"World-class colonoscopy"

[Lazarus]

I felt them put it in. Then nothing until it was over.

Liquid diet the day before, then the prep that night and in the morning. Had mine done at about 1:00 PM.

You would prefer the morning. You won't have to starve as long.

Haven't talked my wife into doing it yet.

[WhoDaresWins]

Nords, I have heard from a friend that she took some kind of pills prescribed by her doc and did not have to drink the humongous jug of nauseating Go-Lightly or whatever they call it that my doctors both prescribed both times. Different docs seem to have different regimens. She also did not have to do the Fleet's enemas like I did the day of the test this last time
Oh, and the type of banana popsicles I was allowed (see my earlier post) were the cheap banana flavored popsicles...nothing involving real banana solids which would not have been allowed as it is clear liquids only the day before. I just recalled that I also had a diet sheet to follow with this last one: no nuts or seeds for two weeks prior, no rare meats 3 days prior, and other stuff that I can no longer remember.
I am going back next summer for my third experience so it is really not that bad. It was smooth sailing once I checked in at the hospital, and I was out the door for home in about 3 hours after I arrived. They use a short acting anesthetic and I could have just walked out quite easily to get to the car but this last hospital required my friend bring her car around and they wheeled me out.

[Martha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonBoyd Ooops.

Your profile picture goes so well with your Ooops!

[Moemg]

The problem with looking for an easier prep is if you are not totally cleaned out you will be canceled and re booked for the next day at the end of the schedule .You will stay on liquids an additional day and have to repeat the prep .

[BookPerson]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickj I thought there was a pill of some sort you could take for the prep... rather than drinking large quantities of a nasty liquid. Anyone have any experience with this?

Nords and mickj,

I've used the meds twice now (with the repeat colonoscopy after 3 years due to a couple of adenomatous polyps showing up). Never did the liquid so can't compare. The gastro doc offered them as an option the first time but hesitated when I asked for a repeat dose until she checked my records. Got the impression that some patients taking the pill-route might not end up with as good a clean-out. Not sure if that results from the differing formulations, individual physiology, or patient compliance. Still have to drink large volumes (water) with the meds and the last 2 or 3 pills are a struggle (nausea). Per the doc I was "clean as a whistle" the first time (oh why do I remember that) and so was rewarded with a repeat dose.

The procedure is as easy as reported (much better for me than getting my hair washed at a salon). My gastro, though, used a different twilight drug for the second. Preferred the first version where there was a complete oblivion from count 96 or so. No pain with the second but heard the beginning of the procedure and ended up with vague memories.

As for the place - I used a local hospital with easy parking in a ritzy part of town. It's got to be revenue-plus for the facility. The pampering (solicitude, warm towels, little booties) was a bit like being at a spa. Sooooo nice after the prelude. My gastro offered that, the downtown trauma center, or a local office suite as options.

0bviously you'll be choosing a gastro who does colonoscopies on a regular basis. Saw a reference to a study a while back referencing a miss rate for those nasty little polyps in Canada that was uncomfortably high (maybe only detecting 60 %). No comparable US-percentage but the conclusion was that the Canadian result wouldn't necessarily be comparable to the US since colonoscopies in Canada are much more frequently performed - per the news article - by primary docs and not specialists.

Bon voyage.

[Dudester]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nords How's that for an oxymoron? In a week or two I'm going to visit my local clinic for a flu shot. Based on the way my last visit went, this time when they ask me for my age and consult my medical record, I expect the exit doors to slam shut until I surrender to the colonoscopy crew.

I had a colonoscopy about a year ago. One of the big problems I had involved lining up someone to drive me home after the procedure. My ride home got sick at the last moment and had to reschedule the procedure at the last moment (fortunately, I didn't have to pay a penalty to the clinic).

In the state of Washington where I live, you have to have someone else take you home after a colonoscopy no matter what, even if you live across the street from the clinic.

The day before the procedure, one preps (aka "fasts"). This involves drinking a terrible tasting fluid as well as eschewing solid food. You can drink broth, jello, etc. to get some nourishment during the prep. For me, the worst part of the prep was not the terrible tasting liquid but going for a full day without solid food. I was discussing this point with a doctor recently, and he said that he had the best luck drinking cokes during the prep. Apparently the sugar helps reduce the hunger pangs.

