Colonoscopy - What To Expect?

[alcie27]

I went to a GI specialist yesterday and he scheduled me for an endoscopy, colonoscopy and blood work along with genetic testing. I'm a little afraid of the colonoscopy and endoscopy...what should I expect? What will the rest of the day be like for me? Also, does anyone know why they would need a colonoscopy? My GI suspects either Celiac or Mast Cells (I can't remember the name of it) or at the very least a food allergy.

[JillianLindsay]

When I had my endoscopy the recovery room was full of people who had just had colonoscopies and they all said "I don't remember a thing". If you're being sedated you probably won't remember it and will just feel drowsy for the rest of the day. Some people feel nauseous from sedation and/or pain control meds. I'm sure others will have more information for you and can share their personal experiences

Good luck,

Jillian

I went to a GI specialist yesterday and he scheduled me for an endoscopy, colonoscopy and blood work along with genetic testing. I'm a little afraid of the colonoscopy and endoscopy...what should I expect? What will the rest of the day be like for me? Also, does anyone know why they would need a colonoscopy? My GI suspects either Celiac or Mast Cells (I can't remember the name of it) or at the very least a food allergy.

[ben73503]

well for the colonoscopy you will have to drink a lovely cocktail that will clean you out. make sure you are drinking lots of water with it and DRINK IT ALL....or you will be like me and have to do it again. that will have you take that the day before along with some pills. my best advice stay very close to a bathroom. also remember what the color of you last BM because they will ask you. who ever made that stuff has a cruel humor. the day of you wont be allow to eat or drink anything. when it is done you will feel the urge to pass gas and its because they fill your intestines with air so they can look better. when it is done you can go eat what ever you want but make sure u have a person to drive u becasue they will put u under. the endoscopy i have no clue other than u will have a sore throat after because of the camera

[JillianLindsay]

I had a sore throat and tummy after the endoscopy but it passed after 48 hours. I forgot about that awful cleansing drink! I haven't had to do it (yet!) but I heard that's the worst part of the whole thing.

[ben73503]

I had a sore throat and tummy after the endoscopy but it passed after 48 hours. I forgot about that awful cleansing drink! I haven't had to do it (yet!) but I heard that's the worst part of the whole thing.

yes it is lol now that i look back on it. it sucked really bad it doesnt taste good at all...its like drinking really salty water. and o yea one more thing if you think u have to fart and its after u have been drinking that stuff don't even risk it go to the bathroom.

[luke-]

I agree with the others, the drink really is the worst bit! It's OK the first few times but by the end of it I felt so drained and sick, it was horrible. Good thing though is that I over prepared for it (people not being able to use "my" bathroom, etc.) and i didn't even have to go that much lol. I do suggest having baby wipes or something of the sort rather than toilet paper.

My throat was fine after the night I had it done, but my stomach was sore for about 3 days afterwards.

[ang1e0251]

I was scared of the endoscopy but it was a piece of cake. I don't remember a thing and I didn't have a sore throat.

[Tim-n-VA]

Regarding the sore throat: For my first endoscopy, I asked if the anesthetic would supress a sensitive gag reflex. They said that knowing that, they would spray my throat. I had no sore throat afterwards.

For my second, I was a little distracted by the fact that I was having a colonoscopy at the same time and didn't mention the gag reflex. I have a vague memory of them spraying my throat after trying the procedure (but I was under the sedation) and I had a sore throat the next day.

[ksymonds84]

I just had the double procedure last Friday. The prep was the worst part. The procedures themselves I do not remember at all. My husband had to tell me everything the doctor said because I didn't remember him coming into the room afterwards, so it is helpful to have someone in the room (I am sure they will insist on this anyway). Do the prep exactly as they say so that you won't be sent away to do it all over again. It has happened to other people. I also had sore throat the next day but was fine on Sunday. They also say to stay away from Red, Purple, and Blue anything to drink the day before and including the day of the procedures since it could look like blood. Don't worry it will be easy going once the prep is done!

[skyyblues]

I had both procedures in May. I was not able to eat gluten for the test as they had wanted. I made it 4 days and broke out so bad the doc said to stop eating it. The drink itself could have been better....some of the gluten free stuff I have had made it seem ok! LOL Most of the people I had spoken with said how bad the bathroom part was...I laughed as that is what my life was like almost every day before going gluten free!! The tests themselves were a breeze as I was in a "happy place" while they were going on. I had no problems what so ever after. I do recommend eating lightly a day or two before the prep day. Relax and good luck.