Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Colonoscopy

Octoberme

Recommended Posts

Octoberme Apprentice
Octoberme
Posted

HELP :-(

No, I am going in for my first ever colonoscopy on Monday. I am gearing up for an extremely un-fun weekend for all the " prepping " that is for sure...

But....what shoudl I be expecting with this? What should i be prepared for? Does it hurt? What about after effects - how do you feel after? Should I know anythign special to ask the doctor to do or check for???

I dunno....I am very nervouse and scared. :o

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Lisa Mentor
Lisa
Posted
HELP :-(

No, I am going in for my first ever colonoscopy on Monday. I am gearing up for an extremely un-fun weekend for all the " prepping " that is for sure...

But....what shoudl I be expecting with this? What should i be prepared for? Does it hurt? What about after effects - how do you feel after? Should I know anythign special to ask the doctor to do or check for???

I dunno....I am very nervouse and scared. :o

The worst part of it is the prep. The procedure itself is nothing to worry about. They let me drift off to sleep and woke up and everything was over.

Guest j_mommy
Guest j_mommy
Posted

It's not bad...the prep is no fun. Afterward you feel like your old self.

I would buy some baby wipes.....after awhile they feel better than old fashioned TP!

Good Luck!

MyMississippi Enthusiast
MyMississippi
Posted

Hi,

Don't be nervous :)

As an RN , I can tell you that whenever I helped out in the endo lab in the hospital where I worked, all the patients said it was "not bad, at all".

They will sedate you well, before it is done. Every patient I ever dealt with said they didn't feel anything and most woke up in recovery not remembering anything about it. SO RELAX ! ! :D It's not a long procedure.

Just make sure that your drug allergies, if any, are noted on the chart. ANd make sure they know what medications you take.

THe bowel cleansing is worse than the colonoscopy :D

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

I was nervous before mine, too. It's really not as bad as you think--the prep is unpleasant, but nothing you won't be able to handle. Maybe put a book or some magazines in the bathroom ;)

The actual procedure is a breeze--I was out for the whole thing (I also had an endoscopy) and woke up feeling a bit groggy at first, but fine. I had no pain or anything whatsoever.

Best of luck--it's going to be fine :)

Octoberme Apprentice
Octoberme
Posted
  • Author

Awwww...thanks everyone for the replies. I am feeling a tich less nervouse now.

And yes, I do expect the prep to not be so much fun. I went and rented a whole bunch of movies, and i have a portable DVD player, lol, so I figured I woudl just set up camp in the bathroom.

Lol, thanks.

pixiegirl Enthusiast
pixiegirl
Posted

People are so careful about saying anything bad... well I will. The prep was so awful for me. The procedure was a breeze, nothing to it.

I told my doctor that next time I need one I will fast on liquids only for days to avoid the prep. It wasn't that I had to remain so close to the restroom, that part was controllable for me. The prep gagged me and I could not drink it. I tried to hide it in chicken broth, or soda pop. You can't hide that stuff, no way.

The good news is there are a number of products on the market they use for prep so there is a good chance you won't have the one I did! :) And everyone is different, whatever my BF had he said, "its not so bad" and was guzzling it down! (guys will eat anything).

But really the procedure was fine for me. It was so easy for my 80 year old mother then after they were done she got dressed and said, "lets go out for Thai food!".

Susan

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Octoberme Apprentice
Octoberme
Posted
  • Author

Lol, thanks Susan for the honesty.

Ya, I am told the prep is bad. The drinks sucks, and the bathroom time and only fuilds is even worse. but you gotta do it right. As for the prep drink...

tomorrow I have to start with drinking the 300ml bottle of citro-mag......and the on Sunday I need to drink this freekin HUGE thing of PegLyte...." apparently " it is fruit flavored, RIGHT.

Anyway, again, thanks for all the insight. I am sure I will be glad when it is done tho

Guest digmom1014
Guest digmom1014
Posted

All I can graphically say is, when the slightest urge comes-run to the bathroom! I had a few mistakes unfortunately.

