Help! Colonoscopy ordered!
#130926 - 12/16/04 06:38 AM
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Hi, folks. I saw my GI specialist yesterday, after being referred to him by my family physician, who felt he couldn't do anything else for my IBS. The long and short of it all is that he ordered a colonoscopy, to make sure that there isn't anything structurally wrong with my insides before he treats my IBS. He also did bloodwork for thyroid and celiac disease, to rule out those possibilities.
So, my colonoscopy is scheduled for next Wednesday...just what I wanted for Xmas. And I am TERRIFIED. I know this is very silly...I'm a mom after all, and have gone through labor!...but that's how I feel. I'm actually more scared of the actual prep-work (that horrible liquid stuff you drink to clean you out) and was wondering if anyone had any advice or kind words or stories to share to make this more "do-able."
It's a silly thing to worry about, I know, and the doctor is trying to rule stuff out so he can help me, but still...wow! A colonoscopy at 30! I feel so...infirm! 
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I had one in June- and the worst part of it is the "cleaning out". My personal words of advice- Don't go far from the bathroom, have alot of toilet paper on hand(soft stuff), and have some vaseline. The drink gives the cramps to go to the bathroom but there wasn't "pain" involved with this as after the first two times, it is basically all liquid. The vaseline helps because my behind became very irritated from wiping. To the point where I had little blood brops on the toilet paper from it being red raw..So the vaseline helps with that. ALthough at the time I didn't know. SOmeone told me afterwards...
The actual test itself is a piece of cake... I didn't feel ANYTHING.
Best of luck. If you have any other questions please ask.
--------------------
Melissa
Pain predominant w/occasional C.
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Ahhh, my 9-year-old nephew is having one done today. If he can do it, you can!!! It's really nothing. Drink the "stuff" with Sprite and a straw and it won't taste bad. Then it's like having diarrhea with no cramps. And the test, I didn't feel a thing when I had mine. I woke up and asked them when they were going to begin. They told me it was over with---and I couldn't believe it! It's nothing to worry about, believe me.
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What do you mean "drink the stuff with sprite?" I was told it would be a flavored liquid (I can pick the flavor) and that I could throw in some Crystal Light or something to sweeten it up and make it more palatable. Do you mean I can mix it with sprite? Please clarify! I don't want to goof up and have to do it again!
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I mixed mine with Sprite, but I might have had a different type than you. Ask the nurse about this. I had heard people say they gagged on the taste of the "stuff." With the Sprite, I couldn't even taste it. And someone suggested drinking it with a straw, and I think that helped me too!
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I had one done in October and my prep involved mixing the stuff with 64 ounces of Gatorade lemon/lime. I was also told to eat nothing but clear liquids and yellow jello. But you know what everyone's prep is different it seems. My mom and dad's prep was a lot shorter and they didn't have to drink the same amount of liquid. I would ask your doctor if you have any questions. There should be a number to call if you need any questions answered.
I have to tell you that mine did hurt, but I am an exception to most people. To tell you the truth my doctor who is no longer my doctor did not give me the stuff that makes you forget! So I do remember the test and what happened but like I said everyone else I have talked to does not. Good luck and remember to just relax. Do stay near a restroom and maybe see if someone can help you watch the kids if they are little and at home. It will make it easier when you have the urge to go! LOL
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Good Luck! I had my second one Oct. 03. And I had to drink
Golitly (what a name) also. But I mixed with water. Since I have Acid Ref. But I have a friend who just had it done & her Dr. gave her 20 something pills & that was it. So I ask
my Dr. about it & he said it's the Dr. way of doing it! I just know I wanted it all clean out & not take a chance to have to do it twice! My mom had colon cancer & I had Pulps.So my daughter 27 had to have one . So they told her every 5 years! I told her I hate to think she had to start so early in life . But I make sure they give me the heavy Drug! Due to waking up in the middle of it! I did three times this last time ! No more for me thanks! Good luck!
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I know that on Monday I have to restrict my diet, on Tuesday I have to drink the stuff and have an all-liquid diet, and on Wed. I will have the test. My aunt is a nurse and swears the local will make it painless. I don't care if I'm awake really, or if I remember stuff, I just don't want to FEEL anything. My son, mercifully, will be with friends on Tues. and Wed., so the bathroom is all mine...not that that is any consolation!
