dread, Dread, DREAD

[sandra]

Tomorrow I start prep for my first colonoscopy ever on Monday. Man, I dread this. :eek:

But, I'm having too much fun. I don't have time to die yet, so I'll go get myself checked out. Did I mention how MUCH I dread this?:(

[Pax]

A colonoscopy is a piece of cake, you'll have no memory of it...now a flex sigmoidoscopy SUCKS! You're wide awake and they talk to you the entire time they're messing around in your backside...man I HATED that.

[bike4ever]

I just recently had my second one. Just make yourself comfy in the bathroom. I borrowed a tv table and watched a movie on my computer. Luckily all of my family was out for the evening so I could stay in the bathroom. One new suggestion was baby wipes - definitely a nice addition to the procedure.

[carpaltunnel]

The procedure itself is easy. I found the prep to be - um - challenging. Definitely plan to settle in & make yourself comfy in the bathroom, books, TV, etc. Good on you to face it & get it done!:o

[roadie gal]

The prep is definitely the worst part. Yuck.

[sandra]

I don't have to drink the gallon. He gave me the EZPrep (http://www.ez-prep.com/).

EZ? yeah right.:rolleyes:

[KnottedYet]

glad you're doing it, and thinking good thoughts for you getting through all the prep.

My dad died of colon cancer at age 49. The docs figured he'd had the tumor for 15 years or so. (it was large and had metastasized) It was in an odd place, so he didn't have symptoms anyone recognized.

I haven't had a colonoscopy yet, but I'm sure one is looming on my horizon. I'll remember the TV and books and baby wipes when it's my turn!

[LoriO]

KNock on wood, I haven't had to go for the colonoscopy yet, but I just got the notice from my Dr that I need to go for my very first mammogram. Being very LARGE chested, I am dreading having them smooshed.

[sandra]

I'm large breasted. 34DD. It is not a big deal at all. I have a family history of breast cancer so I've been getting yearly mammograms for a long time. Don't worry!

[Trek420]

Just had a physical and my Dr. said I have a choice of:

collect a sample yearly and either drop it by their lab or mail it in, or

colonoscopy once every 10 years.

she said the yearly lab test is just as accurate, just have to "get this cr@p in the mail" (had the office cracking up at that).

[KnottedYet]

Oh, sign me up for cr@p in the mail!

[KnottedYet]

KNock on wood, I haven't had to go for the colonoscopy yet, but I just got the notice from my Dr that I need to go for my very first mammogram. Being very LARGE chested, I am dreading having them smooshed.

Mammos really aren't as bad as you hear. Yeah, they smoosh you, but it's not much worse than a really enthusiastic hug.

[Grog]

Although it is not the "familial" type, colon cancer is rampant on both sides of my family, so I'll have to start getting coloscopies done every few years once I'm 35. Although I have no symptoms, I may get started earlier, for added peace of mind.

Perhaps an excuse to get some quiet reading time! :S

[Trek420]

Mammos really aren't as bad as you hear. Yeah, they smoosh you, but it's not much worse than a really enthusiastic hug.

Yeah right, from a gorilla, Olympic weight lifter or someone else extremely strong and very enthusiastic who runs up and just grabs your bQQb. :D ;) :rolleyes: :cool:

[kelownagirl]

I agree it's not as bad as you think. I had one of the two Queen mentioned - can't even remember now, but I was awake for it. The prep is fine if you have no expectations to do anything else. The procedure is as joyful as you would expect but I figure everything done in a hospital is invasive and embarrassing and they do it all day long so it doesn't bother me much. I got over my shyness having 3 kids... :D :rolleyes:

[KnottedYet]

Yeah right, from a gorilla, Olympic weight lifter or someone else extremely strong and very enthusiastic who runs up and just grabs your bQQb. :D ;) :rolleyes: :cool:

Now, darlin', who do you know that would've done such a thing! :eek: ;)

[salsabike]

Sandra, I have a colonoscopy every three years because of a big family history of colon cancer. Procedure no big deal, prep not fun but do-able. The bring-good-book-and-babywipes-into-bathroom advice is the best I know.

[Starfish]

I grow polyps in odd places, so I have had several surgeries and a couple colonoscopies.

I agree, no fun, but you know, what the heck. Just do it.

The prep is the worst...sometimes I barf from that stuff...but then, I used to barf in college when I drank too much, too. :rolleyes:

I'm a weenie, though. I pass out when I give blood and stuff. :o

Believe me, when you get the good news that your exam results were clear, you will feel relieved and glad you had the test.

