Colonoscopies - Anyone had one?
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TV ClubHouse: Archives: Colonoscopies - Anyone had one?

Allyg8r

Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 10:52 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I was one of those Big Brother addicts who stumbled upon this place when the summer ended, and found the Clubhouse to be a really fun and worm place to hang out...

I stopped "coming" here about a month ago when I started having some scary medical symptoms. I will not get graphic here for all of your sakes, but I am having a colonoscopy on Thursday morning in search of answers. At first, my fear was for the actual procedure, I am not good with being awake during medical things...but now - my fear is of the unknown - what they will find. And although I have lots of people (friends, family, even strangers!) telling me how unlikely it is that it is something "serious" - i.e. THE serious thing - I can't help but feel an utter sense of panic, especially with two young children. And so I clutch my bottle of anti-anxiety medication (first time I've ever taken those!) and I wait for Thursday...

And so, I now find myself here - that warm friendly place I found, asking all of you - if anyone had symptoms that let to a diagnostic colonoscopy (not a preventative one that people who have family histories that indicate it have) And what did they find..?

Or maybe I'm just looking for comfort....

Ally

Goddessatlaw

Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 11:05 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi, Ally - my parents both just went through colonoscopies, and as to the procedure they both said the prep was so much worse than the procedure itself. If it helps, it is RARELY the case that physical symptoms lead to a diagnosis of colon cancer. It's sort of a silent disease, which is much more often detected just in routine colonoscopies. In my dad's case, he did have a family history of colon cancer but was colonoscopized only after a surgery for a ruptured hemhorroid revealed polyps. He was in fact diagnosed with cancer, but had his surgery and is doing just great. Also, the surgeons said the polyp that turned into cancer probably took ten years to grow. He is 67. With as young as you are, Ally, I'd be surprised that if they found anything at all, they couldn't just take a few snips and be done. My mom has a serious family history of colon cancer, and sailed through her colonoscopy with flying colors - just a few polyps snipped and no worries.

Really, Ally, it's the not knowing that's harder. Colon cancer in particular, if that is what you're worried about, is one of the most treatable in the world and has incredibly high cure rates. Find out what the deal is, and make up your mind that it's better to know than not know so you can fix it. And really - no reason to panic until they tell you there's a reason to panic, and really not even then. Mind over matter, Ally. Whatever the problem is, you can beat it.

Chiparock

Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 11:08 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Ally, I had one in April to determine why I had symptoms that brought me to the emergency room a few weeks earlier. Why I had those horribly uncomfortable "problems" was not determined with the colonoscopy.

What was revealed was that I did NOT have cancer but I DID have diverticulosis (pockets in the colon that collect cholesterol, from what I understood) and was told to eat more fiber.

The procedure was virtually painless. The biggest problems I had were getting down all that horrible liquid designed to clean out the colon, and not being able to drink any liquids from midnight on. By the time it was over, I was dreadfully dehydrated and would have KILLED for a diet Pepsi! (They brought me some generic cola -- yuck!).

So you have no need to panic. Go, have it done and don't give it another thought. Think of it as an opportunity to get high on anesthesia!

Crazydog

Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 11:08 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I wasn't going to post this because I didn't want to scare you, but there is a happy ending. My father had a gastrointestinal exam four years ago. He had ulcer symptoms that just didn't go away. Turned out he had stomach cancer. It was bad. There are four layers in the stomach, and the cancer cells had eaten through three layers. Even with surgery, they gave him a five-year survival rate of 5%.

He had surgery to remove one-third of his stomach. Now, four years later, against all odds, he is completely cancer free. And healthier than ever. He still goes in every six months for colonoscopies and cat scans. The procedure itself is not the part he dislikes the most; it is the fact that you cannot eat solid foods for a day before.

Don't worry Ally. I remember feeling the same sense of dread that you are probably feeling. But we got the worst scenario, and it still turned out OK for us. A colonoscopy saved my father's life. We were already late in detecting the problem and if he had waited longer it would have been too late.

Everything will be fine. My prayers are with you.

Squaredsc

Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 11:11 am EditMoveDeleteIP
hi ally, my mother just had one done last wednesday, my 2 aunts and uncle also had them done. they were all done as a routine test. now my aunt swears by not being awake during the procedure. and my mother was also put to sleep and said that there was no pain afterwards. so you may want to check with your dr to see if you "have" to stay awake during the procedure. my mother also hated that yucky liquid.

good luck.

Car54

Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 12:27 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I have had both a colonoscopy and a gastroscopy. By far, the prep is the worst part. You have to get yourself completely cleaned out for this.

I tell my gastro dr that he is the "Fred Astaire" of colonoscopies... he believes strongly in medicating you before he starts, so you get this stuff that numbs you so you don't feel it, AND he gives you some really happy drug, so at the end, you are in a great mood and you don't remember a thing.

