Having my first colonoscopy in a week, so scared!

I'm having my first colonoscopy next wednesday to check for UC and I'm so nervous, I wouldn't do it if I didn't feel so bad The instructions said to take two Dulcolax pills the night before the prep, then Moviprep during the day and a Fleet Enema two hours before the colonoscopy, the problem is I can't find the enema here, I went to two pharmacies and they said they would try to order it, will it be a problem if I don't get to do the enema? I've been reading a lot of stories and most people were completely cleaned out after the prep. The prep is what scares me the most, I'm terrified of having a bad reaction to the prep and end up even more sick. I'm also afraid of the anesthesia, I asked the lady who called from the hospital if they would sedate me, she said they don't sedate people, everyone who has a colonoscopy in their hospital is under general anesthesia, isn't this dangerous? I have some papers to fill about the anesthesia, there's one question that asks me if I'm allergic, how would I know, I've never been under anesthesia. Sorry for all the questions, it's all news and I'm terrified.

Try not to worry too much. It's really not that bad at all. (old pro here unfortunately) The prep is the worst of it but again, it's not a huge thing. You will have such a small amount of anesthesia because you won't be out for long at all...it's safe. You'll be napping the whole time and won't know a thing and then you're awake asking them if you're done already! Easy peasy. :)

easy peasy hanna - don't forget to smile for the camera -

good luck !

Its not bad at all. I really did not find the prep that bad. Sure its not what you want to be doing but rent a couple of good movies and have a bathroom close by. I was not given General anesthesia but propofol(the drug the Michael Jackson OD on); It was great! Felt rested and wonderful when I awoke. Just had a Flex Sig last month while awake and that was not a problem either. No pain with minimum discomfort.
Good luck and no worries.

Deeppowder

Ah, colonoscopies. I remember my first one well. I looked into the chiseled, wide-eyed face of an incredibly attractive male nurse, than woke up completely disoriented and full of gas in a dark room with Pirates of the Caribbean playing on a 5 by 4 TV, a good three inches from my face.

You'll be fine. The prep is the worst, and I remember also feeling like crap from mine. Just talk to the pharmacist about why you need the enema. Chances are, he'll of had a colonoscopy, too (apparently most people over, like, forty, have had one for different reasons), and will be chill. As for the anesthesia, you'll be fine there, too. Chances are, you're not allergic, and if you are, you'll be in a hospital, surrounded by doctors who know what to do in that event--Seriously, if you're going to have an allergic reaction to anything, you're already in the best place for it.

Really, though, you'll be fine. And when it's over, you'll be able to go about your day. It shouldn't knock too much out of you.

Hannah you'll be fine, it's not bad at all. The worst part is the prep the night before (make sure you have a bathroom readily available and no one competing to use it). You'll be going a LOT once the laxatives kick in, and it'll feel weird.. but just take it with some humor and don't stress out - millions of people do it all the time and it'll be over in a few hours (I'm talking about the prep part and clearing out your system).

The actual colonoscopy itself is a breeze. General anesthesia is very common and very safe. Here's my recommendation when you're about to get the needle injected into you: just look the other way and start wiggling your toes (this is my secret.. I start wiggling my toes in my shoe and no one can tell and I barely concentrate on the tiny prick of the needle going in). Probably 10-15 seconds later you'll gently go to sleep, and when you wake up everything will be done and it'll all be painless. You'll feel a little sleepy still for 30-60 minutes but that's it.

Don't worry! Have a fun colonoscopy ;)

Yes, clear liquids on the day you are not supposed to eat. Chicken/vege broth, jello (not red), popsicles (again not red). I got frozen Lemonade my last scope and it was pretty good.

I always worry too and i've had a zillion. It will be a-ok!

I started the liquid diet today at 3pm, it's only been 6 hours and I already feel so bad, my head is pounding :( I don't want to give up but I don't know if I can handle 38 hours without any food. The worst thing is that I can't even have any clear juice or tea, I suffer from Interstitial Cystitis ( it's a bladder condition ) and I can't eat or drink anything acidic, even jell-o has critic acid on it, everything makes my Interstitial Cystitis flare, I tried some camomile tea earlier and now my bladder is flaring. I'm going to have some chicken broth for dinner, any suggestions on liquid things I can eat to keep the blood sugar levels up?

Hanna I can relate to your right now i am having colonoscopy this friday and just the thought of the prep makes me sick. thry not to worry about the procedure i am sure it'll be fine and afterwards the food after will be the best you've eaten

rogo66 said...
Suck it up! No ones ever died from not eating for 38 hours...

People starve to death daily and you're whining about not being able to eat today.

Nice supportive words. Geesh.

Took the Dulcolax before going to bed, I felt okay at first but then the cramps started and I didn't sleep, once I started to get sleepy the diarrhea kicked in... It wasn't so bad, the cramps were worse. Now I'm drinking the prep, started half an hour ago but only had half a glass because it's making me nauseous, I feel better if I go slowly. Took one Molitium to try to stop the nausea but so far no results, let's hope I can get this down without throwing up, I don't want to have to repeat everything :(

Hi Hannah, I just wondered how you are doing?

There were many times I did not finish the prep because I was so nauseated and I was cleaned out just fine. From what you describe it sounds like your are cleaned out and it will be good to go. Try to get some rest!