After reading about
the drug Versad given automatically prior to a routine colonoscopy, I decided to go drug-free. I mentioned this to a few coworkers and they were shocked that I would even consider having this done without meds. Preferring to know what is in my brain, I studied the literature on Versad and noted symptoms such as amnesia, loss of time. In addition, some forum members suggested ongoing problems after it was administered. I also studied published literature on unsedated colonoscopies. I discovered that the US and Canada routinely give Versad for this 15 min. procedure. In other countries, unsedated colonoscopies are the norm.
Armed with my new knowledge I was expecting a fight when I showed up for my first colonoscopy (routine) requesting no meds. Interestingly, I did not get a fight. The nurses were fine with it but didn't quite know what to do with me. They "pow-powed" to decide if I even needed an IV line as I was getting no drugs. I finally agreed for the IV line "just in case" I needed to take the edge off with some pain meds. I knew I wouldn't need it, but I let them win that one.
So what did it feel like without meds?
1. The scope was heavily coated in a vaseiline substance so there was no pain "going in".
2. I did feel some cramping, for women it was like a really painful mentral cramp, but it only lasted 5-8 seconds as the scope turns corners. There were maybe 3 large cramps in the whole procedure. The nurse in the room kept me engaged in a discussion which distracted me, that helped.
3. The whole procedure took about 10-15 mins.
When done the nurse told me, "all the doctors do it without meds. They just come in and they are out in 20 mins." Would I do it again without meds? Yes. Again, the nurses didn't quite know what to do with me. Dressed and ready to go they said, "aaahhh...OK, you don't need a ride so.... I guess you can go".
Now for the results:
My colon looked great but I had a large rectal polyp. I berated myself for not going in earlier for this routine procedure (I'm 55). I mean, who WANTS to have a colonoscopy? I realized later that was based on uneducated fear. I was dumbfounded as most my life, especially the last 10 years. I have enjoyed a very healthy diet, 75% organic, no red meat, a non-smoker, and am very athletic. I was shocked to have a polyp. The scary thing was it was large, 30cm. Basically, an inch around. For a polyp, this is huge. The other shocking thing was I never had symptoms. No bleeding, nothing. As the doctor scanned the image on the tv screen as I was being wheeled out, I scanned the doctor's face trying to see his level of concern. He said, "I'm not TOO concerned". Aaaah, how does one define TOO. Then he said, "I will contact a surgeon today". OK, that does not sound good! In 3 days I was in the surgeon's office. He was not very encouraging. He practically had me in a colostomy bag before we even knew what the biopsy revealed. Needless to say fear ran through me being like lightening. However, a believer in the mind-body connection--I got to work. I read about the herb Tumeric (readily available at any healthfood store). The literature praised this herb as an anti-inflamatory, helping cancer cells commit suicide, and excellent for colon issue. I started taking 2-3 grams a day. The following day began an intense mind-body vision of the polyp shrinking, and just "peeling away" from my body. I saw the yellow-orange of the tumeric surrounding the polyp especially on the bottom, not allowing it go grow into the rectal wall. I affirmed I was already healed. I did not watch any tv news, nothing negative. I walked around with a smile on my face, being grateful for my healed body. I did not share my medical issue with anyone as I did not want others to be projecting negative thoughts even if unintentional. I began to tally up every time I thought negative about this diaganosis. I was shocked 9 negative thoughts in 5 mins. It took about 3 days to just about mastered it. I carried slips of paper in my pocket with positve affirmation and everytime a negative thought crossed my mind, like the surgeon taking out my rectum , I would reach into my pocket grab an affirmation and read it over and over until I was refocused. After a week, I finally FELT healed. I held on to that at the core of my being.
The first biopsy came back, pre-cancerous with the caution, there could be cancer cells underneath the polyp. I kept my focus, with "tumeric" bathing the under side of the polyp. Finally, 3 days before my surgery, a full 11 days since the colonoscopy, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace come over me. The feeling was, "no need to worry the healing is complete". I hung on to that!
Dec 17th I arrived at my local hospital (outpatient) for rectal surgery. Yep, they go in the "backdoor".
When the anesthesiologist came into my room to discuss drugs, I said, I don't want Versad. I finally asked the anesthesiolgist why they even use it as it is not the drug used to put on under. He stated, "they give it to the patient for the ride to the OR as some patients don't want to remember it" Are you kidding me? This drug is going to give me temporary amnesia so I don't remember the 1 minute gurney ride to the OR? When we arrived in the OR the anesthesiologist announced jokingly, "OK, every one watch what you're are saying, there is no Versad on board".
I kept my focus of being healed while awaiting the results of the biopsy. Four days later, I am delighted to say no cancer was found in the polyp. I will continue to take Tumeric as an herbal supplement and I will need a colonoscopy in 1 year (unsedated of course).
That's my story, I hope many will be encouraged to review the drug Versad, review the literature about unsedated colonoscopies, but most of all, encourage everyone you know to have a colonoscopy at age 50. If I had done so, my polyp most likely would have been very small.
MK