Colonoscopy scheduled..hints?? suggestions???

[bunny213]

Okay..I've finally bit the bullet and have it scheduled for next week. Has anyone had this done recently and can you offer me any good advice or suggestions? The doctor did let me chose to use the Osmo tablets...I think I can handle those better than the liquid. Needless to say..I'm very very apprensive about the whole thing...and it wouldn't take much for me to call and cancel it. But - I'm turning 64...and need to get it done - Why is it I can be and act so brave for my DH and kids...but inside I'm a mental wreck??
Thanks for any help or advice you can offer.....I'm right now because I'm not even sure I'm posting in this in the right place...afterall, at the top of the forum - it says "just for fun" and I'm asking for advice for a colonoscopy!!!
Well...at least I still have my sense of humor!!!!

 

[Hercules10]

Wife had it done recently. She said the procedure itself is nothing. But the "clensing" period the night before is the worst. Don't be more then a couple feet from the john.

 

[anniemae]

I had one a year ago and I am thirty (ish!)

It was not bad at all. Like you, I was terrified and wanted to cancel many times. I even started crying when I was on the phone making the appointment because I was so scared. Thankfully the woman at the office was very kind and made me feel better about it. The absolute worst part is the prep the night before (and even that isn't too bad). I had to drink about a half gallon of disgusting liquid and I started throwing up after about glass number 6, but I still was able to clense okay. Since you are doing the tablets, it won't be bad at all. I dont know why they all don't use the tablets??????

ANyway, I slept through the whole procedure and it was nothing. I even felt a little silly for being so scared. You will feel so much better when it is done, and it really is not bad at all and it is such an important test to have. Good luck and don't you dare cancel!!

 

[piglet too]

I have had it done, and for me drinking the prep was the worst. Since you are taking the pill form, that will be much better. AS for the actual test, you won't feel a thing.

 

[BunsenH]

Just had my 1st a few weeks ago. I had to drink the 'Colonoscopy Kool-Aid'. Not a pleasant experience, but not as bad as anticipated. At least all output was from the correct end of my digestive system.

The procedure itself is quick & painless. I was out cold as soon as the sedative hit my bloodstream and didn't remember any of it. The doc will give you a preliminary report immediately, so you won't fret over the results.

I must say though, that the 'cleaning out' affected me for a few days until my body returned to its desired equilibrium point.

 

[4greatboys]

I didnt have to drink the go-lightly stuff but my dr had me fast for 3 days before the procedure. Just broth or jello (no red) and then fast totally from midnight the night before. I also had to take a couple of laxatives the night before.

the prcedure itself isnt bad. I was out the whole time

 

[LadyyRedd]

I had one done in my mid-20s and the prep is the worst part. I didn't know that though! I only got about 2 hours sleep the night before, I had myself so worked up. When they gave me the sedation, it knocked me completely out, I was so tired. I woke up once during it and went back to sleep. The procedure was done before I knew it.

Kimya

 

[Poohbear123]

I am 50 and HAVE TO HAVE this done due to Problems with the lower Intestine. Plus, I might have Gall Bladder Problems! So, I have the referral, and will be calling after my next Dr.s Appointment to see how the blood work was. Thanks for info about the Pill, I will be asking for that! Where do I get them?

 

[meandtheguys2]

The happy medicine makes it all easy. My doc looks like JFK Jr., and I had NO concerns about seeing himm in the procedure room dressed in nothing but a sheet!

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

DH has had this done several times. My mom just turned 60 and had her first one yesterday.

My best piece of advice is to have someone there with you who can understand what the Dr. says after the procedure is finished. DH always looks coherent, but then we get home and he can't even remember talking to the Dr.! Lucky for him I am there to get the report and drive him home!

 

[lillielil]

I had one done when I was 23. Needless to say, it was kind of weird to be the only "kid" in the waiting room... What fun!

I drank the kool-aid. Yuck. I also ate a lot of lemon Italian ice (you aren't supposed to have anything solid or colored, so that pretty much limits you to water and clear drinks). During the prep I just took my laptop into the bathroom with me and hung out on the toilet for a few hours. It sucked, but it was just one evening.

The procedure itself was nothing, but I was knocked out because I got an endoscopy at the same time. I think most people stay awake for it.

Oh... and afterwards you'll fart like mad.

 

[Disneyaunt4]

Just had my first one two weeks ago today. Only part I found hard to handle was the drinking of the solution the night before, I wish I knew there were pills. The procedure itself was nothing. Good luck

 

[Robinrs]

The happy medicine makes it all easy. My doc looks like JFK Jr., and I had NO concerns about seeing himm in the procedure room dressed in nothing but a sheet!

oM....