I didn't find the choice of anesthetic to make much difference. Since I had to have a ride home, I just let my ride steer me through the hallways to the car.

Have a plan to stop at a restaurant on the way home. You'll be hungry, and in my case, gave me a way of repaying my friend for the trouble I put him through.

[Calgary_Girl]

Since I'm "only" 38, I haven't had to have one yet . Both my parents have had it done however and they report that it was no big deal (not sure if I believe them).

Hopefully, when my time comes, I'll just be able to have a routine blood test and skip the unpleasantness of it all:

New blood tests promise simple cancer detection

[dfdski]

Had colonoscopies in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2009. Next one will be in 2012.

(1) The first 4 I used (IIRC) the Fleet #3 kit. 4 small pills and 1 small bottle of liquid. The last time I couldn't - I was told that the FDA concluded the pills were a cancer risk. Not sure if I believe that. I had no choice on things, as each time it was the specialist who prescribed it.

(2) Light breakfast the morning before. Two slices of unbuttered toast. Black coffee only. Clear liquids only. Chicken broth okay also. Start drinking 4 ounces of fluids every hour beginning at noon. At 4pm you start taking your "medicine". By 5pm you're pretty much camping out in the bathroom until 9pm. By 10pm? You're so empty you pretty much fall alseep immediately.

(3) My specialist does them on Mondays and Wednesdays at a small outpatient clinic down the road. He does followup work from his office the other days. The first 4 times I was the first or second one he did that day. The last one was in the afternoon. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND TRYING TO SCHEDULE IT EARLY IN THE MORNING! Yes, the worst part is cleaning yourself out the day before, but if you have to hang around the entire morning after that (and you can't even drink water after 6am), you are a glutton for punishment.

(4) Once you're in the waiting are they have you change into a gown and they put an IV in. I usually waited about 10-15 more minutes before they wheeled me in. Not sure what kind of anesthetic they use, but they pretty much had me counting down from 100 and I was zonked out before I hit 90. Afterwards they move me to a recliner where I'm told I fart up a storm - it's a side effect. I'll take their word for it because I'm still not too aware.

(5) I do know that each time the specialist told me the results - but only once did I actually remember. I am required to have someone drive me home. No cab, no walking home. If I can't provide proof that someone will, they cancel.

(6) I greatly recommend having it done. They found non-cancerous polyps the first time and a small mass too new to say what it was the second time. One polyp this last time. As of now I'm considered "average" - meaning I'm 52, male, and I should have this procedure done every three years.

(7) Finally, there really isn't any good time of the year to do it. No matter what it's going to be 24-30 hours of your life gone in hopes of hanging around on this planet for years longer. I still work, so I usually leave for home at noon the day before the procedure and take a 2 hour nap afterwords. The first time I was told not to drive for 24 hours afterwords but I was actually bowling that evening.

[Nords]

47 posts in ~24 hours and on the top-ten hottest threads list. Hmm, I seem to have poked a, um, nerve here. Thanks for all the advice!

REWahoo, this is what nukes do-- we ask annoying questions! I'd hate to be an uneducated patient with an old-school doc, especially if there's a better procedure.

Rich, I've never heard of a vodka called Crystal Lite but I'll see what I can find out here. I'll try a disgusting flavor that I'm unlikely to ever touch again anyway.

Moe, I wonder how many of the board's posters have never even heard of Nurse Ratched. Any resemblance between her and my mother the RN is completely coincidental...

Thanks for all the tips on morning appointments, designated drivers, GoLighty, Lo-So Prep, Vaseline, banana popsicles, and hard-boiled eggs. (There's a bunch of words I've never used together before in a sentence.) I'm looking forward to an interesting conversation with the doc.

For all you yet to experience your next colonoscopy, feel free to keep updating this thread with your latest research... and videos for Rich...

[Emeritus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfdski (5) I do know that each time the specialist told me the results - but only once did I actually remember. I am required to have someone drive me home. No cab, no walking home. If I can't provide proof that someone will, they cancel.....the first time I was told not to drive for 24 hours afterwords but I was actually bowling that evening.

