Colonoscopy

[KathyPsu19]

I don't mean to sound gross or anything in this thread but...About 7 months ago I started to notice that I was becoming more and more constipated, sometimes not "going" for up to a week or more. My stomach is so bloated and hard that people think I am 6 months pregnant and have asked me when am I due! Tried fiber pills etc and nothing would work. It went back and forth between constipation and diahrea. It got to the point it was so painful so I saw my DR. He suggested that it was probably IBS but didn't want to bind me up anymore with a pill so he suggested a colonoscopy first to make sure nothing else was wrong IE blockage etc...Well, mine is tomorrow and 2 1/2 hours ago I started the golytely prep. NASTY stuff! I'm having a hard time not gaging on it. I also have seen no "results" when the paper says should see results in an hour. Am I so backed up that it's not going to work? Or could it be something else? Also, does anyone have any tips about drinking this stuff? I mean, I have the cherry kind but it's far from yummy in taste. TYIA

[noelleray]

only tip i ever heard was drink it fast and think of something else. they gave my mom the plain one before her colonoscopy and i know she said that was the worst tasting stuff,and FIL had the red one.hope everything turns out ok!

[rojo13864]

Just keep drinking it ..and finish it all! It can take almost four hours for some people to see results. On the Colonoscopy it is relatively quick and out patient. They can tell if you have growths that need to be removed or tears, etc, I had one done a few years ago..and the hardest thing was drinking the prep liquid..ugh..Good Luck and don't worry. Good Luck!

[snookers]

Oh my goodness....you are so very young. I'm scheduled for my first "C" later this month and I'm not looking forward to it at all. Yesterday the Dr gave me 2 bottles of Lemon Ginger flavored Fleet. Nothing to eat all day but clear liquids and Fleet.....I wonder if mixing it with Vodka or Gin would be OK?....they're clear liquids, aren't they? :laugh:

I really don't know what to expect, but someone's going to have to move the TV and computer upstairs (where the bathroom is) that day/nite.

Best of luck tomorrow. Maybe not a whole lot of folks here want to hear the details, but I DO....so please come back with an update. My Dr said I'd be given a Valium-type sedative intravenously...."to make me sleepy". I'd much prefer to be totally knocked out, but that's not going to happen, I guess. Oh well, I shouldn't be such a chicken. I just have to keep reminding myself that if I can endure childbirth (twice) with absolutely NO DRUGS, I can do this.

Since your "stuff" is cherry flavored, how about mixing it with Hawaiian Punch....that sounds like a good mix....maybe. And try holding your nose.

[KathyPsu19]

I am just about done drinking this horrible stuff. YAY! I have only visited the bathroom once though...This has me a bit worried. I am thinking I am going to call the DR's office if this stuff doesn't work its way through in a couple of hours like its supposed to. I am worried about this colonscopy. Not so much the procedure itself but what might be found etc. I am only 23 years old and hope its not something serious. Thanks to all who replied. It's much appreciated. Will update you guys tomorrow when its all over and let you know how things went, without giving too many gross details! :) Pray for me that its nothing serious..

[DrJohn]

I had to get it done twice (they cut out polyps the 1st time) and believe me,the Fleet is like Superman:It'll knock the chit out of anybody(excuse me).
You will not be asleep during the procedure but you will be as mellow as you've ever been in your life. Heck,I watched the thing on the tv screen;you have to be awake to answer Dr's questions(ie. "do you feel any pressure?etc").

No matter how often you go to the bathroom,it will stop after the procedure.You may have some embarrasing "gas issues":) around the dr and nurses when they are finished though.

They may give you some internal pics to take home but do us a favor and do't post them :)!
As painful as it sounds (getting a camera put up your bum),you won't feel a thing.

Good Luck

John

[skpaw]

Before the kidney donor surgery I had a huge bottle of something called "go lightly" It was nasty. Since my husband's life was depending on the kidney, I decided to be brave and keep drinking and drinking. (Anything less than that and I don't know if I would have drunk that yuck.) I had my parents over to take us to the hosp in the very early AM and I was making a big pot of soup. None for me and hubby. Once the nasty stuff got to work, I could not leave the bathroom. Don't worry--if it anything like what I had, you WILL be in the bathroom more than you want to be. Sorry you have to have this junk on a holiday. At least you know that tomorrow that they will be taking care of you. Good luck and I hope you get good test results.

[KathyPsu19]

Don't worry, I wont post the pics if they give them to me! I dont even think i want them to look at. The drink has begun to work like it should. Just took a very long time to get through my system. I dont mind the frequent bathroom trips because its much better than the pains ive been having due to constipation. It sucks having to do this on a holiday but we ate new years dinner yesterday so that i could eat some. Ive had only jello and 7up all day. I am soooooooooo hungry!! Once home tomorrow, watch out! Im raiding the fridge!! :laugh:

[DrJohn]

Kathy

I forgot to say that you definately need someone to drive you home;my dr made me sign a paper swearing that I would not drive or even sign any legal papers after leaving the procedure. My wife had to SWEAR that she would be w/ me the rest of the day; that liquid valium really mellows you out!

[KathyPsu19]

Thanks DrJohn. In the information papers, it mentions needing a ride home and not to operate heavy machinery. My mom is taking me so that wont be a problem. :) Cant wait for the valium :laugh:

[cubanita]

I hope it all turns out all right for you. My grandma had the same procedure done some months ago due to her excessive constipation, and had to drink that weird stuff in advance. She told me the actual procedure wasn't that bad.

GOD BLESS YOU! Take care,

[wrinklepup]

Kathy, I just read this thread, and I just wanted to let you know, I hope everything turns out ok, Please keep us updated...... :gvibes: :gvibes: :gvibes:

[BJo]

I hope all goes well for you. Annual colonoscopies are a fact of life in my family. My mother died of colon cancer at 49 and my oldest son had his colon removed 5 years ago after the discovery of 3 malignant tumors. His body has adjusted and he's doing great now. The prep is the worst part.

[KathyPsu19]

I thought i'd come back and let you guys know what happened today. I didn't feel a thing during the procedure(due to demerol and valium in my IV). I really dont recall much about the whole day lol...Those drugs are wonderful! :smile9: Anyways, afterwards, the dr came in and said that they found nothing abnormal and nothing was wrong. He definately thinks it's IBS and to start taking a fiber pill or metamucil type product every day, eat more fruits and veggies etc to see if things get better. Was told if they dont within like 2 months or so, call my regular dr again and have them try an IBS medication. Thank you guys for the information and support. It was much appreciated during a somewhat scary time. Im off to lay down..these drugs are not worn off yet!!! :laugh:

[snookers]

That's wonderful news. I'm so glad everything turned out fine.

Now you can relax, rest and best of all...EAT. Remember those fruits and vegies. :)

[banzai]

I just saw this thread. My grandmother went in to get this done this morning also. I'm glad your results were ok and wanted to recommend Senekot (not sure of spelling) for the constipation. It really helps my father with his constipation (he is on a lot of different meds that cause it) I hope it helps you.

[SeaAngel]

Sorry I didn't make it here sooner to wish you luck, but am glad that everything went well for you. Hope the extra fiber does the trick for you and you won't have anymore problems. Take care! :gvibes:

[DrJohn]

Kathy
I hope that today finds you feeling better and that the fruit and fiber helps "everything come out all right!" :)