Having a Colonoscopy Have You Had One

I just had one a month ago and was totally freaked out to. I talked to some of the elder ladies at my church that gave me probably some really good advice. They advised me to eat really light two days before the test starts and then absolutely nothing-like directed-the day before. I was really surprised at how easy the bathroom part of the process was. The worst for me was drinking that awful stuff the night before. I ended up licking wheat things inbetween each series of gulps that I took just to get the taste out of my mouth. The day of the colonoscopy, I just asked alot of questions and explained that I was really nervous. I had mine done at Edward Hospital. They were wonderful and I don't remember a thing. Good luck!

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Although I have not had a colonoscopy, I have had a lower GI and they use the same "cleansing" technique. It wasn't really to bad, you do run to the bathroom a lot but, it wasn't "urgent" or painful. I do know other people who have had colonoscopies and they said they actually fell asleep and felt nothing at all. It really doesn't last long and the moe you relax the better. I also wanted to say how sorry I am for the loss of your children, I lost my sweet, wonderful 26 year old son October 6, 2008. I know he is in heaven but, I still miss him everyday.

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Hi J.,
My grandfather died of colon cancer so we have all learned about this procedure ahead of most people.
Plan to be at home at 4pm on the night before your procedure. You will be drinking the prep solution at 15 minute intervals (or whatever the instructions are) and then visiting the bathroom because the prep solution will clean you out the night before your procedure. After going to the bathroom so many times, you'll be tired. Somebody needs to drive you to and from your procedure and they tell you to plan a very light day on the day of your procedure because you won't remember the procedure and you won't remember other things from that same day (no major decisions on the day of your procedure). Whoever drives you to and from your procedure will likely get the feedback about the results of your procedure which is important because you won't remember your results. Depending on the results, you'll be repeating this procedure at 10 year increments or more often. By having this procedure, you can catch any problems and get them corrected and enjoy your family for many years to come. You also join the large number of us who can laugh about this procedure much later. My son used a white board to record the number of times that he went to the bathroom the night before his procedure (he was age 20 at the time and they did catch a problem).
Don't plan to drive a car until 24 hours after your procedure because of the drugs that they give you during your procedure.

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I don't know if anyone else mentioned this, but it might be helpful, if you have little children, to have someone there to help with the kids the day/evening that you're drinking the stuff.

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Colonoscopies are not fun, but you will get through it. Drinking the stuff is the worse, it doesn't taste that good. Love the eat lightly idea for a few days. I would also buy some of those flushable wipes, because your tush will enjoy that later. It did take awhile before I felt the need to rush to the bathroom. I found white popsicle and white grape Jell-O a nice treat to eat for the two days. If they sedate you, you will not fell anything. I did wake up during the procedure and the nurse said " we are not quite done, go back to sleep" The next thing I remember was I was in recovery. Recovery was smooth and I didn't feel any different than before I had it done. I was afraid to poo the first time thinking it would hurt, but it didn't. I just remember how good the food tasted the first meal I had.

Good luck.

K.

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I had one done 2 months ago. Because I have recently had an intestinal bypass and was retaining liquids like crazy, the drs. had to give me 2 bottles of the citrus drink. It gagged me but not nearly as bad as the chalky stuff would have. Speak to your dr. about doing the citrus drink. Don't be afraid. You'll be in a "twilight sleep" and won't know a thing. No discomfort or cramping. You'll be fine.

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Have no fear..honest! I put mine off for a few years...had
it done on Dec. 24th at 8:30 AM and still went to Christmas
Eve service later. You have a sound nap...and you will not
feel anything. You are in recovery about 45 minutes until
you are released. Procedure takes about 30 minutes.
I flavored the Movi-Prep with lemon Gatorade. You are
"active" in the bathroom from about 8PM-11PM. I started
the first Movi-Prep at 5 PM. Drank the rest about 7 PM,
every 15 minutes, I believe. Someone does need to drive you
home and be there for the doctor's report, you may not be
awake or recall anything the doctor does say to you
following the procedure. Now relax!

