MY FIRST COLONOSCOPY - ANY ADVICE?

Godlistens

Hi ladies. My onc is bugging me to have a colonoscopy and I've procrastinated for 2 years. I am now 52. Any advice/suggestions for me? My appointment is on November 2nd. I am dreading it....it seems so invasive and the prep!!!!

NonniO

Oh - Godlistens - don't worry!  I've had three colonoscopies (one every 5 years because my mother had colon cancer) and they weren't that bad at all.  They put you out for the actual procedure, so the only discomfort you'll experience is with drinking all that prep solution. Plus, you spend a lot of time on the toilet.  If you're given a choice, I'd suggest taking all the prep the night before your procedure.  I did the half the night before & half the next morning routine once and I was "going" right up until the appointment!

Dawn46

Hi Godlistens, I am 46 and have already had 2 colonosopy's. I get one every 5 years due to a strong family history of colon cancer. They really arent too bad. You will be under "twilight sleep" while having it done. The prep is the worse part. I would recommend staying home and close to a bathroom that day. The good thing about the test is if there are any polyp's, the doctor will remove them during the test and send them out to be tested. Both times I went I had 2-3 removed each time and they were benign. The doctor even told me that they didnt look suspicious when he was finished. Good luck with your testand try not to worry!

Lowrider54

Hi...I had my first one last year - and don't take my experience as norm - I had breast surgery, MRI's and bone biopsy and then the colonoscopy in the space of 6 days - I did way too much all at once of which the colonocopy was the last - my pain threshold was 0.  The prep is the worst but if you can do the Miralax, gator aid and citris or calcium nitrate (little green bottle) it is a little kinder than the prescription stuff.   The test itself is rather interesting and you are aware but out of it.  I watched the whole thing on the monitor.  It is a bit embarassing afterward as your colon is flat when it is empty and they fill you will air - expect the longest fart you have ever had when you get to expell the air.  It was kinda silly actually. 

I am due for another but I am waiting until after my November scans so it will be a year and 1/2 instead of a year. 

Good luck!

O3132W

All of the replies you have received are correct.  The performance is nothing as you are in lala land and are unaware, however the preparation is a bear.  Yes you will be on the toilet most of the night.  The best advise I can give you is to keep a jar of vasoline near the toilet and just smear it on the effected area each time you need it.  This will help you from getting sore as you get through the night.  Another thing is to watch what you eat a day or two befor the colon. Keep all food bland and stay away from spicy foods.  Good luck  I remember my first colonoscopy and how nervous I was.  I have one every five years and are no longer afraid.

otter

I was really scared about having a colonoscopy, but my PCP kept insisting until finally I gave in.  I did wait until about 6 months after my last chemo, though, so I was totally through with chemo SE's.

The prep was pretty uncomfortable, and was without a doubt the worst part of the whole thing.  (Maybe that's because the rest of it was a non-event.)  I had to use the concentrated sodium phosphate solution ("Phospho-Soda") x 2, which some GI docs don't use anymore because of the risk of kidney problems.  I wasn't given any special advice about it from the GI clinic, so I read about it on line and even emailed the company that markets the prep (yes, it's "Fleet").  Someone from the company wrote back right away and said it was important to drink lots and lots AND LOTS of fluids.  Start drinking extra fluids (water, Gatorade, etc.) the day before you have to do the prep.  You thought you were drinking lots of fluids during chemo?  Drink MORE for this.  You want to be really well-hydrated. 

The prep causes the runs, which for those of us who've had chemo is not a huge deal.  I mean, face it -- your fingernails aren't going to turn purple and fall off; you aren't going to get whilte sores in your mouth; your feet won't get red "burns" on them; and your hair isn't going to fall out.  So, compared with chemo, 12 to 15 hours of diarrhea isn't a really big deal.  That's what kept me going.  "At least it's not chemo!"

Yes, your bum can get sore.  I still had some Desitin ointment left from chemo (used it then, too, for the same reason), and it's very soothing.  Better than vaseline, but perhaps messier.  Be sure to buy a role of expensive toilet paper, instead of using the cut-rate WalMart stuff.  Pamper yourself -- you deserve it!

I hated not being able to eat solid food on the day of the prep, but ... at least it wasn't chemo!  And it was just for one day, plus the morning of the procedure, in my case.

I did not like the fact that I did not get a lick of sleep that night.  Okay, I might have snoozed for a few hours now and then, between drinking glass after glass of water and having it reappear just moments later.  (How does it do that?)  And, I had to take the 2nd dose of phospho-soda 6 hours before my appointment, which meant I was slugging it down at 2 a.m.  That's very bad timing.  The nurses at the GI clinic told me the next day that the staff who schedule these things on our behalf aren't always thinking about us being awake all night and feeling miserable because somebody thought 8 a.m. was a better time than, say, 11 a.m. or after lunch.  But, hey -- at least it wasn't chemo!

