Speaking of painful, put it off....

Anyone out there had a colonoscopy lately? How was it?


I am scheduled to have one on Friday. So far I have heard that the
worst part is the day before, no food, liquids only and late in the
day laxatives. Ugh.

I have put it off a whole month, can't really do it again. Guess I
will have to go.


Dana
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons,
for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

On Mar 13, 4:56 pm, Dana© <AneeB...@ownmail.com> wrote:
> Anyone out there had a colonoscopy lately? How was it?
>
> I am scheduled to have one on Friday. So far I have heard that the
> worst part is the day before, no food, liquids only and late in the
> day laxatives. Ugh.
>
> I have put it off a whole month, can't really do it again. Guess I
> will have to go.

I had one about half a year ago. It's not really all that bad. While
it was going on I was facing the TV screen and was absolutely
enthralled by my pink (healthy!) intestines which really had a calming
effect as I concentrated on the screen.

As I recall, my diet was several days long, cutting out different
foods as time went on. I can't really remember (meaning it wasn't at
all traumatic). I didn't find the fasting terrible at all. The
liquids were plenty to keep me happy. The enemas were not bad either
-- you just need to stay near the toilet.

The only thing that got me was the liquid laxative I had to drink. It
was the most disgusting thing I have ever smelled or put in my mouth.
It was all I could do not to gag and chuck it back up. I know there
are all kinds of these things on the market and I don't know why my
dr. gave me the most appalling thing known to man. The second time I
took it was much worse than the first because I *knew* what was
coming. And no, I'm sorry, I have wiped the name from my memory so i
can't warn you off by name.

Altogether, though, it is nothing to be apprehensive about. You're a
little bit wobbly afterwards, but it's nothing a good meal doesn't
cure. Just get the good tasting stuff and don't sweat it..... ;-)

JustGB

In article <2ledv2td7cp3776lup19gmdgu19vervduf@4ax.com>,
Dana? <AneeBear@ownmail.com> wrote:

> Anyone out there had a colonoscopy lately? How was it?
>
>
> I am scheduled to have one on Friday. So far I have heard that the
> worst part is the day before, no food, liquids only and late in the
> day laxatives. Ugh.
>
> I have put it off a whole month, can't really do it again. Guess I
> will have to go.

I had one five years ago. For me the worst part was getting my period
two days before and not being allowed to take ibuprophen for the cramps.
The clean-out part was just boring -- well, after swallowing that
HORRIBLE green stuff. *gag* I moved the TV to be in front of the
bathroom doorway and just sat there and let things move through.

I recommend telling them in advance that you feel anxious about it. I
did, and they gave me nice drugs to take. I'd never had valium before.
Good stuff. The test itself was mostly a piece of cake. They gave me
Versed, but I was semiconscious for it. I remember that it was quite
uncomfortable getting the snake around the corners, but the details of
the discomfort were wiped out by the meds. Make sure you have someone
to take you there and home. You may still be stoned when it's time to
leave.

Priscilla

"Dana©" <AneeBear@ownmail.com> wrote in message
news:2ledv2td7cp3776lup19gmdgu19vervduf@4ax.com...
> Anyone out there had a colonoscopy lately? How was it?
>
>
> I am scheduled to have one on Friday. So far I have heard that the
> worst part is the day before, no food, liquids only and late in the
> day laxatives. Ugh.
>
> I have put it off a whole month, can't really do it again. Guess I
> will have to go.
>
>
> Dana
> Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons,
> for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

Coming out of lurkdom to chime in . . .
I had one a year ago and while the liquid 'clean out the pipes' stuff was
somewhat vile, it actually wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. By the end
of the required intake though, it was harder to get down. The test itself
was uneventful - I was out like a light through the whole thing and felt
fine afterwards, went to gobble down some fast food (a rare thing for me,
but one is starving afterwards) with DH, the designated driver, and then
hope to sleep away the afternoon (residual sleepiness from anesthetic).
Lost about three pounds too, but of course, that was short-lived!! Best of
all, had clean results so no need to do another for ten years (well, nine
years now).

