Colonoscopy

[elgerber]

Not at my facility.

It was not at mine either. But that was a year ago

 

[maxaroni]

Had my colonoscopy in June and needed to have a covid test the day prior to my procedure. I had to go to a specific place and it was transmitted that this was for a medical procedure. Results were sent directly to the doctors office within a couple of hours.

 

[KayMichigan]

When I had my colonoscopy in 2020, my sister was my driver and they let her leave the site. She went back to my apartment which is about twenty minutes away and they called her when it was time to come and get me after it was over.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

Is a COVID test required before the colonoscopy?

At ours, yes it is.

 

[lifesavacation]

Is a COVID test required before the colonoscopy?

I was required to get one.

 

[cmlnkb]

I will be getting my first colonoscopy this year. I can't even drink water without feeling sick. I have gastroparesis so it will sit undigested for hours. I dont think I am going to be able to drink all that liquid. My doc told me I can stretch the prep out another day. I can easily skip meals for 2 days so I am hoping that method works better for me. Wish they came up with an enema for this procedure instead. Dreading drinking so much fluids. MY body is in constant state of dehydration because i just can't drink much of anything on the daily. Anyone have same issue?

 

[AMW86]

I will be getting my first colonoscopy this year. I can't even drink water without feeling sick. I have gastroparesis so it will sit undigested for hours. I dont think I am going to be able to drink all that liquid. My doc told me I can stretch the prep out another day. I can easily skip meals for 2 days so I am hoping that method works better for me. Wish they came up with an enema for this procedure instead. Dreading drinking so much fluids. MY body is in constant state of dehydration because i just can't drink much of anything on the daily. Anyone have same issue?

I have gastroparesis as well and I have a hard time with the prep. For years, I have tried to the prep unsuccessfully. I had one in the fall, and my doctor told me to do a week of clear liquids for a week before hand and three days of the prep. It was miserable but it worked. I also have a hard time with keeping down so much fluid and I pre-dosed the prep this year with Reglan, and was able to keep more down. Maybe ask your doctor for that?

 

[monkeydawn]

It was not at mine either. But that was a year ago

Ive been doing one about every 6 months for the past three years and no Covid tests at my facility. I did need emergency surgery in February (I was attacked by two Rottweilers). The hospital did a Covid test before taking me to surgery. Probably very facility dependent but if ne is needed for the OP I would bet that will be well conveyed with the prep info.

I will be getting my first colonoscopy this year. I can't even drink water without feeling sick. I have gastroparesis so it will sit undigested for hours. I dont think I am going to be able to drink all that liquid. My doc told me I can stretch the prep out another day. I can easily skip meals for 2 days so I am hoping that method works better for me. Wish they came up with an enema for this procedure instead. Dreading drinking so much fluids. MY body is in constant state of dehydration because i just can't drink much of anything on the daily. Anyone have same issue?

My very first I was quite sick, I hadnt really been able to keep anything down for more than 20 minutes or so for a few months prior to the colonoscopy. The prep was not going well and they did prescribe an enema suppository regimen as a kind of last resort. I hadnt really eaten for a couple of days because it was just so exhausting to throw it up a few minutes later that it was just easier not to eat. So it is possible.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

I have to schedule my first colonoscopy soon but I'm not sure where to go. Should i go to the bigger nicer hospital 45-60 minutes away (UPMC) or our local hospital in a small town? I'm worried about the longer car ride. Will I feel like throwing up or going to the bathroom on the way up?

 

[lucas]

That is one of my fears - having to go to the bathroom on the ride to the facility. And, our place is about 20 minutes away. Sixty minutes sounds like a long time!

