Upper Endoscopy and Colonoscopy/ the PREP / Help/

[PixieTopaz]

Ok, another silly question..I know you have to take your clothes off and put a gown on..ok..heres the dumb question.. Do all your clothes have to come off, and can ladies leave their bra on??
Sorry for sounding so dumb..just want to be prepared

You only take off your slacks-and I recommend wearing loose jogging type pants-because when you re-dress you are "loopy"-and panties-i leave my socks on because the place is usaully freezing!

Someone HAS to be there when you wake up and Doctor talks to you-you are still "loopy" from the drugs and wont remember what he says-and to drive you home. I usually nap afterwards

 

[sunlver]

You only take off your slacks-and I recommend wearing loose jogging type pants-because when you re-dress you are "loopy"-and panties-i leave my socks on because the place is usaully freezing!

Someone HAS to be there when you wake up and Doctor talks to you-you are still "loopy" from the drugs and wont remember what he says-and to drive you home. I usually nap afterwards

Ok interesting...the poster about you said all clothes had to come off.. I mean I dont see harm in leaving shirt on, as long as it wasnt a long one..but then maybe drs/nurses or whatever dont want to have to deal with messing with clothing during all of it.

 

[MidgeD79]

I have to have both procedures done soon. I googles the pills and they were taken off the market as as OTC prep. You can still get them from your Dr. because he should know your medical history and know if it's ok to take them. i had a colonoscopy done 2 years ago and the prep was the worst. I sat on the toilet holding a trash can. There is a lot of useful info on this thread and I'm taking notes.

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

Just had my 10 year follow up colonoscopy yesterday and did it with no sedation. Was able to talk to the doc and ask questions as he was navigating the scope. Only had a small twinge of pain when he was making a 90 degree turn, but it was short lived. Was able to drive and get a few things done before heading home.

Regarding undressing, kept shirt and socks on.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I've had the test numerous times at various centers and always have to take it ALL off. Guess it depends on the endoscopy center. IMO, it's no big deal either way. They usually give you warm blankets to keep warm as the centers have to be kept quite cold. Before you know it, you're getting dressed to head home =)

 

[Inigo]

Ok interesting...the poster about you said all clothes had to come off.. I mean I dont see harm in leaving shirt on, as long as it wasnt a long one..but then maybe drs/nurses or whatever dont want to have to deal with messing with clothing during all of it.

My current endoscopy center, as well as the one at Methodist Hospital in Indy, both had an everything comes off policy. No biggie for me...I've had crohn's disease for 18 1/2 years now, and my doctor has seen just about every inch of me inside and out over the years so there's no mystery left in our relationship.

 

[mhsjax]

Ok, another silly question..I know you have to take your clothes off and put a gown on..ok..heres the dumb question.. Do all your clothes have to come off, and can ladies leave their bra on??
Sorry for sounding so dumb..just want to be prepared

I had a colonoscopy about 2 years ago. My Dr gave me Miralax, wonderful, there is no taste at all. I started the day before in the afternoon with 2 Dulcolax and then with the Miralax. I was in the bathroom a lot, but I just stayed on the couch and watched TV, No big deal. I have heard some people say to use baby wipes. These were too harsh for me, I got a squirt bottle, like that give you after you have a baby and used that. Her comes the TMI part. AFter a while it is liquid anyway, and it is the color of whatever you are drinking so there isn't much mess.

Anyway, I got an IV she told me I would feel cold and then dizzy, I told her my arm was cold, she asked me if I was lightheaded, I looked up and said yeah a little. Next thing I know they were waking me up telling everything was OK. No exageration, that is exactly the way it happened.

OH and I think I left my bra on. but I am not sure. And after, a big plate of pancakes from Cracker Barrel. YUM

 

[DisneyFreaks]

My doctor has informed me that I have to have a colonoscopy before I go back to see her in five months. I am terrified. Finding this thread and reading each and every post has helped so much. I have learned alot and thank you all. My biggest fear is of the sedative. I have high blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat. The thought of being put under has me worried sick. I am so afraid I won't wake up. Silly I know but I just can't seem to shake it. Has anyone here had this done who also had similar health issues? I'd really appreciate hearing how you came through. Thanks again for such an informative thread. So awesome that here on the dis boards you can find just about anything.

 

[mhsjax]

My doctor has informed me that I have to have a colonoscopy before I go back to see her in five months. I am terrified. Finding this thread and reading each and every post has helped so much. I have learned alot and thank you all. My biggest fear is of the sedative. I have high blood pressure and an irregular heartbeat. The thought of being put under has me worried sick. I am so afraid I won't wake up. Silly I know but I just can't seem to shake it. Has anyone here had this done who also had similar health issues? I'd really appreciate hearing how you came through. Thanks again for such an informative thread. So awesome that here on the dis boards you can find just about anything.

Yep, that me. HBP and it gets really high in the Dr's office. In fact my cardiologist said that I had the worst case of white coat syndrome he has ever seen. Also an irregular heart beat which they have determined is nothing. Also just to let you know not only did I come thru this ok (it is light sedation) I had a total abdominal hysterectomy 4 months ago that took 2 hours and came thru it fine.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

Yep, that me. HBP and it gets really high in the Dr's office. In fact my cardiologist said that I had the worst case of white coat syndrome he has ever seen. Also an irregular heart beat which they have determined is nothing. Also just to let you know not only did I come thru this ok (it is light sedation) I had a total abdominal hysterectomy 4 months ago that took 2 hours and came thru it fine.

