Just started my colonoscopy prep....

[gate_pourri]

Ohh. Good Luck!

I see a new gastrointestinal specialist for the first time next week. I am terrified that he is going to ask me to do a colonoscopy. I still remember when I was 11 years old and had to go in for a stomach x-ray (may have a more technical name, I was only 11) and had to drink a ton of this thick chalky pink stuff. I was sitting in the hospital crying because I couldn't drink it without gagging and feeling like I was going to vomit. After hours, I finally got enough of it into me, so they coulld do the x-rays. They then asked me to wiggle around on this x-ray machine. I could feel and hear that stuff swooshing in my stomach. I just shutter thinking about it!

Good luck to you!

 

[piglet too]

Good luck with everything Tara! I hate the prep stuff too. When my DS9 did it two years ago, we bribed him to get the minimum amount in him. (I placed a dollar for every drink he took into his piggy bank. The pig "talked" to him saying it was hungry and needed more money)

 

[HelenePA]

Tara, is everything coming out ok

Maybe we need pics?

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

I have a feeling you wont be on Disboards soon, unless you got an internet connection in the bathroom. Goodluck.
Not for nothing as bad as it taste the little shot glasses of the the stomach pipe clearer is better then drinking 64 oz thingie.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Tara, if you absolutely cannot get the rest down don't worry too much about it. Most GIs prescribe extra because people have difficulties getting things down. Just make sure that you're pretty cleaned out.

For my last one, I was throwing up almost all the prep. I was in a flare and not eating for months so the onslaught of liquids made me sicker than a dog. My GI was able to work with what I did accomplish.

 

[GraysMom]

Oh Tara, I'm sorry you have to go through this . I hope you're able to get the last bit of liquid down. Can you close your eyes and imagine you're still on a Bahamian beach and it's a fruity cocktail ? Keeping my fingers crossed that everything turns out well tomorrow so you don't have to do this again for a looong time.

 

[bunny213]

and my dr. let me do the pills... I had ventured on here and asked about what others did. Someone suggested eating very very light starting a few days before the prep...and then someone else suggested chicken broth and beef broth. That was such a good suggestion....because I hate anything sweet!! I just sipped some broth after taking the pills.
I was scared to death...but I have to say - both of those suggestions were right on. It went very very easy and I wasn't miserable or sick or anything. In fact...I kept thinking that maybe something was wrong and I screwed it up somehow.
The next day...I went in at 9 and was home by 12....slept for about 2 hours and then was back to my old self. I hope by the time you read this that it's all over and you can breath a sigh of relief.... Be proud of your accomplishment.....and now you can say...."mission accomplished"!
I told my husband that I wanted flowers and tiara....I'm still waiting for them!! Barb

 

[Chattyaholic]

My Mom just had her first one done yesterday - she's 70 years old.

She said the prep the night before was worse than the procedure. The procedure only took 15 minutes and she was out like a light. They brought her back to her room and it was a half hour before she began to wake up. She kept asking if it was done already. They kept her about an hour longer, gave her water to drink, then I took her home. Fixed her some soup and she started feeling better. By 5:00 she was her normal self.

I'm afraid the doctor is going to want me to have one next time I go in for my diabetic check up because I'm going to talk to her about my "bathroom issues." I've had "problems" for 8-10 years and it's really getting worse, so much so that I schedule my life around the bathroom and that's just not right, I know. I am nervous about having one though, and what they might find.

 

[GraysMom]

Hey Tara, I hope everything went well today and you're at home relaxing. Take it easy.

 

[piglet too]

Thinking about you Tara!

 

[TaraPA]

I'm back! I've never felt so doped up after a colonoscopy as I do this time. I barely remember waking up & coming home (because I was totally planning to stop for breakfast!). DH says he tucked me in at 9am & I just forced myself up at 3 only because DH has to make his travel arrangements for his Orlando conference by 4pm & I need to be on line cashing in FF miles for my flight at the same time. They cut out one polyp & sent it to pathology just like last time, so nothing major going on in there, whew!

