Colonoscopy anyone? UPDATED!!!!

[starwatcher]

I will have to have one when i turn 40 cause my dad has had polyps and my grandmother had colon cancer and had to have a colostomy bag. Not looking forward to it but needs to be done

 

[travelbug]

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 completely agree! The pills were way easier to get down than the slimy liquid stuff. The pills do cost more than the slime, but it was so worth it.

OP, I'm so sorry for the anxiety you're experiencing. Hang in there!

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

Wow, good timing for a thread.

I just scheduled my first. The only good thing is that it was suggest during my annual physical, and my doctor said because of all my test results that it should be done as routine.

So as I understand the posts, the prep can be pills or a liquid. plus a day or two of a light diet? (NO diet coke???) (Coffee????)

Arrrrrrrr!

hey OP, don't sweat it. It sounds like they give you a happy pill. Its better getting it done than not knowing!

 

[aprilgail2]

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!

:

64 ounces?? It would take me 2 days to drink that! It was a little green bottle and the stuff in it was nasty tasting but boy did it work! I just took my brother for one and his Dr just has him take a couple pills instead of drinking anything.

 

[N&B'smom]

Thanks everyone. I'm feeling a bit better today. It's obviously something I just need to do so I will be getting it done. This morning I need to call my regular GP because my insurance needs a 'letter of medical necessity'. Then I'll be calling the 'other' Dr to schedule the actual test.

I just wish I could do it asap and get it over with. I'll keep you posted!

The stuff you have to drink...is that like the Fleets Phos Soda or whatever?

Shelby

 

[Wonderlandmom]

64 ounces?? It would take me 2 days to drink that! It was a little green bottle and the stuff in it was nasty tasting but boy did it work! I just took my brother for one and his Dr just has him take a couple pills instead of drinking anything.

I did the little bottle of fleets phosphosoda last time, you HAVE to drink LOTS of water with it. I think I was instructed to mix the fleets into water or gingerale.

This time I got the pills. But it is more than "a couple". It is 32 to be exact, and they are HUGE. I go in next week.

OP, the prep is the worst part. They should be able to tell you right afterward if there is anything to be concerned about.

 

[N&B'smom]

Yep, I remember the Fleets stuff all too well. I had to do the prep for my hysterectomy on Labor Day. When everyone was having barbecues, I was drinking that mixed with ginger ale. It was NASTY!!

But, I guess I'll be doing it again.

Shelby

 

[Laz]

Worst part was for my students the day before. I taught classes that day, only eating jello & broth. I was not a happy camper and neither were they. Drank the laxative that evening and took a novel into the bathrrom. The procedure was a breeze with the drugs, and my wife had to stop at Arbys for 3 beef and cheddars on the way home.

 

[Dopey's twin Dippy]

i have had a few done also. i always end up with the large drink though. it was very hard on my stomache though. well a couple of months ago i was scheduled for my colon. and this time i had like 2 pills and then the medium size thing of water. oh what a time i had..........i have a very weak stomache and none of it stayed very well.then the morning of the procedure i called and they said to try the 2 small bottles , like 2 or 3 oz, with ginger ale. that did not sit wel either. Well after not eating for 1 1/2 days, and yes NO diet pepsi either, they had to cancel my test. i was so mad. i couldnt believe it cause like i said i have had 3 other done before. i have been putting off re. scheduling. i know i have to call, but i dont mind the test at all . its just the prep kills my stomache. i never thought of just liquid and soup for 2 days before though. when i call them i will ask about that. i have to have it done but just thinking aabout it makes my queasy........

 

[mommasita]

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 wish nothing but for it to be over and your results are fine. I am so sorry you are going through this Shelby. Keeping you in thoughts and prayers.

 

[N&B'smom]

Dopey's twin - That doesn't sound like fun at all. Definitely get that test rescheduled though, it's so important!

I have an appointment for a consult on Tuesday at 9:15am. Then they'll schedule the colonoscopy.

Shelby

 

[JESW]

I had one years ago when I was a teenager, which was bad enough, but get this, the procedure was observed by first year medical students - mostly guys who were not much older than me!!

And it was also done in a hospital in Boston so I had to worry the hour long train ride back home if I would have an accident...yuck.

Hope all goes well for you and we will be thinking good thoughts for you!!

Jill

 

[Laura]

Thanks everyone. I'm feeling a bit better today. It's obviously something I just need to do so I will be getting it done. This morning I need to call my regular GP because my insurance needs a 'letter of medical necessity'. Then I'll be calling the 'other' Dr to schedule the actual test.

I just wish I could do it asap and get it over with. I'll keep you posted!

The stuff you have to drink...is that like the Fleets Phos Soda or whatever?

Shelby

The Fleets stuff is exactly what I had for my colonoscopy early last year. I got extra "happy" drugs because I was also having an EGD. I have acid reflux and irritable bowel.

