After the colonoscopy: transit & food
July 30, 2019 7:51 AM Subscribe
Can/should I take public transit to and from my colonoscopy? (I will have a responsible (non-driver) adult with me.) How soon after the procedure can I eat and what should I eat?
I am having a colonoscopy next week. I will be put under anesthesia and am required to have someone with me before they'll let me leave. The someone with me is a non-driver. Is it reasonable to take public transit to and from? The busing and wait times combined should be between 60 and 90 minutes and I have a 15 minute walk between home and the bus stop.
The appointment is at 11 AM with arrival at 10; I'm guessing I'll be out around 12:30 or 1? I will have been fasting since 10 AM the previous morning (clear liquids only--I'm hoping to subsist on chicken broth and coconut water), so I'm assuming I will be light-headed and weak. I'll be loopy from the anesthesia afterwards, too.
Can I eat afterwards? Should I bring some food with me to have afterwards?
Should I skip the bus plan and start texting my car-having friends or see how much it would cost to have a complete stranger drive me (you know, lyft or uber)?
Anything else I should know about recovering from the colonoscopy? I think I have the low-fiber diet, clear liquids only fasting, and prep covered from previous questions, my doctor's recommendations, and the general interwebs, though I welcome any hard-learned tips or tricks.
I am having a colonoscopy next week. I will be put under anesthesia and am required to have someone with me before they'll let me leave. The someone with me is a non-driver. Is it reasonable to take public transit to and from? The busing and wait times combined should be between 60 and 90 minutes and I have a 15 minute walk between home and the bus stop.
The appointment is at 11 AM with arrival at 10; I'm guessing I'll be out around 12:30 or 1? I will have been fasting since 10 AM the previous morning (clear liquids only--I'm hoping to subsist on chicken broth and coconut water), so I'm assuming I will be light-headed and weak. I'll be loopy from the anesthesia afterwards, too.
Can I eat afterwards? Should I bring some food with me to have afterwards?
Should I skip the bus plan and start texting my car-having friends or see how much it would cost to have a complete stranger drive me (you know, lyft or uber)?
Anything else I should know about recovering from the colonoscopy? I think I have the low-fiber diet, clear liquids only fasting, and prep covered from previous questions, my doctor's recommendations, and the general interwebs, though I welcome any hard-learned tips or tricks.
I think you know that you need someone to collect you either way, but that being said, I would strongly urge you to consider calling an uber or seeing if a friend can drive you home.
posted by cakelite at 7:57 AM on July 30, 2019
posted by cakelite at 7:57 AM on July 30, 2019
Won't you be farting a fair amount or does that taper off after a bit? And you'll be out of it so not farting super loud won't really be on your mind, I imagine.
Personally, I find this hilarious but you and your transporter MIGHT NOT. I would definitely try to have transport that can take you straight from there home because you will appreciate just having it over and in bed you can sleep off the effects.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 7:59 AM on July 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
Personally, I find this hilarious but you and your transporter MIGHT NOT. I would definitely try to have transport that can take you straight from there home because you will appreciate just having it over and in bed you can sleep off the effects.
posted by OnTheLastCastle at 7:59 AM on July 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
Eating right after is fine. Your reaction to the anesthesia would determine how you do with public transit. I would have been fine.
Maybe take a folding chair so you could sit while waiting for the bus.
posted by Sophont at 8:00 AM on July 30, 2019
Maybe take a folding chair so you could sit while waiting for the bus.
posted by Sophont at 8:00 AM on July 30, 2019
I ended up wishing I'd started the prep earlier in the day, since it took way longer than I expected to kick in and I was worried it wasn't going to work. They gave me a range of times to start, and I went for later in that range. If I were doing it again, I'd go with the beginning of the range.
