Colonoscopy Tomorrow

[melmak5]

Thanks Teach.

Yes, colonoscopy. But the prep is mag/citrate so perhaps if its not golytely (sp?) it requires different pre-prep.

One week before its no NSAIDS

Three days ahead its the "low residue"

Day before is clear liquids, no red/pink/blue/purple dyes, jello, black coffee/tea

Day before - 7pm 1.5 bottles of mag/cit

4-6 hours prior 1.5 bottles of mag/cit

I guess there is more than one way to do this... it is just hard to not eat fruit. Fruit, brown rice and green veggies are kinda my world right now. I keep telling myself its only for a few days!

[melmak5]

I am becoming mildly nervous. For some reason I keep worrying that I will not maintain an appropriate level of grooming. I know that doctors probably don't care if my toes are painted or not, yet this is all I can worry about. Its kinda funny that I am not freaking out about whether or not they find something in my colon, no, its trying to allot enough time to make sure I am well groomed.

Some day I am going to look back and laugh at this.

[Teacher1958]

I am becoming mildly nervous. For some reason I keep worrying that I will not maintain an appropriate level of grooming. I know that doctors probably don't care if my toes are painted or not, yet this is all I can worry about. Its kinda funny that I am not freaking out about whether or not they find something in my colon, no, its trying to allot enough time to make sure I am well groomed.

Some day I am going to look back and laugh at this.

Don't laugh, but proper grooming would have never even crossed my mind. Don't get me wrong, I showered and put on a little bit of make-up, but that was about it. My best friend, though, would have been making certain she looked perfect. My biggest obsession was counting down the hours and minutes until I could eat again.

[melmak5]

Its totally funny because I have never been fully naked in front of a doctor before.

I am worried that if I am spending the evening and morning in the toilet I might not have enough time to shave. I was worried earlier that I haven't dyed my hair in months. The doc won't even be looking at my head! I didn't even think about make up, but I am not a make-up kinda person, so I can cross that "crazy which mascara goes better with a jonny, black or brown?" worry off my list.

After my endoscopy a few months ago I was so loopy I couldn't figure out how to put my pants back on. At least I have vowed to wear a pair of elastic waste band sweats and forgo a clasp bra for a sports bra so I won't require assistance from the nursing staff.

My friend who works in a hospital told me that as long as I am showered I would be miles ahead of a lot of what doctors have to deal with on a pretty daily basis and stop worrying about such little details... but for some reason I am totally hung up on them

[Karen B.]

Its totally funny because I have never been fully naked in front of a doctor before.

I am worried that if I am spending the evening and morning in the toilet I might not have enough time to shave. I was worried earlier that I haven't dyed my hair in months. The doc won't even be looking at my head! I didn't even think about make up, but I am not a make-up kinda person, so I can cross that "crazy which mascara goes better with a jonny, black or brown?" worry off my list.

After my endoscopy a few months ago I was so loopy I couldn't figure out how to put my pants back on. At least I have vowed to wear a pair of elastic waste band sweats and forgo a clasp bra for a sports bra so I won't require assistance from the nursing staff.

My friend who works in a hospital told me that as long as I am showered I would be miles ahead of a lot of what doctors have to deal with on a pretty daily basis and stop worrying about such little details... but for some reason I am totally hung up on them

Your friend is totally correct -- the doc won't see the cheeks to which you apply blush. :-) They are under such a tight schedules and see so many patients in one day, you could meet the doc and nurse in the grocery store the following night and they wouldn't even know you.

[darkangel]

I'm sure your doctor - and any other assisting technicians - would appreciate personal cleanliness and grooming but are unconcerned about makeup and hairstyles.

I find the whole thing pretty invasive and humiliating. I had a flex sig done with no anesthesia of any kind and was really traumatized by it. Hard to explain, but I felt violated... almost like I'd been raped. I sat in my doc's office after the procedure and just boo-hooed while he was trying to talk to me. He looked at me like I'd lost my mind. These procedures are so common place to them, they never give any of these things that concern us a thought.