The waiting sucks, doesn't it? I was really nervous that they would find something really wrong. Although colon cancer doesn't run in my family, naturally getting a colonoscopy, it was my biggest worry. My mother died of cervical cancer, so every new symptom I ever have--I worry if it's cancer. I'm such a nut.

 

[Parkhopper]

I have had several colonoscopies because I have ulcerative colitis and a history of colon polyps. The prep really is the worst part. I agree with those who have said to eat very small meals ..or broth for a few days before. It makes the prep much easier. My prep is a bunch of pills, a ton of water and a can of gingerale. I could never choke down the other stuff.

As far as the procedure, I have had two where I was in a twilight state. I was wide awake and watching on the monitor, but I just didn't care. The others I was put all the way out for. Personally, I prefer the twilight as I seemed to be able to shake it off better. Good luck to you!

Suzi

 

[N&B'smom]

Thanks everyone!!

Laura - sorry to hear about your Mom. I understand your worry. I had cervical cancer two years ago and my grandfather died of colon cancer. Every thing that happens I associate with cancer and immediately fear the worst.

I'm just going to put it out of my mind for now. I can't speed things up and I don't want to waste a beautiful weekend. I'm actually walking in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk this Sunday. I'm keeping my chin up!

Shelby

 

[Alex2kMommy]

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

Shelby, me too!

I was told at my routine GYN visit two years ago that "next time" I should get a colonoscopy (due to family history.) I also had had a hysterectomy the year before and suffer a bit of IBS, so the prep for that was horrendous! I just started crying at the idea of going through that again.

So I just haven't got around to scheduling my next GYN visit. DUMB, I know. I had a calendar reminder, and kept moving it back, and back, and back again...

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

I'm not crazy about that part, either! Or the exam itself.

But mostly the prep is what scares me. The prep for the hysterectomy was, if I'm remembering right, a week long? First cutting out red meat and other items, then cutting out any meat (and other items) altogether, then the coup de grace was the Fleet. I tried it in ginger ale, and that was a huge mistake, it made me very nauseous... on top of the other symptoms, of course.

So did you schedule it? I told myself that I would do it if you do it. I've GOT to do it, I know. UGH. OK, I'm calling now...

 

[Gagirl69]

The doctors I work for do colonoscopy's and EGD's. I was having some problems and my dr there said, we can do a colonoscopy. I said, umm, no we can not. I was telling my co-workers I would go to another gastro dr before I would let a dr I work for do a colonoscopy on me.(and it would be free)Well, they were telling me that's crazy. If you've seen one butt, you've seen them all. Honestly, the prep is the worst part. Getting the actual colonoscopy is a piece of cake. When you wake up, it'll be over.

 

[Laura]

Thanks everyone!!

Laura - sorry to hear about your Mom. I understand your worry. I had cervical cancer two years ago and my grandfather died of colon cancer. Every thing that happens I associate with cancer and immediately fear the worst.

I'm just going to put it out of my mind for now. I can't speed things up and I don't want to waste a beautiful weekend. I'm actually walking in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk this Sunday. I'm keeping my chin up!

Shelby

Most cervical cancer patients wind up survivors--good for you! My mother, unfortunately, didn't get her yearly pap smears and once she was diagnosed, it was much too late for her. (Get your paps, ladies! Don't be my mother!) And colon cancer treatment also has good success rate. But I hope you get a clean bill of health!

I know I felt like a million bucks after I woke up the next morning after my scopes, knowing there was nothing seriously wrong with me. The peace of mind alone is worth it.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Just had it done in the hospital and yes, I freaked out too once they told me they were doing that and the endoscopy at the same time. You can see my thread. I didnt talk about these tests though. It really wasnt bad at all. They gave me a sedative, I think that was the night before to calm me down and then they totally knocked me out. I insisted on that. Only liquids for dinner the night before. I had chicken broth which I really didnt eat and green jello and lemon italian ice and tea. The prep was not bad. I dont know what the nurse put in it but she said it was mixed in 64 ounces of orange gatorade. She divided it in 3 cups and my 3 ds were actually sitting on the hospital bed cheering me on, go figure. I agree with using the straw and I know this might sound weird. My dr. said I had to finish it in 3 hours, I guess they know how long the process takes and when my test was scheduled early the next morning. It really helped that the room was sweating hot, it helped me actually feel hot and thirsty. So maybe jack up the heat. I had to take 3 pills too. Imagine doing this with havingv to share the bathroom with a hospital room mate . Blessings to you and have a nice lunch when its all over. They were looking for internal bleeding with me and couldnt find anything and celiac disease too.

 

[DVC Kathy]

(NO diet coke???) (Coffee????)

Arrrrrrrr!QUOTE]

Diet Coke shouldn't be a problem, and you should be able to have coffee, just no milk or creamer.

I've had four or five colonoscopies (I've lost track.) The prep is definitely the worst part.

Hang in there OP!

Kathy