What can I expect from a colonoscopy?
April 10, 2022 7:49 AM
I was given a brief info sheet from the doctor's office, and have looked some online and in AskMe - but some specific questions I have are more about how one feels before/during/after this procedure.
1) Liquid diet before procedure - won't I be completely fainty by the time I get to the appointment? I don't do well with not eating and am worried I will be sick with dizziness/spins/low blood sugar before I even get there (and that's only part of it - the prep sounds bad too) - how was your experience with this part, only drinking chicken broth and clear liquids for an entire day?
2) SuPrep liquid Bowel Preparation - you must drink THREE 16 oz SuPrep solutions within ONE HOUR?!? How difficult did you find this, drinking the solutions? I know the result of the solutions is a lot of toilet time, is this like regular diarrhea or worse? And then I have to drink it again the morning of the procedure, when I will be even more empty-stomached and weird?
3) I am a HIGHLY anxious person and this kind of procedure (anything invasive, really), freaks me out - are the drugs they give you really that forgetful-inducing? Because that part sounds ok!
4) AFTER the procedure - again, won't have eaten for a long time, plus the procedure - do you feel like an absolute garbage pile? Or do the drugs help you sleep that off (how long were you sleepy/a big lump?) What kind of food do the clinic people/anyone who has been through it recommend to start eating again once you're allowed to eat again? What can your system handle?
5) I know one can be gassy and uncomfortable afterwards - but was there cramping/pain afterwards for you as well? How much time do you recommend giving yourself before regular activity/going back to work?
I am very scared of this procedure, in a weird way even more so because so many people treat it very casually. Even though it is "routine" it is scary for me so please be gentle in your responses - the angle here ideally would be more reassuring and practical-based rather than any horror stories. Thank you.
1) Liquid diet before procedure - won't I be completely fainty by the time I get to the appointment? I don't do well with not eating and am worried I will be sick with dizziness/spins/low blood sugar before I even get there (and that's only part of it - the prep sounds bad too) - how was your experience with this part, only drinking chicken broth and clear liquids for an entire day?
2) SuPrep liquid Bowel Preparation - you must drink THREE 16 oz SuPrep solutions within ONE HOUR?!? How difficult did you find this, drinking the solutions? I know the result of the solutions is a lot of toilet time, is this like regular diarrhea or worse? And then I have to drink it again the morning of the procedure, when I will be even more empty-stomached and weird?
3) I am a HIGHLY anxious person and this kind of procedure (anything invasive, really), freaks me out - are the drugs they give you really that forgetful-inducing? Because that part sounds ok!
4) AFTER the procedure - again, won't have eaten for a long time, plus the procedure - do you feel like an absolute garbage pile? Or do the drugs help you sleep that off (how long were you sleepy/a big lump?) What kind of food do the clinic people/anyone who has been through it recommend to start eating again once you're allowed to eat again? What can your system handle?
5) I know one can be gassy and uncomfortable afterwards - but was there cramping/pain afterwards for you as well? How much time do you recommend giving yourself before regular activity/going back to work?
I am very scared of this procedure, in a weird way even more so because so many people treat it very casually. Even though it is "routine" it is scary for me so please be gentle in your responses - the angle here ideally would be more reassuring and practical-based rather than any horror stories. Thank you.
Relax. Deep breath. Breathing exercises really kept me calm. Some people do yoga.
Yes, the prep stuff is drastic but it's not going to kill you. Make sure you have access to the toilet.
Eating before can really mess up your procedure, and you'll have to do it all over again. That was the only hard part for me.
Drink only non red liquids.
They will give you a shot before being taken into the procedure room. It will relax you. When they are ready, they will put you sleep, not deeply, but you won't remember what happened.
Afterwards, I felt great, but I was a tad unsteady on my feet for a short time. Glad someone was there for me.
The day after it'll be only a memory.
Good luck, and don't forget to breathe!
posted by james33 at 8:15 AM on April 10, 2022
Yes, the prep stuff is drastic but it's not going to kill you. Make sure you have access to the toilet.
Eating before can really mess up your procedure, and you'll have to do it all over again. That was the only hard part for me.
Drink only non red liquids.
They will give you a shot before being taken into the procedure room. It will relax you. When they are ready, they will put you sleep, not deeply, but you won't remember what happened.
Afterwards, I felt great, but I was a tad unsteady on my feet for a short time. Glad someone was there for me.
The day after it'll be only a memory.
Good luck, and don't forget to breathe!
posted by james33 at 8:15 AM on April 10, 2022
Thanks to being the owner of a seemingly hastily-assembled lower GI, I have had 3 over the years. My experience w/this:
1. I have a pretty high metabolism, but did fine with this (not having coffee was the hardest part, TBH). I brought some food w/me and had something to eat immediately afterward.
2. I found the fluid itself kind of gross-tasting, but not unmanageable. The outcome was no worse than a regular trip to the bathroom, but more watery. Stick close to home or a bathroom, though.
3. It depends if they use so-called "conscious sedation" or general anesthesia. On my 1st, I got general, and woke up feeling nauseous. For the 2nd and 3rd, I opted for neither, and TBH, it was more a little awkward/slightly embarrassing than painful (actual procedure is, as it turns out, not really that painful at all). I got to see the inside of my intestines and part of my stomach, which was interesting.
4. Without the anesthesia, I felt totally fine. With, I was a little queasy for a few hours following the procedure.
5. I had no issues w/intestinal or stomach discomfort any of the times I had it done.
I've also had to deal w/some back/spinal issues over the years, and had a bunch of the related tests for neurological issues, and, on the spectrum of medical testing, I would definitely put colonoscopy towards the bottom of the "should induce fear and trepidation" scale.
If you can, I'd just block out the rest of the day to relax and get your head together, if you think you'll need it, but I think you'll be happily surprised to find that it's actually not that awful at all.
posted by ryanshepard at 8:19 AM on April 10, 2022
1. I have a pretty high metabolism, but did fine with this (not having coffee was the hardest part, TBH). I brought some food w/me and had something to eat immediately afterward.
2. I found the fluid itself kind of gross-tasting, but not unmanageable. The outcome was no worse than a regular trip to the bathroom, but more watery. Stick close to home or a bathroom, though.
3. It depends if they use so-called "conscious sedation" or general anesthesia. On my 1st, I got general, and woke up feeling nauseous. For the 2nd and 3rd, I opted for neither, and TBH, it was more a little awkward/slightly embarrassing than painful (actual procedure is, as it turns out, not really that painful at all). I got to see the inside of my intestines and part of my stomach, which was interesting.
4. Without the anesthesia, I felt totally fine. With, I was a little queasy for a few hours following the procedure.
5. I had no issues w/intestinal or stomach discomfort any of the times I had it done.
I've also had to deal w/some back/spinal issues over the years, and had a bunch of the related tests for neurological issues, and, on the spectrum of medical testing, I would definitely put colonoscopy towards the bottom of the "should induce fear and trepidation" scale.
If you can, I'd just block out the rest of the day to relax and get your head together, if you think you'll need it, but I think you'll be happily surprised to find that it's actually not that awful at all.
posted by ryanshepard at 8:19 AM on April 10, 2022
My partner did this last month, it’s wasn’t fun but it went smoothly and he’s glad he did it.
1) You can check with your doctor, but ours said jello, as long as it wasn’t red, was fine to have on the fasting day. We had a few flavors in the fridge, it helped.
2) For my partner the first round of the prep resulting in many toilet visits, it wasn’t uncomfortable just urgent. The second round wasn’t as bad, only a few visits.
3) The drugs were great for the process, they give you the good stuff.
4) On the 10 minute drive home we got fast food. He was able to eat right away and really enjoyed everything he ate the rest of the day.
5) Within an hour of being home he was feeling normal. No driving for the rest of the day so he rested and ate, the next day he was back at work.
It’s really good that you are doing this!
posted by lepus at 8:22 AM on April 10, 2022
1) You can check with your doctor, but ours said jello, as long as it wasn’t red, was fine to have on the fasting day. We had a few flavors in the fridge, it helped.
2) For my partner the first round of the prep resulting in many toilet visits, it wasn’t uncomfortable just urgent. The second round wasn’t as bad, only a few visits.
3) The drugs were great for the process, they give you the good stuff.
4) On the 10 minute drive home we got fast food. He was able to eat right away and really enjoyed everything he ate the rest of the day.
5) Within an hour of being home he was feeling normal. No driving for the rest of the day so he rested and ate, the next day he was back at work.
It’s really good that you are doing this!
posted by lepus at 8:22 AM on April 10, 2022
1. won't I be completely fainty by the time I get to the appointment?
I was, bad headache, it was terrible.
2. How difficult did you find this, drinking the solutions?
I found it impossible, only got about half of it down but the doc said that was enough.
4. AFTER the procedure
This was the best part! The drugs I received must've been ryanshepard's conscious sedation, rather than anesthesia - it was weird, I didn't wake up, just went away to a 'small place' until I was yanked back to full consciousness, when it was over. Afterwards I knew I would be hungry, so the first thing planned after leaving was a stop to grab some take-out, but it really wasn't necessary since at that point and for hours afterwards I was feeling no pain!
posted by Rash at 8:35 AM on April 10, 2022
I was, bad headache, it was terrible.
2. How difficult did you find this, drinking the solutions?
I found it impossible, only got about half of it down but the doc said that was enough.
4. AFTER the procedure
This was the best part! The drugs I received must've been ryanshepard's conscious sedation, rather than anesthesia - it was weird, I didn't wake up, just went away to a 'small place' until I was yanked back to full consciousness, when it was over. Afterwards I knew I would be hungry, so the first thing planned after leaving was a stop to grab some take-out, but it really wasn't necessary since at that point and for hours afterwards I was feeling no pain!
posted by Rash at 8:35 AM on April 10, 2022
Had my first a couple of years ago (2019) and I was nervous too.
You'll see a lot of guidelines about "not red stuff" - that's because the red dyes (even in remenant form) can look enough like blood to be confusing with the scope, and that is not the confusion you need.
1) I worked from home that day (this was a good call, I didn't want to risk driving home if I was feeling wobbly, and being home meant I could have approved clear liquids on demand and rotate what I had. Basically I drank a bit of something every hour I was awake.) Splurging on the good bone broth in a couple of different flavour profiles was a really good call for me, non-red Italian ices are probably fine, non-red or purple jello, etc.