You probably won't be able to call an uber without also having a friend with you. In my experience, the person with you has to stay during the whole procedure. But the person who was willing to take public transportation with you could call the uber and you could go to your house together. I was also starving afterward and was grateful to have my friend grab me a sandwich on the way home. I would not have wanted to deal with public transportation.
posted by FencingGal at 8:01 AM on July 30, 2019
You probably won't be able to call an uber without also having a friend with you. In my experience, the person with you has to stay during the whole procedure. But the person who was willing to take public transportation with you could call the uber and you could go to your house together. I was also starving afterward and was grateful to have my friend grab me a sandwich on the way home. I would not have wanted to deal with public transportation.
posted by FencingGal at 8:01 AM on July 30, 2019
You will most likely be given a light snack at the facility after you come out of the anesthesia—crackers, juice, etc. You should be able to eat anything you wish after the procedure—it’s nice to have some easy-prep things you like waiting for you at home.
I would not have wanted to walk for any extended time after my sedated colonoscopy, even with a companion. You may be disoriented and sluggish. I definitely would not have wanted to be on any public transportation. If there is any way you can get back home in a car, do it.
Good luck! The actual procedure is easy and painless—you won’t remember a thing!
posted by bookmammal at 8:09 AM on July 30, 2019
I would not have wanted to walk for any extended time after my sedated colonoscopy, even with a companion. You may be disoriented and sluggish. I definitely would not have wanted to be on any public transportation. If there is any way you can get back home in a car, do it.
Good luck! The actual procedure is easy and painless—you won’t remember a thing!
posted by bookmammal at 8:09 AM on July 30, 2019
Recent colonoscopy patient here, who also had general anesthesia. It wasn't nearly as bad as I had feared. The worst parts were the taste of the prep gunk, and the swarms of bills and anti-bills afterwards. (One of the various services I used would send me a bill. I'd pay it. My insurance would pay some -- possibly different -- amount. Some or all of my payment would get refunded. Repeat for a month.)
You will have gas when you wake up. For me, it was a matter of five minutes and a couple epic farts, then everything was fine.
Number one tip: Write down a list of questions to ask your doctor afterwards. You won't be thinking clearly in the minutes after you wake up, and you'll get a lot more value out of the post-op conversation if you have a plan to follow.
Yes, you can eat afterwards. I was utterly starving, and went and had a big meal at a casual restaurant. Would do again.
Public transportation is not ideal. How not ideal depends on your local weather and transport options, and your comfort level with using those options. You will probably be a bit wobbly from the hunger and anesthetics, but generally functional. I did not have any urgent need to use a bathroom in the couple hours following the procedure. I did very much want a nap.
If I had to choose between taking a bus with a trusted friend and taking a taxi-like service by myself, I'd pick the former. But if you've got the option of "friend with car" take it, even if it means owing them a favor.
posted by sourcequench at 8:15 AM on July 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
You will have gas when you wake up. For me, it was a matter of five minutes and a couple epic farts, then everything was fine.
Number one tip: Write down a list of questions to ask your doctor afterwards. You won't be thinking clearly in the minutes after you wake up, and you'll get a lot more value out of the post-op conversation if you have a plan to follow.
Yes, you can eat afterwards. I was utterly starving, and went and had a big meal at a casual restaurant. Would do again.
Public transportation is not ideal. How not ideal depends on your local weather and transport options, and your comfort level with using those options. You will probably be a bit wobbly from the hunger and anesthetics, but generally functional. I did not have any urgent need to use a bathroom in the couple hours following the procedure. I did very much want a nap.
If I had to choose between taking a bus with a trusted friend and taking a taxi-like service by myself, I'd pick the former. But if you've got the option of "friend with car" take it, even if it means owing them a favor.
posted by sourcequench at 8:15 AM on July 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
I came out of mine feeling pretty much fine, albeit starving and caffeine deprived (the nurse who brought me coffee unsolicited is the best person in the world.) Walked to a restaurant for lunch with my sister (who picked me up), had lunch, walked a mile or so to get ice cream, got on the subway and rode home. Zero problems. Now, I walk a lot and basically live on the subway, but it was absolutely fine.
posted by LizardBreath at 8:15 AM on July 30, 2019
posted by LizardBreath at 8:15 AM on July 30, 2019
Oh—as for general recovery: I wouldn’t make any plans for the rest of the day, but you should be fine even if you’ll be home by yourself. I napped off and on for the remainder of the day, but didn’t need anyone with me. In between naps I felt tired ( and hungry!), but I was absolutely back to normal the next morning and went to work as usual.
posted by bookmammal at 8:18 AM on July 30, 2019
posted by bookmammal at 8:18 AM on July 30, 2019
I just had one (my first, whee!) in June - you can (and should) check some of this with the doctor's office. (Mine gave me a ton of instructional paperwork.)