Thea

Dana© wrote:
> Anyone out there had a colonoscopy lately? How was it?
>
>
> I am scheduled to have one on Friday. So far I have heard that the
> worst part is the day before, no food, liquids only and late in the
> day laxatives. Ugh.
>
> I have put it off a whole month, can't really do it again. Guess I
> will have to go.

Like the other replies, the procedure itself was easy, assisted
by Valium and Versed.

The laxative I had was strong-tasting, but not too awful if I
held my nose and chugged it.

The worst for me wasn't even spending a day tethered to the
bathroom - it was that my anus gradually got more and more sore
as the day went on. Here's what I tried the second time:

-pack in a supply of the softest TP you can find (I used Charmin
Ultra), or use facial tissue with aloe and lotion
-moisten it before using it, and start this process BEFORE you
get sore
-follow up with unscented baby wet-wipes
-use Lanacaine externally as needed

A friend told me that she swiped the TP in petroleum jelly before
using it. I haven't tried this, but she said it prevented the
soreness.

FurPaw
--
My family values don't involve depleted uranium.

To reply, unleash the dog.

Priscilla...we live 45 minutes from the surgery clinic where I had mine and
we live out in the middle of nowhere. We packed a bucket with a trash bag in
it just in case I had to go and there was no bathroom near...luckily we
timed it well... I had to go every 15 minutes and there was a store at the
end of those 15 minutes.....by the time we got to the clinic I ran in the
door and the lady at the desk just pointed me to the toilet...LOL.
Jacquie
"Priscilla Ballou" <vze23t8n@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:vze23t8n-FD3347.13122413032007@individual.net...
> In article <2ledv2td7cp3776lup19gmdgu19vervduf@4ax.com>,
> Dana? <AneeBear@ownmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Anyone out there had a colonoscopy lately? How was it?
>>
>>
>> I am scheduled to have one on Friday. So far I have heard that the
>> worst part is the day before, no food, liquids only and late in the
>> day laxatives. Ugh.
>>
>> I have put it off a whole month, can't really do it again. Guess I
>> will have to go.
>
> I had one five years ago. For me the worst part was getting my period
> two days before and not being allowed to take ibuprophen for the cramps.
> The clean-out part was just boring -- well, after swallowing that
> HORRIBLE green stuff. *gag* I moved the TV to be in front of the
> bathroom doorway and just sat there and let things move through.
>
> I recommend telling them in advance that you feel anxious about it. I
> did, and they gave me nice drugs to take. I'd never had valium before.
> Good stuff. The test itself was mostly a piece of cake. They gave me
> Versed, but I was semiconscious for it. I remember that it was quite
> uncomfortable getting the snake around the corners, but the details of
> the discomfort were wiped out by the meds. Make sure you have someone
> to take you there and home. You may still be stoned when it's time to
> leave.
>
> Priscilla

I had the small colon check when I turned 50...It's like Happy Birthday then
give you a referral to the surgeon. Since that was the small one I wasn't
put to sleep. It was a bit uncomfortable but not painful. My colon didn't
want to open for the probe so he put in more air....I had gas pain up to my
shoulders by the time I left the clinic..and was in pain for a couple of
hours.
Five years later they sent me for the Colonoscopy...the prep is the worse.
For this one they gave me something that relaxed me enough to sleep and I
don't remember anything, I woke up pretty quickly and didn't feel
hungover..she said I had one of the cleanest colons she ever saw...LOL.
"Dana©" <AneeBear@ownmail.com> wrote in message
news:2ledv2td7cp3776lup19gmdgu19vervduf@4ax.com...
> Anyone out there had a colonoscopy lately? How was it?
>
>
> I am scheduled to have one on Friday. So far I have heard that the
> worst part is the day before, no food, liquids only and late in the
> day laxatives. Ugh.
>
> I have put it off a whole month, can't really do it again. Guess I
> will have to go.
>
>
> Dana
> Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons,
> for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

