dread, Dread, DREAD

[sandra]

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

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.

[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.

[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!

[roadie gal]

The prep is definitely the worst part. Yuck.

[sandra]

I don't have to drink the gallon. He gave me the EZPrep.

EZ? yeah right.

[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!

[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!

[KnottedYet]

Hang in there, kiddo!

[Starfish]

Don't worry - this too shall pass!

Yes, "this" and everything else!!

[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. I know it's still remembered well in feminist circles. Wonder what impression it made on medical men.