Tell me the truth- How bad is a colonoscopy?

[sbctwin]

It depends on what you have to take to 'clean you out'. I had to drink a gallon of this elixer. ..It was the worst part of the whole thing. I was gagging that stuff down by the end. They said they could keep me awake and let me know what they were doing and I said, no way!!! If I had the choice, I didn't want to have any memory of the procedure. They obliged. I woke up and my DH drove me home. I was a little sleepy when I got home, but all in all, I was ok.

[KSH]

Well, I got these pills that work like the stuff you drink. I have to take about 20 pills in one hour with about 40 oz of Sprite or sports drink... but I only have to take the pills. It sounded a lot better than having to drink that nasty stuff.

And yes, I will be KNOCKED out for the entire thing.

Ok, I might be Ok.

[Geonz]

My two co-workers who've had it done said it wasn't exaclty fun but worth doing. (One of 'em had it done as a "birthday present" on her fiftieth. NOt sure what that says about her sense of humor )

[sandra]

I had one just last Monday and have a post on it called "dread, Dread, DREAD".

I had to drink the EZ Prep. It is not so bad. Only one 12 oz glass and it worked. Be prepared to spend a lot of time in the bathroom. I had a tv table with laptop, books, etc set up and ready. I was afraid I would be hungry, but you are so focused, you don't really think about it.

The procedure itself was a BREEZE. Nothing to it.

In 52 years, I've never been put to sleep. I did have a problem with nausea and throwing up after my procedure that was caused by the anesthetic. If you don't have problems being put to sleep, you should be fine.

[sandra]

Two more things: baby wipes and vaseline. Use the vaseline before your rear starts to sting.

[Aint Doody]

Yep, the prep is the worst part, but bearable. I kept a tally--15 trips to the bathroom! I rather liked the procedure--sorta the twilight drugs. I remember right before I went out saying--Oooh! I'm floatin' to the ceiling. I've had 2. They are way more preferable to the sigmoid or the barium enema. Lotsa luck!

[michelem]

Well, for me, the after-effects were the worst. I did the prep to a "t" and did not "go" much at all - just a few squirts the morning of, so they ended up having to give me an enema beforehand. Then afterward, I swelled up like a stuffed sausage - all the prep stuff stayed inside and got absorbed. It lasted almost two weeks - could barely wear shoes and my eyes were little slits I was so swollen. I am VERY sensitive to sodium, so that's what my problem was . . .

The procedure itself was no big deal as I was knocked out the whole time. I don't remember getting dressed or my hubby driving me home or anything. My brain didn't work for at least a day after, so working was out of the question.

[HillSlugger]

I'm only 46 and I'm already a veteran of about 5 colonoscopies. The prep pills are much better than that horrible liquid stuff. The clear liquid diet and the prep are far worse than the procedure. The actual "cleaning out" for me is less uncomfortable than a bad case of cramps. The procedure is really no big deal and you'll probably feel all better later the same day.

[KSH]

Thanks for all the tips ladies!

As it is... I kind of live in the bathroom, so I suppose it won't be too much different tomorrow night.

I just dread not eating for that long. I'm use to eating every 2 hours and when I don't eat, I get lightheaded, dizzy and I get headache. If my blood sugar gets low I start to shake really bad and sweat. If that happens I'll down a Sprite.

Vaseline... got it.

MDhillSlug... 5 of them! WOW!