[melmak5]

darkangel, that is horrible.

I get panic attacks in doctors offices/hospitals, so I am hoping to really instill in these docs how ESSENTIAL it is that I not have a memory of this. I know its really important, so I am going to do it, but apparently my coping mechanisms are a little on the fritz... hence the preoccupation with grooming.

I cannot wait for Wednesday afternoon!!

[Teacher1958]

I'm sure your doctor - and any other assisting technicians - would appreciate personal cleanliness and grooming but are unconcerned about makeup and hairstyles.

I find the whole thing pretty invasive and humiliating. I had a flex sig done with no anesthesia of any kind and was really traumatized by it. Hard to explain, but I felt violated... almost like I'd been raped. I sat in my doc's office after the procedure and just boo-hooed while he was trying to talk to me. He looked at me like I'd lost my mind. These procedures are so common place to them, they never give any of these things that concern us a thought.

This didn't even occur to me, but now I realize that it was because the GI was a female and so was her assistant. I don't think I would've felt so comfortable with someone of the opposite sex.

I had a similar experience to you when I was in premature labor. I was admitted to a teaching hospital, and shortly after I arrived, I was given an amniocentesis and dye was injected into my uterus to see if my water had broken. If the dye showed up "down there," then that would have meant that the water had broken and I was susceptible to infection. Well, believe it or not, there was an entire group of medical students awaiting the results of the dye test. How humiliating.

[melmak5]

I am leaving for this shortly.

I think something went not so well. It felt like I was passing shards of glass and lemon juice all night. I got no sleep and have been painfully bloated, distended, gassy, gurgly and an overall crank. I don't know if the prep just had a lot of sugar = the bacteria in my gut to go wild, but I have no sensation of "squeaky clean," or emptiness that people said I would.

If I didn't know any better I would say that I was in fact constipated.

I am trying to be a trouper, but right now I want to rip the eyes of the person who developed this "prep."

Just a few more hours, just a few more hours.

[Judyin Philly]

I am trying to be a trouper, but right now I want to rip the eyes of the person who developed this "prep."

AH HONEY, I HEAR YOU. THIS IS SO FUNNY IF NOT SO TRUE AND SAD...

GOOD LUCK PLEASE POST WHEN YOU BET BACK SO YOU KNOW YOUR OK

AT LEAST YOU'LL HAVE SOME ANSWERS

I GOT THE PRINT OUT WITH PHOTOS WHEN I LEFT THE OFFICE.

SAYING PRAYERS FOR YOU.......NOT THAT YOU'LL NEED THEM

[melmak5]

Thank you all so much for your support!

I apparently had a bad reaction to the prep (mag citrate)... it is not suppose to feel like fire and shards of glass on the way out.

They found one polyp, everything else looked normal, but they took a bunch of biopsies, which I should know about in 2 weeks.

They don't know what type of bacteria are overgrowing in my guts, but I got a rx for antibiotics and 40 minutes of fighting with the insurance company later, they were in my hot little hand. (insurance only wanted to pay for 14 pills instead of the 60 the doctor prescribed.)

I feel really exhausted, so I am going sleep this stuff off.

Thanks again!

[Marg Star]

Hello All, I'm new here and my colonoscopy is coming up soon. I have a fear of being put to sleep (I'm already having nightmares) but seriously think being awake through this would be worse...how lucid were you during this?

Also, I just started a new job (of course) and have to take time off. When did the prep start to "hit ya"? I.e. would it be better to take the afternoon off as well as the day for the procedure or would the morning after with anesthesia hang-over be better? I'm not quite comfy enough with my coworkers to explain frequent dashes to the bathroom...

[ravenwoodglass]

I'm sure your doctor - and any other assisting technicians - would appreciate personal cleanliness and grooming but are unconcerned about makeup and hairstyles.