Ride home: they almost certainly won't release you just to a ride service, but you and non-driving friend could take one together (and I would pick that over the bus: walking was fine, but I would not have wanted to trust myself on uneven moving objects in the way public transit often requires.) Also, if you're anywhere where it's hot out, the whole process is already pretty dehydrating, and I would not push your body in the heat afterwards at all, even just waiting for a bus and walking home.
The friend picking me up didn't have to be there the whole time, but they wouldn't have let me go until someone came to escort me.
Timing: My doctor's office had me arrive for the procedure at 12, procedure was at 1, estimated pickup time was 2:30 (and they were right on the dot). The actual procedure was something like 8 minutes for me, from the notes afterwards.
Eating after: The discharge nurse went through written instructions with me, including writing down the time I could eat again, which was 2 hours after. (I think this was to give some the gas a chance to clear.)
For the clear liquids day: check and see if (non-red/purple) jello or gummy bears is an option - having something to chew was very helpful, and many doctors feel that anything that turns liquid at body temp is fine. My instructions also said I could have non-red/purple italian ice (also really good for a break in the liquids.) Many doctors forbid red/purple dyes because it can make the colonoscopy harder.
Things I was glad I had on hand: adult diapers (I didn't turn out to need them, but having them as a backup meant I had a good night's sleep before), soothing cream for the bits that get irritated by the process (Vaseline is fine), and extra-soft toilet paper and wipes. I also stocked up on a wide range of different tasting things - beef and chicken broth, Gatorade in approved colours in a couple of flavours, etc. as well as the jello and italian ice. I went through more of the broth than I expected, but having several flavours of rehydrating things was also really helpful.
If you read the Internets, there are recommendations to add flavouring to the prep mixture depending on which prep you're using (no-sugar lemonade variants, specifically) - I did this, and it made the taste much easier, and your instructions should say if that's okay. Making sure it's really cold before you drink it and using a straw to get it to the back of your mouth, also likely good choices.
Afterwards: My friend drove me home, he hung out for a little before going off to do things with another friend. I made food as soon as I could. I took it easy that evening, and I didn't schedule anything for the following day (and that was a good life choice: I was okay to do stuff around the house but was tired and spacy and not very productive.)
Overall: I will say that while the actual "drink this stuff, clense your body" prep was tedious, I found it a lot easier the rest of the week before. I take some meds and vitamins I had to discontinue at different points, and the instructions forbade OTC painkillers except Tylenol (which I can't take for other reasons) for a week before, which I found a lot more annoying to manage. (I found doing the low-fiber diet part mildly tedious but taking more planning than usual, too.)
posted by jenettsilver at 8:23 AM on July 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
Ride home: they almost certainly won't release you just to a ride service, but you and non-driving friend could take one together (and I would pick that over the bus: walking was fine, but I would not have wanted to trust myself on uneven moving objects in the way public transit often requires.) Also, if you're anywhere where it's hot out, the whole process is already pretty dehydrating, and I would not push your body in the heat afterwards at all, even just waiting for a bus and walking home.
The friend picking me up didn't have to be there the whole time, but they wouldn't have let me go until someone came to escort me.
Timing: My doctor's office had me arrive for the procedure at 12, procedure was at 1, estimated pickup time was 2:30 (and they were right on the dot). The actual procedure was something like 8 minutes for me, from the notes afterwards.
Eating after: The discharge nurse went through written instructions with me, including writing down the time I could eat again, which was 2 hours after. (I think this was to give some the gas a chance to clear.)
For the clear liquids day: check and see if (non-red/purple) jello or gummy bears is an option - having something to chew was very helpful, and many doctors feel that anything that turns liquid at body temp is fine. My instructions also said I could have non-red/purple italian ice (also really good for a break in the liquids.) Many doctors forbid red/purple dyes because it can make the colonoscopy harder.
