scheduled my colonoscopy for 2/12 any advice?
#297352 - 01/19/07 07:24 PM
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alot of you were suprised to hear my doc had diagnosed me with IBS without doing a single test. I went in this week to see if he would prescribe me an antispasmodic.. this time he refused and insisted on a wheat allergy test and a colonoscopy  I was not expecting that at all since my symptoms describe IBS-D to the T, but, since my mothers brother has a colostomy bag from polyps, that uncles daughter died from colon cancer, his son is living with c.cancer, i figured it was a good idea. I later found out that my dad had polyps removed recently!! So, i have the genes from both sides of the family..
Although i know its necessary, i am absolutely terrified!! i have been told by some people that its no big deal, some people have said it was the absolute worst experience ever..
Part of my fear is that i am already terrified to leave the house because of D, now i will have to take a heavy dose of laxatives and the next day drive to a hospital 20 minutes away for the procedure!!
My procedure isn't until 2:45pm, so im hoping by then, i will have nothing left in my system, but im sure i will still get anxiety over it and get the "sensation" that i have to go!
Can anyone give me some comforting advice? i am dreading, but also looking forward to getting it over with and getting a clean bill of health and hopefully a prescription for antispasmodics!!
also i should have asked my dr, but can anyone tell me about how long the scope takes? im also worried that we will get stuck in rush hour traffic on the way home..and i have been told that you get really gassy and may have an "accident" afterward...
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Hi, I've had it twice - once awake with no sedative 20 years ago - and the second time was last year. First of all click over to the crohns board on this site, the very first post is great colonoscopy advice. I can't tell you what your experience will be. I hated the prep - it was a bit like having a stomach bug with bad d the whole night. But I wasn't aware at all of the procedure - I was out as it began and woke as it finished. Its a necessary evil and you really must do it especially with your family history. Can you have someone drive you there and home again? Can you plan a halfway point bathroom stop in advance so you know where to stop if you need to? Good luck...
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Ladies & gentlemen take my advice, pull down your pants and slide on the ice.
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Here's the link to the Colonoscopy Prep.
The prep is no fun, but the actual procedure isn't that bad. I had Demerol and they knocked me out. You really should have someone to drive you home. They wouldn't let me drive myself and it's a good thing because I was so loopy. It'll be over and done with in a day and then you can have some definite answers. 
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If you're not dead, you've still got time.
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I had my first colonoscopy this summer. There are alot of good postings and advice on the site already if you do a search. The sticky post at the top of the chrohn's/colitis board is great. I was really scared too and I had an endoscopy done at the same time so I was sedated for mine. For me the prep and drive there was the worst of it and considering how bad some of my attacks have been it wasn't that bad in comparison. My drive was about 15-20 mins on the highway and another 15 to get through the city to the hospital. I was terrified of that but the specialist had me do my prep way before and I was okay. The hunger pains in my chest and emptiness in my stomach are what bothered me the most. I was still going a bit before I left so I was scared of having to stop. It must have been anxiety because once we were on our way I was restless but okay. The drive home was uncomfortable because of the soreness, gas and bloating in my stomach, I had to put the seat back and I brought a blanket and pillow. Because I was on morphine I was too out of it to really feel everything at that point. It did take awhile for my bm's to settle down. I didn't have D right after the procedure, it came when I ate again for the first time and for a couple days afterwards, then I was C for at least a week. I would highly recommend that you stick to a liquid diet for at least a day if not two beforehand, it helped me not having to clear out solid foods. I also had to eat soup and other BTC diet foods for a few days afterwards until my system was back to "normal" (my normal that is )
If you have any other questions feel free to ask!
It is not a pleasant experience and I won't pretend that it is. However, it is not as bad as you will imagine it to be when thinking about it.
Take Care and I hope you find some answers,
Bethany
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Microscopic Colitis, IBS-A, GERD, Hiatal Hernia
Bethany, Ontario, Canada
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I had a colonoscopy in 2004 - I was having a lot of digestive problems and after multiple unpleasant tests they finally decided my gallbladder was not contracting and that was what was making me so ill. I had surgery and was ok for a year or so, but now I'm having lots of other problems (which is why I just joined this board) but that's a whole other story! General consensus is I'm dealing with IBS.
