Colonoscopy anyone? UPDATED!!!!

[N&B'smom]

So, I might have to have one done and I'm completely freaked out! It may be because I've already dealt with cancer and that will always be a fear that I deal with, no matter what test I have done.

I've already done the Prep Test before when I had to have my hysterectomy, NOT looking forward to that one! Oh well....

I'm just freaked out. I'm going to call tomorrow. I guess I just wanted to vent. I don't know.

Shelby

 

[disney junky]

I had one done in June. It wasn't bad. The prep day was the worst. No matter what they tell you, it's nothing like anything I've ever experienced. The colonscopy itself was a breeze. I was sedated but mildly, only under less than an hour. I came out pretty smoothly but couldn't drive for 24 hours.

 

[RUDisney]

A friend of mine had her obligatory one when she turned 50 and it turned out that she had cancer. She will forever be grateful that this test was available and now, 3 years later, she is cancer free and has had annual clean colonosopies since.

Would I be freaking out? Sure I would. My Mom had one last week and her blood pressure was so high that they thought of canceling it until the doctor came in to see her. He's been a friend of mine for over 20 years and he put her fears to rest. He told her the worst part was the prep of drinking the laxatives the day before and the rest of the test was nothing. He put her into a twilight state and before she knew it, she was finished and all was well.

You'll do fine. You've already proven that you're a survivor. Anything that life throws your way makes you stronger and for all the worry before, it will hopefully be for naught.

Best of luck to you and prayers for your continued good health!

 

[debbi801]

I'm sorry. Hopefully it will be nothing. I had to have one 5 years ago (at 38) to rule out a specific type of cancer (after having a rare tumor removed from my abdomen). The prep is the worst part. Try to get the pills instead of the drink if possible. At least then you're only swallowing a lot of pills instead of the nasty liquid.

I was put to sleep at the hospital for the actual procedure. They did it first thing in the morning. I was awake in recovery and ready to leave around lunch time. I had no pain or after effects (other than gas ).

I'll keep you in my thoughts.

 

[N&B'smom]

Thanks. I appreciate it.

Here's my thing....I don't want anyone looking at my butt when it's CLOTHED let alone NOT clothed.

Shelby

 

[4greatboys]

I have had one. It wasn't bad at all. I don't remember a thing about the procedure except the dr telling me I wouldn't even remember talking to him.
My GI did ordered a 3 day prep. Only liquids, jello (no red) and broth. The night before I had to take a laxative.

I did not have to a drink that nasty go lightly stuff which was fine with me.

 

[Aisling]

Thanks. I appreciate it.

Here's my thing....I don't want anyone looking at my butt when it's CLOTHED let alone NOT clothed.

Shelby

I felt the same way before I had mine, embarrassed at the thought. But they gave me a valium while I was waiting my turn, and then I was put out cold whild still laying on my back in a "decent" position. I know they had to turn me on my side, raise my leg, etc, but I was too busy in that dreamy state to notice or care. When I came out of it, I was "decent" again. I kept telling myself that the see butts and more all day, every day, so it's nothing to them.

 

[LadyyRedd]

I had one done at 24/25 and I was terrified, but it was a breeze. They tell you no red liquids, but also stay away from orange and purple, because those can have red coloring in it. It's a small sacrifice to make sure no red is seen if it's not supposed to be.

Kimya

 

[N&B'smom]

All the fear is back. The fear that I worked so hard to push out of my mind 2 years ago after my hysterectomy. I'm sitting here just crying and totally scared. I'm scared of going through testing of any kind at this point. I'm scared of having to wait for results again. I'm in a panic.

I know the test is not bad, I just don't know how I'm going to deal with the waiting to get it over with.

Shelby

 

[Aimeedyan]

I have Crohns, thus lots of colonoscopies. The prep can suck but if you do liquid only for a couple days prior it won't suck as bad. The scope is a piece of cake and you get preliminary results fairly quickly, instead of having to wait weeks for them to come back. Just have to wait on biopsies, if they take any.

I never dealt with fear with my first one because I was just so anxious to have answers to why I was so sick. Not knowing was the worst part for me.

The VAST majority of people having scopes come out clean (no pun intended) and normal. Issues are a rarity.

 

[minniecarousel]

All the fear is back. The fear that I worked so hard to push out of my mind 2 years ago after my hysterectomy. I'm sitting here just crying and totally scared. I'm scared of going through testing of any kind at this point. I'm scared of having to wait for results again. I'm in a panic.

I know the test is not bad, I just don't know how I'm going to deal with the waiting to get it over with.

Shelby

I'm sure your fears are well-founded, but your logical side needs to kick in. Tell yourself that you can't change the results of the test - worry or not. It is what it is. The wait is nerve-wracking, but you have to do this. Can your doctor help you out with the panic thing? Something to take the edge off? I'm sorry you're going through this. Hang in there.