Things I was glad I had on hand: adult diapers (I didn't turn out to need them, but having them as a backup meant I had a good night's sleep before), soothing cream for the bits that get irritated by the process (Vaseline is fine), and extra-soft toilet paper and wipes. I also stocked up on a wide range of different tasting things - beef and chicken broth, Gatorade in approved colours in a couple of flavours, etc. as well as the jello and italian ice. I went through more of the broth than I expected, but having several flavours of rehydrating things was also really helpful.
If you read the Internets, there are recommendations to add flavouring to the prep mixture depending on which prep you're using (no-sugar lemonade variants, specifically) - I did this, and it made the taste much easier, and your instructions should say if that's okay. Making sure it's really cold before you drink it and using a straw to get it to the back of your mouth, also likely good choices.
Afterwards: My friend drove me home, he hung out for a little before going off to do things with another friend. I made food as soon as I could. I took it easy that evening, and I didn't schedule anything for the following day (and that was a good life choice: I was okay to do stuff around the house but was tired and spacy and not very productive.)
Overall: I will say that while the actual "drink this stuff, clense your body" prep was tedious, I found it a lot easier the rest of the week before. I take some meds and vitamins I had to discontinue at different points, and the instructions forbade OTC painkillers except Tylenol (which I can't take for other reasons) for a week before, which I found a lot more annoying to manage. (I found doing the low-fiber diet part mildly tedious but taking more planning than usual, too.)
posted by jenettsilver at 8:23 AM on July 30, 2019 [1 favorite]
Won't you be farting a fair amount or does that taper off after a bit? And you'll be out of it so not farting super loud won't really be on your mind, I imagine
I farted pretty much the entire drive home, according to my dad, who drove me. It was, indeed, hilarious.
I also slept the entire drive home and then for 2 hours afterwards, after which I ate a ton of scrambled eggs and toast, to no ill effect. I wouldn’t have wanted to take public transport simply due to falling asleep - I’d worry I’d miss my stop.
posted by chainsofreedom at 8:23 AM on July 30, 2019
I farted pretty much the entire drive home, according to my dad, who drove me. It was, indeed, hilarious.
I also slept the entire drive home and then for 2 hours afterwards, after which I ate a ton of scrambled eggs and toast, to no ill effect. I wouldn’t have wanted to take public transport simply due to falling asleep - I’d worry I’d miss my stop.
posted by chainsofreedom at 8:23 AM on July 30, 2019
I wasn't allowed to eat for 24 hours after mine (they found and removed a polyp) and I was also very crampy and although I didn't need a bathroom, it felt like I did. Which would have made me extremely upset if I was on public transport with no bathroom nearby.
posted by Ftsqg at 8:24 AM on July 30, 2019
posted by Ftsqg at 8:24 AM on July 30, 2019
Only you are going to know what's best for you based on knowing your body and how it reacts. I just had my first colonoscopy and echo most of above. I was groggy afterwards and probably would have been anxious trying to navigate an Uber or bus alone. My farting was minimal. I was ravenous when I got home and ate alot immediately and felt fine. I was out doing yard work three hours later. I had no discomfort post-procedure, but to be frank I'm kinda used to having things in that part of my body.
posted by archimago at 8:29 AM on July 30, 2019
posted by archimago at 8:29 AM on July 30, 2019
Just had my first one a couple of months ago, and my facility was up-front that they would not allow you to walk out or go via Lyft/Uber, on your own, nor drive yourself.
I'm one of the ones who felt surprisingly great afterwards -- no pain, no gas, just pretty tired. Still, I'd vote for friend + car service or driving friend.
posted by BlahLaLa at 8:44 AM on July 30, 2019
I'm one of the ones who felt surprisingly great afterwards -- no pain, no gas, just pretty tired. Still, I'd vote for friend + car service or driving friend.
posted by BlahLaLa at 8:44 AM on July 30, 2019
Okay, so I am (unfortunately) someone who has had multiple colonoscopies and I am only in my late 30s.
