Originally Posted By utahjosh Not too hard to figure out what this topic post means. Monday morning I have the procedure done. Prep includes a low fiber diet today and tomorrow, and a clear-liquid-only diet on Sunday, followed up with major laxatives Sunday night. I know, it's a little TMI, but I am bit scared so I had to share. Anyone out in LP land had one before? My brother had his colon removed a few years ago due to long term colitis. I'm praying I'm not in such a bad situation. I'd appreciate any prayers and good thoughts you have to give.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb My dad had one a few months ago. He says it's no big deal. The : cleanser is the worst part and you don't want to be far from a facility once you star taking it, because it can hit fast and hard and does it's job very well. If they find pollops and remove them right then, your : cancer risk goes way down. Good luck!
Originally Posted By disneydad109 been there ,do that. Sunday will be a day to remember. They knocked me out and don't remember anything about the actual experance shall we say.
Originally Posted By retlawfan Yeah. What Deb said. I cannot say it any better than she did. <<you don't want to be far from a facility once you start taking it(laxitive), because it can hit fast and hard and does it's job very well>> Oh, and the laxitaive stuff tastes terrible. Add some (approved) flavoring to it, and drink it down FAST. Nothing to be scared about regarding the actual procedure. The prep work is harder. But don't give up, the inconvenience of the prep work is only temporary. Hoping everything comes out OK..er...I mean turns out OK, and you get a clean bill of health.
Originally Posted By melekalikimaka Even though you have to fast the day before (other than clear liquids), hopefully your appointment isn't too early in the morning. Getting up in the middle of the night to take massive laxatives, and trying to stay awake afterwards is dangerous stuff. Other than that, they're pretty simple. I was fully aware during mine (not that I could feel anything going on). It wasn't bad at all. I was diagnosed with Crohn's last year (it's in remission); all of this can be really scary (as you already know). Sometimes knowing all of the facts about what *could* happen is far scarier than what *is* actually happening. Hope everything is okay and you don't suffer from too much stress over it. You're in my prayers.
Originally Posted By oneyepete Been there done that Twice now. I am glad I am keeping check on things that might go wrong. Had pollups removed the first time but was clear the second go around will see the Dr. again in 3 years.
Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes It feels like a boa constrictor is trying to take a bite out of your tonsils by taking the long route. But really, there is very little discomfort and the level of embarassment soley depend on you - mine was between moderat and high. Overall, it was no big deal, it's pretty much what Deb said. Someone is driving you home, right? (Bring extra towels. I never needed them, but the whole time I felt like I would, and it was a comfort to know they were there.) I'm overdue for my next, so this is encouraging me to "man up".
Originally Posted By Schmitty Good Vibes moderat = moderate Thank you Benedryl, I'm having a nice day.
Originally Posted By Sara Tonin This procedure saved my life. I was diagnosed with colon cancer when I had surgery to remove a mass that was too big to be removed during the colonoscopy. I've had several in the last four years. The procedure isn't a big deal. The prep is by far the worst part. The instructions I received were to add water to the powder and drink...blech...I've found that chilling it and adding crystal light make it a little less gross tasting. Also, something I learned AFTER the first time was to line the walkway to my bathroom with bath towels...so much easier to wash a load or two of towels than to get the carpet cleaned. I'm sure this is TMI, but better to be prepared!
Originally Posted By retlawfan <<so much easier to wash a load or two of towels than to get the carpet cleaned>> Or you could just move into the bathroom for the evening. Move a TV in there, and a laptop computer(careful they get hot), and you're all set. Gotta Love the LP community! <<I'm overdue for my next, so this is encouraging me to "man up".>> Get to it Schmitty!
Originally Posted By LuLu Funny topic title. Yes, I've been there too, and have nothing new to add. The prep was the worst but I didn't experience any "messes." Mine was early in the a.m. and, if I had to get up in the middle of the night to take a laxative, I don't remember having any problems. So try not to worry, it'll all be over soon. Do be sure to have a ride home.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Been there done that Twice now. I am glad I am keeping check on things that might go wrong. Had pollups removed the first time but was clear the second go around will see the Dr. again in 3 years.<< Ditto. To be honest, I felt sorry for the medical staff, as they had to stare at my ugly butt for the whole procedure while I had a pleasant nap.
Originally Posted By retlawfan I think I slept through 1/2 the procedure as well, because when it was over I didn't remember some of it.
Originally Posted By melekalikimaka My doctor talked to the nurses about the show the Office. I watched my procedure on tv. Oh, my friend has spent half her life battling cancer and having to be on a liquid diet. She recommends miso instead of chicken or beef broth. She thought it tasted much better. I was incredibly bummed when the "fancy" chicken broth I bought for my fast tasted grosser than the generic stuff in the can.
Originally Posted By retlawfan IIRC, I preferred the chicken boullion to canned broth. I think I'll try miso the next time around.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip DO IT!! My Rosie died of colon cancer. It was a long and agonizing death... for both of us. It is not something you or someone you love would ever want to experience. At times I still find it hard to believe that I was able to watch what was happening without losing my mind. I guess you are given the strength to endure when it is necessary. I had a colonoscopy about 9 months ago. It found a large polyp that likely would have become cancerous within a couple of years. The polyp was removed during the procedure and now I'm good for the next couple of years. Colon cancer is virtually 100% preventable. It usually takes about five years from when a polyp first appears to when it becomes cancerous. Routine colonoscopy virtually eliminates the risk. If my Rosie would have done the procedure at 50 as recommended she would likely be alive today. I certainly don’t fault her… I didn’t have my first until I was 57… after she died. The prep is a hassle but not all that bad. My instructions had me mix the laxative powder in Gatorade and it really didn’t taste bad at all. I wore an adult diaper during the prep "just in case". It ended up not being necessary, but it provided worthwhile peace of mind. I remember nothing about the procedure itself. Although they use "conscious sedation", I was out from the time they started the IV until I woke up in recovery. Since a polyp was found I will have to have another two years after the first one. The thought of it doesn't bother me a bit. What would scare me is NOT having one.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder I had a colonoscopy when I was 40 because of things that were noted by my doctor. Turned out to be just diverticulosis, which is much better than some alternatives. This past Fall I had another one because it was simply time, along with an endoscopy, which means I had the pleasure of being invaded from top and bottom, so to speak. Got a clean bill of health. The prep work is the worst part of it. The exams themselves, if you're sufficiently put under, are no big deal. But yeah, like anything else, preventive maintenance is the key with these things. Better to do them at the very first time a doctor suggests one, because later on is when all the bad news hits.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 Honestly it's 24 hoursish of your life, so if you look at it that way it's not so bad. I had a cup of hot coffee and a muffin waiting for me in my car as my prize I felt NO pain but chose to be pretty much "out", a family member chose to be more lucid but still felt no pain. If you are super nervous they can give you something that will leave you a bit looped My MD said I could have Vanilla Ensure as part of my liquid diet. None of my siblings were allowed that, different MD's I guess?
Originally Posted By LuLu Re posts 15 & 16, is miso considered a clear liquid? It's really some goo suspended in water and isn't quite the same as broth.
