Colonoscopies

[W105]

w84u2...please don't be scared...and I do understand being scared because I really was, it was all I could think about..after getting it done I realized how silly I was being so worried...it really wasn't so bad at all..

there were 5 of us getting it done that afternoon, and we all were totally fine afterwards...what happened to Bsuds can happen but it is rare, and apparently Bsuds doc was a complete idiot..

the doc can tell right away if your cleaned out enough, if you aren't, then they won't do it..if you want you can actually watch it on the monitor (I didn't though, I was too high to care )

Queenie is right, many people die way to young from colon cancer...and colon cancer is very treatable when caught early..

so please get it done and it will be ok :) and I do believe that they will let you take a cab if you have no other way home..just phone them and explain your situation and I'm sure they will work something out..

(thanks Queenie for the congrats..lol I was glad I got it done too !!!)

[w84u2]

Thank you your time and consideration. Your reply was really long and heartfelt. I appreciate your comment and I will let you know what I decide.

[w84u2]

As promised, I am writing to you with the information I just got from my Dr. There seems to be a VERY HIGH blood content in my feces. They are going to scope me from BOTH ends (sure hope it’s a new/clean camera in between tests). Both will be done at the same time, (No sense in wasting good anesthesia, gotta keep the costs down, ya know…). I always knew I was anal retentive before but holely *bleep*, I can feel my sphincter tighten right up as tight as a fist around a (Insert superlative for grip, here).
I also now have a new repulsion for the word “insert”. If I wake up and have a really bad taste in my mouth, I am going to be very angry.

[W105]

lol..w84u2..pretty sure they won't be using the same camera :) so have you decided to go ahead ??? (you really don't have to answer that if you don't want to)

if you do go, I wish you the best of luck and it all goes well (I believe it will !!)

[w84u2]

I was never really given a choice. Before I knew it, I was being told that IHA will be calling me with an appointment time and date.

[Bsuds]

Sounds like a very good idea to have it done.

Don't forget that in my case I had been constipated for awhile and that is not usually when it's done. I had not gone thru the "cleaning" process beforehand.

[w84u2]

What's this "cleaning" process all about? Don't I just have to brush my teeth and have a shower before going to the hospital?

[Bsuds]

They usually want the least amount of poop as possible. You will get to drink some awful stuff that will help with that process.
I assume they still do that.

[Lady tehMa]

He's talking about being fed a super powered laxative. Cleans you out on the inside so nothing interferes with the camera.

[W105]

well actually you do have a choice, if you really don't want to have it done if you don't have to...it is your body and your decision...

but apparently you are going to do ahead, and I am happy that you made that decision !!!

and yeah Bsuds, just cannot understand that the doc knew you didn't have a colon prep but proceeded anyways ???? like how stupid ???

I asked the doc right away what happens if I didn't do a good enough prep ?? she said instantly that she would know right away and she wouldn't proceed if I didn't....

and w84u2...you will have to drink a jug of prep mix...you get it at the pharm (it's about $25) you fill the jug with water and then will have to drink at certain times they will tell in the instructions that they will email you with...I had a split prep so I could do it in 2 days instead of one (it's easier)...it is a colon blow out..lol you need to be around a bathroom when doing this...

[flamingfingers]

The stuff isn't THAT bad tasting and it is definitely in your best interests to have your bowel well cleaned out pre-procedure. Surgeons I know about will not proceed with the colonoscopy if the bowel is not well-prepared so do it right the first time.

Seconders, I would be VERY wary about allowing a GP to carry out the procedure - I am amazed that the ER doc that Bsuds encountered was allowed to perform a colonoscopy or even a sigmoidoscopy under those conditions!!! The doc should have known a heck of a lot better than that.

[w84u2]

With a nickname like Flaming Fingers, I am glad that you are not going to do my procedure.

[Bsuds]

I am amazed that the ER doc that Bsuds encountered was allowed to perform a colonoscopy or even a sigmoidoscopy under those conditions!!! The doc should have known a heck of a lot better than that.

I can't swear that it was an ER Dr that performed the procedure but I was in the ER when it was done. I was in a coma for 3 weeks after so it's a bit fuzzy for me and I never saw that DR again. My sons probably would have "dealt" with him if he had come close to me after that.

[flamingfingers]

^^I would be downright shocked if a GI specialist or qualified surgeon thought it was a plan to scope you with your history of constipation, no prep and in the ER!

[onestop67]

Colonoscopies....NOT a big deal. I've had 2 in the last 6 months. I said earlier that I took a taxi home. I was not that "high" after waking up from the procedure. That does not mean that others might not wake up "high".

I actually have to go in on the 14th for an exploratory surgery to remove a couple lymph nodes to be tested for cancer.

All I'm getting at is that a colonoscopy is not a big deal. If your doctor says you need one, go get it done.