colonoscopy... anyone else ben thru this ?

Not much for me to add. I was knocked out completely. I would strongly advise against the very idea of driving yourself home. I wasn't fit to drive until late afternoon.
 
Well Mrs. Straighshooter and I just got back from her colonoscopy. We had to be there at 6 AM. and she was done by 7:45.

Folks were real nice, no polyps, but because she had been suffering from diarrhea for the last couple of months, they took samples from different parts of the wall to biopsy.

They think, though, that she has become lactose intolerant.

I always thought that was a condition one was born with, but, as often is the case, I was wrong. One can develop that problem as one gets older.

Sadly, at least till they're sure, she can't have milk, ice cream, yogurt, cheese, etc. with dairy products in it. :eek:

You know what that means, right? It means I have to, without regard to my own personal safety, polish off all the ice cream and other dairy treats she has stored in the freezer.

I'd post more, but this is gonna be a big job and I better get started. ;)

Bob
 
I had mine done without any anesthesia. I live alone and because they use Propofyl I would have had to hire a nurse to watch me for 8 hours after the procedure. In addition if you are "under" the Doctor can be a bit more aggressive about turning the corners and if you read the fine print you have to sign you'll see there is a risk of a ruptured colon. In some I am too cheap to hire a nurse and wanted to have the ability to tell the Doctor to back off a bit and slow down.

Even without any anesthesia I can tell you that the prep is FAR worse than the actual procedure. While there is a small bit of pain when the Doctor has to make the 2 turns involved it's about equal to a friendly punch in the arm as a teenager. On the plus side I got a good look at my colon and was even shown my apendix. On the down side I also got to see two diverticulai and 4 polyps. So, I'm supposed to avoid nuts and any foods with small seeds due to the Diverticulitis and have to go back in 5 years for another exam.

BTW, you don't feel a thing when they snip the polyps, no pain nerves present. Any polyps they take are sent out for biopsy and in my case all were clear. However with a strong family history of Colon Cancer is a must that I continue getting checked.
 
Piece of cake. My only advice is once you start the prep DO NOT leave the house!!!!! I was given this advice by my barber, he said don't ask how he knew!

And stay close to the throne my only problem was they couldn't find my doctor when I was ready to go:eek:, needless to say got a different doctor the next times...

By all the replies I can see there are a lot of us old fogies here on the forum.
 
Had my colonoscopy and endoscopy done today. Both pretty clean. Removes a "couple" of small polyps, took a biopsy, had several small, internal hemorrhoids. Also did endoscopy, one scarred patch from gastric reflux-also took a biopsy. Biopsies were precautionary.

Pre-surgery prep wasn't bad. Worst thing was the spray to deaden my throat for the endoscopy. Burned like a shot of really cheap tequila. Whole thing took from 7:00 til 10:00 (that's when I walked into the hospital until I walked the door at home.
 
Don't do what I did!!!

When you meet the doc for the examination, don't ask him if he lost a bet, because he usually works at the end of the foodchain.....!

Swissman
 
kid, if you got any stones, you'll have it done with no anesthesia, like me. I had my second one done last year and it was no more difficult than the first one 5 years ago. Except, this time they found a couple pollups. The best part is being awake and watching the camera go through you, and seeing what you really look like inside. If pain or being aprehensive about the procedure is a problem. Just put it in perspective and compare it to what our military soldiers go through. Ask yourself, how difficult can this be?
 
They find polyps in me all the time. The idea is to get them before they become nasty.

I was proud of myself for skipping a colonostopy once, That feeling changed in a hurry when they found a tumor when I finally went.

That was hell.

It makes no sense to not do them on a regular basis.

Bob
 
The first time I had one, I was understandably a little nervous. When the nurse gave me the bag of prep stuff to take home, I hesitantly admitted, "This is my first time. I hear that they cram a 15-foot piece of galvanized pipe up your beunine canal."

The nurse looked at me with a straight face and said, "It's not galvanized." I almost passed out right there. :D
 
The bright side

When the procedure is over you will receive a signed letter from a medical doctor stating among other things that you are a " p e r f e c t a s s h o l e ". Now go show this letter to people that don't impress you.

I showed my letter to my "favorite manager" and thoroughly enjoyed the look on his face. Better yet, he was speechless. Happily, I'm now retired and don't want anymore jobs! ;) They didn't find my head either.
 
I have had several of these lovely tests, I am high risk as my mother has colon cancer. I get one about every 5 years. I have had two different preps, the gallon of the worst tasting metallic tasting cherry flavored liquid known to the human race; and the two bottles of some really bad tasting 7 UP. both put a quick step into you. As has been said once you drink your prep DO NOT LEAVE THE HOME or get to far from the toilet. Soft tissue and cooling moist butt wipes. I like the test cause they give me some cool drugs that give a great rush and puts you into the deepest sleep you can imagine.

I like to have fun with the doctors and nurses, I have to talk my wife into writing on my but "Tunnel ahead remove sunglasses and turn on headlights" I have also asked the doctor if he fines my bosses head please remove it.
 
COLONOSCOPY BIOPSY

the night before cleaning prep is the worst of it. some places use diff products. in the VAMC we used a triple threat of 2 bisacodyl laxative tabs, a 12 oz btl of citrate of magnesia, and a gallon of golytely. then tell the Pt to find a poker game cuz he was for sure gonna have a royal flush. for the twilight anesthesia the norm is versed and propafol but diff md's and diff procedures may call for something stronger like the fentanyl, which can be much more risky and should only be administered by an anesthesiologist with the antidote ready and close by.
 
What Smith above, says. Prep was the worst part and not that bad though. Rest is piece of cake. You will ask yourself afterwards why you worried about it.
 
My doc told me to mix the Draino into my favorite flavor of Gatorade to make it taste better and compensate for fluids lost. Your bathroom is your friend.
 
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