I have had everything....colonoscopy, gastroscopy, MRI, Upper and Lower GI, Ultrasound... pretty much turned me inside out...
had all the suspicious symptoms, and they did not find anything serious.

Definitely have the test...the peace of mind is well worth any discomfort.

Allyg8r

Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 01:05 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I knew this was the place to come. Thank you, all of you for all of your words, your comfort...

I would like to respond more, and individually, but I am in some pain at the moment, so it will have to be another time.

I really love this place.

Twinkie

Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 01:37 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Ally, definitely the prep is worse than the test. I have diverticulitis and occasionally ingest something accidentally that i shouldn't (corn, seeds, nuts,) because they get caught in the pockets in the colon because they don't digest completely. So, I've had several colonoscopies. The 1st one was very uncomfortable because i wasn't given enough medication. Since then I have insisted on being knocked out completely and don't feel a thing afterward. So be sure to tell your doctor you want to be very medicated. And don't worry. Polyps take many years to grow and are usually benign.

Squaredsc

Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 01:59 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
twinkie, my aunt has the same thing and she is having a bit of trouble try to to stick with the things that are ok to eat.

Twinkie

Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 02:19 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Squared, I'm also having a problem now. I always try to stay away from things i can't have but occasionally it happens. Last time I had to go to the hospital where I was given high doses of antiboitics for a couple of days. Today I called my doctor to see if I could just get a script this time instead of the hospital. I will find out tomorrow.

Juju2bigdog

Tuesday, November 19, 2002 - 05:11 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi Ally, did you realize you said this is a worm place to hang out? Well, I suppose you could call some of us worms ... Or did you mean because colons are kind of worm-like?

I have had two preventive colonoscopies because both of my parents died young of colon illnesses. When the first doc told me I would be awake for the procedure, I was terrified. I thought there is no way in SPAIN I want to be awake for it. He just said, "oh, don't worry, you'll be aware we are doing something, but you just won't care." And that was exactly how it was. I was aware they were doing something, but I just didn't care. I was awake when he said he was done and everything was fine. I was sitting up in a chair five minutes later, and a half hour later, I was walking out of the hospital. You can't drive yourself home, and you wouldn't want to. When I got home, I just slept the rest of the day, and then I was fine. You might want to arrange for some child care the day of the procedure in case you are inclined to sleep the rest of the day.

Be glad you are living in the 21st century because even if the procedure reveals the worst, it is still highly treatable, and your chances of full recovery from even a worst case scenario are very good.

Good luck with your procedure.

Aussiedeb

Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 05:03 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Count me in as having had them too. The prep is definately the worst and next time I am just going to eat everything I know that upsets my tummy. I was medicated for the procedure this last time and it was great.

There is a website I belong to that might be of interest to you or anyone else with gastro type probs its http://www.ibsgroup.org

If you go to the bulletin board you will see all sorts of topics on all manner of illnesses for Upper GI tracts and the bowels etc.. You might find some comfort there and they have the latest info on meds and procedures etc.

Good luck with the colonscopy and hope it goes well.

Deb

Webkitty

Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 06:39 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi Ally and anyone else wanting to know about colonoscopy.

The first time I had one I was woosy from medication but not completely knocked out, and I said never again. I had to have several more after that and always asked to be knocked out for the few minutes it took, and glad I was. But, I had polyps, divriticulitis, and a fissure, so if you are not already in pain, it might not bother you as much as it did me.

The prep is not pleasant. Just thinking about that liquid now makes me want to gag. (sorry, just being honest here) I would suggest getting a good book or magazine and camping out on the toilet. When the prep starts to "work" there isn't much time to get to it! Also, if you have small children, it might be a good idea to have help watching them during this time, as the prep will take all your attention. As least it did for me.

After the procedure, I always wanted to sleep for the rest of the day, the prep took a lot out of me and then there was the medication from the procedure itself. I was sick to start with so I realize not eveyone will be as effected as I was, but just in case, having help with the children is a good idea at this time.

My doctor always talked with me right after the procedure to tell me what he found. I was still a little woosy and glad my husband was along to remember the conversation.

Usually, if they find polyps, they will remove them right then and there for biopsy (another reason to be knocked out)
A note about polyps, they are usually benign! AND, the doctor usually has a good idea if they are and will tell you so, but they always send them off to the lab anyway just to make sure, so if they find some, don't panic!

I ended up needing surgery for the divriticulitis (and the fissure) but I am NOT the norm. Most people can manage it with Metimucle and avoiding certain foods. Take comfort from that, please.

The main thing is to not panic at this point. Take one thing at a time. Juju is right, this is the 21st century, and medical science has come a long way, trust in that, and good luck.

Sia

Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 09:26 am EditMoveDeleteIP
GRAPHIC INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS POST. DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE SQUEAMISH/DO NOT WISH TO KNOW DETAILS REGARDING COLON HEALTH.

