Anyone had a colonoscopy/endoscopy?

[serendipity]

Hi All,

Has anyone had a colonoscopy or endoscopy? I have to have both and I'm very nervous. I was told I was going to be "in a dream" but I keep reading that people are actually awake during these procedures. I'm a big baby about all of this and would really like some real life experiences.

Thanks everyone.

 

[poohlovermom]

I had one 3 years ago. Not bad. The worse part was the colon prep. Plan to spend at lot of time in the bathroom.

 

[mjkacmom]

They told me that, and I was OUT! The prep is the worst part - the procedure is nothing.

 

[Muushka]

Hi All,

Has anyone had a colonoscopy or endoscopy? I have to have both and I'm very nervous. I was told I was going to be "in a dream" but I keep reading that people are actually awake during these procedures. I'm a big baby about all of this and would really like some real life experiences.

Thanks everyone.

I have had a few colonoscopies. Like any medical procedure, it really is mind over matter. I actually enjoy the 'dream state'. You are aware of your surroundings, but it is like you are just visiting slightly mentally, but not physically (if that makes any sense).

I have drawn blood from more people that I care to count. The ones who knew it was going to be awful, and really concentrated on how awful it was, found it awful.

Then ones who admitted a little fear, but were willing to take instruction (talk about something other than the procedure), found it to be a pleasant experience. Well, not awful at the worst!

My big advice is that if they offer you the pills, be certain that you are able to swallow 32 pills!

Good luck!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I had both almost 3 yrs ago and I am due for my next one in 2009.

They found 2 pre-cancerous polyps & confirmed my reflux. The doc said I was lucky to have insisted on it. I was 41.

As far as waking up, yes I have read that as well. I fortunately did not and don't remember a thing.

 

[MomToARedhead]

I had an endoscopic procedure done about a month ago to flush out my bile ducts after my gall bladder was removed. I don't remember anything about it, EXCEPT the part where I woke up! The doctor told me that the medicine would keep me awake and in a dreamlike state so that I could cooperate with them, but that it would produce an amnesia effect so that I would not remember anything afterwards.

He's right - I didn't remember a thing, except in the middle of it, I felt like I "came to" a little and I remember gagging on the tube down my throat and trying to lift my head off of the table and instinctively move my arms to pull the tube out. I remember the doctor and the nurses kept telling me "No no no" over and over. I remember maybe 8-10 seconds of that and then nothing else.

It honestly wasn't bad, except for waking up a little and that wasn't even all that bad, thinking back on it. I assume they just injected more medicine into me to put me back into my dreamlike state.

Good luck! I hope you do not experience waking up to any degree.

 

[mickeymedic]

I have had both procedures and, although they tell me I was conscious, I don't remember a thing. It's like I was asleep for the whole procedure. I am a pretty big baby when it comes to these things. When I was about to have the upper endoscopy they had started the IV and then moved me into the procedure room. They told me to lay on my side. Then they told me to open my mouth. I said I'm not doing anything yet - I still know what's going on. Well, within seconds I got really foggy...I sort of remember opening my mouth. Then next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery. I remember even less about the colonoscopy. However, as others have said the colonoscopy prep is the worst.

Just remember...when it comes out the same color that it goes in...you've done your job. I only ended up drinking about 1/3 of the prep solution.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Had them many times, only once did I wake in the middle of it. It was my first colonoscopy that confirmed I had Crohns disease so he took longer than the medication lasts. =) Even then, it was not traumatizing or anything.

I have a friend that goes without sedation everytime and she lives to tell about it.

The procedure is a piece of cake, the prep is sorta yucky. Go on a liquid only diet for a few days prior and even the prep won't be so bad.

Good luck!

 

[daisyduck123]

DD14 had both done in November. The actual procedures were not as bad as the stuff she had to drink PRIOR to the procedures. It's called, "GoLite" & it's absolutely horrid stuff.

Actually, they did not have her drink it, because it was a LOT. They gave it to her via a tube thru her nose & down her throat.

 

[mickeymedic]

DD14 had both done in November. The actual procedures were not as bad as the stuff she had to drink PRIOR to the procedures. It's called, "GoLite" & it's absolutely horrid stuff.

Actually, they did not have her drink it, because it was a LOT. They gave it to her via a tube thru her nose & down her throat.

