What can I expect when I get a Colonoscopy??

[stemikger]

I had it done 4 times and the Prep is the worst part. Ask your doctor that you don't want to drink the gallon of Golightly and he will give you the alternate prep where you only have to drink two 8oz glasses of some other stuff by Fleet. The name escapes me now, but it is much easier to do. The first time I had it done I had to drink a gallon of the other stuff and I could honestly say I could not do it again. The Fleet stuff is pretty disgusting also, but it is only two glasses one the day before and one the morning of. Stay near a bathroom because when you start it lasts for awhile. They found a pollop when they did mine so now I have to get it done every three years. The procedure is very easy, they give you a sedative so you only feel a slight pressure, but hardly no discomfort.

Good Luck

Of course, follow the other instructions and do not eat. If you are not clear in your lower bowel area they will not do the procedure. That happened to my aunt.

 

[tweety 12]

The prep is the worst part. Drinking the nasty stuff! Other than that the procedure is fine. You'll be sound asleep.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

I have to have a yearly colonoscopy because I had colon cancer. I was only 35 but we have a family history. The prep used to be awful, but now instead of drinking a gallon of awful tasting prep I take pills. It's so much better. I also have IV sedation and it's not nearly as bad as you expect. No matter what - have the colonoscopy I'm living proof that it can save your life.

 

[lecach]

I agree that the prep is the worst part. And I have a strong stomach.

Another tip I have for you: when they tell you to eat a small meal after the test listen to them. We went to IHOP and I pigged out. By the end of the meal I had to lie down and when I got home I threw up. They said that frequently people will go out to eat after the test and end up back at the hospital.

 

[Towncrier]

The prep was bad. The procedure was fine. And the afterglow of the medication from the procedure was great. I was euphoric when I left the hospital and that feeling lasted for a whole day. I was in love with everyone and everything.

The best post-procedure advice is to eat a light meal. I had a bagel and a bowl of soup. I was told by my doctor to slowly introduce food to my digestive system.

I am probably due for another colonoscopy as it has been a couple of years and my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer last year, so now I have a family history. I guess that I should get off my rear and schedule the test.

You'll do fine.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

travel bug---they are basically big enough that you have to drink a lot of water to get them down...i think a combination of all that water and empty stomach iswhat made me get sick..but id still rather do the pill sthan the d rink

and i went home and ate like crazy too...i was soo hungry..just remember, thats not a good idea



Good luck!

 

[chrissyk]

The colonoscopy is no problem. It's the day before that will rock your world, LOL!

 

[missypie]

DH had one last year. He said it was a piece of cake. I don't think I could do it if I had to drink a gallon of anything. It made me ill to see that big vat of stuff and know he had to drink it all...I don't think I could do it, even if it was water. The other thing that bugs me is with a family of 5, I have no privacy. It would be so humiliating to know that everyone knew what I was doing all day!

But if you have the actual procedure under IV sedation, that part is groovy. Talk to your doctor about how far "under" he/she wants you. DH's doctor wanted him to be a bit alert, which was fine with DH. Later that day we talked to a neighbor who is a nurse in that area and assists with colonoscopies all day every day...and she insists on being totally "out" whenever she has one.

Also, DON'T drive after IV sedation. You will THINK you're with it, but you aren't. DH told me the same things about 4 times that day, not remembering he had told me before.

But please be a good soldier and have it done if you need it. DH - only 44 years old - had a VERY LARGE polyp that the doctor was amazed wasn't cancer.

 

[MerryPoppins]

Mom just had one. Her prep was the two drink variety. It's much better than the gallon my DH had to drink a couple of years ago! Her bottom was a bit sore from the prep, but the procedure was a piece of cake.

I thought I'd add that she had gas pains and flet icky for a few days following. She called the doc and he said about half the people who have the test have this reaction. He says you just have to get things going again, so to speak. Good luck!