Fasting will make you weak, irritable, and headachy. DRINK FLUIDS DURING YOUR PREP (all the fluids. All of them) and you will feel marginally better. Clear liquid diet is fine but maybe throw something frozen in there like lemon water ice or popsicles (obviously nothing red or purple) to have something to chew AND make you feel like you've got something in your stomach.
You most likely will not sleep well the night before, and based on your arrival time, if you're doing split prep, they'll tell you to drink the second dose around 6AM, so you'll get to sleep late and have to wake up early. Not ideal. (Oh, and put a towel down on your mattress, and just wear underwear to bed. You do not want to be woken up having to run to the toilet half asleep having to deal with any more clothes than necessary, but the underwear is a second barrier to possible messes.)
Do not take public transportation to the colonoscopy. Just... don't. Just the thought of being away from a toilet for 60-90 minutes during colonoscopy prep is making me shudder. The worst of it will be over, but you may still need to use the toilet on fairly short notice and you do not want to be on a bus. Minimizing travel time to a colonoscopy is your friend.
You won't be getting general anesthesia for a colonoscopy--that is what they give you for major surgery. You'll be sedated with drugs, usually some sort of propofol concoction. It puts you under fast and you come out of it fast. So, public transportation after should be fine, as long as you have someone with you. Use the bathroom again before you leave--you'll probably just fart some.
In recovery, they'll give you juice or ginger ale or water and usually some crackers or something like that, so I wouldn't bother bringing food. I always go out to eat after a colonoscopy. They tell you not to eat anything heavy but fuck that I'm hungry. But you know your body and how it reacts, so keep to a light meal if you tend towards stomach upset--something like toast and soup would be good.
You will be tired after the colonoscopy, so plan a relaxing day at home with whatever sedate recreational activities you enjoy. Stock the house with foods that sound appealing and don't require much if any prep/cooking. Go to bed early. Sleep the sleep of the empty bowels. You made it!
posted by Automocar at 8:52 AM on July 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
Fasting will make you weak, irritable, and headachy. DRINK FLUIDS DURING YOUR PREP (all the fluids. All of them) and you will feel marginally better. Clear liquid diet is fine but maybe throw something frozen in there like lemon water ice or popsicles (obviously nothing red or purple) to have something to chew AND make you feel like you've got something in your stomach.
You most likely will not sleep well the night before, and based on your arrival time, if you're doing split prep, they'll tell you to drink the second dose around 6AM, so you'll get to sleep late and have to wake up early. Not ideal. (Oh, and put a towel down on your mattress, and just wear underwear to bed. You do not want to be woken up having to run to the toilet half asleep having to deal with any more clothes than necessary, but the underwear is a second barrier to possible messes.)
Do not take public transportation to the colonoscopy. Just... don't. Just the thought of being away from a toilet for 60-90 minutes during colonoscopy prep is making me shudder. The worst of it will be over, but you may still need to use the toilet on fairly short notice and you do not want to be on a bus. Minimizing travel time to a colonoscopy is your friend.
You won't be getting general anesthesia for a colonoscopy--that is what they give you for major surgery. You'll be sedated with drugs, usually some sort of propofol concoction. It puts you under fast and you come out of it fast. So, public transportation after should be fine, as long as you have someone with you. Use the bathroom again before you leave--you'll probably just fart some.
In recovery, they'll give you juice or ginger ale or water and usually some crackers or something like that, so I wouldn't bother bringing food. I always go out to eat after a colonoscopy. They tell you not to eat anything heavy but fuck that I'm hungry. But you know your body and how it reacts, so keep to a light meal if you tend towards stomach upset--something like toast and soup would be good.