Anyway - I just wanted to say - as far as the colonoscopy - don't worry about it too much. Naturally you'll be nervous -but compared to all of the tests I've had throughout the years (basically almost all you can have to your stomach or bowels) that one wasn't too bad in the overall scheme of things. The actual procedure was fine. They gave me the drug to put me into "twilight sleep" and I actually even woke up during the procedure (whoops) they said I was really hard to keep knocked out for some reason that day - but they just gave me a little extra of the drugs and I was back out. I vaguely remember looking at the TV and I could "feel" the doc doing something (just like pressure) but it was only for seconds and not painful or anything at all. Kind of like a dream. And don't let that scare you that I mentioned waking up - and I'm a wuss as far as any tests go and it really wasn't any big deal. And I'm guessing that's probably not something that happens often. It was kind of a funny story to tell later. 
The worst part is the prep beforehand. If I remember correctly - they made me do a clear liquids only diet for a day or two before the procedure. Do that. It will probably make it easier. I had things like sprite and some broth and jello ... stuff like that. And they gave a choice as to how I wanted to take the medicine that clears you out before the test. I think one choice is mixing it with some salty liquid, one choice is with something like gatorade, and the third choice was big horse pills. I don't like pills but figured that would be the easiest way to get it all down and I chose pills. You have do down a whole lot in a short amount of time and it's kind of tough, and then all "colon cleaning" starts - and no it's not pleasant - but you'll be OK I swear! I'm built really small and I think the normal dose was a lot for me - cause I was still using the bathroom when I was in the waiting room to go get prepped - but everyone will take care of you when you are being prepped for the procedure. It also helped me because my mom came into town and was there for moral support the night before when I was doing the prepping and she was my "driver" to and from the hospital. It helps to have someone there.
I do have one MAJOR TIP. BEFORE you hit that point where you're not supposed to be ingesting liquids anymore - DRINK AS MUCH WATER as you can tolerate (hopefully it all doesn't just go right through you). I got really dehydrated and it made it hard for them to get an IV started. The nurse advised me if I was ever back in the hospital again for any more tests to drink and drink right until the cutoff time.
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thanks for all your comments! i forgot to mention that my husband drives like a grandma..thankfully my stepdad doesnt have to work so instead of asking my husband to take off, my Stepdad will take me, and he drives like a mad man so at least i know i will get to and fro as fast as possible!
i will definitly be checking out the links you mentioned.
Thanks and i feel a little bit better now!
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I am seriously a big wimp and I had no problem with the test. You are empty by the time you go so it's no big deal. Also I had to be there at 9 am so if you don't have to be there until almost 3 you will be empty. You will wake up with some gas that will move and you will go home eat and sleep most of the day. Just follow the prep that they give you, ask God to comfort and protect you and you will have no problems.
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Courtney (IBS-D)
"Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible." Romans 12:18
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First, I had NO accidents on the way home from the test. I was so completely emptied out by then. I was sedated and just wanted to go home and sleep. I DID feel a bit gassy and crampy when I got to the doctor's office in the morning. My exam was at 6:30 am...I wanted to get it over with  But, of course, being a GI office, they had plenty of bathrooms with plenty of sympathetic nurses! Believe me, nothing you do or say will surprise these people!
The prep was hard, as it seems to be for everyone. My advice is to drink as much water as you can. It will make you "poop" more, but the cleaner you are inside, the better the doctor can view your insides for problems. Also, the more the water you drink, the less crampy you'll feel.
My uncle is a doctor and he recommended that I also drink some 7up or ginger ale since the sugar would keep me from being too weak and shaky the next day. It seemed to work even though I never drink sodas b/c of my IBS.
I DEFINITELY would make sure to have baby wipes with aloe on hand to wipe your bottom so it doesn't get chapped. Have some Preparation H handy to put on your bum for swelling (your tissue around your anus will be sore from the undigested stomach acids funneling out)and to soothe the irritated skin between BMs.
Also, wish I'd done this the first time around, but get some Dermaplast! Ask your pharmacist about it and where to find it in the drugstore. It's a topical spray with some kind of painkiller in it (ends in -caine). The stuff is supposed to work wonders! A friend of mine uses it every time he has a colonoscopy.
The whole thing goes so quickly it's over before you know it. And when you get done, you get to just sit and fart It's kinda funny really! I was also amazed at how much I could go! A great time to just sit back and witness what your body is capable of You'll be amazed, too. Good luck and you'll be just fine!
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