"Go Lite" is a total misnomer. There is nothing LITE about your GOING once you drink this. YUCK!!!!

 

[serendipity]

Thanks everyone I really appreciate all of your replies. I'm still really nervous. Ugh. I'm only 23, but even at a relatively young age I'm an even bigger baby about medical stuff.

 

[Feralpeg]

The "twilight" anesthesia has a amnesia effect. Even though you are conscious during the procedure, you won't remember a thing afterward. You may as well be totally out. I had both procedures done at the same time. I remember being awake and then waking up. It was a breeze.

 

[Kathi OD]

I've had both procedures done several times. My experiences have been the same as Feralpeg's. Seems like you fall asleep one minute, only to wake up the next, everything all done.

 

[Aristomommy]

I had a colonoscopy in August and the procedure was quick. The prep before is the worst part. I can still taste the salty liquid in my mouth, gag!!! I was given the twilight anesthesia, but my iv malfunctioned and I was awake and alert the entire time. Even with that, it was not bad.

For the endoscopy, you don't need to prep. DD had it and she just didn't eat the night before. She doesn't remember anything about the procedure, so they really knocked her out for that.

 

[monkey68]

My sister had one maybe a year or 2 ago. I remember the prep being terrible, and then she said they wouldn't let her go afterwards until she farted. She said it was hilarious, a bunch of people all groggy and saying the silliest things, all lying next to each other merrily tooting away. Actually, she didn't know what she was saying when she came into the recovery area. She yelled very loudly "I can't leave yet! I need to fart first!" The recovery area was all from people who had colonsocopies, so it made for an interesting time.

 

[mhsjax]

I had a colonoscopy done a few months ago, I used Miralax instead of Go litely, you can't tast Miralax, so I would ask for it. Aslot they used propofol(I think that is how you spell it) and I was out like a light and woke up what seemed to be 2 seconds later telling me everything was ok, and from what I understand with that drug, even if you do wake up, you wont remember it. It was just like having a little nap, and I was cared to death, but it was really a piece of cake. after that I was free to eat anything I wanted, and I ate a little of everything. So, relax it really isn't bad, just make sure your Dr is very skilled and has done alot of them. Best of luck.

 

[delilah]

I had a routine colonoscopy a year ago or so. I thought I would just watch the monitor during the procedure. Apparently, I fell asleep, and reawakened when somebody splashed water on my behind. So, I actually got to watch most of the procedure on the monitor, which was interesting. It didn't hurt, just a pulling sensation.

 

[Loverly]

I threw up the HalfLightly

So I re did it two weeks later with the pills-32 pills total with water-I much prefer this prep

And I was under the whole time

 

[christyhud]

I had a colonoscopy last month. Agreed, the prep was worse than the actual procedure. Just a tip that the nurse gave me for the prep - if they have you take the liquid, mix it up the night before you need to take it and refrigerate it. Much easier when it is VERY cold - still not good tasting but couldn't imagine drinking it luke warm.

 

[momrek06]

My sister had one maybe a year or 2 ago. I remember the prep being terrible, and then she said they wouldn't let her go afterwards until she farted. She said it was hilarious, a bunch of people all groggy and saying the silliest things, all lying next to each other merrily tooting away. Actually, she didn't know what she was saying when she came into the recovery area. She yelled very loudly "I can't leave yet! I need to fart first!" The recovery area was all from people who had colonsocopies, so it made for an interesting time.

I had a routine colon in Feb at UMASS MED CTR...big HUGE facility. Naa, no one was telling anyone they had to fart before they left....

Anyway, I did the miralax. I made it up the night before. Chilled it is absolutely fine.

My experience was that they had me drinking all this miralax and combined with the dulcolax tablets was way to much for my system.

I did indeed go to the procedure (on a day in Boston that we were having one of the worst ice storms of the winter). I had to go to the appt. After the prep from the day before, I was not doing this again.

Well the MD's did the procedure but I (was not cleaned out enough) Despite following all the directions....

Anyway, I was told everything looked fine BUT I should have the procedure done again to just be sure. So I essentially need a 2 day prep.
After the procedure I was quite nauseous. They gave me companzine and DH took me home.

OP, I am scheduling my appt. again and will do the 2 day prep this time. No worries, you will be absolutely FINE. This is an important procedure for Peace of Mind!!!

They did tell you that you need to have a driver take you home???