Thanks so much for your reply mhsjax. It helped alot. I too suffer from white coat syndrome. I get so darn scared I shake. LoL The thought of any kind of surgery mild or otherwise puts me into a tailspin. I'm glad you came through everything so well and I wish you many many healthy happy days. Thanks again.

 

[sunlver]

Thank you again everybody for answering my questions, and posting your experiences.
I havent event had my appt yet, waiting for my referal to see specialist, but I know its in my future

 

[goofy4tink]

My mom is going to have a colonoscopy as soon as her heart doctor clears her. Her GI doctor told her to take a large bottle of Miralax that she can get at CVS.

Yes, Miralax has been available over the counter for a while now. It is what my doctor had me take before my recent colonoscopy. Please be sure to check with yours to make sure you are doing exactly what they want you to.

I had to mix the Miralax with Gatorade (specifically). I also had to take Dulcolax the night before and the morning of the colonoscopy.

I honestly did not think the prep was as bad as people make it sound. When I got there, the first thing the nurse said was "The worst part is already over." (The prep.)

Good luck to you!

I just did the Dulcolax and Miralax. I had done the phosphate years ago..hated it. But, the Dulcolax/Miralax worked really well. The big issue was that I have a very small liquid capacity. It's a big reason I had to stop doing utlrasounds, the regular way, when pregnant...even though I was somewhat high risk.
I love those little tiny cans that Coke has now...perfect for me. So, when I had to do my prep for my test, I was horrified to see how much Gatorade I had to drink. I got down the GatorAde that went with the Dulcolax the morning before. And I got down the bottle (32oz) that the Miralax was added to...2 32oz bottles. But I just couldn't finish the rest of the liquid the night before the test....I was on the verge of vomiting. But, it was better than the phosphate prep.
And I'm one of those that tells the anesthisiologist to just crank up the drugs. I've been through one without benefit of drugs..not going there again.

 

[mhsjax]

Thanks so much for your reply mhsjax. It helped alot. I too suffer from white coat syndrome. I get so darn scared I shake. LoL The thought of any kind of surgery mild or otherwise puts me into a tailspin. I'm glad you came through everything so well and I wish you many many healthy happy days. Thanks again.

No problem. Good luck with everything and try not to get too nervous.

 

[DisneyFreaks]

No problem. Good luck with everything and try not to get too nervous.

I always try but my terrified self has a mind of its own I think. LoL I should have mentioned though that my particular irregular heartbeat is a condition called tachy-brady syndrome. My heart tends to go through phases where it will race for no reason then slow way down to the point of fainting. Fortunately this has only happened once prior to being diagnosed. But at any rate this is why I am so frightened of being put to sleep during any procedure. But since finding here that it's only a twilight type sedation makes me feel a whole lot better. Thanks a bunch again.

 

[JuneChickie]

.

 

[Evi]

I'm glad you started this thread. I am doing both procedures on same day later this month. My dr wants to test for celiac or possible chrones. I have a family history of both and show some symptoms. I honestly have been dreading it and haven't dared to ask anyone and though I'm relatively young to take the test I figure its only going to be better for me to know now then to wait till I'm older. Thanks again for all the useful info it gives me a better idea what to expect.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

How funny someone dredged this thread up. I am having my colonoscopy TODAY.

I did the Miralax prep with gatorade. You start off with taking 4 Dulcolax.

I had the endoscopy/colonoscopy 4ish yrs ago in which I had precancerous polyps removed, I was 41. So needless to say I need another colonoscopy and I am now 45. (I should have done it last yr, and was dreading it. Shame on me.)

Now they say "that is early for a colonoscopy". However don't fall prey to that line of thinking. ANYTIME you are having issues, get a test. It could save your life.

Good Luck to all!

 

[Alpental]

I had my first colonoscopy last October and used Half-lytely for the prep. I mixed the orange and pineapple with water and kept it very cold. The first glass I vomited back up. Then I took some Phenergan left over from an intestinal bug and was able to keep the rest down.

My advice would be to ask your MD for a prescription for either oral Phenergan or Zofran just in case you have a problem, mix the solution early in the day with any or all of the flavors you like, keep it very cold, and drink it with a straw.

Even better ask your doctor for a different prep!

 

[AnnaS]

Every doctor uses a different prep. They say some clean out better than others.

I have done two colonoscopies and used two different preps. The last one he gave me a prescription for Supper Bowel Prep Kit - absolutely disgusting. I did not think I was going to make it through the second round of drinking this mixture. I sent hubby out to buy butterscotch candy and threw one in my mouth - swished it around to get the disgusting taste out each time I took a sip. I almost gave up and then thought of what my family members went through their own cancer ordeal.

I did tell the doctor the next morning that I don't know if I could do that prep again. He did remove precancerous polyps so back in three years (next year).

On another note - I went for this second one - a year late. Had I gone when I was supposed to - a year prior - what if I did not have the precancerous polyps then (I know they take time to grow)? I would have been cleared and then go back in 5 years........those precancerous polyps would have had time to grow and turn cancerous?

 

[anniemae]

Sigh. another resurrected colonoscopy thread.