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The Kitchen Table

Survived my colonoscopy and prep...

16 years ago

No cancer...YEA!!!!!!!!!!!

The prep...yuck! And 1/2 to 3/4 of the way through the scope the scope broke, and they had to YANK it out and put in a new one!!! I was awake for the whole thing, it was gross and facinating at the same time!!!

Vickey

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Comments (10)

carol_in_california
16 years ago
Glad there is no cancer and sorry about the scope breaking.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers for a successful surgery.
dotmom
16 years ago
I'm glad, for you the ordeal is over. The prep is the worst part of the whole thing. My Sis had her Eight one last week. I asked her why so many and she said she didn't know, they just tell her its time for one and she gets it done. She told them, after this last one was done, NO MORE unless there was a good reason. She got good reports after each one.. I'll be looking forward to one this coming summer. Dotttie
Related Discussions
Advice about colonoscopy prep?
Q
Comments (4)
Oh, I am feeling for her! I have been through this twice, you are right, the prep is the worst part, the colonoscopy is a breeze compared to the day before. First off, everyone is different, so she may start having to go to the bathroom within a few minutes or a few hours, it just depends on her metabolism. She will be purging for quite a while and quite often. Again, it differs with everyone, but she shouldn't plan on going out anywhere once she starts the meds. Mine lasted about 4-5 hours total, towards the end it will all be clear liquid coming out. I went through about a roll of toilet paper, probably used the bathroom about 20-25 times during the course of the purging. Tell her to get books and magazines at the ready, she will be spending a lot of time in the bathroom. As for the powdered medicine mix, I would call her doctor. I used a liquid that I could mix with Gatorade or clear liquid the first time, it was the most vile thing I have ever drank. The second time I asked about getting the dosage in pill form, that is an option not many people know to ask for, but if you can get it by all means it is the kindest way! I wouldn't have her eating any mints or hard candy, but I was allowed to have all the clear liquids I wanted. Again, ask the doctor, but I think what the candy is made of might have a negative effect. Gatorade was my drink of choice, it provides electrolytes that your body needs and really quenches your thirst. Yes, she should stop drinking at least 4 hours before the procedure, longer if possible; this will prevent them from having to insert a catheter to relieve her bladder during the procedure. I stopped at midnight (my procedures were at 8 am and the other at 10am) and took tiny sips of water during the night, the purging medicine is salt based so it makes you really thirsty. So basically I would get ahold of the doctor on Monday and see if they will prescribe the pills. The liquid is so nasty I don't wish it on anyone and the after effects are bad enough so any way to make it less miserable is the way to go! Best of luck with the procedure and results, and I hope this info helps!
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Colonoscopy - I did it!
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Comments (16)
I'll ditto what OP said, it's not nearly as bad as I'd feared. So much depends on what you do leading up to the test. I'd read a few tips that were helpful: I'd read that some good foods to eat the day or two prior to starting the "cocktail" include: Scrambled egg whites, dry white toast, green tea, grilled chicken breast, plain baked potato, lemon Italian ice, apple or white grape juice, graham crackers, baked fish, rice, banana, plain bagel, coffee with sugar only, Lemon or lime Jell-O, Chicken noodle soup, crackers, Beef or chicken broth, ginger ale. Avoid fats, dairy products and high fiber foods. Use a straw to drink the "magic cocktail" and put it as far back in your mouth or throat as you can in order to avoid tasting it. I had to drink my 32 oz. Gatorade & Miralax mixture 8 oz every 10-15 minutes. Set the timer as the time goes by fast. Don't answer the phone :) Also, keep some vaseline with the tp as the cleaning out period can create a sore bottom. The people at the clinic are very aware it's a sensitive procedure and that modesty is an issue. At no time did I ever feel exposed or uncomfortable. The staff was terrific. I remember being asked to roll on my side and then don't recall anything until waking up 30-40 minutes later.
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Colonoscopy - The Most Dreaded Medical Procedure!!..
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Comments (12)
omg about choked when I saw this...unlike dave I waited till crisis mode, before rushing to the local hospital er at 3am!...my colon had finally rebelled and was scaring me to pieces! after being admitted, I was treated to a wonderful team of nurses but still was facing the dreaded decision... doc didn't give me a choice...as I hadn't had to eat since my dinner the night before, they made an apt for 7am the next day! about 2-3 pm I was given golightly product although unlike dave, mine was like being drowning in the ocean it was soooo salty tasting...the nurses gave me cups of crushed ice as if this would numb my taste buds, lol.. bright and early at 6 am was rolled down to the prep area...(out patient care) after hooking me up to yet another bag of saline, monitors, ect, was taken to the next room...after putting on oxygen, noticed the clock going around in circles, lol....that was the last thing I remember...they made necessary repairs, and finally was sent back up to my room...all I can say is just don't wait as long as I did....
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description of a colonoscopy by Dave Barry
Q
Comments (14)
I read this a while ago, and it's still funny. In April, I was aware/awake through most of my colonoscopy, watching the video monitor, and when they had to snip off a polyp, it hurt like h*ll! I have to have a follow up colonoscopy in October, and I made sure the PA noted that I will need to be sedated completely this time. I am NOT looking forward to it. Only good thing about the prep liquid is that mine came with six different flavors to choose from. I chose the pina colada flavor. Next time, I will pour out a pint at a time and use the different flavors.
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golfergrrl
16 years ago
I'm always semi knocked out, thank you. You have to be left with enough awareness to change position when the dr asks you to. At least the prep is getting easier to swallow than it used to be....gallon after gallon of pure cr@p.
3katz4me
16 years ago
Usually if they find nothing you only have to have one every 10 years. If they find adenomatous polyps they usually recommend you have one every three years. Adenomatous polyps are benign but they are the kind of polyps that can become cancer if left there long enough. We are kind of colonoscopy experts since DH's parents both had colon cancer as well as an aunt and a grandparent. He has adenomatous polyps and goes in every three years and has new adenomatous polyps every time he goes in. I fortunately have no polyps of any kind so I don't have to go back any time soon.
maryanntx
16 years ago
Glad you got a good report.
The prep is awful! I can't drink that stuff so I take the tablets.
alisande
16 years ago
I'm surprised more people aren't doing the Miralax prep. It's what my doctor recommended. It didn't taste bad, and there wasn't a lot of it to drink.
coral_ok
16 years ago
Yaaaay, Vickey! I'm so glad it's over and that you got good news. Wow, I don't think I ever want to be that conscious during the procedure, though.
OklaMoni
16 years ago
Glad it's over, and the report good. I was "knocked out" during mine. Never entered my mind, that I would want to be conscious for the procedure. :)

Moni
alisande
16 years ago
Vickey, if you were awake, were you in pain? I had an unmedicated sigmoidoscopy years ago, and it was agonizing. I was happy to be completely out for the colonoscopy. They used Propofol, and I felt great immediately afterward.
Vickey__MN
Original Author
16 years ago
I felt no pain, a little "discomfort"..like bad gas pains a couple of times, so what ever sedation (fentinol?? and something) they gave me worked very well. I was amazed watching it, and would do it that way again if given the option over being out!!! The worse was the second time they were inserting the scope, doctor was a little "rushed" and that made it less gentle but still very tolerable.

Vickey

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