Tell me the truth- How bad is a colonoscopy?

[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!

[sandra]

I dreaded not eating for that long too and like you I start to shake and get a headache.

The only think I hated was the chicken broth. yuck. decided I couldn't drink that.

I drank lots of juice ~ Pineapple Orange Banana and White Grape Peach juice. I drank diet Sprite. I hate hard candy (Jolly Ranchers but not red or purple).

I made it just fine. That part was not nearly as bad as I was afraid it would be. I did schedule my test early (8 a.m.) so I could go get it over with early. Do you have someone to drive you and stay with you that day?

[Starfish]

Hey, I've had a colonoscopy, plus I grow polyps so have had some surgeries...so have done this prep lots of times. It will be OK. Never fun...but, if you've got a doc who will give you all the drugs you could ever want, you won't know it's happening. It is a good thing to do for yourself.

edited to add: I never did the pills...always the liquid. But, I remember that it can take a little longer than you think for it all to start acting. You might be up a lot later.