DF is having a colonoscopy on Wed.-Updated on last page

[honeywolf7]

What do I need to know to take care of him beforehand and afterwards? I know it's not the most pleasant question in the world but I have no idea what to expect.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

I don't have a clue as to the colonscopy procedures in Colorado -- but this is what I did in '92 to prep for mine here in Ontario.

--nothing but clear fluids from about 6pm the night previous. Had to take an absolutely vile high saline formula to clear out the innards. The only way to keep it down (it tastes awful) was to deaden my taste buds with ice and lemon juice.

--friend brought me home and put me straight to bed in the early afternoon. The drugs take about 24 hours to wear off -- until that point (in the middle of a grad school lecture), I felt absolutely nothing. That's what mainlining Valium and Demerol does to a big guy.

--show suitable pity. Knowing someone snaked a garden hose up through "there" and took pictures can be a bit of an ego deflater to any guy.

 

[Robinrs]

The prep is ten times worse than the actual procedure! I agree with RC, show PITY! This is a very important test but it can wear you out!

My darling Daddy got me through my first prep on the phone. He just supplied the requisite "you can do it" when I couldn't STAND another sip! The stuff you drink nauseates me, but it does clean you out!

Afterwards just be there to drive him home, I know they wouldn't let me drive home. He'll be a lot lighter and a lot better!

 

[Rajah]

Originally posted by Robinrs
The prep is ten times worse than the actual procedure!

 

[liznboys]

Actually, IMO it's really not a big deal. The preparation for it is the worst part, he'll be spending lots of time in the bathroom... But the procedure itself is a piece of cake.

For mine, they gave me a drug (through an IV) that put me into sort of a twilight sleep. I was awake, but I was soooo relaxed and kinda went in and out of "sleep". (I've heard some people are put completely out-I don't know why that's necessary?!?) I watched it all on a monitor. There's nothing like seeing the inside of your colon on TV! LOL!!!! The only time I felt a little discomfort was when my Dr. was turning the "corners" of my colon. It felt sort of pinchy. But that drug made me forget what I had felt instantly-pretty cool.

Afterwards, they had me lay in a recovery area for awhile to let that drug wear off. Also to make sure the air they had pumped in came out ok...that was FUN. Then my dh took me home! I felt almost normal besides being super hungry!!

 

[adamak]

I did one last year. I was considered young for the procedure, but I came from high risk family background. It's a good thing for me.

Yes, the prep is worse. The liquid is just very disgusting to drink. Didn't hurt me, but drinking it all is pretty tough. Then I had a hard time recovering from the anethesia. Was throwing up and fainting every so often. Barely can hop into a cab to get home (DH was with me). Took me about 2 days to recover.

 

[Parkhopper]

Bring a television or laptop computer and LOTs of reading material into the bathroom for the "prep". You cannot take two steps out of the bathroom for fear of not making it back "in time".

The prep is a LOT worse than the procedure. Afterwards I was tired (mostly from being up all night with the prep)

Suzi

PS my prep involved taking 4 horse pills every 15 minutes for 2 hours with 8 oz of water. It was not fun, but everyone I know says it is so much better than the liquid.

 

[Dodie]

Edit! OOPS!!! SORRY!!! F = Fiance! That's a new abbreviation for me! Sorry!

Your fiance will get very explicit directions about what to do and not do the night before.

I am in total agreement that the prep is FAR WORSE than the procedure. Your fiance won't want you around and you won't be able to do anything to help. DF will simply need a lot of reading material and patience for the time spent in the bathroom. (Sorry if that's too much info.)

Afterward, DF will probably be so drowsy that he will sleep all afternoon. Nothing to do there either. DF will probably not be able to stay awake.

 

[Parkhopper]

edited - double post

 

[honeywolf7]

Dodie, that's fiance

 

[Bobbles]

I've had two in the passed 4 years and the prep is the toughest part because of the icky fluid you must drink.
Be sure not to eat much the day before or you may not be "clean" even after drinking the gallon of "cleansing fluid".
And you know what those nurses do when you aren't clean? YIKES!
But the colonoscopy is relatively quick and painless. Recovery is a breeze. I went to work a couple hours later with no real problems.
The best part was that there were no polyps after the second!
I am a clean man! Yippee!
I have to thank my DW for helping me get through it.
"Thanks dear!"

 

[Jimbo]

I had the procedure done last month. My prep sounds like it was a little different. I bought a little bottle of something called Fleet Phosphor (sp?) at a drugstore. You had to mix a tablespoon of the stuff with a glass of ginger ale, and it really didn't taste terrible at all. I had to drink a glass at 5:30 PM, another at 5:40 and a third at 5:50. Then I had to repeat that starting at 5:30 AM the next morning.