2) I forget which prep I had now, but mine was "mix this in liquid, drink" and then drinking an equal amount of Gatorade or equivalent (you do want the extra electrolytes if you can get them.)
Advice on the Internet that I took: very cold is easier, a straw (think huge plastic one) is a lot easier of you don't like the taste (get it to the back of your throat, drink), and it's probably fine to add CrystalLight lemonade (or something else clear and non-red) for flavour. Check with your doctor's office, but having a strong flavour I don't hate helped me a lot.
3) I had general anesthesia - I knocked out exactly when they said I would, came round just fine, it is a total blank in between.
4) A friend met me and drove me home. They gave me a time when I could eat again (I think an hour after I was fully out of the anesthesia). I had a snack (cheese and crackers) when I got home, and put a freezer lasagna in the oven, and by the time it was ready, that was Great Food. (And it meant I didn't have to think a lot about something reasonably balanced as food for a couple more meals, because leftovers.)
This was less of a weirdness for me than I was afraid it was going to be - I'd have a range of things you can snack on handy or that are low-effort food prep, and go with what you feel like is a good food.
5) Mine ended up being on a Friday, and that timing was really good. I felt okay on Saturday, but I didn't want to be very mobile. (And I think I had a nap.) The gas does take some time to clear your system: they'll want to make sure some of that happens before they release you, but it'll be a thing for a day or so after, and that can be bursts of modest discomfort for a few minutes.
posted by jenettsilver at 8:50 AM on April 10, 2022
You'll see a lot of guidelines about "not red stuff" - that's because the red dyes (even in remenant form) can look enough like blood to be confusing with the scope, and that is not the confusion you need.
1) I worked from home that day (this was a good call, I didn't want to risk driving home if I was feeling wobbly, and being home meant I could have approved clear liquids on demand and rotate what I had. Basically I drank a bit of something every hour I was awake.) Splurging on the good bone broth in a couple of different flavour profiles was a really good call for me, non-red Italian ices are probably fine, non-red or purple jello, etc.
2) I forget which prep I had now, but mine was "mix this in liquid, drink" and then drinking an equal amount of Gatorade or equivalent (you do want the extra electrolytes if you can get them.)
Advice on the Internet that I took: very cold is easier, a straw (think huge plastic one) is a lot easier of you don't like the taste (get it to the back of your throat, drink), and it's probably fine to add CrystalLight lemonade (or something else clear and non-red) for flavour. Check with your doctor's office, but having a strong flavour I don't hate helped me a lot.
3) I had general anesthesia - I knocked out exactly when they said I would, came round just fine, it is a total blank in between.
4) A friend met me and drove me home. They gave me a time when I could eat again (I think an hour after I was fully out of the anesthesia). I had a snack (cheese and crackers) when I got home, and put a freezer lasagna in the oven, and by the time it was ready, that was Great Food. (And it meant I didn't have to think a lot about something reasonably balanced as food for a couple more meals, because leftovers.)
This was less of a weirdness for me than I was afraid it was going to be - I'd have a range of things you can snack on handy or that are low-effort food prep, and go with what you feel like is a good food.
5) Mine ended up being on a Friday, and that timing was really good. I felt okay on Saturday, but I didn't want to be very mobile. (And I think I had a nap.) The gas does take some time to clear your system: they'll want to make sure some of that happens before they release you, but it'll be a thing for a day or so after, and that can be bursts of modest discomfort for a few minutes.
posted by jenettsilver at 8:50 AM on April 10, 2022
I’ve had one colonoscopy—and of course everyone is different. I also had a lot of medical anxiety about it.
1. In addition to chicken broth, the instructions I got said I could have jello (not red) and gummy bears (not red). The gummy bears especially helped because it feels like you’re eating something solid.
2. Drinking the prep—get it as cold as you can and use a straw. Both of those helped mask the flavor for me.
Also, get some adult wipes. They’ll help sooth your skin because you’ll be using a lot of toilet paper and wipes will really help you not feel so sore. (Don’t flush them! You don’t want to take the chance of clogging your toilet!)
The bathroom part isn’t fun, but it is what it is. I made sure my bathroom was really clean before I started so it would be as pleasant as possible to spend a lot of time in there.
3. I remember absolutely nothing about the procedure itself. I remember being on the table, dr asked if I had questions, I said No, let’s just get it over with, they had me turn on my side…then I woke up in the recovery area. The procedure is the easy part!
4. Afterwards, I was just tired. I vaguely remember being driven home. I think I ate a sandwich—maybe grilled cheese? I napped in the afternoon. By that evening I was back to eating whatever I wanted.
5. No pain or cramps or pain at all afterwards. They do want you to to pass gas before you leave the clinic. I felt absolutely fine to go back to work the next day.
I was also very nervous about this and put it off for several years. Afterwards I was so proud of myself for taking care of my health!
You can do this! Good luck!
posted by bookmammal at 8:52 AM on April 10, 2022
1. In addition to chicken broth, the instructions I got said I could have jello (not red) and gummy bears (not red). The gummy bears especially helped because it feels like you’re eating something solid.
2. Drinking the prep—get it as cold as you can and use a straw. Both of those helped mask the flavor for me.
Also, get some adult wipes. They’ll help sooth your skin because you’ll be using a lot of toilet paper and wipes will really help you not feel so sore. (Don’t flush them! You don’t want to take the chance of clogging your toilet!)
The bathroom part isn’t fun, but it is what it is. I made sure my bathroom was really clean before I started so it would be as pleasant as possible to spend a lot of time in there.
3. I remember absolutely nothing about the procedure itself. I remember being on the table, dr asked if I had questions, I said No, let’s just get it over with, they had me turn on my side…then I woke up in the recovery area. The procedure is the easy part!
4. Afterwards, I was just tired. I vaguely remember being driven home. I think I ate a sandwich—maybe grilled cheese? I napped in the afternoon. By that evening I was back to eating whatever I wanted.
5. No pain or cramps or pain at all afterwards. They do want you to to pass gas before you leave the clinic. I felt absolutely fine to go back to work the next day.
I was also very nervous about this and put it off for several years. Afterwards I was so proud of myself for taking care of my health!
You can do this! Good luck!
posted by bookmammal at 8:52 AM on April 10, 2022
You may be interested in Hank Green (noted vlogger and science communicator)'s video How to Get a Colonoscopy.
posted by Cogito at 8:58 AM on April 10, 2022
posted by Cogito at 8:58 AM on April 10, 2022
This choice is between you and your doctor but I chose an alternative to colonoscopy, and I mention it because some people don't know about those.
posted by Glinn at 9:08 AM on April 10, 2022
posted by Glinn at 9:08 AM on April 10, 2022
1. I'm similar to you in that regards, but as others have said there are sugary clear things you can ingest to keep your blood sugar up, which I did. I remember drinking Gatorade, broth, and eating jello I think. I was oddly fine the day before the procedure hunger and blood sugar wise, maybe my body knew I didn't have a choice on eating so it didn't even bother sending out any signals for real food.
2. I admittedly had a ...extreme... time with SuPrep (If anyone wants all the details they can message me.), but I have IBS-D so my bowels are loose even with no help. My experience was that it's not painful, it's just peeing out your butt. A lot. More than you can think possible. Bring a good book with you into the bathroom. You will get bored. Get some barrier cream and wet wipes. Apply barrier cream to your anal region before you start and re-apply as needed. Don't wipe with toilet paper, pat with wet wipes. Your butt deserves it.
3. Yep, just like being put under for anything else, you remember talking to the nurses and then waking up in the recovery room with no memory of the time in between.
4. I felt fine, recovered from anesthesia quickly. I ate lightly afterwards to be cautious, crackers and such but my stomach didn't have any problem taking in food again after the fast. Also wasn't tired oddly enough even though I didn't sleep a lot the night before between peeing out my butt and nerves regarding the procedure.
5. My stomach felt pretty okay afterwards, only way I can explain it is how you feel after a bad bout in the bathroom (Which I guess the entire previous day was, for me.). No gurgles but a bit odd. I wouldn't have wanted to do running around on your feet work but a sitting down office job type stuff would have been fine.
TL,DR: Don't worry, you'll be fine, prep is the worst part and it's mostly just boring and maybe potentially embarrassing if you decide to wander far from a bathroom or something. Once they wheel you back everything only gets better from there.
posted by mochi_cat at 9:09 AM on April 10, 2022
2. I admittedly had a ...extreme... time with SuPrep (If anyone wants all the details they can message me.), but I have IBS-D so my bowels are loose even with no help. My experience was that it's not painful, it's just peeing out your butt. A lot. More than you can think possible. Bring a good book with you into the bathroom. You will get bored. Get some barrier cream and wet wipes. Apply barrier cream to your anal region before you start and re-apply as needed. Don't wipe with toilet paper, pat with wet wipes. Your butt deserves it.
3. Yep, just like being put under for anything else, you remember talking to the nurses and then waking up in the recovery room with no memory of the time in between.
4. I felt fine, recovered from anesthesia quickly. I ate lightly afterwards to be cautious, crackers and such but my stomach didn't have any problem taking in food again after the fast. Also wasn't tired oddly enough even though I didn't sleep a lot the night before between peeing out my butt and nerves regarding the procedure.
5. My stomach felt pretty okay afterwards, only way I can explain it is how you feel after a bad bout in the bathroom (Which I guess the entire previous day was, for me.). No gurgles but a bit odd. I wouldn't have wanted to do running around on your feet work but a sitting down office job type stuff would have been fine.
TL,DR: Don't worry, you'll be fine, prep is the worst part and it's mostly just boring and maybe potentially embarrassing if you decide to wander far from a bathroom or something. Once they wheel you back everything only gets better from there.
posted by mochi_cat at 9:09 AM on April 10, 2022
1. I'm terrible at skipping meals, too ... blood sugar drops ... but I didn't have any problem at all with the hardly any food thing. I bet you won't, either. I did feel a little weak, but it was no big deal.
2) I was surprised at how less hard than I expected this was. I just chugged the stuff and then did an apple juice chaser to get rid of the aftertaste ... easy peasy. I did need to stick close to the toilet, but it wasn't a problem. I just watched tv and then quickly headed to the toilet as needed. The pooping isn't uncomfortable ... like, you don't get cramps or anything. The first poo episodes are kind of solids, but eventually it is pretty much (and excuse the crudeness) like peeing out of your butt. It was decidedly successfully manageable.