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Hi J.-
I am a nurse and work in out patient surgery where we do several coloscopies a day. Almost every single person is apprehensive like you are.

Yes, the "drink"will help you to clean out-
You will get 2 medications before the procedure- one to make you forget and another for any discomfort.
Almost everyone sleeps through the procedure- and we are there by their side IF they need any additional medication. And yes, the 2nd drug makes them forget - It is amazing to see them afterwards when they are relaxing comforatbly after they were so apprehensive.
Please don't worry- it will be over before you know it
Barbara M
____@____.com

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I've had 4. The worst part is drinking whatever type of nasty mix they decide to give you. One time they gave me laxatives and the drink and the laxatives did make me have terrible cramping. The drink is yucky tasting. I needed to plug my nose with every sip. Then after that you'll be in and out of the bathroom until nothing is coming out except clear liquid usually in the morning. The procedure is nothing. No pain. Just extra gas after from the tube blowing air up you. I was really freaked out about doing this but there's nothing to it. Once while I was in the middle of the procedure I do remember waking up and looking at the tv screen they have in there that shows where the internal camera is at but then I fell right back asleep. I was so loopy from the drugs they gave me that I was not scared and didn't move at all. I felt no pain during the procedure at all and even when I woke up for that quick minute. Don't be scared - it is so easy and not painful at all.

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I personally have not been through this. My brother had to do this several times as a child though. I remember it made him throw up. Just nauseous, sometimes dizziness. I know this doesn't help too much and not news you want to hear, but thats all i can remember. google it, side effects should pop up someplace so you can at least be prepared. Good luck with everything!

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Hi J.,

I just had one about a month ago, it was the first time. I too was really scared and I have never had any other type of surgery or procedure done, so I think that made me even more freaked. Honestly, it was no big deal. The drink doesn't taste great, but it isn't the worst thing I have tasted. It tastes sort of like over concentrated lemonade with a lot of sugar in it. My solution was called Moviprep, so I don't know if you will have the same one. About an hour after you start drinking it will kick in. Get some magazines, books, crosswords to keep busy, you will spend a couple hours going number 2. I didn't experience any cramping or anything like that. I felt a little nausea right before it kicked in but that's it. It will turn to basically liquid, so stay close to the potty. Yes, you will keep going, but its isn't painful like when you have the stomach flu or something. You may want to consider a little Vaseline or diaper cream to put on the area, so it doesn't get red or raw from wiping. When you go in for the procedure it is a piece of cake. They gave me a "twilight" sedation. You are awake, but kinda out of it. You don't feel pain. The whole procedure takes like 20 minutes. After they wheel you to a room where you let the anastesia wear off and then you go home. No pain or anything after the procedure, I was just really hungry from the fasting. You probably won't have much memory of the actual procedure, maybe no memory. Seriously, I thought it was no big deal, and was crazy to worry so much. I think getting my wisdom teeth pulled was much worse. You've had kids, this will be a picnic! I know the thought of having something in the back door isn't pleasant, but really its not so bad! I hope this isn't too much info, I just wanted to tell you the truth so maybe you won't be so freaked out by it.

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Not to worry! Yes, you'll spend a lot of time in the bathroom, but that's just the way it goes. When you go into the room where the procedure is to be done, they'll sedate you and you will feel nothing until you wake up in recovery and that's it! No pain at all...just need a driver to take you home as you'll be very tired. Best to sleep and rest the remainder of the day. May I also say how sorry I am for the loss of your children. I don't know how people handle that.

You have so many kind responses. You've reminded me that I need to schedule one and I, too, am very apprehensive. My mom died of colon cancer and, shame on me for putting this off but I, too, have been fearful of the test - I never looked at it as "a nap"! Our families need us!

Next week, I will make that call! Until then, best of luck to you!