Hi,
I've had symptoms that seem to be like IBS, and my Dr. thinks so too. But to be sure, he has sent me to have a colonoscopy. I have never had one before, and I'm not looking forward to it! In fact, I'm dreading it! Surely they are not as bad as they sound like, or look like? lol

~Jaime~

The test, itself, is a piece o'cake. Exactly as my gastroent Dr told me, I felt nothing during or after and he did remove some polyps - cutting did occur. You are sedated. In fact. after mine was done and I woke up, I asked the nurse if we were finally going to get started -lol. The prep is a little different. This starts abou 8 hours before the test.

if you know the nurses or if they're trying to humor you, erase your apprehesion. they'll give you a normal glass full of 'water'. As you drink it, you'll find it tasteless and only very slightly denser than water. Drinking it all is very easy. Then, they bring in the rest of it A little over a gallon. You have to down it all.

About 1/3 thru, you'll need to continue drinking, but in a different room All output from the test site must be completely clear, i.e. colorless. Towards the end, you'll swear you've discovered a new path, directly from your mouth to the exit point! Input and output are over in a blink. Seriously, the worst is some stomach discomfort - we generally don't drink that much liquid in such a short period!

I went in with same feelings you have. I wouldn't run right out and have one every day, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I feared. It would have been easier if I had know the size of the container of the liquid I had to drink was! You'll do fine; promise, I'l be thinking of you and mentally sending yoiu encouragement.

Thanks for the information. But the preparations sound worse than the procedure! I'm dreading all that 'emptying', I already have stomach problems and diarrhea...I don't need to have more of that! lol

~Jaime~

You're on the right track with your thoughts I was in the hospital last year from a thyroid storm that nearly (literally) starved me to death. I also had stomach probs and diarrhea before the colonoscopy. The good thing about your gallon-sized cocktail is that you're experienced with its symptoms but when its done, it doesn't come back, later! And, it doesn't include things like cramping... way less than what you've been through. Please don't dread it too much - it will get you diagosed and on treatment that brings you real relief, It's all good

Hugs Jaime, from one who's been there!

I had a colonoscopy a few years back which showed a bowel tumour, so I had to go back and have a hemicolectomy and trust me, I was more worried about the prep than the consequences of the operation.

It was a piece of cake! Here in Oz there are 3 or 4 bowel preps available, and it depends on your doctor as to which one they order. I had one order Glycop-prep and that's 3 litres to drink.

For the bowel op and the post op check colonoscopy, I was ordered Golytely and that was just 2 glasses of prep washed down by lots of clear fluids.

The preps do clean you out but I didn't get any cramps, and each time I had enough time to make it to the bathroom. Don't plan on leaving the house, that's all.

Wow! My next colonoscopy, I'm coming to Oz! I think I started with one glass of Golytely, but what I had to finish (different) didn't even permit time to traverse from hospital bed to in-room facilities Jaime, sounds like Koala has the best advice for your time and place. I'll still think of you and am very glad Koala had even more encouraging experience to provide

The only thing I'm not sure of yet, is how far ahead you have to take these preparations, and how long you have to go without eating. Is it done on the same day or the day before, as my appt. time is 1:30pm?
Still don't feel any more 'excited' about it! lol But still have 5 weeks to wait...
~Jaime~

Some doctors prefer their patients have a low residue diet for 2 days and clear fluids for one day before the colonoscopy, but most now seem to have given away the low residue diet and just use clear fluids for 24 hours prior to the procedure instead. It totally depends on your doctor's preference.

With a 1:30pm appointment, you should expect to have either all or half the bowel prep the afternoon/evening before.

My appointment was early in the morning, so my prep was all done during the day/evening before, but because you have an afternoon procedure, you might find your doctor wants half the night before and half in the morning.

Once again it depends on your doctor's preference.

Everyone needs to starve prior to theater to prevent intra-operative complications and the starving time also depends on doctor preference. Some would say nothing in your stomach for 6 hours prior to your surgery, and some say 4, but it's important to drink lots of clear fluids while you can to prevent dehydration. I got in a supply of sports drinks so I didn't deplete my electrolytes with the trips to the bathroom.

You should get all of this information as a printed information sheet from your doctor before your operation, and if you don't get one ... then ask.

I KNEW I couldn't get that stuff down me. So I asked for a pill! Then measured out several liter bottles of water.
Here is some guidance on prep and follow up:
http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts....er/1778-1.html
You will get specific instructions similar from your doc also.
The prep is the hardest part. The Exam? Well, I was mildly anesthetized and slept thru it all.
Afterwards? That bloating/gassy feeling is because AIR gets into your intestines during the exam...in a way that doesn't normally happen.
All in all? Definitely eat light, broths, toast puddings that kind of thing after the exam to help clear things back to normal.
It is a necessary and useful/life-saving test. It's gotta be done, but there are worse exams to have? In that light it's not so bad! PS? You won't be able to drive yourself for the test-because getting back home you are gonna be 'out of it'. Go fiercely! 's - j

Thanks. I haven't got any instructions yet, but I'm sure they will give them to me closer to the date. At least I know now that I will have to keep at least 2 days free, and not plan anything! lol