsFan) : 6/23/2008 9:21:32 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/23/2008 11:23 AM (GMT 0)
We have a higher chance of getting colon cancer then the population but the risk is only slightly higher but combine that with a family history and you sort of get the double whammy. That is one of the reasons why we should have frequent scopes. Understandable that you can be scared, who wouldn't be right? But you have to remember that the scopes only take but a few moments (yes the prep stinks) but by doing frequent scopes and IF in the event they ever found cancer and if it's found early enough that it can more easily treatable. Colon cancer is not a death sentence as it was years ago. I wish you luck on your scope and please let us know the outcome ok?
Posted 6/23/2008 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Red_34.  I'm very weepy today.  Combination of fasting all day yesterday and on into today and dreading 5PM rolling around when I have to down the Fleet Prep (totally off-topic here, but why isn't the time correct on our posts?  Shouldn't it reflect whatever time zone we're in?)

I posted on here about a year ago about everything going on with me that only adds (maybe contributed to) the UC from my childhood - you folks on here encouraged me to go see a phsycologist and I have.  So here I am finally getting another colonoscopy and will probably consent to surgery next year (I have to restart my vacation time at work since I've already used some this year).  But, I can't wait until then to make sure I don't have cancer starting.

I don't often post on here, but do come here often to read and get strength knowing that I'm not the only one in the world with this disease.

I'm just so scared today, I feel like a baby, crying constantly.  I'm sure part of it is because of my childhood and the invasion I know is going to happen to my body tomorrow.  That's why, along with the pain I experienced 4 years ago with my last colonoscopy, that I asked to be put completely under.

Gees, I'm babbling on today.

Posted 6/23/2008 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hey babble all you want, that is what we are here for :) Sometimes a good cry is in order so let it out. I always get completely put out too for my scopes. My first one I was only in a twilight sleep and I felt almost everything so I vowed never ever again will I ever go thru that. Just be sure to have them give you something to help you relax before you go in for the scope. I don't know what it's called but I call it my happy juice :)
Posted 6/23/2008 5:33 PM (GMT 0)

I don't understand what you mean, Red.  What are you talking about getting something to help me relax before the scope - I'm going completely under.  Do you mean like taking Xanax or something before I'm even there?  If so, I already planned on popping two of those, lol.  In fact, I think I'll take one today now that I'm thinking about it.  My mind is WACKED right now, I'm all over the place and a complete mess.  When bellski made her typo earlier in this thread it made me laugh because wak was completely appropriate.

My precious mom is here with me and is yacking her head off and cleaning my house - I think to keep my mind off everything.  And she goes into a different room when she wants to eat something since she feels sorry for me for having to fast, lol.  People who love you are wonderful, aren't they?


Posted 6/23/2008 5:43 PM (GMT 0)
A Xanax sounds like a good idea. No point in letting yourself stress so much - take the edge off!

It'll all be over in a few hours. You can do it!

Sounds like your mom is awesome! Make sure you get your fill of hugs - and go ahead and cry, it helps relieve the stress like nothing else :)
Posted 6/23/2008 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Xanax works :) I don't take that so sometimes they will give me something in my IV before the sedation (valium maybe?) to help calm me a bit. Though lately they haven't been doing that. Maybe they figured I had enough of the scopes that it shouldn't make me nervous anymore I guess!
Posted 6/23/2008 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
I've never had more bleeding during the prep than I would have had otherwise. Sometimes I don't even notice blood, it's just a ton of liquid stool and then the excess liquid on it's own once the stool is all gone. I was told though that I shouldn't ever take GoLytley though because it would really aggravate my colitis too much.

I almost always have a lot of bleeding after sigmoidoscopies and colonoscopies, even if I was not bleeding at all before the scopes. I guess it's from the biopsies they do but it always freaked me out a bit.
Posted 6/23/2008 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
So the bleeding will come afterwards?  I hadn't thought about that.  What do you think the chances are they will find polyps?  Do they find polyps on all of you during your colonoscopies even at young ages?  My mom seems to think they won't find any polyps because I'm "young" (38).  She said polyps are only in older people.  And doesn't cancer usually start with the polyps?  A little info here would be appreciated.


Post Edited (CavsFan) : 6/23/2008 2:11:15 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/23/2008 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
And I took a Xanax a couple hours ago and another one about a half hour ago, so I am wayyy calm, lol.  Slow motion, actually.  Currently drinking lime jello.  One hour to go before the Fleet stuff.

Posted 6/23/2008 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
I've never had polyps, just areas that look strange (with inflammation/vasular changes) that they biopsy to make sure the cells aren't cancerous.
Posted 6/23/2008 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I just took the Fleet.  How long will it take to work?

Posted 6/23/2008 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
It usually works pretty quickly. Stay close to the bathroom.

You might have a small amount of bleeding after, primarily from the biopsies, along with some mild cramping. It isn't bad and goes away after a day or so.

My doc gives Versed and Fentanyl through the IV. I hear them say "I'm going to give the sedation now," then I go sleepy-bye. I wake up half an hour or so later in recovery and feel all snuggly and drowsy for the rest of the day.
Posted 6/23/2008 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
It's been 45 minutes and nothing.  Is this normal?

Posted 6/23/2008 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
OK, at 47 minutes it all broke loose.  It's been close to an hour now and I'm out of the bathroom for probably only a couple of minutes.

Posted 6/23/2008 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
Haha, your intestines must have heard you talking!! One night I drank all the prep and nothing happened and eventually I fell asleep on accident. I woke up in the morning (two hours before the scope) and still hadn't gone, but after a hot shower my guts went crazy!!! Luckily it was just enough to not have to delay the procedure.

You'll probably be going to the bathroom for a few hours, just drink lots of water and if you have wet wipes on hand, use them!!! If not, once you feel your bowels have settled down, you might benefit from taking a nice soothing bath because your butt will certainly be burning.

Good luck and have fun (just kidding)

Let us know how the scope goes tomorrow, of course
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