You will be tired after the colonoscopy, so plan a relaxing day at home with whatever sedate recreational activities you enjoy. Stock the house with foods that sound appealing and don't require much if any prep/cooking. Go to bed early. Sleep the sleep of the empty bowels. You made it!
posted by Automocar at 8:52 AM on July 30, 2019 [5 favorites]
Purely anecdotal, but back in either 2005 or 2006 my roommate had a colonoscopy on the Upper East Side, and I was her designated pickup person. We rode the M15 bus all the way back down to the Lower East Side, then walked a block or two back to our apartment. It was totally fine, although she was VERY groggy and did fall asleep on me twice on the way back.
posted by saladin at 8:53 AM on July 30, 2019
posted by saladin at 8:53 AM on July 30, 2019
I'm a GI nurse. We were not able to release people unless we had confirmed with a phone call to the driver that there was a designated driver to go home, and we only released them when that person arrived to take them home. However, we did not follow them to the parking lot to verify that they entered a parked car. Make of this observation what you will.
They will not even anesthetize you and perform your procedure unless they verify you have a companion taking you home. This policy is dictated by insurers, and you will not be released after having anesthesia if you are alone. I'm in a huge city with tons of public transit, and we never allowed people to use it to go home. The worry is that you might be woozy or unsteady and then injure yourself in a fall, trip onto the subway tracks, etc., and that the facility could be held liable.
posted by citygirl at 9:00 AM on July 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
They will not even anesthetize you and perform your procedure unless they verify you have a companion taking you home. This policy is dictated by insurers, and you will not be released after having anesthesia if you are alone. I'm in a huge city with tons of public transit, and we never allowed people to use it to go home. The worry is that you might be woozy or unsteady and then injure yourself in a fall, trip onto the subway tracks, etc., and that the facility could be held liable.
posted by citygirl at 9:00 AM on July 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
It absolutely depends on how your body handles the prep period. For me on my first one I was still erupting horribly with the force of the tsar bomba on the way to the doctor and it was horrifying. I was in a lyft with a driver I had disclosed the horrors to beforehand and who was subsequently driving like the lives of all of humanity depended upon speed; if I had been on a train that train would have been hell for every last person on it. However, going home after that one was fine and I took the train. NB the walk between both my dr office and the train and my home and the train is less than half a block, like a minute of walking. I would not do 15.
The second one's prep was complicated by other medical issues and I could have taken the train to the doctor without any problems, but after the totally unsuccessful procedure I was an unstoppable firehose of hideous shitwater and had to take a cab home wearing a trash bag under my pants just in case.
As a generalized warning for everyone who might ever suffer the horrors of the ass probe, MAKE SURE YOUR DOCTOR HAS AN IN-OFFICE RESTROOM AND NOT SOMETHING SHARED WITH THE REST OF THE BUILDING OUT IN THE HALLWAY WHICH REQUIRES A SPECIAL KEY. If they do not, I cannot recommend finding another doctor strongly enough.
posted by poffin boffin at 9:03 AM on July 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
The second one's prep was complicated by other medical issues and I could have taken the train to the doctor without any problems, but after the totally unsuccessful procedure I was an unstoppable firehose of hideous shitwater and had to take a cab home wearing a trash bag under my pants just in case.
As a generalized warning for everyone who might ever suffer the horrors of the ass probe, MAKE SURE YOUR DOCTOR HAS AN IN-OFFICE RESTROOM AND NOT SOMETHING SHARED WITH THE REST OF THE BUILDING OUT IN THE HALLWAY WHICH REQUIRES A SPECIAL KEY. If they do not, I cannot recommend finding another doctor strongly enough.
posted by poffin boffin at 9:03 AM on July 30, 2019 [2 favorites]
You don't have to be sedated for a colonoscopy. it is uncomfortable (occasionally momentarily painful in a gas cramping kind of way) & embarrassing but they sedate you for their ease not yours as they don't have to be so careful doing it and can just force their way around corners etc so it all goes faster. Sedation for a colonoscopy is a very UScentc thing & both my parents under the Australian system didn't bother with it. This would make taking public transport home afterwards easier on you as you wouldn't be recovering from sedation, though you will still be farty from the gas.
