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My colonoscopy experience

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/18/2011 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

Last week I had my first colonoscopy. Up until then I'd had one flexible sigmoidoscopy and and then rigid sigmoidoscopies over the years.
Firstly, that solution that we are forced to drink is VILE - 4 litres of 'vanilla' hell! I don't know how anyone can get it down comfortably. I threw up the last couple of glasses... How did others find it?

I was told that drinking that stuff would be the worst part of the day. Well, I went for the colonoscopy and I don't think the doctor sedated me enough. In the beginning it was painful as he went up the colon; I was squirming around and felt a lot of pain from the air trapped inside my body as well. He realised and muttered to the nurse to up the medication. I watched the entire procedure on 'the big screen' so I was reasonably alert - is this normal? Or are we supposed to be almost asleep?

Thanks.
CTC
Posted 1/18/2011 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
I was totally out for mine. I don't remember a thing and didn't feel a thing either time (i've only had 2 colonoscopies). I don't know how you manage to remain awake, these medications seem to knock me out but i've seen a lot of people mention being somewhat awake. I did wake up at the way end when they were on their way out but I didn't feel anything. That happened in my more recent colonoscopy. My GI must have used less air that time because I wasn't full of gas after. The first one I had so much air in there, I woke up passing wind.

I threw up when I did the miralax prep. I prepped with pills last time and I thought it was easier but my doctor said I wasn't 100% cleaned out :(
Posted 1/18/2011 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
I did the miralax and threw up and I was totally out for my colonoscopy.
Posted 1/18/2011 9:30 PM (GMT 0)
Ditto on throwing up the horrible solution they make you drink.

Next time you go in for a scope mention the discomfort you had during your last procedure to your GI. The worst I ever felt during a scope was a little discomfort from the air; there is no reason you should be in a lot of pain. Also there are different drugs they can use to sedate you. I was awake for most of my scopes, but for the last one they gave me propofol (no idea if I spelled that right) and I was asleep for the entire procedure. I woke up in the recovery room and never felt a thing. The prep is bad enough; you certainly don't need any more discomfort during the actual procedure.
Posted 1/18/2011 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
The stuff I drank was "Lemon Flavored", I don't know when I will be able to drink lemonade again!

I was totally our for the procedure, although I did know there was a problem as soon as I woke up, so I must have heard something while I was out.
Posted 1/18/2011 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
I agree about the vile tasting solution. I did the best I could drinking it but my docs notes say my prep was "fair" so I guess I could've done better.

My drug was propofol and I was out immediately, woke up in recovery, no gas, no problems. My husband was awake during his, says it didn't bother him.

I've taken Miralax for laxative issues but not for colonoscopy. Miralax doesn't seem as bad as the "Lyte" (that's all I can remember of the name) at least the taste isn't horrible.
Posted 1/18/2011 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
I had no pain issues with pain and I was not out. I don't remember it all but I did watch on the screen. Snip snip, pick pick. The right amount of pain meds and air must be the trick. I hope I can say the same after my next in Feb. Did things go better when they upped the meds?
Chris

*edited to remove signatue. Please see the forum rules regarding use of illegal medications.

1. No discussion of any illegal activity or threats of violence. (ie. illicit drug use or exchange, threats of suicide or self-injury, or threatened or intended physical harm).  Discussions of suicide or self-harm that are deemed negative and therefore potentially injurious to others are also not permitted.

 

Post Edited By Moderator (notsosicklygirl) : 1/18/2011 6:06:04 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/19/2011 1:33 AM (GMT 0)
I've taken a bunch of prep solutions in my 25 colonoscopies. Miralax is the least objectionable, and still it makes me feel nauseated.

I've watched the screen and I've been "out" with propofol. I like to watch the screen, but I, too, have had scopings in which I have not had enough medication and have had remarkable pain.... so at this juncture, what matters to me most is pain management rather than the picture show.

