Erg...fasting for colonoscopy

[minkydog]

I'm about to starve to death. Well, not really. I can have all the clear liquids I can hold. And hard candy. As long as nothing is red or purple. The real fun starts at 6pm when i drink a liter of that vile-smelling laxative--i swear, it smells just like lemon Pledge. Then in the a.m., I get to drink some more! lucky me! And THEN I get the Grand Prize--a colonoscopy!

I guess I really am thankful we have these tests. My grandmother had colon cancer twice, back in the days when they didn't do those tests unless you had symptoms, by which time colon cancer was usually more advanced. Back then the main treatment was surgery--in her case resulting in TWO colostomy bags. I sure don't want to go there. So I guess I'll submit to a somewhat uncomfortable prep & procedure if it might ensure that i don't have to go what my grandmother went through.

Sometimes being a grown-up isn't too much fun. The bright spot in the whole thing is that we met our family out-of-pocket deductible back in October, so at least I'm not paying extra for this.

 

[andymattmom]

You are doing the best thing doing this. I lost my bff two years ago. I will never forget her words to get a colonoscopy....but seeing her pass in 40's makes me know its worth it. Good luck.....

 

[jen0610]

I feel for you and I'm not the one who had to do it. I had to support DH. And you are correct, that laxitive drink is the most vile thing I have ever had to watch someone drink. I hated the smell just mixing it up, let alone sticking it under my nose and having to smell it and taste it.

 

[minkydog]

You are doing the best thing doing this. I lost my bff two years ago. I will never forget her words to get a colonoscopy....but seeing her pass in 40's makes me know its worth it. Good luck.....

Thanks. My grandmother was only 59 when she had colon cancer the first time. She had breast cancer when she was 52. So I'm pretty good about getting my various tests. i don't always like it, but I'd rather be a little put out than risk losing my life because I couldn't be bothered with a mammogram or colonoscopy.

I am REALLY looking forward to dinner tomorrow night!

 

[Rence]

Keep lots of reading material in the bathroom - you'll be spending a lot of time there

 

[minkydog]

Keep lots of reading material in the bathroom - you'll be spending a lot of time there

Yep, already got a novel in there. And I back up book, if needed

 

[Pooh67_68]

Good thougths minky.

And i saw on another thread that some people say to drink the stuff cold, it helps a little.

 

[Andtototoo]

Make sure you have soft TP and some vaseline.

TBH, I'd rather have a colonoscopy than a mammogram. At least when the colonoscopy is over, it's over. With a mammogram, I have bruising and torn skin for a week or two afterwards. Plus, you're out of it while the procedure is being done, unlike the mammogram.

 

[DMRick]

The real fun starts at 6pm when i drink a liter of that vile-smelling laxative--i swear, it smells just like lemon Pledge.

Go to Burger KIng and get their fat straws. Drink through that fat straw and you won't smell it..it goes down so very much easier.

 

[DMRick]

Make sure you have soft TP and some vaseline.

TBH, I'd rather have a colonoscopy than a mammogram. At least when the colonoscopy is over, it's over. With a mammogram, I have bruising and torn skin for a week or two afterwards. .

You seriously need to find a new place to get your mammo done. You should not have bruisning and torn skin.

 

[minkydog]

Good thougths minky.

And i saw on another thread that some people say to drink the stuff cold, it helps a little.

Chilling as we speak

Make sure you have soft TP and some vaseline.

TBH, I'd rather have a colonoscopy than a mammogram. At least when the colonoscopy is over, it's over. With a mammogram, I have bruising and torn skin for a week or two afterwards. Plus, you're out of it while the procedure is being done, unlike the mammogram.

I've never been bruised from a mammogram, but I do like the fact that they put you to sleep for to colonoscopy. I don't mind the actual test at all, since I sleep right through. I just wish they could come up with a better prep that didn't include drinking a gallon of nasty tasting liquid. I don't drink a lot of liquids anyway, so having to drink so much in a short period of time is pretty torturous.