I find the whole thing pretty invasive and humiliating. I had a flex sig done with no anesthesia of any kind and was really traumatized by it. Hard to explain, but I felt violated... almost like I'd been raped. I sat in my doc's office after the procedure and just boo-hooed while he was trying to talk to me. He looked at me like I'd lost my mind. These procedures are so common place to them, they never give any of these things that concern us a thought.

Darkangel thanks for posting this. I also had a tortuous colon and they were only able to go in about 12 inches before inadaquate anesthesia and pain stopped the procedure. It might have helped if the doc had waited for the meds to take effect first especially since I had told him how fearful I was of the endo part. Instead I got to think everything was over and then was awoken by a nurse shoving a tube down my throat. I awoke with bruises and had the same mental aftereffect that you did. I have been raped and the mental aftereffects of the procedure were identical. It took me weeks to stop waking up at night in a cold sweat in the procedure room. When I talked to my doctor at the next appointment he swore I was asleep until I told him exactly how many times I told him it hurt and what he said after each time 'more versed'. He said next time they would put me under with a anesthesiologist, I told him there won't be a next time. At least with him. He also said the bad biopsy results were a mistake and to ignore them. Needless to say that doc has been fired. He made me feel like a real head case and like this sort of thing never happens and I imagined it all including the bruises on my legs, arms and shoulders (hmmm did they have to hold me down after I was finally out of it who knows after all it never happened), when I asked him for something to help me sleep until the nightmares stopped I was told it wasn't needed.

I wish you also had not had such a bad experience but I am so glad to know that I am not the only one this has happened to. I know it does not happen very often but I wish doctors would listen to us once in awhile. The whole trauma for me could have been avoided if he actually had put me under like he promised rather than using daterape drugs and trusting that I wouldn't remember anyway.

[ravenwoodglass]

Hello All, I'm new here and my colonoscopy is coming up soon. I have a fear of being put to sleep (I'm already having nightmares) but seriously think being awake through this would be worse...how lucid were you during this?

Also, I just started a new job (of course) and have to take time off. When did the prep start to "hit ya"? I.e. would it be better to take the afternoon off as well as the day for the procedure or would the morning after with anesthesia hang-over be better? I'm not quite comfy enough with my coworkers to explain frequent dashes to the bathroom...

The timing of your prep is going to be linked to when in the next day your procedure is. You can not work while doing the prep but most likely you will start drinking it after work hours. You will at some point be drinking and pooing at the same time. You do need to get the day of the procedure off unless you are a brave soul who is doing it with no drugs. They will stay in your system for a bit even if you feel normal you won't be allowed to drive until the next day. Do not let my horror story of my second procedure scare you, my first colonoscopy, 3 years before diagnosis with celiac, was a piece of cake after the prep was done. Didn't remember a thing except crying because even in all my pain they told me again everything was great, you have IBS here have a prozac.

[Judyin Philly]

Dear Marg Star

So nice of all the others sharing there experiences!

It seems are so many bad stories out there and let me tell you my first one was done by a-- outstanding GI and personal friend and co worker in the hosptial....He truly cared about me..BUT

HE did all the anesthesia and it didn't work at all...they couldn't put in out...colon spasmed so badly couldn't get it all the way down..i was at the max of drugs and couldn't do any more for the pain.

SO THAT WAS 7 YEARS AGO. Just went to a new women GI and they have a anesthesiologist who is control of the drugs and Dr in charge of just the scope..to me...my opinion...but it's the only way I'd go...

since I'm allergic to soy i couldn't do the drug of choice..that starts with P..can anyone remember the name that works in 15 min and you totally wake up after 15 min recovery room? Hubby just did that and did GREAT WITH IT. he's had 5 and said best one yet.