 

[ntsammy5]

I really loved the drugs.........

 

[bzelf]

I have Crohns, thus lots of colonoscopies. The prep can suck but if you do liquid only for a couple days prior it won't suck as bad. The scope is a piece of cake and you get preliminary results fairly quickly, instead of having to wait weeks for them to come back. Just have to wait on biopsies, if they take any.

I never dealt with fear with my first one because I was just so anxious to have answers to why I was so sick. Not knowing was the worst part for me.

The VAST majority of people having scopes come out clean (no pun intended) and normal. Issues are a rarity.

This thread is so timely. I have a colonoscopy scheduled next Wednesday - my 1st.

Aimeedyan, thanks for the tip about doing only liquids a couple days prior. I will be doing this!

 

[OhMari]

All the fear is back. The fear that I worked so hard to push out of my mind 2 years ago after my hysterectomy. I'm sitting here just crying and totally scared. I'm scared of going through testing of any kind at this point. I'm scared of having to wait for results again. I'm in a panic.

I know the test is not bad, I just don't know how I'm going to deal with the waiting to get it over with.

Shelby

Don't feel bad for crying, I think crying is good, it releases the tension. I cried my eyes out before the put me to sleep. The next thing I knew, they were calling my name to wake me up. My sister told me that I asked her about 10 times, "what time is it". Darn medicine makes you forget.

 

[Bonnie40]

Having had numerous scopes myself and for my kids, I agree that backing off on fatty foods and meat a day or two before, as well as doing liquids (if possible) certainly makes the prep easier. I would also suggest drinking the prep through a straw...you don't gulp air (which can make you feel worse) and you bypass much of your tastebuds which helps. Also, sucking on a popsicle to numb the tongue can help get it down. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids throughout and my dr suggests gatorade (just not red). Helps with the electrolytes. And this may be TMI, but having some vaseline handy can help the 'rawness' you will feel. I find that sometimes the most painful....

The procedure itself is quick and painless and life-saving! Any additional questions...feel free to ask away!

 

[aprilgail2]

I would also suggest drinking the prep through a straw...you don't gulp air (which can make you feel worse) and you bypass much of your tastebuds which helps. Also, sucking on a popsicle to numb the tongue can help get it down.

How much did you have to drink that you needed a straw? I had a tiny little bottle, about 3 ounces that I had to down at night and then another ounce and a half in the morning. One gulp and it was down.
Other than that they knock you out for all of 10 minutes and you are up and moving soon after that-you are fine to get up and walk out tothe car on your own but they made me have someone there to drive me home. I was so hungry we stopped at mcdonalds on the way home for lunch!

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Can't speak about a colonoscopy, but I did have a flexible sigmoidoscopy done in my mid-20s and I think that HAS to be worse. That one is only the first 6 feet but there's no anethesia involved and you're watching the screen along with the doctor who's behind you poking around! I concur that the worst part of this is the prep involved.

Good luck. I'll keep you in my prayers. I know it's easy to say, but my motto is: "It is what it is." No sense spending all this time freaking out, if it won't help or change the situation any.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Good luck to you OP - do you have a good book to read to keep your mind occupied? I kept reading through the IV and all the way up to when the doctor came in to start the sedation.

I just had my first yesterday (the past 50 obligatory )

Really, as everyone else has said, the actual procedure was nothing, since I was unaware of what was going on.

The poster who said they only had 3 oz. of laxative drink?

Maybe each doctor or center is different, but I had a fairly large container of Miralax to mix with 64 ounces of Gatorade. Took a while to down all that!

OP, if it helps, people are thinking of you, wishing good thoughts and prayers. Hope all goes well.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

DH had a colonoscopy 2 weeks ago. He has ulcerative colitis so they have to monitor his condition. He did have to drink 2 quarts of stuff the night before, so that was gross, but not as gross as the gallon of stuff he had to drink before the scope he had a few years ago!

They doped him up good. He told me the same thing 5 times while I was sitting in the recovery room with him! The nurse took the little sticky heart monitor things off, along with quite a few of his chest hairs. A minute later he was looking for the sticky pads - he didn't remember she pulled them off. It was great fun (for me).

He got a fabulous report, his doctor was very pleased, and all of his biopsies came back normal. He goes back in 3 years.

The thing is, if there is something abnormal in there you WANT them to find it. The sooner, the better.

Good luck!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Right there with you. I had a colonoscopy at 41 and they found 2 pre cancerous polyps. I am 43 now so I need to get another one soon. I should do it every 3 yrs.

The day I had my procedure was the morning that Dana Reeve had died. Kind of a surreal moment. I was watching the TV waiting for my turn when they were announcing it.

I was also afraid but somehow that made it something I needed to do. I am glad I did because at my age they poo-pooed me having one.
However I was lucky my insurance covered it as a routine screening. I had to have an ENG done so I thought do both.

I know it is scary. I hate it too. Good thoughts to you.