Sorry for the pity party last night. I have to go back every 3 years for one so I'm good for awhile! Thanks for all the encouragement! I think I will request the pills next time. Now I want some take-out....I'm starving!

 

[hentob]

I go next Friday for a sigmoidoscopy So, not only do I get to do the prep, I'll be AWAKE for the entire thing

 

[TaraPA]

Prep AND being awake? Oh man I feel for you! Whatever they put in my IV to knock me out was sweet. The nurse asked if I was sleepy and I nodded, and in what seemed like the next instant I heard her say "Tara you're husband is here, are you awake?" And it was 90 min. later!

 

[coles1mom]

Tara, glad it's over & out for the next 3 years

 

[tiggerfan4me]

Ohh. Good Luck!

I see a new gastrointestinal specialist for the first time next week. I am terrified that he is going to ask me to do a colonoscopy. I still remember when I was 11 years old and had to go in for a stomach x-ray (may have a more technical name, I was only 11) and had to drink a ton of this thick chalky pink stuff. I was sitting in the hospital crying because I couldn't drink it without gagging and feeling like I was going to vomit. After hours, I finally got enough of it into me, so they coulld do the x-rays. They then asked me to wiggle around on this x-ray machine. I could feel and hear that stuff swooshing in my stomach. I just shutter thinking about it!

Good luck to you!

It is now not as bad they have several different options for prep. I had to take two pills and then drink this liquid stuff. It is not as chalky as it used to be but definitely getting down the last portion of it is tough. Like someone said it is important to stay near the bathroom. Good luck when you do it. I now am working on getting DH to doctor for a physical (he will be 50) and then a colonoscopy too. it is important.

 

[Poohbear123]

I have an appointment on April 22 for a consult at the Colonoscopy Dr. I have a Ultra Sound on Monday for my Gall Bladder. SO, I will be seeing LOTS of Drs. in the next few weeks, thanks to Bunny213 and Dave Barry! I figured if they had to go thru this, I at 50, needed to have this done too. Plus I have been very sick in the stomach area for 4 weeks now.

 

[4nana]

Glad things ck'd out and you're alright. Hope you feel better tomorrow after a good night's rest.

For those waiting or needing this procedure, know it's one of the best gifts you can give yourself. If we each had a colonoscopy performed every 5 yrs, we'd avoid so many problems, nip many diseases in the bud and save many, many lives.

 

[Cee]

My sister died at the age of 45 of colon cancer. Watching her deterioration at
such a young age was awful. I know this isn't fun, but you are all doing the
right thing. Kudos and please, please stay healthy.

 

[TaraPA]

Cee - so sorry about your sister, that is just awful. I have colitis & a strong family history of colon cancer so that's why I started colonoscopies at age 22 & have them every 3 years. In all that time I've only had 2 polyps (one 4 years ago & one this week) - but I shudder tho think what that polyp 4 years ago would have turned into by now if I hadn't been checked & had it removed. My grandmother had part of her colon removed due to cancerous polyps.

Looking back now the prep this time was the easiest I've done so far because I could mix the Miralax with any clear liquid. I chose raspberry lemonade - and it was easiest to get down frozen, not as a drink. It did have an aftertaste though. I don't think I'll be having raspberry lemonade for quite awhile ....

 

[tiggerfan4me]

I agree that colonoscopies are truly one of the greatest gifts you can give your family, as colon cancer caught early is one of the easiest to treat and the prognosis is good. I have irritable bowel and gastroesophageal reflux so upon just turning 50 I agreed to definitely having this done as I was having more heartburn too. They did a biopsy for that and I probably have Barrett's esophagus, just a diagnosis for having reflux, but just needs to be checked more regularly. Definitely will follow through, along with trying to lose some weight, as this can also help. I encourage everyone to have the testing done when you are 50 or sooner if there is a family history. It is great how medicine has come along and how we can do prevention therapy,.