My Dr told me to buy diaper rash cream(Destin) and put it on my rear after
every BM...it helped allot...what it didn't help were my poor
hemorrhoids...
Jacquie
"FurPaw" <furrealpawdog@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:8rGdnaPOoKbZimrYnZ2dnUVZ_qGjnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
Dana© wrote:
> Anyone out there had a colonoscopy lately? How was it?
>
>
> I am scheduled to have one on Friday. So far I have heard that the
> worst part is the day before, no food, liquids only and late in the
> day laxatives. Ugh.
> I have put it off a whole month, can't really do it again. Guess I
> will have to go.

Like the other replies, the procedure itself was easy, assisted
by Valium and Versed.

The laxative I had was strong-tasting, but not too awful if I
held my nose and chugged it.

The worst for me wasn't even spending a day tethered to the
bathroom - it was that my anus gradually got more and more sore
as the day went on. Here's what I tried the second time:

-pack in a supply of the softest TP you can find (I used Charmin
Ultra), or use facial tissue with aloe and lotion
-moisten it before using it, and start this process BEFORE you
get sore
-follow up with unscented baby wet-wipes
-use Lanacaine externally as needed

A friend told me that she swiped the TP in petroleum jelly before
using it. I haven't tried this, but she said it prevented the
soreness.

FurPaw
--
My family values don't involve depleted uranium.

To reply, unleash the dog.

"Dana©" <AneeBear@ownmail.com> wrote in message
news:2ledv2td7cp3776lup19gmdgu19vervduf@4ax.com...
> Anyone out there had a colonoscopy lately? How was it?
>
>
> I am scheduled to have one on Friday. So far I have heard that the
> worst part is the day before, no food, liquids only and late in the
> day laxatives. Ugh.
>
> I have put it off a whole month, can't really do it again. Guess I
> will have to go.
>
>
and go...and go...and go....

sorry...couldn't resist the opening for the pun.... :-)

ahem...

I had mine about two years ago. As everyone else has said, the prep was
absolutely evil. The noxious liquid I was given to drink was named
"golitely". The procedure itself wasn't bad. Good drugs and I only woke up
once about halfway through.

Good luck, and I hope everything is normal/negative for you.

In article <o6LJh.12515$tD2.11307@newsread1.news.pas.earthlin k.net>,
"jacquie" <happikat@nospam.net> wrote:

> Priscilla...we live 45 minutes from the surgery clinic where I had mine and
> we live out in the middle of nowhere. We packed a bucket with a trash bag in
> it just in case I had to go and there was no bathroom near...luckily we
> timed it well... I had to go every 15 minutes and there was a store at the
> end of those 15 minutes.....by the time we got to the clinic I ran in the
> door and the lady at the desk just pointed me to the toilet...LOL.

You were still emptying on the day of the procedure? That's cutting it
pretty close.

Priscilla

Several have mentioned Versed in the context of colonoscopy. Does anyone
else find it unnerving that induced amnesia is a common part of the
procedure?

In article <MPG.2061b0bd117ff9c89896b0@news.sti.net>,
Thoronwen <thoronwen@msn.com> wrote:

> Several have mentioned Versed in the context of colonoscopy. Does anyone
> else find it unnerving that induced amnesia is a common part of the
> procedure?

Yup. However it works.