It had the same effect, in that I might as well have never left the bathroom. But it really wasn't that bad, all in all.

I was asleep for the procedure itself, and that afternoon I took a three hour nap. No pain, no after effects. And no polyps either.

 

[shortbun]

Just did it. He's gonna lose most of three days over this so
get a couple of good books or rent some movies. I stocked
up on sour hard candies, limes and lemons, broth, white grape
juice, fresca. He can't have anything but clear fluids after very
early the morning he drinks the huge container of vile liquid.
I got a bit of good advice from a friend and went on a near
liquid diet the day before because that helps the liquid to work
faster and I didn't have to finish it. I did bite two complete
limes sliced. the lemon didn't cut the taste enough as I was drinking. I also sucked about half a tin of sour lemon altoids
and used mouthwash between glasses. Someone gave me some
advice I wish I'd taken: don't flavor the stuff as trying to disguise
disgusting flavor with another disgusting flavor just makes it worse. If I ever do it again-I'm going without flavoring and just
using the limes,lemons,candies and mouthwash. Also, his instuctions will tell him this but no red food dye prior to the test
as it colors the intestines and confuses the doctor. I was awake
during the procedure, i THINK. Verised and demerol are a pretty
effective memory wipe combination. The procedure itself was
not notable. I slept almost the rest of that day, waking intermittently to eat a mild diet. DH made me a big bowl of
mashed potatoes and they were heaven after not much for
two days. I had to take 4 Ducolax tablets about 6 hours prior
to beginning the liquid. They started working in about 2 hours.
Don't plan on leaving home except for the procedure, for two
days. I felt fine but very drugged after. Tell him good luck and
that he will come out on the other side just fine. Patience and
loads of good DVD's are a good thing-as long as the TV is close
to the potty.

 

[honeywolf7]

Thanks...I figured if I keep busy taking care of him, maybe I won't worry as much....the last person I knew who had the test was my uncle and he was gone 3 months later (they found cancer.)

 

[meandtheguys2]

I was really cold after the prep and throughout the procedure. Wanted a nice warm bowl of soup after, but then was fine and dandy!

Sorry about your uncle, my mom is a four year colon cancer survivor. It is scary stuff. Glad you Fiance is taking care of himself!

 

[ScarlettO]

Originally posted by Parkhopper

PS my prep involved taking 4 horse pills every 15 minutes for 2 hours with 8 oz of water. It was not fun, but everyone I know says it is so much better than the liquid.

I've had many of these "fun" procedures.......The "vile liquid"is passee',...........swallowing the Horse Pills is the way to go!!! Afterwards he will have to rest for several hours and not drive. Depending on the drugs he is given during the procedure, he may be nauseous on the drive home-be prepared.

 

[Bildmouse]

If he has to take the liquid, chill it thoroughly and put it over ice. It can be mixed with a clear liquid or taken straight but the trick I've been given from the experts is the chlling part.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Have had two over the past 5 years. Attempt to drink up to a gallon, (usually was able to drink about 2/3's of it) the night before, the usual restroom visits, not all that terrible. Would rather do something else, but sure not the worst thing in life. And the procedure itself is not bad at all. My best to him. As said above, I think, he will get (or has already) a full sheet of directions on what to do.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Please, please tell him not to worry. Like everybody says, the prep is the worst part, but I've had to do this 3 times now, and while not fun, it wasn't so bad that I'm dreading having to do it again in a few years. I have a family history of colon cancer, and they found polyps each time, which were easily removed. Considering the fact that I'd probably have colon cancer now if I hadn't gotten the colonoscopies, one day of prep, and a second day to have the procedure and recover seems like getting off easy!

I drank the gallon of stuff the first time, and that would never be my first choice. The phospho-soda was no big deal by comparison. (I think I put it in a little gingerale) I haven't had the pills, but they seem like an even better idea.

One thing that worked for me the last time around was to completely avoid sugar the "fasting" day before the procedure. (Except for the above mentioned gingerale.) Whenever I got hungry I just drank a lot of water or had broth. The first two times I felt shaky and tired and hungry all day when I fasted. I think now it was because I was drinking sugary drinks and eating jello. The last time around was much easier.

Good luck and let us know how he does! (Not in too much embarrassing detail of course!)

 

[John VN]

As for the liquid prep, that is what I had, I chilled it and closed off my nasel cavity so I tasted nothing. You can do the same thing by holding your nose while you drink. Do a quick mouth rinse after and no problem.

As for procedure, I had IV and was totally out so I missed the whole show, BUMmer. Was really hoping to see the ride. As far as discomfort, there was none. A prostate exam or a sigmoidoscopy is worse.

Only problem after my procedure was FIL's drive home, and the spots I saw.

PIECE OF CAKE. Dont sweat it.

John