3) The drugs work great. You won't even care what they do. I don't remember a thing at all.
4) It really depends on the kind of drugs they give you. With the kind I had when I had an endoscopy, I was alert as soon as I woke up. The kind I had when I had a colonoscopy were a bit different (different clinics use different drugs ... it just so happened that the colonoscopy clinic used a different drug than the endoscopy clinic) and so it took me a while to become alert ... maybe about a half hour to become in a state where I could remember things ... I barely remember my niece driving me home. But I felt just fine after the procedure. I just went home and ate. No big deal. You can eat anything you want, if I remember correctly. Personally, I ate a gigantic stack of pancakes.
5) The first one I had, I was gassy. But it didn't last very long at all - like maybe 1/2 hour. The second one, I was not gassy at all. And there was no cramping after either procedure. I felt normal right after the procedure and felt like I could do anything I wanted, but they say don't drive until the next day, so I didn't.
It's hard to imagine treating a colonoscopy very casually. I mean, who likes to have such restricted eating, and who wants to drink a bunch of yucky stuff that makes them poo like crazy? But ya gotta do what ya gotta do, and once you're doing it, I think you'll be surprised at how bad it really isn't. Medical procedures can make a person feel vulnerable. But everyone at the clinic is so nice and so competent, so that helps a lot. And while colonoscopy prep is a drag and no one can say they look forward to it, it really is doable and not all that big of a deal. You'll see! :)
posted by SageTrail at 9:16 AM on April 10, 2022
2) I was surprised at how less hard than I expected this was. I just chugged the stuff and then did an apple juice chaser to get rid of the aftertaste ... easy peasy. I did need to stick close to the toilet, but it wasn't a problem. I just watched tv and then quickly headed to the toilet as needed. The pooping isn't uncomfortable ... like, you don't get cramps or anything. The first poo episodes are kind of solids, but eventually it is pretty much (and excuse the crudeness) like peeing out of your butt. It was decidedly successfully manageable.
3) The drugs work great. You won't even care what they do. I don't remember a thing at all.
4) It really depends on the kind of drugs they give you. With the kind I had when I had an endoscopy, I was alert as soon as I woke up. The kind I had when I had a colonoscopy were a bit different (different clinics use different drugs ... it just so happened that the colonoscopy clinic used a different drug than the endoscopy clinic) and so it took me a while to become alert ... maybe about a half hour to become in a state where I could remember things ... I barely remember my niece driving me home. But I felt just fine after the procedure. I just went home and ate. No big deal. You can eat anything you want, if I remember correctly. Personally, I ate a gigantic stack of pancakes.
5) The first one I had, I was gassy. But it didn't last very long at all - like maybe 1/2 hour. The second one, I was not gassy at all. And there was no cramping after either procedure. I felt normal right after the procedure and felt like I could do anything I wanted, but they say don't drive until the next day, so I didn't.
It's hard to imagine treating a colonoscopy very casually. I mean, who likes to have such restricted eating, and who wants to drink a bunch of yucky stuff that makes them poo like crazy? But ya gotta do what ya gotta do, and once you're doing it, I think you'll be surprised at how bad it really isn't. Medical procedures can make a person feel vulnerable. But everyone at the clinic is so nice and so competent, so that helps a lot. And while colonoscopy prep is a drag and no one can say they look forward to it, it really is doable and not all that big of a deal. You'll see! :)
posted by SageTrail at 9:16 AM on April 10, 2022
p.s. I did a Cologuard® test in 2000 in lieu of a colonoscopy because of covid, and the test result was positive (scared the crap out of me ... excuse the pun) so I had to have a colonoscopy anyway a few months later. Turns out the Cologuard® positive test was due to a minor hemorrhoid. Therefore, I'll never do another Cologuard®-type of test again. From now on it is only colonoscopies for me!!
posted by SageTrail at 9:24 AM on April 10, 2022
posted by SageTrail at 9:24 AM on April 10, 2022
If you are a person who runs constipated/has slow motility, I'd recommend leaving yourself some extra time for the prep. I was down to the wire on getting it done. The prep itself was weirdly OK. Just keep the fluids cold and camp out watching TV near a toilet.
This is worst case scenario, but my colonoscopy kept getting pushed back once I'd arrived at the hospital and could no longer drink fluids (it started three hours late) and by that point the lack of food/drink was really catching up with me. In the end, I was given IV fluids and it totally took care of the problem.
In terms of medication-- ask them what they are giving you. Some places just give Versed (memory medication/sedation/pain reduction) while others add a painkiller. I would prefer to have both and would say so.
Wishing you the best of luck. You are doing a really important and responsible thing and it is going to be ok. <3
posted by jeszac at 9:29 AM on April 10, 2022
This is worst case scenario, but my colonoscopy kept getting pushed back once I'd arrived at the hospital and could no longer drink fluids (it started three hours late) and by that point the lack of food/drink was really catching up with me. In the end, I was given IV fluids and it totally took care of the problem.
In terms of medication-- ask them what they are giving you. Some places just give Versed (memory medication/sedation/pain reduction) while others add a painkiller. I would prefer to have both and would say so.
Wishing you the best of luck. You are doing a really important and responsible thing and it is going to be ok. <3
posted by jeszac at 9:29 AM on April 10, 2022
My only issue was with the pre-prep. I had a relatively healthy diet and didn't eat much junk or fast-food. About 2/3 of the way through the pre-prep, which was essentially laxatives and "sports" drinks with electrolytes, I felt like I probably could have stopped there and been fine. But I continued with the process provided by my doctor's office, and started to feel bad over the course of the evening. I woke up feeling even worse the next morning and felt nauseous on the ride to the medical center.
I was knocked out for the procedure itself and felt absolutely no pain or discomfort in that area during or after. But I did fight even stronger feelings of nausea on the ride home, and barely made it to the bathroom in time. Maybe because of that I didn't feel hungry for a while and only ate something later that day.
Next time I'm going to discuss the pre-prep and see what they say. If you have concerns about feeling fainty, I strongly recommend telling your doctor about your concerns.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:53 AM on April 10, 2022
I was knocked out for the procedure itself and felt absolutely no pain or discomfort in that area during or after. But I did fight even stronger feelings of nausea on the ride home, and barely made it to the bathroom in time. Maybe because of that I didn't feel hungry for a while and only ate something later that day.
Next time I'm going to discuss the pre-prep and see what they say. If you have concerns about feeling fainty, I strongly recommend telling your doctor about your concerns.
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:53 AM on April 10, 2022
I just had my 8th colonoscopy. However I have never done the sure prep (I did dulcolax, miralax prep).
1. I don’t like being hungry but never felt like this was an issue with my colonoscopies because I could drink clearish liquids (black coffee, coke, white grape juice, apple juice, chicken broth - check with your doctor/prep to make sure these are ok for you). Those kept me feeling like I was eating. Also, I was allowed to eat jellos (no red, blue or purple), suck on hard candies (no red, blue, or purple), and juice popsicles (again no red, blue, or purple). So I honestly felt like I was eating and it was fine. Seriously, I was able to eat as much and drink as much as I wanted of the approved stuff.
2. Drinking 48 ounces in an hour - set a timer to keep yourself on track. Stay close to the toilet - and never trust a fart. The advice given up thread about peeing out your butt it spot on. As is the advice to put a barrier on your butthole BEFORE you even start with evacuating. Vaseline, desitin, etc, are all fine. After each toilet time, make sure to smear more barrier on. Dab, don’t wipe. Buy yourself a giant roll of the softest loveliest toilet paper.
3. I always get propofol for my anesthesia and IMO makes all the hassle of prep and the procedure worth it. I love it. You’re given the stuff (also dubbed “milk of amnesia) via IV. For me, the room tilts for a second and then I’m asleep. And it’s a different sleep. I don’t dream, I’m completely and blissfully unaware of anything. It’s just awesome. After the procedure you’ll most likely wake up in a recovery area. It wears off really quick. All of a sudden you’ll be aware of sounds around you. They nurses will start talking to you to get you more fully awake (and I always want to tell them to leave me alone and let me sleep). They’ll keep you in recovery for a little while to make sure you’re not having any pain and that you’re ok (I’m usually in recovery for 15 mins). Then they help me get dressed and out the door.
4. After the procedure I do not feel like garbage. I might be a bit tired and thinking a nap would be nice later in the day AFTER I EAT. Because by that time I am ready to eat something. I usually start off fairly light-ish. I avoid heavy greasy foods for that first meal after the procedure but I have been known to be immediately craving French fries and demand we stop for fries and a shake. But last time I just felt like having a bagel.
5. Pain/cramping - this last colonoscopy I had, I had a slight twinge of cramping (like on a scale of 1-10, I was less than 1). My very first colonoscopy ever, I was quite gassy but not at all painfully so. Just really impressive farts.
They tell you not to drive at all that day of the procedure or to make any important decisions/signing documents. Keep that in mind. The rest of the day I just chill at home, eat, nap. One year I felt well enough to go to the movies in the evening but usually I’m just in the mood for relaxing at home. I’m always back to normal the very next day and will resume regular activities.
Even though I’ve had a lot of colonoscopies and im used to all this, I always say to myself at some point “I hate this”. Because, it isn’t super fun, medical things are nerve wracking and there’s always an element of anxiety surrounding it NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU DO IT. And especially for your first. It’ll be ok. And you’ll be ok. You’ll handle the not eating stuff just fine because you have lots of stuff to drink to keep your blood sugar up and to help fill you up. Enjoy the nap. And the yummy solid food meal after.
posted by Sassyfras at 10:12 AM on April 10, 2022
1. I don’t like being hungry but never felt like this was an issue with my colonoscopies because I could drink clearish liquids (black coffee, coke, white grape juice, apple juice, chicken broth - check with your doctor/prep to make sure these are ok for you). Those kept me feeling like I was eating. Also, I was allowed to eat jellos (no red, blue or purple), suck on hard candies (no red, blue, or purple), and juice popsicles (again no red, blue, or purple). So I honestly felt like I was eating and it was fine. Seriously, I was able to eat as much and drink as much as I wanted of the approved stuff.
