Colonoscopy/Endoscopy double whammy!

If you do manage to stay awake during the procedure be sure that you do not feel both of the doctor's hands on you at the same time.

I was completely awake and not medicated during all three of my colonoscopies. The only difficult part was watching the video with the twists and turns.

Remember, COLON CANCER IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FROM CANCER IN PEOPLE WHO DO NOT SMOKE and colonoscopy is essential for early detection and tissue biopsy. Early detection can lead to a cure.

Saw the pictures - it wasn't pretty. Besides the normal reason they were looking for bleeding in me. It was before I was diagnosed with OSA but not long before. In fact the my PCP wanted me to do a sleep study when he ordered the other test, I would have been diagnosed a lot earlier if the nurse had contacted the sleep lab. Since I was denial, I didn't bring it up again until started having lot of other health problems this year.

You should be fine as long as everyone knows that you have OSA.

I'm glad I have another few years before I need another one - the prep was the worst part.

Good Luck

Ask if you can do the prep where you take Duocolax, and subsequently drink 64 oz of Gatorade with a bottle (255 g) of Miralax mixed in. I have a lot of trouble drinking large volumes of liquid (even if they taste good), and I did not have any trouble drinking this prep.

If you have severe apnea, your doctor could consider having an anesthesiologist do the sedation.

SleepingUgly wrote:Ask if you can do the prep where you take Duocolax, and subsequently drink 64 oz of Gatorade with a bottle (255 g) of Miralax mixed in. I have a lot of trouble drinking large volumes of liquid (even if they taste good), and I did not have any trouble drinking this prep.

If you have severe apnea, your doctor could consider having an anesthesiologist do the sedation.

I'm about to be scheduled for a colonoscopy. Never had one before and I'm definitely nervous about it.

Do you think they would allow me to mix the miralax with beer? Large volume of liquid would be much easier to consume that way!

I can't STAND Gatorade!

Hose_Head wrote:Do you think they would allow me to mix the miralax with beer? Large volume of liquid would be much easier to consume that way!

Well, I guess beer might be considered a clear liquid...and it's not red or orange or any of the other prohibited colors. So, yes, I think they will allow a beer/Miralax prep. (Just kidding!)

chunkyfrog wrote:I can't STAND Gatorade!

Would you prefer a gallon of GoLytely or 64 oz of lemon lime Gatorade?!

Unfortunately, I have to do the TriLyte (gallon), which I can mix with Crystal Light instead of their packets. Once I run "clear" I am allowed to stop drinking even if it's not finished.

Turns out the doctor did request an anesthesiologist and propofol because of my sleep apnea. That makes me feel much better that someone will be monitoring me during AND after (their words) the procedure.

Later today, I start the prep. Fun, fun, fun! I've got plenty of wipes to soothe the bottom and lots of broth, juice and ginger ale.

I have never heard the thing about "when things run clear, you can stop the prep". Boy would it suck to have to do the colonoscopy twice because it wasn't a clean prep (or have them miss something). Personally, I would drink the whole dang thing, running clear or not.

SleepingUgly wrote:I have never heard the thing about "when things run clear, you can stop the prep". Boy would it suck to have to do the colonoscopy twice because it wasn't a clean prep (or have them miss something). Personally, I would drink the whole dang thing, running clear or not.

That's my goal. We'll see how much I can get down. I might start a little earlier than they said (6 PM) and space out the doses a little (20-30 minutes), which they also said was okay. Just so I don't get too bloated or nauseated.

There's so much mixed information out there. I know there's no reversal agent to propofol, but with an anesthesiologist there I should be fine. I do like the fact that you're out and then up really quickly. If it's that fast, maybe I'll be awake in recovery!

I had the nether-regions keister-cam 6 months ago, and was given Nulytely (1 gallon of fluid). I asked the GI clinic about this and they said because I'm diabetic, have chronic kidney disease, heart attack survivor and high BP, this prep is the best because the solution is diluted as much as possible, is very low sodium and because of the gallon of liquid, keeps you better hydrated before nil-by-mouth time.

I double-checked this with my PCP, endo and cardiologist prior and they all agreed, so I was satisfied with that answer.

Also, my GI clinic uses neo-natal needles for the IVs - apparently you can request these if they don't offer it - I have hideously small veins so was anxious about this.

Cheers,
Xena

xenablue wrote:I had the nether-regions keister-cam 6 months ago, and was given Nulytely (1 gallon of fluid). I asked the GI clinic about this and they said because I'm diabetic, have chronic kidney disease, heart attack survivor and high BP, this prep is the best because the solution is diluted as much as possible, is very low sodium and because of the gallon of liquid, keeps you better hydrated before nil-by-mouth time.

I double-checked this with my PCP, endo and cardiologist prior and they all agreed, so I was satisfied with that answer.

Also, my GI clinic uses neo-natal needles for the IVs - apparently you can request these if they don't offer it - I have hideously small veins so was anxious about this.

Cheers,
Xena

Thanks, Xena. I was worried about being dehydrated because I'm on a diuretic, but I'm going to be drinking plenty of other liquids before and after, unless I'm just too darn full!

I just talked to the surgical center where I will be having the scopes done, and they let me talk to one of the nurses! She said they have emergency resuscitative equipment (God forbid! Knock on wood! <spitting for luck>), and said they will be monitoring me closely in recovery because of my sleep apnea. YAY!

I had the double whammy done a couple years ago - I was really nervous. It went so much easier than I had ever imagined. The prep was the worst part but since I had put myself on full liquids and then clear liquids a day earlier than their schedule - it was a lot easier.
They did the endoscopy first and all I remember is them spraying the back of my throat. When they began the colonoscopy part they told me everything and I was more awake - it must have been wearing off - and I do remember sitting up on the table and announcing that I was cancelling this test - (so funny AFTER the fact ) - but not at the time. I must have felt something or got scared because they calmed me down and gave me more sedation and I do not remember anything else. I did have a slight sore throat as they had to stretch the esophagus 3 times but even that was not too bad.
You are not intubated for this procedure - the Versed cocktail works great.
I did like the beer prep suggestion though !!

In most cases the drug used is versed which causes 'conscious sedation'. This means that you are actually partially awake during the endoscopy procedure. This is necessary because you must be able to respond to directions from the doctor....ie "swallow". With the versed you do not remember anything that happened. Even during the colonoscopy I remember being somewhat awake but didn't feel anything. I have had the double procedure done twice since I have been on CPAP. I alerted the doctor (he administered the meds). He said they had O2 available if needed. Have fun!!!!!