Before my annual scoping, I remind the GI that I am a wimp and don't want to feel pain! lol That usually helps.
Posted 1/19/2011 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
Perhaps I should tell my GI the same. That I'm a wimp. I'm about 3 weeks away and thinking about it already.
Chris
Posted 1/19/2011 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
Yes - bring it on with the happy juice, I tell them. Versed plus propofol. I generally am awake watching the picture show but I know I am mumbling silly things and the time accelerates thanks to the happy juice. Insist on a GI' who is highly experienced and who will never use brute force to round tricky twists and turns. I have a feeling I may finally be done with the full scope soon as I believe I will be colon-less in the next few months unless a miracle happens.
Posted 1/19/2011 7:21 AM (GMT 0)
Probiotic, I'm so sorry to hear about the possible colectomy... I hope it doesn't go that way.

Chris, yes, when he upped the meds it definitely helped and he told the nurse to press down on my stomach which also helped.

My doc is a professor and specialises in UC and Crohns so I do feel I'm with the best. Next time (hopefully not anytime soon) I will definitely tell him that in case he didn't notice last time, I am a complete WIMP! I have now seen my colon on screen and am happy to close my eyes and wake up when it's all over so he needs to dose me, big time!

Thank you everyone - it's so good to get this feedback. I needed to be online while drinking that stuff!
xx CTC
Posted 1/19/2011 7:23 AM (GMT 0)
Oh, and good luck Chris!x
Posted 1/19/2011 8:35 AM (GMT 0)
I request to watch and to be given a much lesser amount of Versed...I hate that crap. I would be totally ticked afterward if I was knocked out on purpose against my wishes.

I drink the gallon preps, but one with NO flavouring. No problems using it. The flavouring really is no favour..unless one is used to drinking flavoured drinks of that volume.

ugh...

CTC, nice it all went well. Did you get out for a nice brekkie afterward?

When do you get the results of the biopsies? I suggest get a copy.

q
Posted 1/19/2011 9:41 AM (GMT 0)

Cape Town Colitis said...
Oh, and good luck Chris!x


Thanks very much.
Chris
Posted 1/19/2011 11:50 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Quincy, I will request a copy.

:-) Well, my appointment was only at 3pm. I got home at about 5pm and was feeling drowsy so slept 'til about 7pm and then went out for supper (big mistake.) I sat there the entire evening in discomfort. They did give me two cookies (we call them biscuits) and some tea after the procedure which tasted like absolute heaven!

I'll be sure to ask them if there is a non-flavoured version of the prep. I don't think I can do vanilla again... ever.

CTC x
Posted 1/19/2011 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
I'll have to check out what I use....keep forgetting. Some have the packets to add (so would be unflavoured) while others are already flavoured. I'll get the names of those that aren't...for your next one.

q
Posted 1/22/2011 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
thank u x
Posted 1/22/2011 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
I got it at WalMart, so will check there this week.

h
Posted 1/23/2011 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
My experience was that the prep was the worse part of having a colonoscopy. Versed meds. knocked me out and I did not know anything. I slept for one and a half days afterwards! My mother, on the other hand, had one just this past Thursday and was awake and in awful pain the entire time. She was so nervous since she was having such pain/diarrhea for so long that she feared the worse results. Dr. said her anxiety caused her adrenilin (sp)  to kick in. They gave her as much medicine as they possibly could and it never knocked her out.  She was diagnosed with colitis/divierticuli.
Posted 1/23/2011 5:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi..welcome to the forum! Yes, there are some people whose bodies react the opposite of what a med is intended. Morphine made my mom actually "wild" in her mind.

Your mom should get the name of the med and ask the doc for alternatives for her next one.
What kind of colitis does your mom have?

q
Posted 1/23/2011 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
I just had a colonoscopy this past Thursday. I had been avoiding it for so long as my last two attempts ( with only one could I have a colonoscopy) were miserable during the prep. This time the nurse in my office advised me to do a liquid diet for 24 hours before starting the prep. I was also given Phenergen for the nausea and valium as well. I did the osomoprep which is a bunch of pills taken every 15 minutes for about an hour and then againin the morning.  I was able to get the first batch down and was extremely nauseous but when everything started coming out about 2 hours later I was fine. For the second batch I took them all but ended up throwing up even after taking the Phernergen ( did not take valium, it made me loopy). I have to say it was not that bad. I was not crampy at all. They knocked me out during the procedure( I am not sure with what) so I had no idea what was going on except that I use to just have UP and now I have Pan Coliltis ( which I assume is the whole colon) but it is mild. I will talk to the doctor tomorrow. I would definitely go this route again if I need another colonoscopy.

Talliecat

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