 

[minkydog]

Go to Burger KIng and get their fat straws. Drink through that fat straw and you won't smell it..it goes down so very much easier.

Great idea! I think I have some fat straws here at the house. I never even thought of that!

 

[eliza61]

Thanks. My grandmother was only 59 when she had colon cancer the first time. She had breast cancer when she was 52. So I'm pretty good about getting my various tests. i don't always like it, but I'd rather be a little put out than risk losing my life because I couldn't be bothered with a mammogram or colonoscopy.

I am REALLY looking forward to dinner tomorrow night!

Had mine done a few months ago.

Let me ask you though, for my prep I had to get a 258 gram bottle of mirmax (I think) and dissolve it in 64 oz of gatorade or propel. I had to drink 8 oz about ever 20 mins so I could at least get it down.

forget tomorrow night, my anesthia was really good and I was good to eat maybe 1 hour after I woke up.

Good luck!! and remember you won't have to have it done for another 7 years.

 

[minkydog]

Had mine done a few months ago.

Let me ask you though, for my prep I had to get a 258 gram bottle of mirmax (I think) and dissolve it in 64 oz of gatorade or propel. I had to drink 8 oz about ever 20 mins so I could at least get it down.

forget tomorrow night, my anesthia was really good and I was good to eat maybe 1 hour after I woke up.

Good luck!! and remember you won't have to have it done for another 7 years.

Aaaaaand that's what I'm hanging on to I'm taking something called Movi Prep. You drink this nasty stuff 8oz at a time until you've had the full liter. Then you repeat it in the morning before the test. I have to say, that's better than the old way, where you had to drink almost a gallon of nasty stuff. I could never get all the liquid down.

 

[denisenh]

had my first colonoscopy last month. i hated the beverage...gatorade with miralax. i vomited a bit of it, but it worked.
i found that clear broth was nice for an in between liquid when i felt hungry. the procedure was nothing. i had propofol. 1st time i was ever "put under" and it went well.

 

[Caropooh]

I highly suggest using baby wipes! Trust me, you will be RAW! DD12 (celiac) and I have both had them and never want to have to do them again.

 

[kathie859]

I must have a tough tush! The prep nor the procedure is a problem for me.

I second the poster who said she'd rather have the colonoscopy than a mammogram. A mammogram HURTS!! I bruise easily, too

Good luck, OP, with your procedure.

 

[quentina]

I'm about to starve to death. Well, not really. I can have all the clear liquids I can hold. And hard candy. As long as nothing is red or purple. The real fun starts at 6pm when i drink a liter of that vile-smelling laxative--i swear, it smells just like lemon Pledge. Then in the a.m., I get to drink some more! lucky me! And THEN I get the Grand Prize--a colonoscopy!

I guess I really am thankful we have these tests. My grandmother had colon cancer twice, back in the days when they didn't do those tests unless you had symptoms, by which time colon cancer was usually more advanced. Back then the main treatment was surgery--in her case resulting in TWO colostomy bags. I sure don't want to go there. So I guess I'll submit to a somewhat uncomfortable prep & procedure if it might ensure that i don't have to go what my grandmother went through.

Sometimes being a grown-up isn't too much fun. The bright spot in the whole thing is that we met our family out-of-pocket deductible back in October, so at least I'm not paying extra for this.

I start the fast tomorrow for a Thursday procedure. Entire thing is weird, I had an endoscopy (??) for my hernia and had polyps that they said carry a colon cancer gene.....so, they demanded a colonostopy. Thursday is the big day. Hope your's goes well

 

[Moodyzblu]

I was sedated but awake during my colonoscopy. Not sure why I was awake .. but it was kind of cool to watch ! Everything was fine with it. I wasn't as hungry as I thought I would be afterwards though. But I think they gave me a muffin and some juice in recovery.

Good luck !

 

[englishteacha]

My FIL had some wonky heart palpitations after his colonoscopy; turned out to be dehydration and low electrolytes. So make sure you rehydrate afterwards! Good luck! My aunt (mom's sister) had colon cancer. It's scary.