In my case I needed to leave with a person, no one followed us to check we got in a car.
posted by wwax at 9:17 AM on July 30, 2019
In my case I needed to leave with a person, no one followed us to check we got in a car.
posted by wwax at 9:17 AM on July 30, 2019
When I had mine, they brought me a light meal in the recovery area and wouldn't let me leave until they saw I could eat. So, I'm assuming you can eat as soon as you feel up to it. Of course, it goes without saying that you should follow your doctor's instructions in that regard if they contradict my experience.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 10:02 AM on July 30, 2019
posted by The Underpants Monster at 10:02 AM on July 30, 2019
I would not take public transit but my wife and I did take a Lyft home and that was fine. They didn't care if we had a car, just that someone was walking out with me.
posted by octothorpe at 10:22 AM on July 30, 2019
posted by octothorpe at 10:22 AM on July 30, 2019
I had a colonoscopy yesterday, my 2nd one ever. You will be waaay too tired and even slightly uncoordinated after the procedure to walk to and wait for buses and subway trains. I had the lighter sedation offered, and it took a lot of effort and energy to walk to the car in the garage and then from my garage up the steps to my apartment--all with my daughter holding my arm. I was a little dopey and just kind of unaware of my surroundings. Not the safest way to get around. I would have my friend order a rideshare and accompany me home if I were you.
posted by primate moon at 12:59 PM on July 30, 2019
posted by primate moon at 12:59 PM on July 30, 2019
I took public transportation to mine, but they wouldn't release me except to my pre-arranged driver. Felt awful leading up to the procedure, but afterwards I Felt Great! Whatever was in that sedative... which wasn't quite anesthesia, it was like my consciousness was slowed down and reduced to only a tiny, minimal awareness... I knew, vaguely, something was going on... and then they brought me back. With no problems, see you in five years... but no snack or cookie, either. I guess what they allow you to eat afterwards depends on what they detect, during - I was given no restrictions. Can't imagine being sentenced to fast for another 24 hours, ouch.
posted by Rash at 1:49 PM on July 30, 2019
posted by Rash at 1:49 PM on July 30, 2019
Sedation for a colonoscopy is a very UScentc thing & both my parents under the Australian system didn't bother with it.
I have had the pleasure of multiple colonoscopies here in Aus (indeed I've probably had more than anyone else here) , they've all been sedated. I "woke up" during one of them, and I wouldn't recommend it.
Re eating after, you can eat anything most of the time. I personally get ravenous, but remember your stomach has been empty and then played with, so don't get like a jumbo plate of nachos or something (ask me how I know...).
I would not do your public transport thing. Like, if it was a fifteen minute train ride, maybe. Over an hour on the bus? Hell no. It is too hard to predict how you will feel after the procedure. The anaesthetic can hit some peoplei harder than others. You may be dizzy, nauseous, you will be a bit dozy, you may be confused or have trouble remembering things. It's just not worth the unpleasantness, if you can avoid it. Having said that you may feel fine, there's just no way to know, I've gone both ways.
Best of luck. I like sports drinks during fasting.
posted by smoke at 2:55 PM on July 30, 2019
I have had the pleasure of multiple colonoscopies here in Aus (indeed I've probably had more than anyone else here) , they've all been sedated. I "woke up" during one of them, and I wouldn't recommend it.
Re eating after, you can eat anything most of the time. I personally get ravenous, but remember your stomach has been empty and then played with, so don't get like a jumbo plate of nachos or something (ask me how I know...).
I would not do your public transport thing. Like, if it was a fifteen minute train ride, maybe. Over an hour on the bus? Hell no. It is too hard to predict how you will feel after the procedure. The anaesthetic can hit some peoplei harder than others. You may be dizzy, nauseous, you will be a bit dozy, you may be confused or have trouble remembering things. It's just not worth the unpleasantness, if you can avoid it. Having said that you may feel fine, there's just no way to know, I've gone both ways.
Best of luck. I like sports drinks during fasting.
posted by smoke at 2:55 PM on July 30, 2019
From my experience (two clinics in Twin Cities, Minnesota in different, competing systems), the clinics here will insist on getting the name and contact info of the specific person who will drive you home before they will do an outpatient procedure that involves sedation or anesthesia. If you can't provide proper info of a real person, known to you, who will take you home personally, and if that same person is not present when you check in at the clinic, they will cancel the procedure. I specifcally asked beforehand "can I just take an Uber home?" and was told no in a very firm manner. On the day of the procedure at check-in, they asked the accompanying person directly for their name and phone number to check.
