Colonoscopy Anyone?

Hello everyone. I am 4 weeks post op from a TAH/BSO and still having diarrhea since I left the hospital. Dr. did a test for that C-D infection but nothing showed up. Today I went to a Gastro dr and he told me that I need to have a colonoscopy next Thursday to see what's going on in there. He did put me on some antibiotics hoping that will take care of the problem. Well I can't eat anything or I will get cramps then the diarrhea starts. I am only eating dinner because it will stop by noon if I eat nothing all day except dinner. I am wondering if anyone had this done and will it hurt. I've been through enough this last month I not up to anymore. Just today I had to get some blood work done and they blow not one but 2 veins in both arms and got only a half a vile of blood. Sorry if it sounds like I'm complaining I guess I'm just sick of it all right now and starting to regret of having this surgery done. I didn't know I was going to go through so much. I am weak from not holding anything in and I feel bad that I can't do much with my kids right now.
Well thanks for letting me blow up. Think that's what I needed.
Anne

I am wondering if anyone had this done and will it hurt

Anne-

I have had a colonoscopy before. I was under anesthesia(twilight sleep i think) so I did not feel or remember a thing. I woke up in recovery a little groggy, was driven home, ate a bit, and took a nap. I had some gas, but nothing painful. I imagine a month after my hysterectomy, I probably would of felt more of those "swelly belly" feelings (I did not have my colonoscopy after my hysterectomy).

The hardest part of a colonoscopy is what you are going through already-the weakness from not eating and not being able to keep anything in. Ask your Dr. if there is anything special you should do for the "prep" since it sounds like you are pretty cleaned out to start. For the colonoscopy itself, it should not hurt. Talk to the Dr. about your concerns. Hope this helps a little and sorry you are having these trouble right after surgery.

HondoSam

I had my TAH on 1/26 and a colonoscopy last week. They gave me a sedative but didn't knock me out completely and yes, it was painful (like bad cramps) when they came across adhesions. They could only complete 30% and I have to a barium enema to xray the rest.

I spoke to a couple of people who said they requested to be knocked out completely because of their past experiences. If you're feeling sensitive, you might ask about this.

I found the worst part was the fasting and laxatives the day before. You do feel pretty wiped out after not eating all day and cleaning out your system!

Anne -

I'm so sorry to hear that you are having problems. I've heard that a colonoscopy after a hysterectomy involves a little more discomfort, yes because of adhesions etc. - you might want to remind them to go easy on you and that you just had a hysterectomy.

Let us know how everything turns out.

Hugs.

Anita

Hi Anne,

I was and still am in the same boat as you. My colonoscopy was not bad. I was unable to take the demeral that they usually give you with versaid(the twilight medication) because I am allergic to all pain meds. My gastro dr gave me a bit more of the versaid and I was out for the whole thing and I didn't have a lot of pain. Just gas pains after. When the dr tells you to (excuse me for this) fart, do it. I still don't have answers to my diarreah and have had a ct scan and an ednoscope with a small bowel biopsy. Everything has come back clear. I am now taking a medication called Ultrace MT 18 (pancrease enzymes) I have to take two pills everytime I eat. Has not improved yet. I have had the diarreah since surgery and it has been over 3 months. I hope your colonoscopy gives you some answers and some relief. Has your DR tried questrian or cholestrine. It is a powder that you mix with a drink or sprinkle on food. It works for a lot of people. It is typically used for people with high cholesteral but gastro drs use it for people with diarreah. Good luck and keep us posted. I hope everything is okay.

I just had 1 about a week ago,,,,it hurt,,,,they couldn't get me completely out,cause they blew MY VEIN,& all the drugs they gave me, were going into 1 big ball right at the I.V. sight,,,,after they pulled it out,,,,,& it started going into my system,,,,I was out for a day and a half,,,,,,,,no kidding,,,,,on the lighter side,,,,I also had 1 done 5yrs ago,,,,I felt nothing,,,,,,,,or remembered nothing,,they of course didn't blow my vein,,,,,,I also must add this note,,,if the I.V. doesn't feel right going in,,,,,,example----when the bag of water I call it,,,,was going into my arm,,,,,it burned,& I knew something didn't feel right,,,,,I should have said something then,,,,,,,,,ALWAYS GO WITH YOUR 1st INSTINCT,,,,It'll save you alot of pain in the long run..........

Hi I've had two colonoscopy's (neither following hyst though)
The first time they gave me no anaesthetic and it was uncomfortable, so the second time I asked for a sedative and it was fine...

I would say definately ask for a sedative.....

Anni

My situation was almost identical to yours. About 10 days after my second surgery I couldn't eat because of severe cramping and diarrhea. (And there is nothing worse than sitting on the toilet with cramping/diarrhea with a tender belly full of stitches!) I called the doctor who performed the surgery and was told to "wait a few days". Well, I waited a few days and the diarrhea turned to bloody diarrhea. I was weaker than ever and losing weight rapidly. Called the doctor again, and once more I heard, "Wait a few days". And so I waited a few more days ... called again ... BEGGED for someone to see me ... husband packed me in the car and off to the doc we drove. Doctor examined me and once again said, "Wait a few days"! My husband and I just didn't know what to do as something was very wrong and my doctor suspiciously would not admit it. I had now lost 18 lbs in a very short period of time plus I couldn't eat as it produced the cramping and severe bloody diarrhea.

Upon arriving home, I called the Gastro doctor who had performed a routine colonoscopy the previous year. When I described my symptoms. the receptionist told me to "hold a moment" ... then came back and said I needed to be seen ASAP and he would fit me in the next morning before his regularly scheduled patients. I'm mentioning this to demonstrate the DIFFERENCE in doctor's opinions!

Briefly, the Gasto doctor took one look at my weakened condition + symptoms and asked if I minded having a Sigmoid right then and there. At that point I didn't care what he did as long as someone could help me. I had the Sigmoid with no anesthesia or anything - and it was "mildly uncomfortable" but certainly not painful. I have had a colonoscopy (not following a surgery, however), was put to sleep, and never felt a thing.

And guess what??? I had C Diff! He prescribed Cipro and Flagyl and I felt better within the week.

A friend of mine in the medical field mentioned that doctors do not like to admit to a patient of theirs having C Diff as it goes on some sort of hospital record as sort of a "bad mark". Maybe someone else in the medical field can shed some light on this?

Wishing you good health,
Kajsa

I am sorry, I do not know what a C Diff is. could someone please explain it.

Thank you.

I had a colonoscopy Feb 11 2004, but my problem was the revers. I have been constipated for a while, and my tummy is really bloated. I drank something called fleetsoma or something like that. I stayed in the bathroom most of the night before I went to castle. They put me completly out and I didn't feel a thing.I actually felt better when I woke up than I had in a long time. I had a polyp and several other spots that the GI did biopsys on. He removed the polyp and told me to have it done in 3 yrs again. Luckily, all results were neg.It could turn to cancer if not caught early. I also have a lot of adhesions on my intestines from having 3 abdominal surgeries. so that is causing them to have twists and turns that would not normally be there. I am on a diet of high fiber and lots of water. Take metamucil daily, and am supposed to drink a bottle of citrate of magnesium once a week to keep me cleaned out, since it is not working naturally.i had my hyst last aug, so I should be well from that, in theory.I have not been back to work but 1 week at my 8 weeks post. I couldn't do it because I have been in pain ever since. I have been to dr after dr. Lost my job and insurance because of it. I am now on state assistance for ins. Good thing I have a wonderful dbf, who will become my dh in May. I just hope I feel good enough to enjoy the honeymoon by then.Good luck to you.