Having a Colonoscopy

[Jd34]

Been having some GI problems and my doctor friend has scheduled me for a colonoscopy!

Not what I wanted to hear! 

I so much would like to say I don't need it because God will take care of me ....... 

Anyway, first time for me but I'm just a few years shy of 50years old which is the standard for cancer screening colonoscopy.

Have any of you had any experience with this procedure and if so, maybe offer me some insight on what to expect?

[Mere Nick]

Yes. 

My memories are getting cleaned out really well.  Being hungry.  Looking forward to getting it done.  Waking up in recovery and being told to fart a lot.  I've had one at 50 and 55.  I was told after the first one that it is standard to start them at 45 if there is a family history like there is in my family but everything is fine.

[Jaime]

Yeah, the prep is way worse than the procedure.

[Alan]

Had one last year, it was literally painless except for the fasting and the nasty stuff I had to drink the night before the procedure.

[Jd34]

Well, I go in early morning to have the procedure done. I'm going thru the prep right now and I am hungry, sore, and really hurting in my lower left abdomen... Excruciating pain that comes and go, almost unbearable.

Really looking forward to getting this over and maybe finding some answers to why I've been hurting so bad......

Oh, I never knew just how many food commercials are on TV.. I had to turn the thing off!

[Jaime]

I'll be praying for a successful procedure and that you will get some peace of mind, and especially that nothing serious is wrong. They will give you an IV of valium and something else that will relax you. You will be sleeping most of the day after the procedure. Give us a report when you get a chance.

[Jd34]

I'll be praying for a successful procedure and that you will get some peace of mind, and especially that nothing serious is wrong. They will give you an IV of valium and something else that will relax you. You will be sleeping most of the day after the procedure. Give us a report when you get a chance.

Thanks Jaime!  A couple of polyps were removed but the doc didn't seem to think it was a big deal.

The culprit to the pain I've been having seems to be pointing toward kidney stones.

[Mere Nick]

The Polyps would be a good name for a rock and roll band. 

Kidney stones sound like a drag, though.

[Jaime]

I'll be praying for a successful procedure and that you will get some peace of mind, and especially that nothing serious is wrong. They will give you an IV of valium and something else that will relax you. You will be sleeping most of the day after the procedure. Give us a report when you get a chance.

Thanks Jaime!  A couple of polyps were removed but the doc didn't seem to think it was a big deal.

The culprit to the pain I've been having seems to be pointing toward kidney stones.

That's great news about the colon. I'm sure kidney stones are no picnic either. I have never had one.

I didn't mention this before your test, but I had colon cancer back in 1995 and fortunately it was caught very early. I am a believer in these colonoscopies. My cancer was from a polyp that had gone cancerous. They always find polyps when I have the test, but if they are removed before they become cancerous, no problem.

Please do not shirk your responsibility to your family to have that test on a regular basis!

[Mere Nick]

Jaime,

As you probably know, keep an eye on how your tummy is feeling.  My mother had colon cancer back in the 80s and years later the intestinal scar from where it was removed finally constricted the intestine closed and nothing could get past it.  They had to go back in and remove the scare and give her a new one that would take another long time to constrict again.  It was Alzheimer's that finally did her in, though.

[mommydi]

Jaime,

As you probably know, keep an eye on how your tummy is feeling.  My mother had colon cancer back in the 80s and years later the intestinal scar from where it was removed finally constricted the intestine closed and nothing could get past it.  They had to go back in and remove the scare and give her a new one that would take another long time to constrict again.  It was Alzheimer's that finally did her in, though.

Good advice. What you're describing isn't all that uncommon. I have a relative who had the same thing happen with scar tissue after colon surgery, and a friend who had the same problem but after a hysterectomy.
Sorry about your mom's Alzheimer's. My grandfather spent his last few years living that nightmare.

[DaveW]

The Polyps would be a good name for a rock and roll band. 

Especially a Punk band.
There was an episode of ER! where a patient came in who was in a band called "The Body Fluids."

Kidney stones sound like a drag, though.

True.  They would have to have some [even weirder] version of Mick Jagger ....

[Jd34]

The Polyps would be a good name for a rock and roll band. 

Out of curiosity, I googled The Polyps and  that band already exists
https://m.soundcloud.com/thepolypsband/somber