 

[lifesavacation]

Small confession. I was worried about the car ride to the hospital as well. I fixated on it and bought myself diapers. Lol. When I left, though, there was nothing left in me at all. You don’t eat or drink leading up to the procedure so I worried for nothing.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

I had a horrible time with the prep I was vomiting everything up. I ended up with a different method of drinking two bottles of magnesium citrate along with I think ducolax and miralax? It’s was much more tolerable than the suprep and the tons of fluid I was trying to get down. I was dehydrated the next morning though and I already have bad veins so they had a hard time getting an IV in me. Next time I’m going to see if they’ll get the iv access in first then I go home and start the torture. I have anxiety and have to go again in 2 years and I’m already dreading the prep.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

I have to schedule my first colonoscopy soon but I'm not sure where to go. Should i go to the bigger nicer hospital 45-60 minutes away (UPMC) or our local hospital in a small town? I'm worried about the longer car ride. Will I feel like throwing up or going to the bathroom on the way up?

You should not have any urge to go at all the next morning. They time it so you are really good and clean before they even bring you in. They don’t want you to still be going to the bathroom just before the procedure. I worried about this as well though. I think it’s a normal concern for many.

 

[goofyernmost]

Small confession. I was worried about the car ride to the hospital as well. I fixated on it and bought myself diapers. Lol. When I left, though, there was nothing left in me at all. You don’t eat or drink leading up to the procedure so I worried for nothing.

Absolutely, a very unnecessary worry. I've had three or four (it's so much fun I have lost count) but I have always scheduled it for early morning (10ish) and have completed the regiment before I even went to bed. By then there is very little of anything left in your system so having to go really hasn't been a problem. You just don't realize the force and speed with which this prep works. Anyway timing is everything you can't eat the day before so everything is cleaned out, there is nothing left to show up in route. Just ask your Doctor about the timing. We all fear that need to go, but for me.. it never happened.

 

[elgerber]

Small confession. I was worried about the car ride to the hospital as well. I fixated on it and bought myself diapers. Lol. When I left, though, there was nothing left in me at all. You don’t eat or drink leading up to the procedure so I worried for nothing.

this, there will be nothing left on the way to the appt

 

[lucas]

I've never had to "go" on the way to the facility (even though it is a great concern of mine and I had adult diapers, just in case). But, I did have to go as soon as I entered the building. And, then again when the nurse was getting me set up, I had to tell her I had to use the restroom.

It has been 3 years since my last colonoscopy. I've had 3 previous ones and my next one is scheduled later this month and I am dreading it. I guess the worst part of the whole thing is waiting to see if they find any more polyps.

(Something different this time, is that I have to get a COVID test prior, so that adds another layer to the whole ordeal.)

 

[Micca]

FWIW--I think you'll do fine on the way to the facility an hour away. But I wouldn't rule out what is convenient to you. If they have the equipment and the people qualified for the procedure you're good to go (see what I did there?)

 

[sam_gordon]

I have to schedule my first colonoscopy soon but I'm not sure where to go. Should i go to the bigger nicer hospital 45-60 minutes away (UPMC) or our local hospital in a small town? I'm worried about the longer car ride. Will I feel like throwing up or going to the bathroom on the way up?

Is there some concern about the local hospital?

 

[monkeydawn]

I echo those that say you wont likely have anything left in you. Its all I can do to even produce urine for the pregnancy test once I'm on site. If there is a concern, maybe one of those diaper material sheets under you in te car (or a towel) would provide you with extra confidence.

I had a horrible time with the prep I was vomiting everything up. I ended up with a different method of drinking two bottles of magnesium citrate along with I think ducolax and miralax? It’s was much more tolerable than the suprep and the tons of fluid I was trying to get down. I was dehydrated the next morning though and I already have bad veins so they had a hard time getting an IV in me. Next time I’m going to see if they’ll get the iv access in first then I go home and start the torture. I have anxiety and have to go again in 2 years and I’m already dreading the prep.

Ask about taking Zofran before you start your prep if they insist on the same prep regimen. That should help with the nausea. It is a pricey RX but worth it if you cant keep the prep down.

 

[theSurlyMermaid]

I just had one. No covid test required.