Tell me the truth- How bad is a colonoscopy?

[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 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.

[li10up]

Not as bad as cancer!!!

I'm sure it's not a pleasant experience but I saw a show on tv recently that showed a man who didn't have a colonoscopy done because his "friends" told him how bad it was. He later developed colon cancer.

Good luck to you. I hope the results come back all clear.

[Crankin]

The test was not bad. I was sedated (mildly) with valium like stuff, but was awake and watched the whole thing. I drank that entire jug of awful stuff and seemed to go plenty, but the doctor said I was definitely not all cleaned out???? Just wondered how that could happen.

[Aggie_Ama]

I haven't had one but sending you good vibes for the prep, test and results. DH had one and said it wasn't that bad, he has trouble sleeping so a day sedated was nice. He had to have it to diagnose his crohn's.

My dad put his off and at 52 was determined to have Stage 3 Colon Cancer. After having a piece of his colon removed and six months of chemo he will be the first to tell you it is worth it. He will also tell you the prep sucks. I have to have one at 40 thanks to dear old dad but I will be doing it shortly after my birthday.

[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.