2. Drinking 48 ounces in an hour - set a timer to keep yourself on track. Stay close to the toilet - and never trust a fart. The advice given up thread about peeing out your butt it spot on. As is the advice to put a barrier on your butthole BEFORE you even start with evacuating. Vaseline, desitin, etc, are all fine. After each toilet time, make sure to smear more barrier on. Dab, don’t wipe. Buy yourself a giant roll of the softest loveliest toilet paper.
3. I always get propofol for my anesthesia and IMO makes all the hassle of prep and the procedure worth it. I love it. You’re given the stuff (also dubbed “milk of amnesia) via IV. For me, the room tilts for a second and then I’m asleep. And it’s a different sleep. I don’t dream, I’m completely and blissfully unaware of anything. It’s just awesome. After the procedure you’ll most likely wake up in a recovery area. It wears off really quick. All of a sudden you’ll be aware of sounds around you. They nurses will start talking to you to get you more fully awake (and I always want to tell them to leave me alone and let me sleep). They’ll keep you in recovery for a little while to make sure you’re not having any pain and that you’re ok (I’m usually in recovery for 15 mins). Then they help me get dressed and out the door.
4. After the procedure I do not feel like garbage. I might be a bit tired and thinking a nap would be nice later in the day AFTER I EAT. Because by that time I am ready to eat something. I usually start off fairly light-ish. I avoid heavy greasy foods for that first meal after the procedure but I have been known to be immediately craving French fries and demand we stop for fries and a shake. But last time I just felt like having a bagel.
5. Pain/cramping - this last colonoscopy I had, I had a slight twinge of cramping (like on a scale of 1-10, I was less than 1). My very first colonoscopy ever, I was quite gassy but not at all painfully so. Just really impressive farts.
They tell you not to drive at all that day of the procedure or to make any important decisions/signing documents. Keep that in mind. The rest of the day I just chill at home, eat, nap. One year I felt well enough to go to the movies in the evening but usually I’m just in the mood for relaxing at home. I’m always back to normal the very next day and will resume regular activities.
Even though I’ve had a lot of colonoscopies and im used to all this, I always say to myself at some point “I hate this”. Because, it isn’t super fun, medical things are nerve wracking and there’s always an element of anxiety surrounding it NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU DO IT. And especially for your first. It’ll be ok. And you’ll be ok. You’ll handle the not eating stuff just fine because you have lots of stuff to drink to keep your blood sugar up and to help fill you up. Enjoy the nap. And the yummy solid food meal after.
posted by Sassyfras at 10:12 AM on April 10, 2022
Regarding #1 . . . I highly recommend checking in with your doctor about the parameters around this. There are all kinds of things that may be possible during the prep period and the information (even from reputable sources) varies widely. For example, you'll be able to consume clear beverages, but possibly also gummi bears and other non-red candies. If coffee is a concern for you, ask about that explicitly. You may find that your doctor (or their office staff) can put your mind at ease.
posted by annaramma at 10:13 AM on April 10, 2022
posted by annaramma at 10:13 AM on April 10, 2022
You should be overjoyed that you're doing the Suprep. It's so much lower-volume than the Miralax/PEG preps that many gastroenterologists still use. I have to make a special request to my doctor to get Suprep prescribed, and let me tell you: It is absolutely worth the hassle.
Suprep will let you go to bed after you've done your first...session. It also doesn't taste so terrible, especially if you mix it with coconut water (check to make sure this is OK with your doctor though--it is with mine).
posted by yellowcandy at 10:15 AM on April 10, 2022
Suprep will let you go to bed after you've done your first...session. It also doesn't taste so terrible, especially if you mix it with coconut water (check to make sure this is OK with your doctor though--it is with mine).
posted by yellowcandy at 10:15 AM on April 10, 2022
This choice is between you and your doctor but I chose an alternative to colonoscopy, and I mention it because some people don't know about those.
Same. I was all the way up to scheduling my colonoscopy and had a lot of concerns about not eating, getting up super early, and having someone give me a ride home when I didn't know when my procedure was going to be until the day before and the doc (finally!) suggested Cologuard which I was pleased with. If you don't have a lot of risk factors (and no hemorrhoids I guess) it can be a good substitute, but talk with your doc about your specific situation.
I did have an endoscopy at another time which is similar without all the prep so just wanted to speak to the sedation aspect because I am also very anxious. I had a general and unlike other times I've had anesthetic, this was a little more chill because I just got to sit in a chair (colonoscopies obviously, you will be lying down) and it was like a light switch. You're awake, and then you close your eyes, and then you're awake maybe in a different room. I felt okay afterwards, a little queasy/hungry, but walked out to my friend's car, came home and ate a LOT and then was a little spacey but felt okay for the rest of the day, had some small memory gaps about getting home but nothing worrisome.
posted by jessamyn at 10:29 AM on April 10, 2022
Same. I was all the way up to scheduling my colonoscopy and had a lot of concerns about not eating, getting up super early, and having someone give me a ride home when I didn't know when my procedure was going to be until the day before and the doc (finally!) suggested Cologuard which I was pleased with. If you don't have a lot of risk factors (and no hemorrhoids I guess) it can be a good substitute, but talk with your doc about your specific situation.
I did have an endoscopy at another time which is similar without all the prep so just wanted to speak to the sedation aspect because I am also very anxious. I had a general and unlike other times I've had anesthetic, this was a little more chill because I just got to sit in a chair (colonoscopies obviously, you will be lying down) and it was like a light switch. You're awake, and then you close your eyes, and then you're awake maybe in a different room. I felt okay afterwards, a little queasy/hungry, but walked out to my friend's car, came home and ate a LOT and then was a little spacey but felt okay for the rest of the day, had some small memory gaps about getting home but nothing worrisome.
posted by jessamyn at 10:29 AM on April 10, 2022
1. It was totally fine - I drank apple juice and had broth when I needed something non-sweet. I worked from home so didn’t expend too much energy but was nicely distracted. There’s something about knowing it’s literally only for this one day that you’re in, that makes it manageable, you know that by tomorrow evening you’ll be sitting down to eat absolutely as normal and it’ll all be behind you. Also helps to bear in mind that this process has literally been laid out for you by a doctor - it’s not harming you and is totally safe.
2. Get it cold, use a straw. I was surprised with my first dose how palatable it was because I’d heard so much about how awful it was. I don’t know if mine was the same stuff as yours, but it was just like quite strong lemon cordial that someone had stirred some salt into. Like a strong sports drink or something - not like a totally different species of liquid from anything I’d consumed before. I think a lot of the “it’s awful” stuff comes from the sheer amount you have to drink and the fact it’s associated with you having the squits (though I think I had a different prep from you, mine was the high-volume one that was drinking a glass every 10 minutes for an hour or something). After the first poop, it was basically brown liquid coming out. Started every 15 minutes or so, sped up to every 2 or 3 mins at crescendo, then back down again, over maybe 2 hours or possibly 3 by the time I was satisfied it was over. Yes to Vaseline and wet wipes. I put a kitchen chair in the bathroom right next to the loo, got my laptop set up in there with a sit com on it and just jumped back and forth from chair to loo as needed, watching nice easy telly. Take the prep stuff in with you - you don’t want to be running to the fridge for your next dose when the squits are coming quickly, the urges are fast and strong so you want to stay by the toilet. Wear comfy clothes - something like a nightshirt that you can just pull up is good so you’re not fumbling with trousers. Crank up the heat a bit, the whole thing made me feel a bit cold and the warmth was comforting.
3. I’m in the UK and actually had it without any sedation at all and it was fine - actually really fascinating to watch on the screen. I had gas and air plus a couple of doses of fentanyl when the pain peaked, but the nurses were amazing and hilarious and got me through the sore points. It came in the middle of me living alone through lockdown and was honestly a bit of a social highlight to have so many people in a room being kind and funny :) (They were only being jovial because it was pretty clear going in, that that was how I was approaching it - they won’t just start laughing at things out of the blue. They were also incredibly caring and compassionate and they know it’s a hard thing to go through so they’ll look after you with great warmth and tenderness. I was almost surprised by this element of it - I thought this was such an everyday thing for them that they would be matter of fact and would expect me to be too. But they know how hard it is for patients emotionally and part of their job is to support you through that.)
4. I felt totally fine afterwards. They brought me a sandwich and a drink and I had to have those before I was allowed to leave. I kind of inhaled the sandwich, but don’t remember feeling especially unusual in anyway.
5. I don’t remember any unusual gassiness, certainly no pain or cramping after. I took it easy for the rest of the day and worked as normal the next day.
To an extent it’s one of those things that is worst in the anticipation when there’s so much to get your head around. Once the process starts, you’re ticking off things that you’ll never have to worry about again: “OK, first ever prep session done, I’m no longer new to this”… “Christ I’ve got to do the second round but once this is over I’m totally done with prep and can forget all about it” and so on. Good luck - you can do it!
posted by penguin pie at 10:41 AM on April 10, 2022
2. Get it cold, use a straw. I was surprised with my first dose how palatable it was because I’d heard so much about how awful it was. I don’t know if mine was the same stuff as yours, but it was just like quite strong lemon cordial that someone had stirred some salt into. Like a strong sports drink or something - not like a totally different species of liquid from anything I’d consumed before. I think a lot of the “it’s awful” stuff comes from the sheer amount you have to drink and the fact it’s associated with you having the squits (though I think I had a different prep from you, mine was the high-volume one that was drinking a glass every 10 minutes for an hour or something). After the first poop, it was basically brown liquid coming out. Started every 15 minutes or so, sped up to every 2 or 3 mins at crescendo, then back down again, over maybe 2 hours or possibly 3 by the time I was satisfied it was over. Yes to Vaseline and wet wipes. I put a kitchen chair in the bathroom right next to the loo, got my laptop set up in there with a sit com on it and just jumped back and forth from chair to loo as needed, watching nice easy telly. Take the prep stuff in with you - you don’t want to be running to the fridge for your next dose when the squits are coming quickly, the urges are fast and strong so you want to stay by the toilet. Wear comfy clothes - something like a nightshirt that you can just pull up is good so you’re not fumbling with trousers. Crank up the heat a bit, the whole thing made me feel a bit cold and the warmth was comforting.