Since i have so many intolerances, they called in a special anesthesiologist Dr. and she was WONDERFUL. If i felt pain they put more drugs in..it wasn't bad this time...it really wasn't.

took me longer to get awake but who cares.. i talked all through the procedure and we 3 were laughing and telling jokes...but NOT PAIN EXCEPT SOME BREAK THROUGH..THE ENDOSCOPE WAS HARD B/C I HAVE SUCH A BAD GAG REFLEX..BUT THEY HANDLED IT.

ALSO MY PREP WAS 1/2 GO LIGHTLY..4 PILLS AT 4:OO AND THEN DRINK 1/2 GALLON EVERY 10 MIN TILL GONE...IT WAS THE EASIEST PREP THIS TIME.

PERSONALLY I THINK THE FEAR OF BEING PUT TO SLEEP WILL EASE WITH THE RELAXING DRUGS AND YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU CHOSE THAT WAY IF YOU DO....

AND...I'D CALL AND ASK TO TALK TO THE ANTHOLOGIST..IF THEY DON'T HAVE ONE...AND DR DOES IT..WELL..HUMMM...GUESS THAT'S UP TO YOU.

GOOD LUCK WHEN IS IT SCHEDULED?

HUGS

JUDY

[melmak5]

MargStar

Please feel free to PM me, I think overall I had a good experience, minus the prep.

I have panic attacks in doctors offices/hospitals. So I got extra med to help relax me. They prevent some memories from forming, so I remember nothing of the beginning of my colonosocpy, but I do have memory of the middle, and then again of waking up.

If you are nervous/anxious TELL THEM. Nurses are your best allies here, they want you to be comfortable and compliant (so if they ask you to move your legs, you can).

I felt NO PAIN. Some pressure, but no pain at all (and I had a polyp removed and biopsies done). I have to credit them with being amazing at Beth Israel. I left with dignity, they allowed almost my entire body to be covered with jonnies/blankets, and I did not feel uncomfortable or invaded.

They were very liberal with lubrication, which I cannot thank them enough for.

The Prep

It took about 2-3 hours for it to "start" but start it at home. I live with 2 other house mates and I told them that one of the bathrooms was mine for the night. BEST DECISION EVER! I also slept on the couch cause it was closer to the bathroom. A few times I literally had to run to make it.

The After

You will have to pass a lot of gas, this is normal - they actually wouldn't let me leave until I did so.

You will NOT be able to go to work. I wasn't even able to do basic tasks... I spilled my lunch all over me and my shoes

If at all possible, do it on a Friday, so you can have the weekend to recover.

Good luck! It really isn't that bad. At least 80% of it is mental.

[Cruiser Bob]

Well my procedure (endo & colon) went just fine - don't remember a thing, although I think I was awake the entire time - I guess. The drugs wiped me out for the rest of the day.

Before the procedure and the delivery of the results - I have a major problem with - but that is all Doctor related -as in the PA completely mixed up my medical history and the fact that I've been gluten-free for 7 years, refused to change the medical records, and on top of that did not hear a word I said about celiacs and the need for more, rather than less biopsies.

Thus his mailed results said "call me in two weeks". I think I would have filed a complaint if he'd have included "aspirin" in that comment. The only thing he commented on was minor GERD (acid reflux) at the bottom of my esphagus.

So, a second opinion, or do nothing are my choices, I'm certainly not changing my gluten-free diet with two generations of celiacs older than me, and one set younger. That's pretty conclusive evidence itself.

Now the day before - oh boy, I don't look forward to that again. I had the half lite with the 4 pills, then the ton of flavored evacuant. At least I wasn't up all night, had things done on a Friday morning

Anyway, are we all having fun yet:)

I've said for years that it's fascinating learning all this, but it sucks being patient, and/or being THE patient.

Bob

(engineer by schooling)

[Teacher1958]

I wasn't awake through the whole thing, but I did watch the monitor at one point, and I also remember severe pain. It felt as if someone had put a knife inside me. Except for myself and some of you guys, I've never talked to anyone who remembered anything at all from it.