[LBTC]

Although it took a lot out of my system (pun intended), and the drug, as always with me, took a bit to get over, I actually thought the colonoscopy and prep for it were not as bad as the barium swallow small bowel follow through. The drug used here has varying effects on people - I was out except when they took the biopsies - pain for a second to wake me up, then out again. Even though I wanted to watch the screen. Ah, well, I'd rather be out of it....

Make yourself very comfortable in the bathroom, for sure. Use either baby wipes or Puffs....and keep them on hand for a day or two afterwards, just for your comfort.

I'm sending lots of butterflies for the next few days. You'll get through this just fine!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[divingbiker]

A colonoscopy is a piece of cake, you'll have no memory of it...now a flex sigmoidoscopy SUCKS! You're wide awake and they talk to you the entire time they're messing around in your backside...man I HATED that.

Oh, yeah...if you ever are given the choice, take the colonoscopy. I had to make them stop doing the flexible sigmoidoscopy, because the pain was excruciating. Next time I'm going for drugs.

[blueskies]

Just had a physical and my Dr. said I have a choice of:

collect a sample yearly and either drop it by their lab or mail it in, or

colonoscopy once every 10 years.

she said the yearly lab test is just as accurate, just have to "get this cr@p in the mail" (had the office cracking up at that).

The advantage, as I understand it, to a colonoscopy is that they can look for & remove polyps, thus preventing some cancers before they get started.

Sandra - way to take care of yourself!

[Duck on Wheels]

Been there, done that, several times. Always hated the prep, but it too is survivable. The colonoscopy itself was even kinda interesting first time (I got to watch on the student scope :o ). Last time, when I was really badly inflamed all through the colon it was pretty painful, but they topped up the dosage on the sedatives and I made it through that round too. For me the worst torture has been gastroscopies. I'd've put barium enemas in that worst ever torture slot, but those I've always had to call off and find some other way of doing the exam. The docs just couldn't get the tube down my throat, no matter how hard I tried to cooperate. Anyhooo ... not to worry about the c'scope. You'll do fine, and all's well that ends well, either with them finding nothing wrong or finding what is wrong and solving it. :)

[Xrayted]

Yes, almost every patient I've ever had said the prep is the worst part. Actually, the prep is good for you too. It's very therapeutic to give a good cleansing to your intestines every so often. Most people have no idea that they carry pounds and pounds of unpassed feces in there, many times for years. Imagine what that can do to you. (Duck - totally agree on the barium enemas. one of the worse things out there.)

As for the mammos, I will give you the advice that was given to me from a mammo tech friend of mine when I finally go get my first one... most of us get overly sensitive and tender at a certain time of the month in regards to the girls. Just try to work your mammo into another week. It will help immensely. :)

[sandra]

Actually, the prep is good for you too. It's very therapeutic to give a good cleansing to your intestines every so often.

That is EXACTLY what I told my DH this afternoon when I was trying to talk him into doing it with me! :D

[Xrayted]

Go to the drug store and get him some magnesium citrate. It usually starts acting within 2 hours but it's milder way to cleanse the system than most. There are usually a couple of flavors. I tolerate cherry the best. :rolleyes: Just make sure he has a two day period where he doesn't have to absolutely be somewhere. :D

[sandra]

He said NO. Looks like I'm all alone in this, except that he is going to drive me and stay with me after.

I really think I will be fine after and just sleep for a while. He thinks he should stay with me just in case I decide to get on the internet and buy a bunch of stuff and don't remember it. :eek:

[Xrayted]

You won't believe it now, but you will probably be hungry after it. Make sure you have plans to get something to eat. Remember, you will have been totally empty for a few days. Nothing heavy though, stay away from the fast food. Good luck. :)

[sandra]

I'm hungry already just thinking about it. :D I bought chicken noodle soup to have afterwards. Don't want to have anything heavy, is right.

[Tuckervill]

It defies logic that there are pounds and pounds of fecal matter stuck in your colon. I think that's an idea that someone selling a colon cleanse wants you to buy. There are others who agree with me. http://www.lisabarger.com/colon_cleansing_scams.htm

Nothing wrong with getting a good "flow" going every once in a while, though! :)

Karen

[uforgot]

Mine's in January. Let me know how it goes. I think the part that I dread the most is only having fluids the day before! My doc makes everyone get one when they turn 50. Somehow she caught up with me since I keep putting it off.

