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Questions about colonscopy

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Posted 8/18/2011 9:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Everyone,

I am a colonoscopy virgin! I have my first one scheduled for next week (finally, after waiting 4 months!). I have loads of questions, but in particular I want to know what the following day will be like. My scope is scheduled for 9am next Wednesday, and I have an important meeting at 12 on the Thursday - what are my physical symptoms likely to be like? Will I have the runs? be in pain? I should say I am having a mild flare of what is (hopefully) proctitis. At the moment I have a BM 2-3 times a day (semi-solid) and most often with some blood (hence the scope).

Anyone's experiences and hints and tips will be useful as I am quite nervous about the procedure (especially having waited so long).

Thanks
Posted 8/18/2011 11:12 AM (GMT 0)
I've had three colonoscopies so far and the only bad thing that has ever happened to me was that I was extremely gassy afterwards. Loud ones too, which was kind of embarrassing for being in the hospital.
Posted 8/18/2011 11:29 AM (GMT 0)
I've had 3 colonoscopies as well and just had a little gas immediately after the procedure. An hour after I am back to normal, no different from when going in except I am less hungry.

Oh, and your symptoms sound very similar to mine when I was first diagnosed. G'luck!
Posted 8/18/2011 12:00 PM (GMT 0)
I've had numerous scopes over the years - I'm sort of losing count at this moment! lol

On the day before your scope, you will be doing a prep - which one are you doing? My main advice on that part is eat light for a few days prior. It will make the prep so much easier and you may not even have to finish the whole thing. Preps are horrible! If you are doing the liquid, make sure it is COLD and drink with a straw put at the very back of your tongue, hold your nose.

The day of the scope, you will go in to the center/hospital. They will insert an IV. After they wheel you in, they will have you lay on your left side, knock you out (you are going under yes?) and wake up as they wheel you out...wham bam done! :) Afterwards, you will have to release air and they won't let you leave until you do. It's sort of comical because when I go for mine, the scopes are all scheduled on the same day. We are quite musical in there! lol

When you get home, you may a bit tired. A bit crampy. And you may have some bleeding and residual D from the scope and biopsies. Usually mine only lasts a day or two. The next day after a scope, I do still have some D but it's not bad or uncontrollable. Everyone is different on how they cope after a scope. You may just have to wait and see how you feel.
Posted 8/18/2011 6:40 PM (GMT 0)
I've had one colonoscopy and the next day was fine.
Posted 8/18/2011 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
What clean-out are you going to be using?

The day of, I'm gassy with some gut pressure and will have bloody gas when I choose to expel it on the toilet.  But, most of it would be expelled after the scope before I leave after "recovery".  I'm awake during the scope to watch the monitor (a MUST!!)...but nicely "stoned"..lol.

My next day has me a tad gassy for my first bm, some discomfort throughout the day (but I use dicyclomine to help), I'll have blood in my bms for up to 4 days because the doc takes at least 30 biopsies.

q
Posted 8/20/2011 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
I always found that the day before was always the worst part due to the preparation.
Usually during the procedure they give you drugs wic makes the procedure really bareable.

After youll experience really intense and loud gas because during the procedure they put some air directly into your colon to see better. Think about a balloon you would bloat and then a balloon you would take out the air.... same sound as well!!!

I ad 3 of them and after one i was in the bed with my lovely robe on and the need to fart like mad and i got invited for diner by a male nurse lolll
You should be fine the next morning. Just take it easy, take your time to rest in the hospital, take a light meal and take a taxi or ride home. I hope its gonna be fine for you and i hope its early in the morning cause then youll have more rest.
good luck!
Posted 8/22/2011 10:55 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your advice everyone. Tomorrow is prep day!

I am doing the Fleet prep (ginger and something flavour - sounds awful!) and have been eating pretty light today at least to try and minimise the discomfort. Had my biscodyl tonight to get things moving....

I think I am having twilight sedation - the information I have says that I will be drowsy and not remember much. I think I would prefer to remember! But will see what they say when I get there.

I am as nervous as anything about the outcome. I have been keeping myself calm over the last few months by working on the assumption that it is UC/UP or Chron's (and not cancer!). But I have been using Pentasa enemas for a few months now (nightly) as well as giving up dairy, and while I have seen some improvement, I am not back to 'normal'. So my overactive imagination is now torturing myself with what my diagnosis will actually be.

I assume the doc talks to you afterwards about the scope (what the saw: i.e. inflammation vs. polyps etc) - is this correct? I would hate to leave the hospital on Wed and still have no idea of what is going on with me.

Thanks again for all your advice!
Posted 8/22/2011 11:08 AM (GMT 0)
i remember my first scope. I had this relaxing drug tha kept me awake. I was in a dreamy state looking at my fabulous colon. As soon as the doctor went inside completly he said things like 'ahhh ohhhhh yes evident.... mmmm I see.... ok Stefanie im gonna do a biopsy but i know whats wrong already"...
he did his thing and that was finished. They let me relaxed a bit. When the sedation went off i was called into his office and he tld me " what you have is colitis" and he went on on explaining what it was and how to start with meds. He was in his 70s and very experience. He was very straightforward and even though we needed to wait for the scope it was evident for him i have coliis and didnt wait to put me on meds.
It took 30 days of asacol pills and suppositories to put me into remission wich i had for the next 3 years.
I liked the fact he was straighforward. It reassured me. Your doctor should tell you right away what he sees. Or if he isnt sure he should at least start you on some kind of meds that will make you better.
I like my doctors very transparent and straighforward and i hope youll have someone like this.

good luck!
Posted 8/22/2011 11:34 AM (GMT 0)
I'm usually completely out for mine but the effect doesn't last long. I wake up as they are wheeling me out. And my doc will come talk to me after I have gotten dressed. However, some docs have you make an appt to come in for the results...which I hope is not the case with you!

Good luck with the prep and keep us updated okay?
Posted 8/23/2011 5:53 AM (GMT 0)
Geez that prep is a funny thing. I took the fleet - expecting to spend the afternoon in the loo. Felt nothing for three hours afterwards! Then forced myself to have a movement, passed lots of semi-solid (norm) then wooosh. Can't believe I have been freaking out about the prep not working....

Thanks for the advice everyone. I will post again tomorrow after the scope when hopefully I will finally have a diagnosis.
Posted 8/23/2011 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
MAKE SURE you have baby wipes handy. You will be glad you did. You will be fine the next day. I have had OVER 30 of these done . Diagnosed with UC on 1980.
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