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Hi Sue,
Here's my advice - go to the Crohn's / colitis board and look at Jill's colonoscopy sticky post at the top - print it out, this is your bible!!! She has good advice. I especially agreed with the scented candles in the bathroom - made the place alot more soothing and yes, you will spend lots of time in there!!! Secondly, if at all possible, try not to be having to do this alone. A friend, a husband, a mother SOMEONE would be great for moral support, for going downstairs to get you more gateraid when you feel you cannot stray that far from the toilet, for encouraging you that it's almost over! And - as your doc should have already told you - for accompanying to and from the appointment as is required if you are to be sedated. On the sedation, I would say make sure you get the versed along with the dopamine. Dopamine is for pain and versed is to make you not remember. Initially, it was strange to have the versed and not remember the procedure even though my doctor says I was responsive the whole time, but in the long run I'm very glad I had it, he says I was also in a good amount of pain at several points and I'm glad I don't have that memory to haunt me. Another warning - when you wake up, you may be a bit uncomfortable from the air they pump into you to open the colon while the scope passes through - this will pass as you pass the gass - don't be afraid to fart like a buffalo in the recovery room - I know I did!  When you get home, SLEEP - you will feel better when you wake up.
Overall, I would remind you as my mother did for me, hundreds of people do this every day (thankfully it's generally different people every day) but you will get through it just as they do. Don't get too worked up over the prep - there are lots of tricks to swallowing yucky stuff and it depends on which prep you're using which trick will help the best. Look at Jill's Bible and if you still have questions, post again and we'll try to think of something more specific. You will get through this, hun! It will be done with before you know it and hopefully you won't need another one for a long, long time!
Good luck!
Min
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I'm 17 and I had to have mine about 2 months ago. I was given a saline laxative and told to drink it with water or ginger ale. I guess what they give you might be different. One piece of advice (sorry, this is kind of graphic, but I wish I had thought about this) is don't wipe until you're ready to stand up. I got really sore from wiping so much.
I got to sleep during my test. They gave me demerol (sp?) and valium. I woke up once, but I couldn't feel anything and I was so relaxed, I didn't care. I went right back to sleep after that and didn't wake up again until after the test.
If you've had the lower G.I. (barium enema), the preparation is basically the same.
My liquid diet allowed Jell-o and clear-ish liquids (apple juice was allowed), but I couldn't have any red dyes.
A nine-year old having a coloscopy?! Wow. I thought I was the youngest person in the history of the world to have one!
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I feel for you. I'm having one early next year. My lovely doctors are making me stress about it for 3 months before hand! I'm terrified of the prep too. The actual colonoscopy no worries but the prep! And if it makes you feel any better I'm having mine done at 26. I keep telling myself that I went through birth twice naturally (the 2nd time with twins) so I can certainly do this! Doesn't help much though does it? At least you're getting it over and done with before christmas! My mum had one 2 years ago. She stresses that you keep up your fluids. She didn't and ended up with a migraine and vomiting from dehydration. Other than that there is a post in the Chrone's board about the colonoscopy prep by Jill. Very helpful. Good luck. I hope you get good results.
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Amy
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Thanks, everyone! I'm still nervous, but it helps to know a) what drugs to ask for, b) that I'm allowed to fart in the recovery room, and c) that everyone else on this board has a sense of humor to help me deal with this procedure!
xoxo
sue
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Dear Angell:
I wish I'd seen this post earlier,I'm sure most people are telling you the same thing.My GI doc actually wouldn't diagnose me without one.Yes,it is kinda scary-all procedures are.But it's an absolutely amazing tool and when it's all over,you'll feel so much better for having had one and no matter how it works out,it's always better to know then not know.What you don't know can KILL you.Trust me.They SEDATE you now if you want-that makes it SO much easier.(Why anyone would want to be awake for one is BEYOND me.)It'll be fine,just have someone with you through the procedure and to wake you when it's done.The process the day before isn't fun-the "emptying out"-but the solution you drink is tasteless and the process isn't as bad as a bad day with IBS-D.Just remember-the day before,no soild food,red colored liquids or jello-they'll give you a list of do's and don't for "eating" the day before.I've been through it and plan to get one every year as long as I'm covered.There are few medical tests as effective as it is and NOTHING as effective for diagnosing bowel conditions.As a mother,you owe it to your family to get one so you can take care of yourself for them.Your health has to come first.Take the test-anymore questions,I'll be here.It'll be fine-when it's over,you'll wonder what you were so scared of!
Sincerely,
Andrew L.
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Thanks, Andrew. Mercifully, I get the half-lytely stuff (which is only a half gallon of liquid), as opposed to my friend, who had to guzzle a whole gallon. I'm also getting some anti-nausea pills to take during the "cleaning out" process, which makes me feel better, I guess. Everyone on the board who has answered has been really really helpful and positive! Thanks for your input, and hope your coffee withdrawal is going better today!
Best,
sue
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I had my third colonoscopy just over a week ago. I hadn't had one in 10 yrs so my doctor wanted one done. I was out through the whole thing, however I stressed ahead of time that I wanted to be OUT, OUT, OUT. I didn't even remember waking up or getting a ride home. Slept the rest of the day off & on. The prep went on for 3-4 hrs so stay near the bathroom as when you have to go, you have seconds to get there. However unpleasant that stuff is to drink I had absolutely no cramps whatsoever with mine. The day after I was a little sore but nothing major. Good luck!
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--------------------
Amy
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