3. I’m in the UK and actually had it without any sedation at all and it was fine - actually really fascinating to watch on the screen. I had gas and air plus a couple of doses of fentanyl when the pain peaked, but the nurses were amazing and hilarious and got me through the sore points. It came in the middle of me living alone through lockdown and was honestly a bit of a social highlight to have so many people in a room being kind and funny :) (They were only being jovial because it was pretty clear going in, that that was how I was approaching it - they won’t just start laughing at things out of the blue. They were also incredibly caring and compassionate and they know it’s a hard thing to go through so they’ll look after you with great warmth and tenderness. I was almost surprised by this element of it - I thought this was such an everyday thing for them that they would be matter of fact and would expect me to be too. But they know how hard it is for patients emotionally and part of their job is to support you through that.)
4. I felt totally fine afterwards. They brought me a sandwich and a drink and I had to have those before I was allowed to leave. I kind of inhaled the sandwich, but don’t remember feeling especially unusual in anyway.
5. I don’t remember any unusual gassiness, certainly no pain or cramping after. I took it easy for the rest of the day and worked as normal the next day.
To an extent it’s one of those things that is worst in the anticipation when there’s so much to get your head around. Once the process starts, you’re ticking off things that you’ll never have to worry about again: “OK, first ever prep session done, I’m no longer new to this”… “Christ I’ve got to do the second round but once this is over I’m totally done with prep and can forget all about it” and so on. Good luck - you can do it!
posted by penguin pie at 10:41 AM on April 10, 2022
I've had three colonoscopies so far, and echo many of the comments about balancing blood sugar with non-red, approved by your doctor liquids. I am diabetic, so I tested my sugars more often than usual during the prep and didn't notice any significant drops in my levels. I would also mention to the anesthesiologist that you don't want to remember the procedure (propofol) as I believe I had different drugs for one of my colonoscopies and remember it quite well. (It was not unpleasant at all, and kind of fascinating to see the inside of your colon on the monitor.) The other two, I immediately had no memory of the procedure at all. All three times, I had some bloating and mild discomfort in the hours after the procedure. I would recommend taking the rest of the day off after the procedure, but you should be fine to resume normal activities the day after.
posted by hworth at 10:45 AM on April 10, 2022
posted by hworth at 10:45 AM on April 10, 2022
Definitely the worst part for me was drinking the bowel prep. I hate taking liquid medicine in general, and this was the equivalent of chugging multiple bottles of cherry flavored tylenol. Just yuck. To wash the taste out of my mouth I had lemon sorbet on hand and lemon hard candy. That helped a lot.
It took a while for the SuPrep to take effect, so I didn't start the clean-out until 2am and then just sat by the toilet all night watching Netflix.
posted by brookeb at 11:42 AM on April 10, 2022
It took a while for the SuPrep to take effect, so I didn't start the clean-out until 2am and then just sat by the toilet all night watching Netflix.
posted by brookeb at 11:42 AM on April 10, 2022
1. You 'll be fine. You can drink clear protein drinks too. Definitely get some clear broth; for me I was pretty tired of cold, sweet liquids so having a warm, savory option was really. nice. Jello, too, just not red.
2. Double check your instructions. I only had to drink one pint of the prep solution and then at least two pints of water or other liquid in the hour. This wasn't hard at all. I had a 16-ounce energy drink and an electrolyte drink, plus the clear protein drink. No problem. My advice for the prep drink: knock it back as fast as you can. I chugged mine in two sips and it was fine. The people who seem to really suffer are the ones who do things like hold their nose and eat cough drops and sip it through a straw. It's not THAT horrible, kind of like salty cough syrup, but it's not good tasting so for me getting it down and moving onto something better tasting was the key to happiness.
I also took two Gas-X before doing each round of prep, as advised by the doctors.
3. There is not even anything to forget! You count down from 100, I think I got to like 97, and then you are waking up and it's all done. There's no sensation at all of the passage of time. Just blink and it's over. Easy peasy.
4. I was fine. It took me a few minutes to not be groggy but that was it. My partner sat with me as I got dressed and sat until I felt ready to stand up. Then we went out for a nice diner breakfast, which was welcome as I was HONGRY.
5. Not at all. I honestly had zero signs that anything at all had happened in that region. If it weren't for the photos they sent me, I wouldn't have believed they did the procedure.
I did a low residue diet for a couple days beforehand and would recommend doing the same if you can.
Also recommend getting a tin of Bag Balm for any sore areas that might develop.
posted by bink at 11:59 AM on April 10, 2022
2. Double check your instructions. I only had to drink one pint of the prep solution and then at least two pints of water or other liquid in the hour. This wasn't hard at all. I had a 16-ounce energy drink and an electrolyte drink, plus the clear protein drink. No problem. My advice for the prep drink: knock it back as fast as you can. I chugged mine in two sips and it was fine. The people who seem to really suffer are the ones who do things like hold their nose and eat cough drops and sip it through a straw. It's not THAT horrible, kind of like salty cough syrup, but it's not good tasting so for me getting it down and moving onto something better tasting was the key to happiness.
I also took two Gas-X before doing each round of prep, as advised by the doctors.
3. There is not even anything to forget! You count down from 100, I think I got to like 97, and then you are waking up and it's all done. There's no sensation at all of the passage of time. Just blink and it's over. Easy peasy.
4. I was fine. It took me a few minutes to not be groggy but that was it. My partner sat with me as I got dressed and sat until I felt ready to stand up. Then we went out for a nice diner breakfast, which was welcome as I was HONGRY.
5. Not at all. I honestly had zero signs that anything at all had happened in that region. If it weren't for the photos they sent me, I wouldn't have believed they did the procedure.
I did a low residue diet for a couple days beforehand and would recommend doing the same if you can.
Also recommend getting a tin of Bag Balm for any sore areas that might develop.
posted by bink at 11:59 AM on April 10, 2022
I've had colon cancer, so have to do these a lot (but I just graduated to the five-year test, yay!), and I had a lot of similar fears for my first one.
1) I use this as an excuse to basically indulge my love of Pepsi and other sodas, and stock up on things like fizzy water and limeade (clear, no pulp) and Skratch sports hydration powder because it tastes less vile than most drinks with electrolytes. I drink tea (you can have it with sweetener, but not milk/cream) and clear broth and just lots and lots of water. Get some non-red or -purple Jell-O; it has a little moment of making you feel like you've eaten something till it turns to liquid in your tum.
2) I have not used Suprep, but believe it or not, that's sooo much better than the utterly vile, heinous PEG "liquid" that I had to drink for my first one and for surgery. I couldn't finish it for surgery and was terrified they would cancel it after all the preparation (they didn't), but it's really hard to deal with because it's like trying to pound three liters of cooking oil, it's so viscous, so believe me, the Suprep might look bad but it could be so much worse. The stuff I use is "cranberry flavored" and it's pretty awful, but I literally hold my nose and glug it down as fast as I can without allowing myself to pause long enough to taste it. You're supposed to drink LOTS of water afterward, and that will help get rid of the taste too; sometimes I keep a bottle of mouthwash nearby and swish even before I drink my mandatory water.
Depends or similar kinds of incontinence underwear/pads can be your friend. It's kind of like the most intense laxative you've ever had, and you will spend a lot of time in the bathroom. I have had food poisoning that was much, much worse though. If you have a bidet, that will be great, but if you don't, thanks to people mentioning this here, I bought a little "portable bidet bottle" that's just a squeezey with an angled head and being able to use water is so helpful. Your butt definitely gets a bit chapped. Also get some baby wipes. A book or magazine can help. But seriously, the Depends have been lifesaving, because while I have never had an accident yet, it's been a near thing and it helps you relax a little that you're covered.
3) As everyone's mentioned, it depends a lot on what your clinic uses; my first few were with the "twilight sleep" type, I was partly conscious at times and could see what was happening, but I had massive issues with fully waking up, enough that in my first one, the nurse got really short and mean with me, which didn't set the stage for finding out about my cancer well. BUT they are now using one that put me out like a light, I recall nothing, and then I was suddenly awake. I was slightly groggy, but it wasn't super bad, and by the time we'd walked out, I was totally normal.
4) You might, and you might not. After I'd come out of sedation this time, I felt fine, and was so hungry that when I got home, the first thing I did was beg the person who was looking after me for a ham and cheese omelette and milkshake. I could not get enough food! But you might feel like garbage, and just want to sleep. I had to get up at 4:30 for my second bottle of prep this time, so I was mostly just tired and wanted to sleep, which I did, hard. Technically, you can eat anything, but I mostly just wanted to stick with stuff that wouldn't have roughage or grit.
5) It took me a few days to get back to regular and for the procedure stuff to dissipate, but it was nothing like six days in a hospital, so I take it as a win. This is probably the easiest part. You're brave to power through your concerns, and should feel proud of yourself for doing it.
Incidentally, you can talk to your clinic about other preps, too, if this one proves difficult--usually, mine prescribes the vile PEG stuff, but they've moved to a new one called Moviprep, which I think is similar to Suprep, but I asked if it was liquid or viscous, and they weren't sure, so they prescribed me the Clenpiq I took last time. You won't be the first person who's had trouble with prep--and if they won't talk to you about any issues you've had, then find another place. At mine, they do dozens of procedures every day (it's a full endoscopic clinic), and they have their set rules and stuff, but I've found them to be really nice people most of the time. They've seen it all. You'll go in, they'll run through things and ask if you have questions; they'll prep you for anesthesia, if you're having it, and they'll make sure you have questions answered all along the way if they're any good.
Please feel free to memail me, too, if you'd like to talk more. Like I said, I go through this a lot after having avoided it for many years, and as much as I loathe it, I'm surprised by how routine it's become.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 12:24 PM on April 10, 2022
1) I use this as an excuse to basically indulge my love of Pepsi and other sodas, and stock up on things like fizzy water and limeade (clear, no pulp) and Skratch sports hydration powder because it tastes less vile than most drinks with electrolytes. I drink tea (you can have it with sweetener, but not milk/cream) and clear broth and just lots and lots of water. Get some non-red or -purple Jell-O; it has a little moment of making you feel like you've eaten something till it turns to liquid in your tum.