[sg325]

I wasn't awake through the whole thing, but I did watch the monitor at one point, and I also remember severe pain. It felt as if someone had put a knife inside me. Except for myself and some of you guys, I've never talked to anyone who remembered anything at all from it.

I had endo/colonoscopy done 2 weeks ago, and I did have a horrible experience. I was awake and bawling uncontrollably during the entire procedure. My doc did not do it, he was caught up with another patient, but when I started freaking, he came in and tried to hold my hand and calmly talk to me to help me relax. I too, felt violated and freaked out after, but only this week did I find out why.

VERSED- While not considered an allergic reaction, in some patients it causes combativeness, excessive emotions (crying), and heightened awareness. It is in the valium family, but doesn't relax me at all...I thought I was losing my mind, even after I went home. My doc said next time the anestheiologist (sp?) would give me a completely different med and that would make it a lot better...

[Joni63]

I wasn't awake through the whole thing, but I did watch the monitor at one point, and I also remember severe pain. It felt as if someone had put a knife inside me. Except for myself and some of you guys, I've never talked to anyone who remembered anything at all from it.

Oh My! I just read this thread and had a whole different experience. I was in a hospital as an outpatient for the procedure. There was an anesthesiologist who I dealt with instead of the GI doctor and I remember NOTHING! I went to sleep covered nice and neat all in a blanket and woke up in the recovery room covered back up in the same blanket. Whatever they did to me I felt or remember nothing at all. I had no pain after and couldn't tell that anything had been done to me.

I can't believe so many of you have felt pain and heard talking, watched the monitor and all. That must be awful! And why would the GI Dr. be the one who administered anesthesia? Was it an in-office procedure?

I know my sister had it done about 10 years ago with nothing at all except throat spray. I doubt she will ever go back because she said she panicked and gagged and it was terrible. They should make sure people are out more than most of you were!

[Sycamore]

I know my sister had it done about 10 years ago with nothing at all except throat spray. I doubt she will ever go back because she said she panicked and gagged and it was terrible. They should make sure people are out more than most of you were!

I know how your sister feels. I'd say its very likely I have celiac disease but I doubt I'll ever have it checked out again. I had all the symptoms as a child, including very stunted growth and severe weight loss, but my doctor gave me the diagnosis of 'failure to thrive' - meaning social services should keep an eye on me. At a second hospital a few years later I had every test under the sun, who knows how many incompetent blood tests over the years, and an endoscopy without anaesthetic. They didn't finish the endoscopy, apparently it was too difficult due to my size and my gagging, all that achieved was me refusing to talk to my parents for several weeks and panic attacks if I ever have to go to a doctor. I went on a gluten free diet anyway and my symptoms lessened and finally went, I grew (a bit) and am fine now provided I stay away from gluten.

Despite my experiences, I think (I certainly hope) its changed a lot in most places in the last 15 years since I had mine done. My mum went for a biopsy a couple of years ago, and even though they didn't offer anaesthetic once she told them about taking me as a child they were happy to give it to her and she was fine. My sister was also recently offered an endoscopy with anaesthesia at a different hospital again, though she decided like me she's happy just knowing the cure even if not the definate cause. Good luck to all about to go through any of these procedures, I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine

[Joni63]

I know how your sister feels. I'd say its very likely I have celiac disease but I doubt I'll ever have it checked out again.

Despite my experiences, I think (I certainly hope) its changed a lot in most places in the last 15 years since I had mine done.

Yes, she was diagnosed about 10 years ago and I do agree that it's probably changed a lot in the last 15 years. I'm sure there are still some doctors who would do it that way as my sister's still does, but there are plenty of other doctors who wouldn't think of doing a test like that while a person is awake.

My family doctor couldn't believe they tested my sister like that, but then I told her it was several years ago. She said that anesthesia is so much better today than it was years ago and there is no reason to put someone through a test today with that much discomfort when it's not necessary.