OT-Colonscopy....any advice?

[Cindyluwho]

Can I ask a personal question of those who have had the procedure? I'm so worried about my mental state during and after a colonoscopy because I'm a survivor of sexual abuse. Has anyone dealt with this? I'm really terrified of it bringing back some memories or trauma. Anyone can PM me with their experience. I just can't bring myself to have it done, I'm just too nervous. I have woken during past surgeries because my body seems to just use up the anesthetic so that worries me even more.

 

[JB2K]

I have to go for my first colonoscopy next Tuesday due to some GI symptoms I have been experiencing and family history.

Anyway I have the full day fast before and drinking of the solution twice. I read the instructions and have to stay away from red or purple drinks....any advice on how not to go crazy hungry or ease the constant running to the bathroom.

What about after the procedure...any tips? What can I expect..I will be sedated.

Trust me when I say this -- you won't even know it happened. Honest.

After the procedure, just plan on hanging-out at home for the rest of the day and taking things easy (no work/kids!).

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Wow! Thanks for sharing your experience. Your the first bad story I've heard from the.

I am usually the QUEEN of side effects and I got NOTHING from these. My husband did use them for the first time last month and he did say that he had about 45 minutes of queasiness (while he was taking them).

I had a rough time with anesthesia too. Mainly because they couldn't seem to get me fully asleep. So then ended up pumping me up with Demerol. The doctor said he'd never used so much on someone before. I was sick for 48 hours and had to have Phenergan phoned in. I don't know what that was about. I've had previous sedations and never had a problem.

He did say most people prefer the pills and my experience was unusual. Lucky me! Luckily I was able to call out to DH as I passed out and hit the floor. Then the nausea began. Ick. You would think a 125 lb woman would not get as many pills as a 200 lb man. But everyone gets the same amount it seems. I am wondering if it was like an overdose, or if it was the pills and not the dosage. I can still taste those huge things if I think about it.

I don't do well with sedation either, but I got sick every time I moved after this one. I did this after a laparoscopy/ablation/endometriosis surgery 2 years ago too. I just don't do well with medicines!

The colonoscopy itself was a piece of cake. It was before/after that gave me troubles.

 

[laurabelle]

I always refer back to this article to help me prep. http://www.helpforibs.com/messagebo...er=20349&page=0&view=expanded&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

Cindyluwho I find that the dr.s and nurses do their best to make you as comfortable as possible and should be very understanding of your concerns, so don't be afraid to discuss it with them before you arrive for the procedure. The last thing you will likely be aware of is being asked to lie on your side...then waking up, hopefully when it's completely over.

 

[mickeymedic]

I prepped with the Mag Citrate - yuck!!! But I was only able to choke down about 1/3 of it before it made me so nauseaus that I had to stop drinking it. But by then everything was coming out the back end the same color as it went in the front end. So, I figured that there was nothing left to cleanse.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I have Crohn's Disease and 'scopes are just a part of life. They really aren't a big deal, IMO.

My biggest tip is to do liquids only a few days beforehand. It is a sacrifice but it pays off in the end (no pun intended). I learned early on it was better to do that and it really really make the prep not a big deal.

 

[Muushka]

There are a total of 32 pills. For the first phase, usually around 5PM the evening before the procedure, you take 4 pills every 15 minutes for an hour (4 at 5, 4 at 5:15, 4 at 5:30, 4 at 5:45, and 4 at 6:00). This takes care of 20 pills. You then take the remaining 12 sometime later--again on a 15 minute interval. They are large pills but they didn't get stuck or anything. I thought they went down well.

When I've talked to people who've done both pills versus the liquid, apparently there is much less cramping with the pills.

See how our memories only remember certain things!
Thanks!

 

[Micca]

Curious about the sedation--is that through an iv, or something else?

 

[ragdoll]

Can I ask a personal question of those who have had the procedure? I'm so worried about my mental state during and after a colonoscopy because I'm a survivor of sexual abuse. Has anyone dealt with this? I'm really terrified of it bringing back some memories or trauma. Anyone can PM me with their experience. I just can't bring myself to have it done, I'm just too nervous. I have woken during past surgeries because my body seems to just use up the anesthetic so that worries me even more.

I was told that the drugs that are used can cause amnesia. This was at Kaiser Permanente. There they do not put you completely under. That being said, before we had Kaiser my DH had it done somewhere else and was put under completely. So I am guessing that it might depend on what kind of anesthetic is used as to how you react. With drugs that cause amnesia I would think that you wouldn't have to worry. You should discuss this with your doctor.