2) I have not used Suprep, but believe it or not, that's sooo much better than the utterly vile, heinous PEG "liquid" that I had to drink for my first one and for surgery. I couldn't finish it for surgery and was terrified they would cancel it after all the preparation (they didn't), but it's really hard to deal with because it's like trying to pound three liters of cooking oil, it's so viscous, so believe me, the Suprep might look bad but it could be so much worse. The stuff I use is "cranberry flavored" and it's pretty awful, but I literally hold my nose and glug it down as fast as I can without allowing myself to pause long enough to taste it. You're supposed to drink LOTS of water afterward, and that will help get rid of the taste too; sometimes I keep a bottle of mouthwash nearby and swish even before I drink my mandatory water.
Depends or similar kinds of incontinence underwear/pads can be your friend. It's kind of like the most intense laxative you've ever had, and you will spend a lot of time in the bathroom. I have had food poisoning that was much, much worse though. If you have a bidet, that will be great, but if you don't, thanks to people mentioning this here, I bought a little "portable bidet bottle" that's just a squeezey with an angled head and being able to use water is so helpful. Your butt definitely gets a bit chapped. Also get some baby wipes. A book or magazine can help. But seriously, the Depends have been lifesaving, because while I have never had an accident yet, it's been a near thing and it helps you relax a little that you're covered.
3) As everyone's mentioned, it depends a lot on what your clinic uses; my first few were with the "twilight sleep" type, I was partly conscious at times and could see what was happening, but I had massive issues with fully waking up, enough that in my first one, the nurse got really short and mean with me, which didn't set the stage for finding out about my cancer well. BUT they are now using one that put me out like a light, I recall nothing, and then I was suddenly awake. I was slightly groggy, but it wasn't super bad, and by the time we'd walked out, I was totally normal.
4) You might, and you might not. After I'd come out of sedation this time, I felt fine, and was so hungry that when I got home, the first thing I did was beg the person who was looking after me for a ham and cheese omelette and milkshake. I could not get enough food! But you might feel like garbage, and just want to sleep. I had to get up at 4:30 for my second bottle of prep this time, so I was mostly just tired and wanted to sleep, which I did, hard. Technically, you can eat anything, but I mostly just wanted to stick with stuff that wouldn't have roughage or grit.
5) It took me a few days to get back to regular and for the procedure stuff to dissipate, but it was nothing like six days in a hospital, so I take it as a win. This is probably the easiest part. You're brave to power through your concerns, and should feel proud of yourself for doing it.
Incidentally, you can talk to your clinic about other preps, too, if this one proves difficult--usually, mine prescribes the vile PEG stuff, but they've moved to a new one called Moviprep, which I think is similar to Suprep, but I asked if it was liquid or viscous, and they weren't sure, so they prescribed me the Clenpiq I took last time. You won't be the first person who's had trouble with prep--and if they won't talk to you about any issues you've had, then find another place. At mine, they do dozens of procedures every day (it's a full endoscopic clinic), and they have their set rules and stuff, but I've found them to be really nice people most of the time. They've seen it all. You'll go in, they'll run through things and ask if you have questions; they'll prep you for anesthesia, if you're having it, and they'll make sure you have questions answered all along the way if they're any good.
Please feel free to memail me, too, if you'd like to talk more. Like I said, I go through this a lot after having avoided it for many years, and as much as I loathe it, I'm surprised by how routine it's become.
posted by kitten kaboodle at 12:24 PM on April 10, 2022
On the sedation/forgetfulness issue, it may comfort you to know that the chloral hydrate commonly given as a first IV medication is specifically used because of its immediately calming effect and the amnesia it induces.
It's commonly used as a whitish preparation and thus referred to in the trade as "milk of amnesia".
I just had a different procedure and it came through for me again.
posted by citygirl at 12:51 PM on April 10, 2022
It's commonly used as a whitish preparation and thus referred to in the trade as "milk of amnesia".
I just had a different procedure and it came through for me again.
posted by citygirl at 12:51 PM on April 10, 2022
Regarding #2, have a bunch of gatorade or the like ready to go. It helps. DO NOT buy anything mint-adjacent, it'll make the flavor worse.
Regarding #3, I went to a specialist place, warned them that I'm drug-resistant, and they pretty much failed to sedate me at all until the last five minutes or so. Very unpleasant experience. If you're worried about this part, you may want to talk to the staff in advance, being sure to reiterate your concerns. I thought I *had* warned them, but apparently I was just being a whiner, so be extra-extra-sure they understand and acknowledge you.
posted by aramaic at 12:57 PM on April 10, 2022
Regarding #3, I went to a specialist place, warned them that I'm drug-resistant, and they pretty much failed to sedate me at all until the last five minutes or so. Very unpleasant experience. If you're worried about this part, you may want to talk to the staff in advance, being sure to reiterate your concerns. I thought I *had* warned them, but apparently I was just being a whiner, so be extra-extra-sure they understand and acknowledge you.
posted by aramaic at 12:57 PM on April 10, 2022
You don’t give a location, but in the United States it is routine to perform colonoscopies with such heavy sedation that they are either explicitly or nearly general anesthesia without an invasive airway. In other countries, it is also common to perform these with minimal sedation, because it is much cheaper. Let the procedure team know that you are quite anxious, and that is usually enough of an indication to give heavy sedation or general anesthesia. What you want to avoid is this being a surprise for them after you are in the room. If you are very anxious, they can usually also offer you some light sedation on the way to the procedure area, which makes people a little loopy and usually not remember anything further. IV sedation agents for procedures that are short like colonoscopies usually cause minimal grogginess or nausea. You are still advised to not drive for the day afterwards.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 1:08 PM on April 10, 2022
posted by a robot made out of meat at 1:08 PM on April 10, 2022
Hi, colonoscopy friend. I just had #13 or #14 last month, due to Crohn's. I'm on the colonoscopy-a-year plan. The following is the way that my doctor tells me to do it, so it may vary from your own instructions; follow what your doctor said to do.
1. Liquid diet: my gastroenterologist specifically suggests apple or clear grape juice for the sugar, chicken bouillon for the salt, and jello that is not red or purple. Lime, lemon, orange, and peach are all okay. And, DO eat/drink all the clear liquids/jello you want to keep up your blood sugar! That is right on the instructions my GI gives me. I personally consume clear liquids for two days instead of one to make the prep easier. Due to the anesthesia you will receive, it is critical that you stop consuming anything by the deadline you are given; for me, that is four hours. You should also have been given instructions for a low-residue diet 5 days before the procedure: no lettuce, raw vegetables or fruits, no vegetable skins, no pepper, seeds, nuts, or popcorn, as, quote, "they can be difficult to lavage from the colon."
2. SuPrep: At 6 the night before the procedure, you pour bottle #1 into the provided cup, fill to the line with water, drink, then drink 2 more cups (16 oz. each) of water (not the prep solution). Then, early the next day--about 5 hours before the procedure, which means getting up pretty early if your procedure is in the morning, repeat with the second bottle of SuPrep. You need to take both doses. I like to chill the solution, use a straw, and reward myself with periodic sips of ginger ale. [There is also a SuTab prep: 12 tablets the night before followed by drinking the required cups of water, followed the next morning by another 12 tablets & water.] I find the clearing out process to be less stressful than usual Crohn's diarrhea (because you have been on a clear liquid diet). Yes, you will go. But you will have adequate time to get to the bathroom. I like to make the bathroom as pleasant as possible before I prep. You didn't ask, but: some people will experience nausea as some point during the process. If you do, just take care of business and keep soldiering on.
3. Re: the drugs--my GI (actually the anesthesiologist) uses Propofol (and, I think, a muscle relaxant). I am put into a deep, peaceful sleep. After my first colonoscopy when I came out of the anesthesia, I felt profoundly relaxed and calm; in those days, my normal modus operandi was to be always anxious and nervous, so I really noticed that side effect. I still find the anesthesia to be the best part of the procedure. Here's how it is done for me: I arrive at the surgical outpatient center an hour before the procedure and one of the nurses preps the back of my hand with a tiny shot to numb the location where the IV will go in. Then when it is inserted, I feel nothing. The whole team works to help me feel comfortable and relaxed (I get socks and warm blankets!).
4. After the procedure--it is required that someone else drive you home, as you are in no state to drive yourself--you will want most of all to sleep. When you wake up and feel like eating again, soup is good, with bread, crackers, or noodles; generally, by later that evening, you can eat anything you want. I'd avoid spicy or fried foods that first day.
5. The day OF the procedure, don't plan on doing any work, making any major decisions, signing any contracts, etc. The more you sleep off the anesthesia, the better you will feel. The day following the procedure, you can go to work, drive, whatever. I have never had any cramping. If I did, I'd promptly call my gastroenterologist for advice.
As many times as I've had them, I still feel anxiety beforehand, too. I think it's having to plan ahead with the special diet and the prep. But the procedure is the gold standard for diagnosis for certain diseases. I'm proud of you for doing this!
posted by apartment dweller at 2:25 PM on April 10, 2022
1. Liquid diet: my gastroenterologist specifically suggests apple or clear grape juice for the sugar, chicken bouillon for the salt, and jello that is not red or purple. Lime, lemon, orange, and peach are all okay. And, DO eat/drink all the clear liquids/jello you want to keep up your blood sugar! That is right on the instructions my GI gives me. I personally consume clear liquids for two days instead of one to make the prep easier. Due to the anesthesia you will receive, it is critical that you stop consuming anything by the deadline you are given; for me, that is four hours. You should also have been given instructions for a low-residue diet 5 days before the procedure: no lettuce, raw vegetables or fruits, no vegetable skins, no pepper, seeds, nuts, or popcorn, as, quote, "they can be difficult to lavage from the colon."
2. SuPrep: At 6 the night before the procedure, you pour bottle #1 into the provided cup, fill to the line with water, drink, then drink 2 more cups (16 oz. each) of water (not the prep solution). Then, early the next day--about 5 hours before the procedure, which means getting up pretty early if your procedure is in the morning, repeat with the second bottle of SuPrep. You need to take both doses. I like to chill the solution, use a straw, and reward myself with periodic sips of ginger ale. [There is also a SuTab prep: 12 tablets the night before followed by drinking the required cups of water, followed the next morning by another 12 tablets & water.] I find the clearing out process to be less stressful than usual Crohn's diarrhea (because you have been on a clear liquid diet). Yes, you will go. But you will have adequate time to get to the bathroom. I like to make the bathroom as pleasant as possible before I prep. You didn't ask, but: some people will experience nausea as some point during the process. If you do, just take care of business and keep soldiering on.