The ride home is to protect you
The not driving is to protect OTHER people on the roads
Unless you are as bad a bowler as I am, you are probably not a threat to others

[Lazarus]

When I was being prepped for my colonoscopy I was in a room with beds separated by curtains. The nurse began setting up the port for my IV. He very efficiently inserted the needle and taped it down. I could tell he was very experienced and efficient at it.

I said, “ You must have been doing this for a while.”

He said, “ No, I just got out of prison yesterday.”

I playing along said, “ Did you learn your needle skills giving each other tattoos?”

He said, “No, pretty much learned it from using the shiv.”

I said, “ Did you make your own or out source it?”

He said, “ You have to make your own, it’s a matter of pride.”

He then finished up and opened the curtain so he could move on to the next patient. I looked over and saw a middle aged woman with a horrified look on her face that he was starting on.

He said to her, “I didn’t hurt Lazarus he didn’t make a sound.”

I said, “ That’s cause he gave me a stick to bite down on.”

[Meadbh]

The real question is: Does Nords have a world class colon?

[Achiever51]

Long ago, I had a job as a clerical in a medical office that scheduled executive physicals for key management personnel at local Megacorps. Part of my job required me to call these CEOs, CFOs, and other C-level execs and remind them of the prep steps prior to their physicals...and as a 20-something, I was slightly embarrassed to have to tell them about the prep for their sigmoidscopy exams (ie, purchase 2 Fleet enemas and follow directions in the morning before heading to the hospital.)

Most of my "guys" were good natured about my call, but I remember one self-important jerk who actually berated me on the phone, sarcastically pointing out that he didn't need some clerk telling him what to do.

Imagine my delight when I got the call from my hospital contact the next morning who could hardly stop laughing about the jerk who inserted two Fleet enemas ... And drove to the hospital without um, leaving them at home. I can still recall the description of the jerk "waddling up the hallway as fast as he could, demanding to get to a restroom NOW!!". He um, had a major leakage event before he got to the door. Priceless!

By the way, I've had my colonoscopy and I concur with all the comments before. No big deal.

[dfdski]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Achiever51 Long ago, I had a job as a clerical in a medical office that scheduled executive physicals for key management personnel at local Megacorps. Part of my job required me to call these CEOs, CFOs, and other C-level execs and remind them of the prep steps prior to their physicals...and as a 20-something, I was slightly embarrassed to have to tell them about the prep for their sigmoidscopy exams (ie, purchase 2 Fleet enemas and follow directions in the morning before heading to the hospital.) Most of my "guys" were good natured about my call, but I remember one self-important jerk who actually berated me on the phone, sarcastically pointing out that he didn't need some clerk telling him what to do. Imagine my delight when I got the call from my hospital contact the next morning who could hardly stop laughing about the jerk who inserted two Fleet enemas ... And drove to the hospital without um, leaving them at home. I can still recall the description of the jerk "waddling up the hallway as fast as he could, demanding to get to a restroom NOW!!". He um, had a major leakage event before he got to the door. Priceless! By the way, I've had my colonoscopy and I concur with all the comments before. No big deal.

+1

The stories I could tell you working in IT about self-important know-it-alls. But that'd be hijacking things. Suffice to say, there's a bit of difference between "\" and "BACKSLASH".

Nords, good luck. And come 2012 I'll be sure to keep post an update here!

[73ss454]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emeritus We are talking about colonoscopy right? I know lots of women who think men are walking colons but ladies have them too

In some cases the ladies are correct.

[Nords]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meadbh The real question is: Does Nords have a world class colon?

I'm not so sure about that, but some have concluded it must be a big one...

[Lazarus]

Colonoscopy Reveals Huge Worm - NothingToxic.com

[harley]

Some things are better not posted.

[RonBoyd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martha Your profile picture goes so well with your Ooops!

Yeah. It does. (I anticipated this situation.)

[lovinglife1]

Wow!....Yes,...R..E..L..A..X....It is a very simple procedure. I had mine done in Bumrungrad, an exceptional hospital. The prep is drinking a concoction 24 hours before that flushes your system. You use the toilet every few hours until your stool is clear in color. The procedure took about 30 minutes and he showed me the DVD his computer screen. There was one suspicious sore that he clipped for a biopsy...Nothing serious. I have no issues getting one done....much preferable to a root canal, I assure you....

Just do it! It may save your life.