Help! Really scared about my colonoscopy
#55277 - 03/29/04 12:41 AM
|
|
|
|
Vicam
Reged: 02/24/04
Posts: 1955
Loc: Ontario, Canada
|
|
|
Hey Guys,
Please don't think I'm pathetic, but I've found that I've been getting really concerned and scared now that my colonoscopy is booked, even though it's still 2 months away. I recently read the post by Jill Skylar about tips for the prep, and while I see why it would be helpful I think it just scared me more (I had convinced myself that I'd just go to the bathroom like once after the laxatives and be fine...denial, denial, denial). I'm only moderately concerned about the actual test (pretty much just worried about complications) but I'm petrified about the prep!
I hate having the runs and being stuck in the bathroom, plus, I have a really crappy bathroom right now that is poorly lit and just unpleasant and I guess I didn't realize how much time I may be spending in there.
So, any tips/suggestions/calming advice would be greatly appreciated. Also, my apartment is just a one bathroom and I live with my boyfriend, is the prep generally so bad that he may be in trouble if he needs to use it? Like should I go to a hotel for the night?
Ok, I'm going to stop rambling on because I'm just going to stress out...so thanks in advance for any advice!
Kelly
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Hey Kelly - don't be a'scart! It will be okay, truly! While it's not the most pleasant thing in the world and you'd rather be doing tons of other stuff, it's really not THAT bad. Get yourself a good book or something, and it will pass right by.
I'm not sure how long you'll be in there. I was for a couple of hours, so if the boyfriend can't hold it that long, you may want to send him out for the evening. Just tell him to be by a phone in case you need something (like run out of TP! lol). Or, go to a hotel for the night if you want - maybe you'll like their bathroom to hang out in better. 
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Kelly, you're not rambling. But I'm going to relieve your worries. Here's my story: web page
I'm not going to lie to you about the prep. Hubby and I have a very tiny condo with only one bathroom. He knew what I was going through, and certainly knew to stay clear of the bathroom all day long. He was marvelous, and left it to me. And yes, I was in there all day long. That's absolutely the worst part of the entire procedure -- pooping all day.
HOWEVER, a realtor friend of ours was absolutely amazing about her procedure. I warned her about the prep, but she didn't care; she had work to do, places to go, people to see, houses to show. She took all the laxatives -- and then got in her car and proceeded to do her usual run-arounds. Can you believe that? Afterwards, she told me she had no problems at all finding bathrooms, and people were great about letting her use theirs if necessary (and she said it WAS). Then the day of the procedure, she just took a few hours off, had it done, then went right back to work. She didn't drive anywhere, but nevertheless she was working out of her office that afternoon!
HAVE NO FEAR, Girlfriend! And, listen, don't go to a hotel. It's your home too, isn't it? You want your own home, your own bathroom, your own bed -- and the comfort of the person you love to just be there for you.
--------------------
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Kell,
Don't worry sweetie, colonoscopy is not that huge of a deal. Uncomfortable yes. My brother has had it done. Don't allow yourself to be overcome with worry sweetie you will add extra stress. Try to relax and then it will be all over with before you know it.
--------------------
if God brought you to it. He will bring you through it.
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
kelly,
I had a colonscopy when I was 20 years old (2 years ago) and the only "uncomfortable" part for me was not being able to eat anything the whole day! I was starving!! Then the stuff I had to drink to make me "go" the night before the test was DISGUSTING!!!!! It was the worst thing I ever tasted! I would take running to the bathroom with pain all day over drinking that stuff again!!
Anyway, you go in the hospital, they put an IV in my arm and then when they wheeled me in the "operating" room, I immediately fell asleep with the IV medicine in me. I do not remember ONE thing at all! It's like it didn't even happen. I ended up sleeping all the rest of the day because the medicine makes you so tired!! Someone will definitely have to drive you home!
All in all, it is not that bad. trust me, I am a total baby, too! 
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Don't worry, sweets. You can do it!
I will say that I, too, HATED the prep "beverages." I thought they tasted rank. But it wasn't so bad that you couldn't do it, ya know? I just kept telling myself "it's only one day, it's only one day..."
As for the results of the prep... Yeah, I was in the bathroom all day. And I have no idea HOW Bev's realtor did it, to be honest with you. I don't say that to scare you, but to warn you! I wouldn't be too far away from the potty if I were you. In fact, funny story... I was staying with my Mom the day before ('cause I was so sick the weeks leading up to the colonoscopy that I was just pathetic and wanted my mommy!) ANYWAY... when I did the prep she was scared 'cause I kept getting up and RUNNING to the bathroom. There was no "hold it" going on... I couldn't do what that realtor did! No way, no how! She got to the point where she started going upstairs to pee, 'cause she wasn't sure when I'd run in the potty! It was funny, 'cause I would run down the hall to the bathroom and my dog and my mom's dog would run behind me barking 'cause they weren't sure what was up (I don't normally run!)... So there I am, running, leading the barking mad dogs, my mother jumping out of the way! It was a show, I'll tell ya!
But while I was in the bathroom I wasn't too painful or horrible... then again I hadn't eaten more than toast for 3 weeks, so there wasn't much that could happen! 
All in all it wasn't terrible. I think I hated (in this exact order) the taste of the drinks the worst, then the running (lazy!), then the fact that whatever drugs they gave me made me lose my short-term memory and I kept asking the same questions over and over for a few hours. Quite comical. "Mom, did the doctor say I'm ok?" "Yes, Jen, he said everything went great." 30 second pause.... "Ma, what did the doctor say? Everything ok?" "uh..... yes, Jenny."
--------------------
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
Posts