3. Re: the drugs--my GI (actually the anesthesiologist) uses Propofol (and, I think, a muscle relaxant). I am put into a deep, peaceful sleep. After my first colonoscopy when I came out of the anesthesia, I felt profoundly relaxed and calm; in those days, my normal modus operandi was to be always anxious and nervous, so I really noticed that side effect. I still find the anesthesia to be the best part of the procedure. Here's how it is done for me: I arrive at the surgical outpatient center an hour before the procedure and one of the nurses preps the back of my hand with a tiny shot to numb the location where the IV will go in. Then when it is inserted, I feel nothing. The whole team works to help me feel comfortable and relaxed (I get socks and warm blankets!).
4. After the procedure--it is required that someone else drive you home, as you are in no state to drive yourself--you will want most of all to sleep. When you wake up and feel like eating again, soup is good, with bread, crackers, or noodles; generally, by later that evening, you can eat anything you want. I'd avoid spicy or fried foods that first day.
5. The day OF the procedure, don't plan on doing any work, making any major decisions, signing any contracts, etc. The more you sleep off the anesthesia, the better you will feel. The day following the procedure, you can go to work, drive, whatever. I have never had any cramping. If I did, I'd promptly call my gastroenterologist for advice.
As many times as I've had them, I still feel anxiety beforehand, too. I think it's having to plan ahead with the special diet and the prep. But the procedure is the gold standard for diagnosis for certain diseases. I'm proud of you for doing this!
posted by apartment dweller at 2:25 PM on April 10, 2022
Glad to see people taking care of themselves ITT.
Just had my third a month ago, and I feel like the whole procedure including prep, pre-prep, and the actual 'scope gets easier when you have a feel for what's going on and how much you do and prep for makes it much easier on the whole.
1: First one, I was afraid that eating anything solid at all even 48 hours before was gonna effect the results, so I didn't eat anything for that 36hrs beforehand, and I got super dizzy and felt that low blood sugar thing. Told the doc, she said to go ahead and eat normally up until their deadline and drink apple juice or pedialyte/gatorade, or even chicken broth if you're getting hungry beforehand.
2: I only had the SuPrep on the last one, the previous two I had to drink a full gallon of Golitely (?) and did it by sitting on the toilet with the jug sitting in a cooler next to me while I caught up on Ted Lasso. The enemas were worse.
3: I feel your pain here, I was wound pretty tight beforehand, but fought through it. Told my doc, she recommended taking a couple Valium beforehand and wrote me a scrip for the next one. That helped a whole bunch. The actual procedure I have zero memory of. I remember getting wheeled in to the room, having the nice nurse insert an IV, then *snap* I came to facing the wall in recovery. No sense of time passing at all.
4: Afterwards I felt much better, partially just from having gotten through it, but the pancakes and coffee didn't hurt. I wasn't sleepy or felt like it affected me mentally at all. Sure I felt like someone had shoved something up my butt a while ago, but no grogginess, hangover or any mental things at all. I had told my boss what I was doing and took that day and the next off, but got bored sitting at home, so I went in anyways. YMMV.
5: Whoever above said "don't trust a fart" was 100% spot on. Had a situation that resulted in me throwing away a pair of boxers in a public restroom. No cramping, no sharp pain, just an low-level ache in the particular area.
Hey, you got this. Millions of people have had this procedure done with little or zero side effects. I can't speak for you, but the overwhelming sense of me taking a positive hand in my health and getting results back felt so much better than the anxiousness made me feel bad.
posted by Sphinx at 2:52 PM on April 10, 2022
Just had my third a month ago, and I feel like the whole procedure including prep, pre-prep, and the actual 'scope gets easier when you have a feel for what's going on and how much you do and prep for makes it much easier on the whole.
1: First one, I was afraid that eating anything solid at all even 48 hours before was gonna effect the results, so I didn't eat anything for that 36hrs beforehand, and I got super dizzy and felt that low blood sugar thing. Told the doc, she said to go ahead and eat normally up until their deadline and drink apple juice or pedialyte/gatorade, or even chicken broth if you're getting hungry beforehand.
2: I only had the SuPrep on the last one, the previous two I had to drink a full gallon of Golitely (?) and did it by sitting on the toilet with the jug sitting in a cooler next to me while I caught up on Ted Lasso. The enemas were worse.
3: I feel your pain here, I was wound pretty tight beforehand, but fought through it. Told my doc, she recommended taking a couple Valium beforehand and wrote me a scrip for the next one. That helped a whole bunch. The actual procedure I have zero memory of. I remember getting wheeled in to the room, having the nice nurse insert an IV, then *snap* I came to facing the wall in recovery. No sense of time passing at all.
4: Afterwards I felt much better, partially just from having gotten through it, but the pancakes and coffee didn't hurt. I wasn't sleepy or felt like it affected me mentally at all. Sure I felt like someone had shoved something up my butt a while ago, but no grogginess, hangover or any mental things at all. I had told my boss what I was doing and took that day and the next off, but got bored sitting at home, so I went in anyways. YMMV.
5: Whoever above said "don't trust a fart" was 100% spot on. Had a situation that resulted in me throwing away a pair of boxers in a public restroom. No cramping, no sharp pain, just an low-level ache in the particular area.
Hey, you got this. Millions of people have had this procedure done with little or zero side effects. I can't speak for you, but the overwhelming sense of me taking a positive hand in my health and getting results back felt so much better than the anxiousness made me feel bad.
posted by Sphinx at 2:52 PM on April 10, 2022
#2: make sure the prep is cold, and suck on some ice chips before you drink it; you won't taste a thing.
posted by BozoBurgerBonanza at 3:31 PM on April 10, 2022
posted by BozoBurgerBonanza at 3:31 PM on April 10, 2022
From the OP:
Thank you to all who responded! I feel a LOT calmer and know how to prep myself. I should have mentioned this test isn't routine but instead because I am having some issues - but your kindness and detail has really helped. I appreciate everyone who left a comment!posted by Eyebrows McGee at 4:51 PM on April 10, 2022
Only recommendation I have:
1. Portable handheld bidet! Get it! It's HIGHLY worth it.
posted by spinifex23 at 8:23 PM on April 10, 2022
1. Portable handheld bidet! Get it! It's HIGHLY worth it.
posted by spinifex23 at 8:23 PM on April 10, 2022
I am extremely susceptible to anaesthesia so even twilight sedation has me out like a light. I have PTSD and also wake up violent from that, but my medical team just sent me back under again and woke me up very slowly with a lovely nurse talking to me the whole time. I've got enough experience with anaesthetic to be able to warn them about it (and the vomiting).
Even with a less than stellar wakeup, once I was actually awake I was fine. Hungry and tired, but fine.
posted by geek anachronism at 12:54 AM on April 11, 2022
Even with a less than stellar wakeup, once I was actually awake I was fine. Hungry and tired, but fine.
posted by geek anachronism at 12:54 AM on April 11, 2022
I have a lot of medical anxiety (I often have to be given benzos for even minor, five minute tests and procedures).
I had an endoscopy/colonoscopy in 2020, and didn't find it too terrible.
The day before, I had lots of jello (no red or orange allowed), electrolytes, water, and Sprite.
The prep drink is, indeed, grody. But you can improve it by drinking it on ice, with a straw, and mixing it with Sprite instead of water.
The clearing of the bowels is intense, but it isn't painful and crampy like food poisoning or gastroenteritis. Instead, it's just spending a lot of time on the toilet until what comes out is clear. It feels like peeing out of the butt.
You may get a bit chapped, I put some of my daughter's diaper cream down there.
The day of, I let everyone at the clinic know I felt anxious, they were incredibly kind. I was asked for a medical history, an IV was placed, I was wheeled into the surgical suite, then I was sedated.
I don't remember a thing from the procedure. I woke up cold and a bit woozy. The nurses gave me extra blankets, crackers and ginger ale, and called my husband.
Once I got home, I wasn't as ravenous as I thought I'd be, just tired and a little achy. I had something bland and easy (probably canned soup?) and rested the remainder of the day.
I was completely back to normal the next morning, which surprised me - I recover very slowly, typically.
posted by champers at 8:18 AM on April 11, 2022
I had an endoscopy/colonoscopy in 2020, and didn't find it too terrible.
The day before, I had lots of jello (no red or orange allowed), electrolytes, water, and Sprite.
The prep drink is, indeed, grody. But you can improve it by drinking it on ice, with a straw, and mixing it with Sprite instead of water.
The clearing of the bowels is intense, but it isn't painful and crampy like food poisoning or gastroenteritis. Instead, it's just spending a lot of time on the toilet until what comes out is clear. It feels like peeing out of the butt.
You may get a bit chapped, I put some of my daughter's diaper cream down there.
The day of, I let everyone at the clinic know I felt anxious, they were incredibly kind. I was asked for a medical history, an IV was placed, I was wheeled into the surgical suite, then I was sedated.
I don't remember a thing from the procedure. I woke up cold and a bit woozy. The nurses gave me extra blankets, crackers and ginger ale, and called my husband.
Once I got home, I wasn't as ravenous as I thought I'd be, just tired and a little achy. I had something bland and easy (probably canned soup?) and rested the remainder of the day.
I was completely back to normal the next morning, which surprised me - I recover very slowly, typically.
posted by champers at 8:18 AM on April 11, 2022
I bequeath to you a pro-tip passed along to me before colonscopy #1:
Diaper rash cream is your friend during prep. So much activity in the booty area, along with a similar amount of wiping, will leave it feeling very fiery. Coat the area before you start prepping and reapply as necessary. Your booty will never know anything was out of the ordinary.
And best of luck! While not pleasant, it is over very quickly and recovery is minimal, perhaps a slow day the next day, enjoying your favorite snacks and treats.
posted by Ginesthoi at 9:01 AM on April 11, 2022
Diaper rash cream is your friend during prep. So much activity in the booty area, along with a similar amount of wiping, will leave it feeling very fiery. Coat the area before you start prepping and reapply as necessary. Your booty will never know anything was out of the ordinary.
