Tell me the truth- How bad is a colonoscopy?

[KSH]

I'm getting on Wednesday. I keep hearing how bad it is. How bad is it? Am I going to be completely miserable or what?

I'm really dreading this more and more.

[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!

[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?

[bike4ever]

I watched a movie on my laptop while doing my prep. I just positioned the computer on a tv stand. Made the time pass a little faster.

[KSH]

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?

Well, I have all my Jello ready (although I hate eating the stuff due to what it's made from)... and I have some vegetarian broth I can heat up. I also have sports drinks ready to go as well. No candy though. Not really sure that will help any.

My test is a 10:45 AM and I have a friend who is off work and willing to drive my butt around.

[KSH]

I watched a movie on my laptop while doing my prep. I just positioned the computer on a tv stand. Made the time pass a little faster.

Took me a moment... but I got it!

No TV stand here, but I do have a lap desk that can hold my computer.

[uk elephant]

good luck with your test! I've had it done numerous times, and most of the time it's not that bad. The prep is worst, but with the pill-preps even that's not too bad. Just make sure to drink lots and lots both to keep your blood sugar going and to keep somewhat hydrated. And another thing I've found very useful is to make sure to eat live yogurt for a few days after to replace the lost good bacteria from your guts after such a thorough cleaning. As for the procedure itself, in the US they tend to drug you up so you won't be very alert or remember much. In Norway they give you no drugs. The first time I had it done, I was in no pain so I just amused myself by watching the screen. As a biologist I found it really cool to see what a real instestine looks like rather than just diagrams in a text book.