The only real problem I had was that my tummy did not like that 2nd little bottle of the phospho-soda prep it encountered at 2 a.m.  We won't go into the details.  Let's just say that I did worry it might have affected the all-important "quality" of the prep.  It didn't though. 

When I got to the clinic, everything went extremely smoothly.  These people do this stuff all the time.  The nurses were exceptionally kind and considerate.  I had told them ahead of time that I wanted to make sure the i.v. went in my right hand/arm, because I sometimes had swelling (LE) in my left arm.  "No problem!", they assured me; and it wasn't.  They wrapped a bright pink "LE" wristband on my left arm as soon as I got in the door, and nobody touched it AFAIK.

I had also told them I sometimes got nauseous from Demerol, which was part of the "twilight anesthesia" they'd be using (Versed + Demerol).  "No problem!", they said.  Once the i.v. was in and the fluids were started, they gave me some phenergan to block any nausea I might get from the Demerol.  Then they gave me the "good stuff". 

The next thing I knew, I was being helped to a sitting position on the gurney and someone was asking whether I would like orange juice or Coke. I really thought something had gone wrong and they had decided to cancel the whole thing and wake me up.  "Everything is fine!", they said.  The GI doc came in and told me the details (which were brief); and said "I guess we'll be seeing you in about 10 years!".  Fine with me.

Sorry this is so long.  It's just that I was so scared, and it turned out to be a walk in the park.  As a matter of fact, while I was typing this, my dh read over my shoulder and made me stop for a minute while we talked about the schedule for his first colonscopy, which will be next month.

otter

ruthbru

After all the cancer stuff, it was a piece of cake. My DH, who is a big baby, finally had his first one recently (after several years of nagging), and even he had to agree that it was not that bad. Really, you will do fine....best of luck! Ruth

roseg

I agree that the pre-procedure cleaning out part is the worst. The instructions said to chill the solution and by the time I drank all that awful cold fluid and then pooped it all out I was really, really cold!

I had bad luck with mine and didn't go to sleep.  I was woozy but I was awake and got to watch most of it.  The doctor stopped at one point and says, "what's that" and I looked at the screen and I said, "oh a potato skin."  I'd had potatos my last allowed meal.  So he says, "well, you should chew your food better." 

Argh--- they should have put more drugs into my arm so I could have slept through it all! It didn't hurt but the first part where they stick it in your butt was not pleasant.

 I got a set of six photos afterwards.  They're supposed to take at least 5-6 minutes to pull the scope through so they get a chance to see all the possible bad spots (flat ones are often overlooked).  My photos had timestamps I was happy, after the fact, to see that it had indeed taken more than the minimum amount of time.

I don't have a family history of colon cancer and frankly I'm not sure I'm going to do it again when I'm 60.  It wasn't that bad but it wasn't that good either.

FireKracker

the prep is the worst part.after that its sleepy time.i had about 10 of them as i have many stomach issues.piece of cake compared to bc.just make sure you go to sleep.and what a good sleep it is...

QCA

If you want to see something really funny about colonoscopies google "Peter's Colonoscopy Song", written and sung by Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary).  He wrote it after his colonoscopy and now I can't get the words and music out of my head!  A little humor about colonoscopies can't be a bad thing...

Kathy

otter

I haven't heard the Peter Yarrow song, but here's a 2008 column by Dave Barry that will have you spitting coffee on your computer screen:

http://www.miamiherald.com/2009/02/11/v-fullstory/427603/dave-barry-a-journey-into-my-colon.html

otter

Susie123

The worst part for me was the gas that wouldn't move after the procedure. I didn't expect that, so I had nothing at home for it. Be sure to buy some phayzme or gas x to have on hand. Other than that, you pretty much just sleep right through it.

Mantra

I have just had two of them. I used Pico Salex as the prep and found it very gentle yet effective. I also ate light a few days before using the theory "what goes in, must come out." Would definitely recommend this as the prep to use.

The first colonoscopy I was given twilight. She was unable to advance the scope round the first bend and the pain was really bad. However, since she managed to remove one precancerous polyp in the area she could get to, she said I had to have the rest done using a different method. She suggested a virtual colonoscopy. I didn't want that and instead found a hospital that doesn't use twilight and instead puts you right out. I woke up afterwards feeling fine, no nausea, and even better . . . no more polyps were found.

I think I need to go every two years and really don't have a problem with it. The second hospital did not use Pico Salex but asked if I could use it as my prep regardless and they had no problem with it.

ginger2345

I had mine arranged so I was cleaned out before bedtime so I slept all night. Can't remember what the prep was now. From what the previous gals have said, you might try to arrange it that way on a day that works for the colonoscopy center or hospital.

.

candie1971

Hi I am due to have my 2nd one this Decemeber. I had the last one 3 years ago. I have to do it every 3 years as of right now cause they found 3 polyps and one was pre=pre-pre cancer. That's how the Dr said it. It would have eventually been cancer so thank God I went.