And best of luck! While not pleasant, it is over very quickly and recovery is minimal, perhaps a slow day the next day, enjoying your favorite snacks and treats.
posted by Ginesthoi at 9:01 AM on April 11, 2022
I've had a few colonoscopies. I'll share my experiences, as much as they are worth.
1) Liquid diet before procedure - won't I be completely fainty by the time I get to the appointment? I don't do well with not eating and am worried I will be sick with dizziness/spins/low blood sugar before I even get there (and that's only part of it - the prep sounds bad too) - how was your experience with this part, only drinking chicken broth and clear liquids for an entire day?
I don't recall having to start a liquid diet until 6pm of the night before the day of procedure, and up to midnight. Not the entire day.
I would gently suggest checking the timing of this with your doctor.
Even so, they should be able to recommend options like (anything-but-red-colored) Jello, soda, and other clear/no-colored liquid or gelatin options that will keep you going until midnight/sleep.
Above all else, I recommend drinking what water you can, while you can, in the window of time you have. Once you go to bed, you're usually not supposed to drink or eat anything until the procedure. Doing so can make it difficult to safely receive sedation. They'll hook up a saline drip to hydrate you when you get there, but being thirsty in the meantime is no fun.
2) SuPrep liquid Bowel Preparation - you must drink THREE 16 oz SuPrep solutions within ONE HOUR?!? How difficult did you find this, drinking the solutions? I know the result of the solutions is a lot of toilet time, is this like regular diarrhea or worse? And then I have to drink it again the morning of the procedure, when I will be even more empty-stomached and weird?
I find holding my breath and drinking prep in as large a batch as I can manage helps get through the doses. Holding my breath helps avoid "tasting" it. Another thing I have found helpful is lemon-lime or other clear soda in between, to quickly wash away any remaining taste.
Check with your GI specialist doing the procedure about all of this, first, of course.
Just be near a bathroom, because when you'll need to go, you will know, and you will want to be near or in that bathroom when that happens. You'll be making several trips until you complete the prep and have washed out your insides.
The prep is not pleasant, but it is critical to take it as directed. Cleaning out thoroughly makes the doctor's job of checking things out much easier.
3) I am a HIGHLY anxious person and this kind of procedure (anything invasive, really), freaks me out - are the drugs they give you really that forgetful-inducing? Because that part sounds ok!
You will likely be given twilight sedation, which is often a mix of fentanyl and propofol (or similar medications). The propofol will help you forget what happens.
As much as colonoscopies seem unpleasant, you will be knocked out for the actual procedure, and you will not remember anything between a few seconds after they give you sedation and the time you wake up.
4) AFTER the procedure - again, won't have eaten for a long time, plus the procedure - do you feel like an absolute garbage pile? Or do the drugs help you sleep that off (how long were you sleepy/a big lump?) What kind of food do the clinic people/anyone who has been through it recommend to start eating again once you're allowed to eat again? What can your system handle?
You'll be groggy or sleepy. You should still feel a little pleasantly drunk from the drugs. You will probably not feel like garbage, just spacy. You will likely be put in a "recovery room" after your procedure, where you'll have about 30 minutes (or longer, if needed) to get dressed and let some of the sedation wear off, until the person taking you home picks you up.
For me, I'm usually chatty and pleasant with anyone around me. I find the drugs are very nice. You can resume eating normally after the procedure. To "celebrate" getting my colon scoped, I might grab a club sandwich at a deli I like near the clinic. Maybe you have a favorite food you can celebrate with?
5) I know one can be gassy and uncomfortable afterwards - but was there cramping/pain afterwards for you as well? How much time do you recommend giving yourself before regular activity/going back to work?
I usually have the runs for a day or two, sometimes a little longer. No pain or cramping, but I would recommend giving yourself the rest of the day off to let the sedation wear off, and maybe the next day if you're worried or your procedure is later in the day.
At my last check, the GI doctor found and removed some cancerous tissue, which will likely help extend my life. I'm glad I get this procedure done, and I am grateful it is available to me. For me, the preparation for this procedure is unpleasant. Maybe figuring out a ride back home is the next unpleasantness. The rest is cake and the drugs make it enjoyable.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 9:16 AM on April 11, 2022
1) Liquid diet before procedure - won't I be completely fainty by the time I get to the appointment? I don't do well with not eating and am worried I will be sick with dizziness/spins/low blood sugar before I even get there (and that's only part of it - the prep sounds bad too) - how was your experience with this part, only drinking chicken broth and clear liquids for an entire day?
I don't recall having to start a liquid diet until 6pm of the night before the day of procedure, and up to midnight. Not the entire day.
I would gently suggest checking the timing of this with your doctor.
Even so, they should be able to recommend options like (anything-but-red-colored) Jello, soda, and other clear/no-colored liquid or gelatin options that will keep you going until midnight/sleep.
Above all else, I recommend drinking what water you can, while you can, in the window of time you have. Once you go to bed, you're usually not supposed to drink or eat anything until the procedure. Doing so can make it difficult to safely receive sedation. They'll hook up a saline drip to hydrate you when you get there, but being thirsty in the meantime is no fun.
2) SuPrep liquid Bowel Preparation - you must drink THREE 16 oz SuPrep solutions within ONE HOUR?!? How difficult did you find this, drinking the solutions? I know the result of the solutions is a lot of toilet time, is this like regular diarrhea or worse? And then I have to drink it again the morning of the procedure, when I will be even more empty-stomached and weird?
I find holding my breath and drinking prep in as large a batch as I can manage helps get through the doses. Holding my breath helps avoid "tasting" it. Another thing I have found helpful is lemon-lime or other clear soda in between, to quickly wash away any remaining taste.
Check with your GI specialist doing the procedure about all of this, first, of course.
Just be near a bathroom, because when you'll need to go, you will know, and you will want to be near or in that bathroom when that happens. You'll be making several trips until you complete the prep and have washed out your insides.
The prep is not pleasant, but it is critical to take it as directed. Cleaning out thoroughly makes the doctor's job of checking things out much easier.
3) I am a HIGHLY anxious person and this kind of procedure (anything invasive, really), freaks me out - are the drugs they give you really that forgetful-inducing? Because that part sounds ok!
You will likely be given twilight sedation, which is often a mix of fentanyl and propofol (or similar medications). The propofol will help you forget what happens.
As much as colonoscopies seem unpleasant, you will be knocked out for the actual procedure, and you will not remember anything between a few seconds after they give you sedation and the time you wake up.
4) AFTER the procedure - again, won't have eaten for a long time, plus the procedure - do you feel like an absolute garbage pile? Or do the drugs help you sleep that off (how long were you sleepy/a big lump?) What kind of food do the clinic people/anyone who has been through it recommend to start eating again once you're allowed to eat again? What can your system handle?
You'll be groggy or sleepy. You should still feel a little pleasantly drunk from the drugs. You will probably not feel like garbage, just spacy. You will likely be put in a "recovery room" after your procedure, where you'll have about 30 minutes (or longer, if needed) to get dressed and let some of the sedation wear off, until the person taking you home picks you up.
For me, I'm usually chatty and pleasant with anyone around me. I find the drugs are very nice. You can resume eating normally after the procedure. To "celebrate" getting my colon scoped, I might grab a club sandwich at a deli I like near the clinic. Maybe you have a favorite food you can celebrate with?
5) I know one can be gassy and uncomfortable afterwards - but was there cramping/pain afterwards for you as well? How much time do you recommend giving yourself before regular activity/going back to work?
I usually have the runs for a day or two, sometimes a little longer. No pain or cramping, but I would recommend giving yourself the rest of the day off to let the sedation wear off, and maybe the next day if you're worried or your procedure is later in the day.
At my last check, the GI doctor found and removed some cancerous tissue, which will likely help extend my life. I'm glad I get this procedure done, and I am grateful it is available to me. For me, the preparation for this procedure is unpleasant. Maybe figuring out a ride back home is the next unpleasantness. The rest is cake and the drugs make it enjoyable.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 9:16 AM on April 11, 2022
I was dreading mine, but it was pretty easy. The prep is the worst, but it's not painful, just uncomfortable. When they gave me the anesthesia, they told me to count backwards from 10. It went 10,9,8,7, awake and done. I didn't feel like any time had passed. The nurse told me I had a beautiful colon, and my wife took me out for a big breakfast afterwards.
posted by Furnace of Doubt at 10:20 AM on April 11, 2022
posted by Furnace of Doubt at 10:20 AM on April 11, 2022
Not an answer to a specific one of your questions, but the best part of the clear liquids portion of the prep was warmed chicken broth. It felt and tasted like real food.
The first time I got a colonoscopy I got the lighter version of the anesthesia and was able to watch the monitor which was b&w and not at all weird. The prep is by far the worst part of the whole procedure. The subsequent times I have the full sleepy version, which was even nicer.
posted by lhauser at 6:59 AM on April 12, 2022
The first time I got a colonoscopy I got the lighter version of the anesthesia and was able to watch the monitor which was b&w and not at all weird. The prep is by far the worst part of the whole procedure. The subsequent times I have the full sleepy version, which was even nicer.
posted by lhauser at 6:59 AM on April 12, 2022
« Older Who manufactured these backyard wooden climbing... | Were you thrown into a new language as a child?... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
2: So for me this was the toughest part of the entire process -- which is good in the sense that it's an hour, you get it over with, and the actual colonoscopy just isn't that big of a deal. My doc told me to just go slow with it, and I did. The result...also not the most pleasant time I've ever spent on a toilet but it was nowhere near as bad as some times that I've had food poisoning or the like. It just...all flows out of you.
3: For me the drugs were 100% forgetful-inducing. But the thing that really struck me was that whatever they gave me, it wore off very fast. I've had other medical procedures that left me groggy and wiped out. This really didn't. I wasn't like jumping up out of the bed, but as I slowly got up, I was basically okay.
4: This was the most surprising thing for me. I was tired for sure, but I wasn't wiped out. And I was hungry, but not crazily so. I was more like "Okay, I'm ready to go home and eat and do nothing for the rest of the day" but not in a bad way at all.
5: I wasn't all that uncomfortable afterward. Maybe give yourself an extra day off work but beyond that you should be completely okay.
The main thing about colonoscopy: you're doing something really good for yourself by having this procedure done! It's so much better to have this done than to walk around not knowing if there are problems brewing in your colon.
posted by BlahLaLa at 8:10 AM on April 10, 2022