colonoscopy?

[karebear1]

we both had one many years ago we were not put out .. now we hear they put you out any one ever had this done with out being put out ? were wondering if we had some other kinda test?

I had a colonoscopy in December and they wanted to give me mild sedation- and I told them to do it without it. They did. They were so impressed and surprised that I could do this without anything! I personally don't get why they sedate people. The worst of the pain was a bad cramp that lasted about 30 seconds. But the absolute worse part of the entire procedure was what you had to drink to clean out the colon! YUCK!!!

I was told my colonoscopy was good for 10 years- I wonder why the difference between 5 years and 10 years? Age maybe???

 

[4greatboys]

Guess some drs have different prep methods. Mine was 3 days. Nothing but broth, liquids and jello (no red jello). The night before and the morning of the procedure there were preps to do.

 

[jonestavern]

I was sedated, but awake and aware for my colonoscopy. I had no pain, but watched along on the monitor for the entire procedure.

Suzi

same experience here--& I am a pain weenie!
Personally, I would go for a colonoscopy over the sigmoidoscopy--more info in the former. We have colon cancer in the family, though--
Hey, it's not a day at the parks , but it'll set yr mind at ease
Now smile for the camera!

Jean

 

[airplane]

I was out. The day before sucked, get soft toilet paper and those wet wipe things.

 

[LadyyRedd]

I had a colonoscopy in December and they wanted to give me mild sedation- and I told them to do it without it. They did. They were so impressed and surprised that I could do this without anything! I personally don't get why they sedate people. The worst of the pain was a bad cramp that lasted about 30 seconds. But the absolute worse part of the entire procedure was what you had to drink to clean out the colon! YUCK!!!

I was told my colonoscopy was good for 10 years- I wonder why the difference between 5 years and 10 years? Age maybe???

Because it's not painless for everyone. People have colonoscopies for various reasons. One of my best friends who has ulcerative colitis so bad that he's had his colon removed (the only way to cure it) - his colon was so far gone that when they did his colonoscopy, he was in so much pain even with sedation. My ulcerative colitis is mild, I didn't have pain. But then again, I was sedated, so it might have had I not been.

That also goes for the 5 vs. 10 years. It depends on why you've had one and if there's a history of problems in your family. I'm on maintenance meds for ulcerative colitis, so after having been on them for 5 years, my doctor wants me in every few years for preventive colonoscopies.

Kimya

 

[floridafam]

I have to have them every 3 years because my brother died of colon cancer at a young age.

The prep is the worst!

DH loves the post procedure area where they encourage everyone to fart.

 

[Aimeedyan]

For most people, they can get them every 10 years once they turn 50 and be okay. For others, family history suggests they do it more often - depending upon what that is. Others that have Irritable Bowel Disease have it more often! I have Crohns, and we do them when having problems to take a look and when I havent' had one in awhile.

Colonoscopies are NOT painless for many people. I woke in the middle of my last one and it was painful - very painful. I had 3 fistulas, thickening of the wall, numerous scar tissue to push through, etc etc. They also took many biospys - yeah, that was pleasant.

Others may be painfree or just uncomfortable because they have a normal colon. The sedation is mostly for comfort and just in case they run into something abnormal that would be painful. But like I said earlier, my last insurance company saw it as elective and many people go without. Esp if they know things are a-okay down there and they can handle it.

Every doc has different prep techniques - liquid or pill, or combo. Enema or not. Liquid diet for 3 days or just 24 hours. I've found the prep to be less, um, unpleasant if I do liquids for a few days even though my doc doesn't require it. For obvious reasons, of course =)

 

[karebear1]

Because it's not painless for everyone. People have colonoscopies for various reasons. One of my best friends who has ulcerative colitis so bad that he's had his colon removed (the only way to cure it) - his colon was so far gone that when they did his colonoscopy, he was in so much pain even with sedation. My ulcerative colitis is mild, I didn't have pain. But then again, I was sedated, so it might have had I not been.

That also goes for the 5 vs. 10 years. It depends on why you've had one and if there's a history of problems in your family. I'm on maintenance meds for ulcerative colitis, so after having been on them for 5 years, my doctor wants me in every few years for preventive colonoscopies.

Kimya

Makes sense! Thank You for the insight!!

 

[YourMajesty]

I have to have them every 3 years because my brother died of colon cancer at a young age.

The prep is the worst!

DH loves the post procedure area where they encourage everyone to fart.

My heart is staying healthy (isn't laughter good for the heart)?

Has anyone done the upper without sedation? I recently had both done and even with sedation I started gagging and choking with the tube in my throat. I thought the upper was worse. I can remember some of the colon but no discomfort. I also chimed in a time or two with and opinion because I could hear the conversation; however, my eyes felt closed the whole time. They were probably glad I couldn't talk duirng the upper.