Your experience may vary.
posted by gimonca at 3:38 PM on July 30, 2019
Your experience may vary.
posted by gimonca at 3:38 PM on July 30, 2019
Depending on the prep your doctor has prescribed, you may have a thing where you drink a pint of horrible tasting liquid twice toward the end of your fast. (this is known as the Suprep Bowel Prep Solution). If this is your prescription, buy yourself some straws. I actually recommend wide reusable straws for this.
The prep solution tastes so bad that if I had to drink it without a straw, I would vomit it back up immediately. Using a straw allows me to get it down my throat while mostly bypassing tastebuds. It's still awful but it's achievable.
Depending on your provider, they may have a cheap(ish) service that they recommend and trust to drive you home. There's a service here in San Francisco that is the only way a stranger can drive me home from a colonoscopy. I myself would have no problem with a one-hour bus experience, but it's also nice to pamper yourself a little after your fast day.
When I had my first colonoscopy, they did twilight sleep, which was AWESOME but they don't do it any more because they realized that people actually recover better and are more alert after a full on general anesthesia. So my last couple of colonoscopies have left me a little tired but not groggy or disoriented. As others have said, you'll stay at the facility until you are pretty well awake and alert.
posted by janey47 at 4:14 PM on July 30, 2019
The prep solution tastes so bad that if I had to drink it without a straw, I would vomit it back up immediately. Using a straw allows me to get it down my throat while mostly bypassing tastebuds. It's still awful but it's achievable.
Depending on your provider, they may have a cheap(ish) service that they recommend and trust to drive you home. There's a service here in San Francisco that is the only way a stranger can drive me home from a colonoscopy. I myself would have no problem with a one-hour bus experience, but it's also nice to pamper yourself a little after your fast day.
When I had my first colonoscopy, they did twilight sleep, which was AWESOME but they don't do it any more because they realized that people actually recover better and are more alert after a full on general anesthesia. So my last couple of colonoscopies have left me a little tired but not groggy or disoriented. As others have said, you'll stay at the facility until you are pretty well awake and alert.
posted by janey47 at 4:14 PM on July 30, 2019
I have had several colonoscopies. The last two times I asked for no anesthesia. They gave me an iv of Valium. It was no issue during or after. Actually, during, I had a conversation with both the doctor and the gas passer (who was not that busy bc I did not want ut). I was a little relaxed afterwards, but I was driven home at 2:00 and went to the Yankees game at 7pm.
This is very dependent on you, your doctor what if anything they find and what you let them give you.
posted by AugustWest at 4:53 PM on July 30, 2019
This is very dependent on you, your doctor what if anything they find and what you let them give you.
posted by AugustWest at 4:53 PM on July 30, 2019
I've had a couple colonoscopies, for my sins. One of them I either walked home from or took a quick bus ride (it was a few blocks from my place), and honestly I am surprised that the clinic let me leave on my own, the other I had my partner drive me in a zipcar or something. I will agree with the posters who suggest having your friend call you a rideshare or taxi and taking that in order to minimize walking and general hassle.
I didn't have any trouble recovering afterward either time. I ate some food, napped, was fine shortly afterward.
(I will also add that I woke up during one of them and it was pretty fun. The doctor showed me my own innards on a TV. I'm not even being sarcastic, I thought it was super cool and I wasn't in pain or even uncomfortable at all.)
posted by quaking fajita at 7:55 AM on July 31, 2019
I didn't have any trouble recovering afterward either time. I ate some food, napped, was fine shortly afterward.
(I will also add that I woke up during one of them and it was pretty fun. The doctor showed me my own innards on a TV. I'm not even being sarcastic, I thought it was super cool and I wasn't in pain or even uncomfortable at all.)
posted by quaking fajita at 7:55 AM on July 31, 2019
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Most places won't release you to a taxi or car-sharing service, that I've been to. They need to have the name and number of your responsible person to call when you're ready to go.
Depending on the sedative you're given, public transport might be confusing and tiring.
posted by xingcat at 7:55 AM on July 30, 2019 [3 favorites]