Allyg8r, I'd wondered where you'd gone! I'm glad to know that you're getting medical attention. It's scary to not be well, and even scarier to ignore symptoms and not know what's really wrong.

My mother had a colonoscopy over a year ago, and she got along fine. She thought she had hemorrhoids and my siblings and I finally FORCED her to see a doctor. I made an appointment with a surgeon for her, and after his initial exam he ordered the colonoscopy, which he performed on her under general anaesthesia. The preparatory solution she had to drink was, as has been posted here, VOLUMES of stuff to drink, and it certainly cleaned her out totally, she said.

The colonoscopy revealed that Mom has both diverticulitis and diverticulosis. The first one is the finger-like polyps that project out into the colon. Surgery was not required for them. For the second condition she was prescribed a course of antibiotic pills to take orally and an antibiotic foam to insert rectally (sorry to be graphic, but we are talking about the posterior here), which cleared up the pockets of infection. Mom must now avoid all sorts of yummy foods like popcorn, green peas, corn, sunflower seeds, nuts, etc.

The foods on the AVOID-list include anything that is hard to digest (nuts), anything with small seeds that can get trapped in the pockets of the intestine (tomatoes, cucumbers), and fruits and vegetables with thick skins that don't digest completely (peas, corn, apple skin, etc.) She is allowed to have beans and is recommended to increase her fiber intake and to take Metamucil a couple of times per day.

My mom is 1000% better! Before this got cleared up, she spent half her day lying in a fetal position on her bed in tears, starving to death, but afraid to eat anything for fear that it would cause her to have diarrhea, which would then in turn irritate her hemorrhoids. Oh, it turns out that she did NOT have 'rhoids; it was part of the end of her intestine turned inside-out. Best of all, MY MOM IS HAPPY AGAIN!!

Good luck with your procedure, Ally. I hope everything goes well and that you are simply in need of some antibiotics. Hugs and prayers to you, sweetie!!

Ginger1218

Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 09:56 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I had to have a colonoscopy because of family history - (they say everyone over 50 should have one), but if there is a family history, then over 40 - with or without any symptoms.

I had it last year - as all said, the prep is the worst. Not only the stuff to drink, but I could not eat for almost 36 hours before. Only drink clear liquids - broth, lemonade, water, etc. Nothing with any coloring either - jello, but not red or grape flavored.

The test itself was actually pleasant for me, (I know that sounds really weird) because of the wonderful drugs. Oh, I love those drugs. They say you are not out, but you are. You are totally unconscious (breathing on your own) - so I felt absolutely nothing. I was afraid of this for so many years, and put it off. It is really very easy, as long as your doctor does it with the proper drugs. My doctor does it in a hospital area. Ask him questions, make sure you will be drugged well.

Ginger1218

Wednesday, November 20, 2002 - 09:57 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Oh, and P.S. thankfully the results were fine, a touch of diverticulosis and all else clear.

Allyg8r

Friday, November 22, 2002 - 10:32 am EditMoveDeleteIP
To all of you.

Thanks for all of your shared stories and caring words. And Juju - no I didn't realize I had said "worm" - but your reasoning made me laugh.

I had my colonoscopy yesterday, and discovered that I am "highly resistant" to anasthesia. I was ultimately give a double dose of demerol and a triple dose of Versed. The versed caused anterograde amnesia - which means I don't remember a whole lot about the procedure, nor about any conversations I had duirng the hours afterwards.

I'm happy to say that I can stop fearing the worst. The bleedin is at least in part due to hemeroids (never been so happy to hear THAT word) - but also, possibly due to endometriosis, which I now need to explore via laparoscopy. In fact, I had started this whole process with my gyno, but he refused ot proceed to deal with and treat my pain until I had the scope, to eliminate any more serious causes.

Sia - I'm glad your Mom is 1000% better!
Chip, Webkitty and Ginger - You guys are right - the prep was the absolute worst part! I was stomping around my kitchen cursing as I gagged down the stuff...
Goddess - You should be a motivational speaker! :-)
Crazydog - Your dad is in MY prayers now. Glad it's going well
And for those of you I did not answer by name, I'm sorry - but I am drained, and swamped with work but just happy and relieved. And thank you!

Webkitty

Friday, November 22, 2002 - 05:07 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Ally, I'm glad to hear its all over and there were no major finds.
I had to chuckle when I read about your prep. I did the stamping and cursing too, A LOT of cursing. I tell you, I called that stuff every name in the book, and some that I made up on my own, lol!

Take care and I hope you get a good nights sleep.

Sherbabe

Sunday, November 24, 2002 - 10:28 am EditMoveDeleteIP
My husband had one a few months ago. As he was being wheeled in to the operating room he was asked if he had any religious convictions or anything he wanted to say. He said, yes, I think that everyone else in this room should have their pants off too. :>)