The prep the day before wasn't fun but not as bad as I thought. The Dr put me on a special diet for 5 days before which helped with the prep. I was done by 5pm the day before.

I was put out completely..didn't feel a thing and got pictures of my clean colon to take home. I had them do an endospcoy at the same time. I was a cigarette smoker at the time, plus I had acid reflux, figure let them check it out. Found out I have a hiatel hernia also.

Whe I go in December, I am sure I won't go skipping in..lol...but I am not afraid at all. One of the easiest things I ever had to do.

Good luck to you...come back and let us know how you do.

NatsFan

Ask if you can take pills for prep instead of liquid.  I've had 2 colonoscopies, and while the pill prep wasn't fun, at least I didn't have to chug down yucky liquid.  Not everyone is a candidate for pills instead of liquid prep, but it doesn't hurt to ask your doctor. 

gillyone

As with everyone else - the prep was the worst part. I had to drink 8 ounces every fifteen minutes from 6pm onwards the evening before the event. It started off not so bad, but got tough to keep drinking this fluid which was clear but slightly thick. I found that sucking on an ice cube for a few seconds before chugging the glass down helped - simply because it numbed my mouth. The actual event - piece of cake.

Once I started going to the toilet I rushed downstairs to say I was staying upstairs - but didn't make it back in time and pooped in my pants. (I can only tell bc  ladies this!) So stay close to the tiolet.

My husband stayed awake through his and watched but felt nothing. I was out for the count which was fine by me. So do it - definitely doable.

Cowgirl13

Hi Ladies.  I have to do prep tomorrow and my colonoscopy is scheduled 11/4 @ 9am.  This will be my second one.  don't know why, but i'm really creeped out about the prep part and kind of down in the dumps today.  Any encouragement would be appreciated.  thank you.

Lizzie 

otter

Cowgirl, by now you're already through most of the prep. (Sorry nobody got back to you to cheer you up.)  Just keep thinking about the fact that, by this time tomorrow ... heck, by noon tomorrow, you'll be all done.  And, keep saying to yourself, "At least it isn't CHEMO!".

Hugs...

otter

Cowgirl13

Thanks, Otter!

leaf

For me, it gave me more security to wear bladder protection en route (since it seemed like it was really urine coming out the wrong orifice..)  Sorry about being so graphic.  I started my prep 4 hours earlier than recommended - thank Goodness! or I would have been having diarrhea en route to the hospital. I guess my GI tract is slower to respond than normal....

Once when I went up to ICU (not as a patient; I'm a pharmacist), the nurse said its common for the patients to go down for their colonoscopy when they ummmm still do not have clear effluent.  Maybe most of these people are having their colonoscopy for a GI bleed, and maybe they are easier to see than cancer/precancerous lesions.  That must make it a lot harder to see what is going on!!!!!  But I can assure you I was as pink and clean as could be.  I even saw the tablet fragments of the vitamin B+C I took beforehand.

I was a little sore from the diarrhea, but they gave me some pre-procedure IV pain med. I'm sure Desitin, Zinc Oxide, etc as otter said, would have been good. Luckily, at my place they have a nurse anesthesiologist so its NOT NOT NOT like a wire insertion before a breast excision, where they don't have an RN so can't give IV anesthesia.  At my place, I guess they used to (only have a tech who couldn't give IV anesthesia.)  Glad they do now!!

I was awake the whole time and after I was done I was ready to get up and walk (with assistance) to the recovery room.  A colleague, who is about 2/3 my size, and got about 1/2 of my narcotics, was totally unconscious.  Patient variability.

Anonymous

Wish someone had told me about eating lightly a few days before.  I got no instructions.  My doc said the pills don't work as well and so had me do the liquid prep.  I got through about 7/8th of it and just could not take any more.  Thought it would not make much of a difference as it appeared everything was out.  Nope, those lovely pictures she sent me home with showed there was still some "stuff" in there but she was satisfied although she did find one pre - pre polyp.  So, I'm on 3 year schedule.

Cowgirl13

thanks ladies, i got thru the first part of this late afternoon.  I now have the last part which is to do the same thing again at 4 am.  Ugh.  But a close friend is picking me up afterwards so I am looking forward to seeing her.

i'm feeling better about this and don't feel alone.  you all are great.

Southernmdsunshine

Hi I'm newly diagnosed with breast cancer (9/2010) but when I was 50 years old my Dr begged me to get a colonoscopy but I delayed it for 2 years.  I had it as a screening because there were no symptoms.  I was diagnosed stage IIIC, 4 of 8 lymph nodes positive in 2007.  I had 7 months of chemo, and a colon resection.  Please, please have that colonoscopy.  I am still not out of the woods for recurrence for the colon cancer, but it is looking better every day.   

BarbaraA

Cowgirl, you can do it. It ain't pretty but it is doable.