I wouldn't mind that either!!

 

[meandtheguys2]

oM....

I wouldn't mind that either!!

LOL, He was my mom's surgeon, and he is a sweetie on top of all else. I've managed to set my husband up with him for the colonoscopies, too. Means I can just go look at him...I mean help my husband!

 

[kydisneyfans]

My doctor requires an adult to drive me home after the procedure. As others have said, the night before is the worst. The procedure itself is not much. I usually have a sore behind for a few days afterward.

 

[Poohbear123]

LOL, He was my mom's surgeon, and he is a sweetie on top of all else. I've managed to set my husband up with him for the colonoscopies, too. Means I can just go look at him...I mean help my husband!

My DH had this done when he was 63, and HIS Dr. Looked like Alan Rickman of Robin Hood and the Harry Potter movies.

 

[bunny213]

you all AMAZING!!
I'm not going to say I'm still not a basketcase over it...but now I know I have "friends in high places"!! You're all making me feel that I CAN do this.
Tell me.....I like broth....is the beef broth okay? I read somewhere not to use the bullion cubes - is that true?? And read somewhere else that the Wolfgang Pucks beef broth is very good.
I HAD considered a couple of teguila shots (they're clear right?) - but then read no alcohol....mmmmmmmm that's a bummer!!! I could have made it through fine with that - LOL!!!!!! !!!!!!
Anniemae....loved when you told me "not to dare cancel"!!!!
I can use ALL the encouragement I can get.....you'd be proud of me, the way I'm acting here at home.....I'm pretending it's no big deal - while inside my head I'm counting seconds, minutes, and hours til the deed.
Barb

 

[jonestavern]

Oh, yeah I got myself all worked up before my first one
I had one last year sailed through it. Heck, the hospital is near the seaside, it was a balmy spring day & my DSis & I had ressies at our fave restaurant for afterwards
I also had an endoscopy done at the same time.
I did 'wake' up during the procedure (colonoscopy) but there was no pain & I was happily watching my best feature on TV when the Doc caught me & had me put under again

...I must say though, that the 'cleaning out' affected me for a few days until my body returned to its desired equilibrium point.

Yes, I was still running to the john for about 3 days after the procedure.
Not half a mile from the hospital DSis had to quickly pull over so we could 'get coffee'.
BTW, we never did go out to eat, I scoffed a coffee & one donut.
Stomach felt a little woozy, but not too bad. I never tossed my donut!

...My best piece of advice is to have someone there with you who can understand what the Dr. says after the procedure is finished. DH always looks coherent, but then we get home and he can't even remember talking to the Dr.! Lucky for him I am there to get the report and drive him home!

I thought I was okay mentally, then it slooowly dawned on me that all was not functioning in Jean-land
I was basically fine, about the worst havoc I could've wreaked is mounting a musum label incorrectly
But let's just hope that airlines do not let their pilots or air traffic controllers go right back on the job after one of these babies!

And yes, prepare yourself for a lot of rump jokes!

Jean

 

[disdanny]

LOL, He was my mom's surgeon, and he is a sweetie on top of all else. I've managed to set my husband up with him for the colonoscopies, too. Means I can just go look at him...I mean help my husband!

Don't you sometimes wonder what makes a doctor decide that this is the view of his patients that he wants to make a caREER of?

 

[themarquis]

I had one done a couple of months ago. I was the youngest one in the waiting room -- had mine done for anemia. Actually, I had a colonoscopy/endoscopy done together (the docs called it "a double" ). Everyone is right -- the prep is the worst, the procedure itself is nothing, and you probably will not remember it at all.

I actually had the misfortune of remembering it a little bit. I guess I didn't respond that well to the sedation and they had to give me a lot of extra sedation, but I was still a bit awake. I vaguely remember having the tube shoved in my throat and struggling against it for the endoscopy. Fortunately, I do not remember "the other end" lol!

A word of advice ... take it easy for the rest of the day, and probably the next day. Also ... be careful afterword and make sure to eat lots of fiber and healthy foods and maybe add some Benefiber or something to your diet to um ... make sure things get moving. I actually had terrible things happen "down there" in the week after the procedure which culminated with a trip to the ER for a suspected bowel impaction. It turns out that not only do things sometimes not want to get going after the cleansing, but also the sedation they give you can slow things down in there. Ouch!! So keep an eye on what's going on down there after your procedure !!!

You will be fine ... don't stress it!