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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Re: Help! Colonoscopy ordered!