Other than that Susan is right on target.

Octoberme Apprentice
Octoberme
Posted
  • Author
All I can graphically say is, when the slightest urge comes-run to the bathroom! I had a few mistakes unfortunately.

Other than that Susan is right on target.

Lol, yes I have been told that from a few as well. I am thinking that after I drink the stuff I am gonna just STAY in the bathroom in order to avoid accidents?!?! Got my portable DVD player, my movies, and my trusty baby wipes. Lol.....I am set :-(

jenrn Apprentice
jenrn
Posted

I was lucky and tolerated my prep very well. I had to drink the gallon of stuff. The way I got through it was to try not to taste it. This may sound strange but I didn't taste a drop of it by doing this. I held my nose as I drank the glass of it. Then still holding my nose I wiped my lips with a napkin to get any extra stuff off and popped a lemon drop in my mouth for a few seconds. By the time I let go of my nose all I could taste was the lemon drop. Towards the end of drinking the prep I had the lemon drops in the bathroom because I often found myself in there drinking the glass of stuff! Like I said it sounds like a strange way to drink it but I did not want to taste it!

Good luck with yours.

Jen

jerseyangel Proficient
jerseyangel
Posted

I wasn't being less than honest or afraid to post about anything bad regarding my experience. In my personal case, the prep was just unpleasant--not terrible. I had to drink the gallon of thick liquid laxative--hated it but got through with not much difficulty. Certainly nothing as bad as the illness that led me to be tested in the first place.

I think the whole point is to hear other's stories in hopes that it will give an idea of what to expect. For some it will be a horrible ordeal, for others, it's no big deal--and for most it falls somewhere in between.

OBXMom Explorer
OBXMom
Posted

You've gotten the lowdown, but I can add one suggestion. Vasoline. If your skin is the least bit sensitve, use it before and throughout the prep. Babywipes aren't always enough! Hope it is a breeze for you.

-Jane

Octoberme Apprentice
Octoberme
Posted
  • Author

Thanks guys for all the tips / advice and stories. I am gonna try the holding nose thing while I drink it cause I tend to gag if I don't like the taste of stuff.

And thanks for the tip about vaseline. I do have the baby wipes but I may have to try that too! I am sure all in all I will be okay and that when it is all said and done I will find it all worth it becuase then HOPEFULLY they can tell me what the heck is for sure wrong with me.

Thanks everyone. MUCHO helpful.

pixiegirl Enthusiast
pixiegirl
Posted

Oh I'm sorry I certainly didn't mean to imply that anyone was dishonest! I just meant that some times we sugar coat things. I've known people that had different prep things and said it wasn't so bad.

In regards to the running to the bathroom, I never had that issue, I had to go often but for me there was nothing uncontrollable about it. Instead of Vaseline I used baby diaper stuff, Balmex, its basically like a vaseline type product with zinc oxide in it but it does NOT come off like Vaseline does, it really stays put! (the things we talk about!)

But without a doubt everyone has different experiences!

Susan

Octoberme Apprentice
Octoberme
Posted
  • Author

This is all so very helpful thanks!!

I hope that I do nto have " controll " issues!

I am hours into the fuilds only diet and I am FREEKIN starving :-(

In a few hours I gotta drink that bottle of citromag or whatever it is.....

