You really need to get over your fears and have a colonoscopy. It may save your life as well as tell your doctor what is wrong so he can help you.

gmi

Yes, I know, gmi. Just the thoughts of the whole process exhaust me -- not to mention the pain. Seems I remember something new about a year ago, having a MRI can take the place of a c. unless they find something at which time they go the regular route. I am planning on calling my neuro tomorrow (Wednesday) with these new symptoms. Of course I'll probably just talk with a nurse. Kind of have to chuckle when various MS articles tell us we have to have a good working relationship with our neuro....well, it's kind of hard to have much of anything when we only see them for about 10 minutes twice a year and even phone calls are intercepted. Funny though, the exhorbitant insurance payout goes to him.

If I get no information from him, I'll try my pcp. Thanks for caring!!

Judy,

They will knock you out when they do the colonoscopy, so there will be no pain.

Don't let the fear of pain stop you from getting one.

gmi

They won't knock you out, unless you're in a hospital....otherwise, they use Versed, and it doesn't work on everyone. My DH had versed when he had a colonoscopy and he said that the pain went up into his chest. Found out later, that he had had a heart attack..

This was at the VA and they didn't catch it. He died, in another hospital, 2 months later, from another heart attack. He was in the hospital for something else, but they could not save him.

MY Father died from colon cancer, but I will never have a colonoscopy, because of what happened to my Husband.....and I will never have versed again, because of his and my bad reactions to it. (my BP shot way up, at the dentist's office), obviously his did too, but instead of stopping, they went on and he had the heart attack.

Judy, an MRI sounds good..

I have had two colonoscopies and was knocked out for both. Are you saying that your husband was not out during the procedure. Both of mine were in gastro doctors place of business.

Scary!

gmi

Versed knocks most people out, but DH and I both had adverse reactions to it....so, no, neither one of us was out and we felt the pain. His was fatal, I survived.....He had HBP io begin with....mine was always normal and that made the difference, I guess..

I checked out the Versed and was totally amazed at the side effects. This was the first time I had heard about this stuff. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

I am very sorry about your husband. When my husband died unexpectedly that was the most horrible day of my life and I feel for others that have lived through this tragedy.


gmi

I'm so sorry to read about your hubby's terrible experience, Sally. Now you made me cry. And gmi, you're facing this MS challenge alone too -- we ought to start a club! Even though mine was from divorce, we are friends again for maybe two days out of the year at family get-togethers, but it sure does get lonely sometimes. Of course now I would never think of saddling anyone with a wife who had this disease.

As for the versed, it wouldn't be good for me either being I have mitral valve prolapse and now take Digoxin for atrial fibrillation. Just the process of getting dressed, having my stiff legs forced into a car....not to mention getting up on a 'table' and going through the prep, is completely exhausting. Then with fibromyalgia and central pain syndrome, enough is enough.

Of course I couldn't get through to my neuro. "Somebody" is supposed to get back to me......we'll see, but bet it won't be him.

Take care.......

I'm so glad I read this thread...I've also been experiencing a "fullness"-type feeling the last month or so in my stomach...I don't feel like eating because of it, but I eat anyway.
Today I have intestinal "issues"...think I've lost 5 lbs in the last hour...LOL...it's not IBS, tho...but it is like waves...
I didn't know the digestive system could be affected by MS...
I see the neuro in early Sept...I guess this should go on the discussion list, huh?
I'm grateful for all the info here...

Judy, I'm so sorry you are going through all this grief!

I'm going for my first colonoscopy next month. My doctor doesn't use Versed, but I can't remember what he said they use. He promised me that I would be totally out for the procedure.

I was told at age 50 that I should get a screening colonoscopy. I'm 58, so it took eight years to build up the nerve to finally have one done.

Judy, maybe you should go in for a colonoscopy or other exams to find out what's causing this and hopefully get it fixed.

Sally, I'm so very sorry about your husband.