Priscilla

The Dr told me I would. I was finished about 30 minutes before the
procedure. ..by that time it was nothing but water and bile anyways
jacquie
"Priscilla Ballou" <vze23t8n@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:vze23t8n-FC7D63.09383214032007@individual.net...
> In article <o6LJh.12515$tD2.11307@newsread1.news.pas.earthlin k.net>,
> "jacquie" <happikat@nospam.net> wrote:
>
>> Priscilla...we live 45 minutes from the surgery clinic where I had mine
>> and
>> we live out in the middle of nowhere. We packed a bucket with a trash bag
>> in
>> it just in case I had to go and there was no bathroom near...luckily we
>> timed it well... I had to go every 15 minutes and there was a store at
>> the
>> end of those 15 minutes.....by the time we got to the clinic I ran in the
>> door and the lady at the desk just pointed me to the toilet...LOL.
>
> You were still emptying on the day of the procedure? That's cutting it
> pretty close.
>
> Priscilla

Priscilla Ballou <vze23t8n@verizon.net> wrote:
> In article <o6LJh.12515$tD2.11307@newsread1.news.pas.earthlin k.net>,
> "jacquie" <happikat@nospam.net> wrote:

>> Priscilla...we live 45 minutes from the surgery clinic where I had mine and
>> we live out in the middle of nowhere. We packed a bucket with a trash bag in
>> it just in case I had to go and there was no bathroom near...luckily we
>> timed it well... I had to go every 15 minutes and there was a store at the
>> end of those 15 minutes.....by the time we got to the clinic I ran in the
>> door and the lady at the desk just pointed me to the toilet...LOL.

> You were still emptying on the day of the procedure? That's cutting it
> pretty close.

I've had two colonoscopies done in the UK. In each case the emptying
only started on the day of the procedure, seems to be common practice
here. The day before no food or colorful drinks, but the emptying just
a few hours before the scoping. Also, unlike what I've seen reported
here, no laxative, simply continued drinking of the isotonic liquid
until what comes out of the other end is as clear as tap water.

--
Chris Malcolm cam@infirmatics.ed.ac.uk DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
[http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]

Thoronwen <thoronwen@msn.com> wrote:

> Several have mentioned Versed in the context of colonoscopy. Does anyone
> else find it unnerving that induced amnesia is a common part of the
> procedure?

Not just unnerving. After my last colonoscopy I woke up and asked a
nurse when the doctor was coming round to see me and tell me what
they'd found.

"He's already been. You had a long detailed discussion with him. Very
impressive! You obviously know a lot about colons!"

"I can't remember seeing anyone!"

"People often don't. It's quite common. It's the amnesia caused by the
drug.

"Well in that case, since I've forgotten what the doc told me, can we
schedule another visit?"

"Afraid not. You've had your consultation. The prof is a very busy
man. He can't go round seeing everyone twice who forgets! There's far
too many of them!"

"But I don't even know if I was fine or have been given serious advice
about a serious problem!"

"I can't remember a serious problem, but all you can do now is to go
home and wait until the consultant writes to your doctor. He'll
explain everything to you."

So the consultant goes round to see everyone to tell them about their
colon. But most of them then suffer amnesia because of the drug
they've been given, so they remember nothing. But the "tell the
patient" box has been ticked, so there's no problem.

The managers have taken over the asylum :-(

--
Chris Malcolm cam@infirmatics.ed.ac.uk DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
[http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]

On 15 Mar 2007 11:23:35 GMT, Chris Malcolm <cam@holyrood.ed.ac.uk>
wrote:

>Not just unnerving. After my last colonoscopy I woke up and asked a
>nurse when the doctor was coming round to see me and tell me what
>they'd found.
>
>"He's already been. You had a long detailed discussion with him. Very
>impressive! You obviously know a lot about colons!"
>
>"I can't remember seeing anyone!"

OMG! I don't want that stuff. But, I do remember someone I talked to
in the process telling me that I wouldn't remember a thing. Shit. I
am gonna stick a Post-it note to my forehead telling them NO VERSED!

Dana

Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons,
for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.