 

[ragdoll]

Curious about the sedation--is that through an iv, or something else?

Through IV.

 

[mhsjax]

Two words of advice: soft toiletpaper

I have one better, I used a quirt bottle just like I did after I had kids. And I had no problems. Toilet paper can really burn after that many times to the bathroom, Please use a squirt bottle and finish with TP, Also the test itsefl was a breeze, I was sedated and don't remember a thing.

 

[mhsjax]

Can I ask a personal question of those who have had the procedure? I'm so worried about my mental state during and after a colonoscopy because I'm a survivor of sexual abuse. Has anyone dealt with this? I'm really terrified of it bringing back some memories or trauma. Anyone can PM me with their experience. I just can't bring myself to have it done, I'm just too nervous. I have woken during past surgeries because my body seems to just use up the anesthetic so that worries me even more.

I don't have any adivce in this area, except to PLEASE let your Dr know of your situation and also about waking up with Anesthesia, They need to know these things. I didn't wake up at all and if I did, my anesthesia had an amnesiac in it. Some people don't wan that, but I dont care to remember if I did wake up.

 

[mhsjax]

Curious about the sedation--is that through an iv, or something else?

IV, the last thing I remembered is the Dr asked me if I felt light headed yet I told her yes, Next thing I know they were telling me to get up and dressed and go eat, everything was fine.

 

[Gagirl69]

I had a colonoscopy in Jan. I needed something to chew on so I popped a piece of gum in my mouth. It helped so much. I forgot I couldn't have anything solid because I was chewing the heck out of that gum. Try it, it works. HTH

 

[friendofgusgus]

Not everyone can take the pills - for some of us, the liquid prep is the only way to go. My MD insists that the pills do not provide a clean enough result.

One piece of advice I have is not to make your prep solution very cold if you have sensitive teeth. If you chill it very cold and your mouth/back teeth are sensitive to the cold, you'll wash it right back up to the front of your mouth where you'll have to really taste it. Yuck!

I've had several colonoscopies - the last just 2 weeks ago - and you shouldn't even remember the procedure.

I also used a new prep called Moviprep, which I thought worked much better for me.

I have IBS and other issues in that area and go every 3 years, so the most honest thing I can tell you is:
No matter how much you hate the prep, be sure and do it. Follow all the instructions and the restrictions, even when you think there cannot possibly be anything else in there.

Nothing is worse than trying the prep, thinking you've done enough and having it all be for nothing if you are not clean enough. You'll just wind up with a stronger regimen and another go-round.

You'll just have to trust me on how I know this!

 

[Loverly]

I do this pretty regularly...and this last time, about half way thru the big bottle of drink,I threw it all up. I then had to reschedule and do the pills prep(about 20 giant pills) and had to do a afternoon appointment which started like 1 1/2 hours later than it should. aarrgghh.

You are "out " for the exam-the prep is the hard part.

Also i HIGHLY reccommend an early AM exam=going all day not eating is very hard.

 

[RNMOM]

I had my first last spring. The prep is the worst part. I found drinking chicken/beef bullion made me far less hungry. When I drank sweet stuff I got hungry...guess because I typically drink sweet stuff with meals. I did a lot of ice tea and broth with a little soda tossed in.

Relax. They will move you through the proceedure quickly and you won't remember much. Good luck for good results.

 

[njmomboys2]

Thanks so much to everyone for their tips/suggestions. I have to drink the magn. citrate....so keeping my fingers crossed on how it goes down. My appt. is Tuesday at 8:30am.....so I am planning on keeping it real light on Sunday..mostly soups and such..and then have my fast on Monday..thanks again!!!!

 

[NaplesRI]

I'll add my comments too... the prep is a pain in the butt hehee
Really just stay close to a bathroom, and as one poster said, make it YOURS, so you can get in it as quickly as you need to- you WONT be able to wait.

You won't really feeel hungry- the liquid bloats you up. Pick a flavor of Gaor Aid that you like- I picked lemonade flavor- cause you will drink 2 bottles of it.

Honestly the prep isnt any different than if you have a case of diarrhea.

I had told my dr that I did NOT want to be aware of what was going on. They really don't put you far under, but I didn't remember a thing YAY.

I spent the rest of the day in bed relaxing. I did make the mistake of having orange juice at the hospital and it didnt sit right with me...so after the drive home, I vomitted in front of my house - couldnt make it inside. So I was kinda weak afterwards.

Best of luck- DO let the Dr know of your concerns.