Mammograms are no big deal. I too have family history and have gotten them yearly since my mom died of breast cancer when I was 36. Every time I go and get one, though, I just can't imagine having that job!

I just thought of something, before you leave weigh yourself! I know that if I lost a quick few pounds it would make the day brighter.

[sandra]

I'm on the clear liquids now. I don't start drinking the yummy stuff until 6 p.m. I have my tv table set up in the bathroom. I expect y'all to entertain me. :D Until 6 p.m. I'm just going to stay busy. I've heard that you don't get that hungry because you are so focused and then once all the fun starts, there's no time to think about eating.

[Bad JuJu]

When I had my first (and so far, only) colonoscopy, they gave me a full-color photo of the inside of my colon. Pretty interesting, depending on your perspective ;) . Not exactly like a an ultrasound of a fetus, that you 'd display on the fridge, but sort of like a little prize for going through it all (or having it all go through you??? :D )

[tygab]

FWIW, I am glad you're doing this. My sister's best friend from childhood (and still to this day, as they both settled in LA as adults) was diagnosed with colon cancer several months ago after months of other diagnosed illness, with a very difficult prognosis. It was not "expected" in her family.

She's 38.

:(

Take care of yourself...
-T

[Tuckervill]

I know someone else who had colon cancer at a very young age--32. Her youngest child was a baby. But she's very healthy now.

My grandmother died of colon cancer and my FIL is a survivor of it x 13 years now. Good that it's caught early.

Re mammograms--no big deal. Dreading it was worse than the actual squeeze.

Karen

[Pax]

Mammograms are torture for me, I've had a breast reduction so it smashes a bunch of scar tissue.

I think if guys had to have them they'd get a week off with pay and a government sponsored spa treatment to recover from the trauma. :D

[Tuckervill]

I think you're prolly right about that, Queen!

Karen

[snapdragen]

Actually, men can get breast cancer too. There was a guy at the mammography center when I was there. The tech said it's actually more difficult to give men mammograms. I felt so sorry for the guy, he looked so scared.

[Tuckervill]

Oh, I was thinking if they had to get the equivalently pendulous body part put in a vice....

Yes, I know men get breast cancer. It's horrible no matter who gets it.

Karen

[Tokie]

Hi Sandra! I know this is too late for you, but for anyone who is reading I have some more helpful tips for the prep. My favorite is to have a wedge of a lime to bite into after you drink the prep. It helps take the shudder out of the wierd tasting stuff! I also recommend having a tube of vaseline, and 1% over the counter hydrocortisone cream.When the prep really starts to work, you can coat you tender hind end with the vaseline or hydrocortisone cream before the liquidy stool comes out. Helps alot with the stinging which usually develops. I had to have a bunch of bowel preps last year for kidney xrays, and honestly, the worst part for me (as an athlete who eats alot) is the day of clear liquids! I get sooooo hungry and tired of sweet liquids. For variety, I have been known to throw in some non-alcoholic beer, and my friend swears by vitamin water. Colonoscopys save lives, and truly, the prep is the hard part, the colonoscopy is pretty easy! I hope yours is easy too! Tokie

[sandra]

All I can say is that if you must have one, beg your doctor for the EZ Prep. It does not taste that bad. Sort of like lemon flavored Alka Seltzer. It's only 12 oz you have to drink. I drank it with a straw; I heard that was easier.

I wish I had known about the vaseline earlier. OUCH.:( And baby wipes are a MUST.

[bike4ever]

sandra - So are you reading a book, watching a movie, or surfing the internet? Don't worry - this too shall pass!

[sandra]

Surfing the internet and reading the Sunday newspaper. I will be so happy when this is over. Everyone should do it during Christmas! What a way to celebrate! :rolleyes:

[KnottedYet]

Hang in there, kiddo! :p

[Starfish]

Don't worry - this too shall pass!

Yes, "this" and everything else!! :p

[Duck on Wheels]

A lady doctor and med professor I know wrote a med journal "article" once that was a spoof. Actually got it published. It was a recommendation that all men have regular ballograms. All the text was quoted directly from mammogram info given to women or published in med journals, just with mammo changed to ballo and she to he throughout. Stuff like the frequency of cancers (similar), age they strike and are most deadly (similar), and then the cautions about pain, about possible iatrogenic damage from contusions and x-ray exposure, about the occasional accident where the plates smash too hard together and get stuck. Even as a woman reading that piece I really had to cringe. :eek: I know it's still remembered well in feminist circles. Wonder what impression it made on medical men.