On Mar 15, 3:25 pm, Dana© <AneeB...@ownmail.com> wrote:
> On 15 Mar 2007 11:23:35 GMT, Chris Malcolm <c...@holyrood.ed.ac.uk>
> wrote:
>
> >Not just unnerving. After my last colonoscopy I woke up and asked a
> >nurse when the doctor was coming round to see me and tell me what
> >they'd found.
>
> >"He's already been. You had a long detailed discussion with him. Very
> >impressive! You obviously know a lot about colons!"
>
> >"I can't remember seeing anyone!"
>
> OMG! I don't want that stuff. But, I do remember someone I talked to
> in the process telling me that I wouldn't remember a thing. Shit. I
> am gonna stick a Post-it note to my forehead telling them NO VERSED!

or take someone with you for the wrap-up conversation.

JustGB

JustGB wrote:

> or take someone with you for the wrap-up conversation.

I *think* I had versed. I did remember the wrap-up
conversations, however. And both times they "forgot" to call
Hubster in from the waiting room to hear the results; the doc
just came by and started talking over my protestations that I
wanted Hubster there.

Nevertheless, it's a good idea to have someone else with you. In
NJ it was required; they figured you'd be too loopy to drive, and
taxi drivers didn't want (or were forbidden by law?) to pick you
up and take you home - I think it was within x hours of having
had anesthesia.

FurPaw
--
My family values don't involve depleted uranium.

To reply, unleash the dog.

Well I remember my talk with my Dr. Before she started explaining it to me,
she brought my husband into my room..just in case. I remembered everything
she said.
jacquie
"Chris Malcolm" <cam@holyrood.ed.ac.uk> wrote in message
news:55solnF263puhU1@mid.individual.net...
> Thoronwen <thoronwen@msn.com> wrote:
>
>> Several have mentioned Versed in the context of colonoscopy. Does anyone
>> else find it unnerving that induced amnesia is a common part of the
>> procedure?
>
> Not just unnerving. After my last colonoscopy I woke up and asked a
> nurse when the doctor was coming round to see me and tell me what
> they'd found.
>
> "He's already been. You had a long detailed discussion with him. Very
> impressive! You obviously know a lot about colons!"
>
> "I can't remember seeing anyone!"
>
> "People often don't. It's quite common. It's the amnesia caused by the
> drug.
>
> "Well in that case, since I've forgotten what the doc told me, can we
> schedule another visit?"
>
> "Afraid not. You've had your consultation. The prof is a very busy
> man. He can't go round seeing everyone twice who forgets! There's far
> too many of them!"
>
> "But I don't even know if I was fine or have been given serious advice
> about a serious problem!"
>
> "I can't remember a serious problem, but all you can do now is to go
> home and wait until the consultant writes to your doctor. He'll
> explain everything to you."
>
> So the consultant goes round to see everyone to tell them about their
> colon. But most of them then suffer amnesia because of the drug
> they've been given, so they remember nothing. But the "tell the
> patient" box has been ticked, so there's no problem.
>
> The managers have taken over the asylum :-(
>
> --
> Chris Malcolm cam@infirmatics.ed.ac.uk DoD #205
> IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
> [http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]
>

In article <o8CdnZ0NiOPOEWTYnZ2dnUVZ_oGlnZ2d@comcast.com>,
FurPaw <furrealpawdog@gmail.com> wrote:

> I *think* I had versed. I did remember the wrap-up
> conversations, however. And both times they "forgot" to call
> Hubster in from the waiting room to hear the results; the doc
> just came by and started talking over my protestations that I
> wanted Hubster there.

You know, I'm starting to wonder... I have no memory of any wrap-up
conversation, although I do remember the observations the MD made during
the procedure. (I had no polyps but loads of diverticuli.) In the days
after, I figured someone would be in touch with me if there were any
problems, but nothing. Maybe there was a wrap-up conversation but I
don't remember it. Nah, I think not, because I can remember at least
bits of everything else. The only time that's truly lost is after they
wheeled me out until the nurse brought me a blessed glass of cranberry
juice. Man, did that taste good! I was totally zonked in the
post-procedure room until she gave me that.

Priscilla