:-(

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,902
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    Patty6133
    Newest Member
    Patty6133
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @Judy M! Yes, he definitely needs to continue eating gluten until the day of the endoscopy. Not sure why the GI doc advised otherwise but it was a bum steer.  Celiac disease has a genetic component but also an "epigenetic" component. Let me explain. There are two main genes that have been identified as providing the "potential" to develop "active" celiac disease. We know them as HLA-DQ 2.5 (aka, HLA-DQ 2) and HLA-DQ8. Without one or both of these genes it is highly unlikely that a person will develop celiac disease at some point in their life. About 40% of the general population carry one or both of these two genes but only about 1% of the population develops active celiac disease. Thus, possessing the genetic potential for celiac disease is far less than deterministic. Most who have the potential never develop the disease. In order for the potential to develop celiac disease to turn into active celiac disease, some triggering stress event or events must "turn on" the latent genes. This triggering stress event can be a viral infection, some other medical event, or even prolonged psychological/emotional trauma. This part of the equation is difficult to quantify but this is the epigenetic dimension of the disease. Epigenetics has to do with the influence that environmental factors and things not coded into the DNA itself have to do in "turning on" susceptible genes. And this is why celiac disease can develop at any stage of life. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition (not a food allergy) that causes inflammation in the lining of the small bowel. The ingestion of gluten causes the body to attack the cells of this lining which, over time, damages and destroys them, impairing the body's ability to absorb nutrients since this is the part of the intestinal track responsible for nutrient absorption and also causing numerous other food sensitivities such as dairy/lactose intolerance. There is another gluten-related disorder known as NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity or just, "gluten sensitivity") that is not autoimmune in nature and which does not damage the small bowel lining. However, NCGS shares many of the same symptoms with celiac disease such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. It is also much more common than celiac disease. There is no test for NCGS so, because they share common symptoms, celiac disease must first be ruled out through formal testing for celiac disease. This is where your husband is right now. It should also be said that some experts believe NCGS can transition into celiac disease. I hope this helps.
    • Judy M
      New (possible) celiac diagnosis

      By Judy M · Posted

      My husband has had lactose intolerance for his entire life (he's 68 yo).  So, he's used to gastro issues. But for the past year he's been experiencing bouts of diarrhea that last for hours.  He finally went to his gastroenterologist ... several blood tests ruled out other maladies, but his celiac results are suspect.  He is scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy in 2 weeks.  He was told to eat "gluten free" until the tests!!!  I, and he know nothing about this "diet" much less how to navigate his in daily life!! The more I read, the more my head is spinning.  So I guess I have 2 questions.  First, I read on this website that prior to testing, eat gluten so as not to compromise the testing!  Is that true? His primary care doctor told him to eat gluten free prior to testing!  I'm so confused.  Second, I read that celiac disease is genetic or caused by other ways such as surgery.  No family history but Gall bladder removal 7 years ago, maybe?  But how in God's name does something like this crop up and now is so awful he can't go a day without worrying.  He still works in Manhattan and considers himself lucky if he gets there without incident!  Advice from those who know would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • Scott Adams
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You've done an excellent job of meticulously tracking the rash's unpredictable behavior, from its symmetrical spread and stubborn scabbing to the potential triggers you've identified, like the asthma medication and dietary changes. It's particularly telling that the rash seems to flare with wheat consumption, even though your initial blood test was negative—as you've noted, being off wheat before a test can sometimes lead to a false negative, and your description of the other symptoms—joint pain, brain fog, stomach issues—is very compelling. The symmetry of the rash is a crucial detail that often points toward an internal cause, such as an autoimmune response or a systemic reaction, rather than just an external irritant like a plant or mites. I hope your doctor tomorrow takes the time to listen carefully to all of this evidence you've gathered and works with you to find some real answers and effective relief. Don't be discouraged if the rash fluctuates; your detailed history is the most valuable tool you have for getting an accurate diagnosis.
    • Scott Adams
      Gluten free beer ?

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      In this case the beer is excellent, but for those who are super sensitive it is likely better to go the full gluten-free beer route. Lakefront Brewery (another sponsor!) has good gluten-free beer made without any gluten ingredients.
    • trents
      Patiently Waiting to See Results

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the forum, @catsrlife! Celiac disease can be diagnosed without committing to a full-blown "gluten challenge" if you get a skin biopsy done during an active outbreak of dermatitis herpetiformis, assuming that is what is causing the rash. There is no other known cause for dermatitis herpetiformis so it is definitive for celiac disease. You would need to find a dermatologist who is familiar with doing the biopsy correctly, however. The samples need to be taken next to the pustules, not on them . . . a mistake many dermatologists make when biopsying for dermatitis herpetiformis. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.