OT: Colonoscopy

[ClayL]

Just the time when one reconsiders the advantages of a padded seat.

I get to use a heated seat that has a bidet!

My wife and I are thinking about adding one to our commode (heated water). Without going into details I will just say as we age for various reasons it becomes much more difficult to clean ones self properly. A bidet makes it easy.

[txdave42]

It's been almost 10 years since my last colonscopy and I get annoyed hearing people talk like the test is so easy and painless. No it's not. At least not for me. The prep is miserable. I remember going to the bathroom like 30 times until I was finally just pooping water and a full day of miserable cramps.

Next, came the actual test which everyone says is the easy part. It wasn't for me. I remember being in such extreme pain that I was begging them to stop and hearing the doctor being frustrated with my colon. Turns out I have an extremely long colon with many loops and he ran out of scope length before he could see all of my colon. Probably explains why I've had bowel problems all my life.

I hope they can come up with a better way of diagnosing and treating this problem than the current methods which are just torture for people like me.

[49er]

It's been almost 10 years since my last colonscopy and I get annoyed hearing people talk like the test is so easy and painless. No it's not. At least not for me. The prep is miserable. I remember going to the bathroom like 30 times until I was finally just pooping water and a full day of miserable cramps.

Next, came the actual test which everyone says is the easy part. It wasn't for me. I remember being in such extreme pain that I was begging them to stop and hearing the doctor being frustrated with my colon. Turns out I have an extremely long colon with many loops and he ran out of scope length before he could see all of my colon. Probably explains why I've had bowel problems all my life.

I hope they can come up with a better way of diagnosing and treating this problem than the current methods which are just torture for people like me.

What type of sedation did you have Dave as that sounds horrible? Sorry you had such a tough time.

[chunkyfrog]

My latest colonoscopy was vastly improved from five years ago.
I would hope there have been many more improvements in ten years.
@taxdave42: I would not use the same facility/doctor the next time;
and be sure to let everyone know why, both at the old and the new places.
People generally bend over backward to make sure a bad experience is never repeated.
Just don't avoid another procedure, because it could mean your LIFE

[yaconsult]

txdave42, I had the same issues with my first one. The secret is to meet with them in advance before you schedule the procedure and insist that they do it under sedation - full sedation. When they do it this way, you go to sleep at the very start and don't wake up until it's all finished. There is no pain from the procedure at all.

My first time was like you described in your post and that kept me putting off the next one until it was a couple of years overdue. The key was making an appointment with the gastroenterology department and going in and talking to one of the registered nurses who took note of my concerns and issues with the previous one. The difference for the second one was night and day. Consider this part of the prep - telling them that you're not going to have it done unless you are sedated and don't feel the procedure.

For people with serious medical problems, it's much simpler for them to not do the full sedation - if you let them get away with it. You have to insist that they have an anesthesiologist and put you to sleep during it.

And as I said in a previous post, the prep solution seems to be more gentle on your system than it used to be.

[QueSera]

Although not my own experience (see above) I am aware of those with similar bad experiences. It is generally because the doctor involved is unskilled and unpracticed. Telling someone that the discomfort is because of their body configuration is unprofessional. No two bodies are alike, anyway.

Another tip for making the prep slightly less horrible is to eat lightly for a few days before, and liquid diet on the day of the prep. Avoid meat and high fiber foods for those few days. Stick to foods that are easily digested. After the procedure, you can go out for your steak dinner. Maybe the next day.

[Cardsfan]

I don't understand why they say don't eat high fiber food before. Isn't fiber what makes your food move along and out -- which is the goal?

[cpapernewbie]

I don't understand why they say don't eat high fiber food before. Isn't fiber what makes your food move along and out -- which is the goal?

In ordinary circumstance, you are right.
However, in the prep period, your bowel movement is controlled by powerful laxatives in large doses, not by natural movement. Also they need to get clear view of your colon. Fibre and solid food will cloud the view I guess

[Mary1118]

There are varying reviews on the preps, mostly positive about how well they work;
especially compared to earlier concoctions.---The reviews were mixed about the taste.
I treated mine like the world's weirdest jumbo Margarita, with a dash of lime juice on the side, and sea salt on my palm.

I have Crohn's disease so I have had about 6 colonoscopies since 2001. I'm due for my next one next year. The last time I had one, the Dr said all I needed to do was 2 days before the test eat light. Day before the test take X dulcolax pills (an amount set by the Dr., I forget how many) two times a day. Then after that eat broth or (not red) jello. And clear liquids. He said this worked just as well as the "prep" in emptying out the bowel. And easier to do. I threw up 1/2 the prep the time before last, but was still able to have that colonoscopy done. So I was thrilled I didn't have to do it the last time.

[Cardsfan]

I've had 3 colonoscopies. Threw up the prep every time.

[cancun]

About eight years ago I had a gastro that prescribed pills, can't remember the name and my insurance company charged them as tier 3 so they cost $50 but it was worth it, had to take about 20 pills with a lot of water and then a few dulcolax with some gingerale and I used him twice but then moved out of the area. He also had a separate suite in his office building so all that I was charged was an office copay even though I still had the anesthesia it was a great deal and I was in and out of there in about 45 minutes for the colonoscopy and endoscopy. I miss that Doctor!
Now I just take the Miralax mixed in Gatorade (lemon lime) and I hate Gatorade but it isn't bad as the Miralax doesn't make you cramp up, copay is $250 with my insurance though. They always find a polyp so it is never considered a "free" screening.

[SewTired]

Just the time when one reconsiders the advantages of a padded seat.

I get to use a heated seat that has a bidet!

My wife and I are thinking about adding one to our commode (heated water). Without going into details I will just say as we age for various reasons it becomes much more difficult to clean ones self properly. A bidet makes it easy.

ClayL, if you are interested, just PM me and I'll give you details. Ours has been in constant use for at least 6 years.

I didn't have any problems with the colonoscopy - just getting the IV. I was dehydrated and the 2 nurses finally called in a phlebotomist to get the IV in. I get to have them every other year from now on, dang it.

[klv329]

Thanks for the reminder, gotta go pick up the prep from the pharmacy. The doc said the prep was the worst and that i would be cursing him. But with sedation during, so i will remind them about the cpap usage. Was thinking of doing an endoscopy at the same time, but it doesn't sound like doing both at the same time will save money unless i get the right billing code from the doctor. Of course what hurts is where the gall bladder used to be and i guess that's an MRI or something else for another day.

[cancun]

Thanks for the reminder, gotta go pick up the prep from the pharmacy. The doc said the prep was the worst and that i would be cursing him. But with sedation during, so i will remind them about the cpap usage. Was thinking of doing an endoscopy at the same time, but it doesn't sound like doing both at the same time will save money unless i get the right billing code from the doctor. Of course what hurts is where the gall bladder used to be and i guess that's an MRI or something else for another day.

Depends on your insurance, I am charged $250 for any outpatient procedure so if I do mine separately I am charged $250 each time but if I do them together only one charge.

[klv329]

Thanks, I'll try and check on the costs again. I couldn't get anywhere with the people at cigna other than it had to be coded preventive, and not related to a pre existing condition.

looks like a gallon jug with some powder at the bottom called GaviLyte-N with a delicious lemon flavor pack. PEG-3350, sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate and potassium chloride for Oral Solution. No turkey baster, so that's a plus.