[silver]

Sandra, I wonder how you are doing?

I had a colonscopy years ago, and remember the prep to be HORRIBLE, the procedure no big deal, but I got sick afterwards while trying to leave. Pretty much collapsed on the way out. I had to drink that gallon of stuff and thought I'd never get it down.

BUt I was so glad to have a squeaky clean colon! :rolleyes:

Now mammograms are another story. My first two were before I got my implants. They were HORRIBLE! I had nothing to put between the plates. The techs pulled and pulled at my skin to try to get something to put between there. I had red streaks all over my chest for a couple fo days and it was VERY painful! I told the tech that it was hurting and she was spiteful! She told me to wait and then came back and said she didn't get get enough. And proceeded to try to ply even more skin between the plates.

But the mammogram that I had since my implants was a piece of cake. She had to take a few more slides, but apparently since the implants actually project from my body it was fairly easy to get something between the plates. :rolleyes:

[sandra]

Well, it's over. I'll take the prep any day. And the procedure was a breeze, BUT I started throwing up as soon as they rolled me into recovery and have been sick all day. Finally DH called them back and was able to get some medicine for the nausea. I'm just now feeling a little better buy have not been able to eat or drink yet.

I guess I had a reaction to the anesthesia. I've never had any surgery or been put to sleep, so this was a first for me. It was awful.

[jusdooit]

Sandra,

Glad it's over for you. Been thinking about you. Hope the nausea goes away quickly now that you have meds.

Cindy

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Sandra, I'm so glad your ordeal is over. :( Poor thing!

Silver- I've had one mammogram and because I am pretty small chested (and was smaller still then) I remember it being awful too, as they had to pull whatever you had way out and than clamp it under the plates like a vise to get an image. Nasty!! And painful. :mad:
Soon they will use a different system for getting images instead , which are not painful at all, and way more accurate. But not until they get the fgunding to replace the old mammogram machines with the newer technology. :(

[Tuckervill]

I don't know if they still do, but they used to recommend you get your first mammo at 35. I'm sorry, but I was still perky 10 years ago! Now that they're all stretched out, it's not so horrible. ;)

I sent my friend a birthday card that said, "For my 21st birthday I got a tattoo of a rose on my breast. Now, it's long-stemmed."

Karen

[Pax]

Sandra - Bummer about the nausea! I've been under 9 times myself and get sick every single time. :o

BTW - When they tell you it's ok to eat crackers...they don't mean Cheez-its. :shudder

[uforgot]

Wow, so glad it's over! I hope you are feeling better soon. Bummer that it was all a breeze and NOW you aren't feeling well.:(

[silver]

Sandra, I hope that you're feeling better now with the meds. That's what happened to me afterwards too. I'll bet that tomorrow you'll feel good.

Lisa S. H. yes, that was definately the scenario that I experienced! I thought she was going to have my b*tt cheeks in there! ;)

Honestly, I don't know how the plastic surgeon managed to squeeze the implants in. :rolleyes:

Tuckervill, right, I had my first at 35. However, I wasn't perky yet. :p Then I had my next one just prior to the implant surgery (the surgeon required it). I was 39. Then I've had one since then. I'm not sure what the reason for that one was. It was last year, age 41. Maybe they wanted a new baseline with the implants?

[bike4ever]

Sandra - I hope you are feeling better today. I've never had issues with anesthesia just pain meds.

Ironically I received in the mail yesterday my reminder that it is time for my mammogram. The letter said anytime after Dec 22. I laughed at that - since I have no life right now it will have to wait until January.

[Possegal]

if general anesthesia makes you nauseated, be sure to tell the drs anytime you get it. all they have to do is add an anti-emetic in the mix and you should be fine. my first words coming out of the anesthesida after my knee surgery, i grabbed the anesthesiologist by the scrubs and yelled - did i get my anti-emetic!!!?!? he cracked up. but i felt fine! i didn't want the nausea on top of everything else. :)

working in the oncology field, very glad to hear of all the folks doing their preventive screenings. :D

[sandra]

CRAP. I have felt like I was run over by a truck all day. I started running FEVER this afternoon and now my fever is 100.7. This is not normal.

[mimitabby]

aw, Sandra, bummer. Take care. keep in touch with your doctor. Fever is NOT GOOD. (Make sure you're not dehydrated!)