Colonoscopy done!

Hi all it's me.... Royjean....finally had the you know what done this past Tuesday. Everything looked fine, no polyps or cancer but if you all remember when I was talking many weeks ago about those weird attacks I was having and my GYN thinking I had Diverticulitis, well she was right. I do....actually he called it Diverticulosis. In my wake-up stupor I seem to recall him saying something about surgery but I'm hoping when I go for my checkup this Tuesday, the 3rd, he was just saying if the attacks were to occur more frequent then there's a possibility of surgery to remove the diseased portion of the colon. I have heard from others that normally it's not a big thing. You may have to endure a bag until your colon heals but then it's reversed. But I'm not jumping the gun until I discuss everything with him on Tuesday and he tells me what he meant.

I have to tell you all also...all those that need a colon test and have been putting it off.....please....it's a piece of cake. The preparation for it, is what is so awful.

Hope everyone has a nice day.

Big s,
Royjean

Hi

I'm glad to hear your procedure went well. I was also diagnosed with diverticulosis when I had my recent colonoscopy. Diverticulosis just means there are outpouchings in the colon. If they become inflamed it is called diverticulitis. Most people don't get inflamed and it doesn't mean automatic surgery if you do. Hopefully you will have good news when you see your doctor.

Joselle

Glad to hear your test went ok and all is fine; no major problems.

I too had a Colonoscopy done Jan 02 and I have to agree.. the otion: is the worst part. The GI doc gave me something to 'relax' me and and the next thing I know I was waking up. Never expected to pass out (drug induced sleep that is) during the procedure. The last thing I remember saying/asking the doc before he started was if he was going to use enough lube


Amy

Yay Royjean I'm so glad it's all done! Yes, something like 80% of adults get diverticulosis eventually but most never get diverticulitis, which is an acute infection in those outpocketings (the diverticuli). Each time you get diverticulitis the walls of those diverticuli thin a bit, and eventually they can tear or rupture.

I had two bouts of diverticulitis (and peritonitis from them) right after my hyst. Now I can't eat any nuts or seeds, and if I get another attack I will have a colon resection. The reason is to prevent a ruptured colon which would necessitate the resection to be done on an emergency basis and would mean a mandatory colostomy (the infamous bag, which does eventually get reversed for most people, but who wants it if we can avoid it?). If the surgery is done before the colon ruptures, the colostomy may not be needed.

Do be sure to ask your GI doc if you have any dietary restrictions because of the diverticulosis; DRs vary on this. And congratulations on making it through the colonoscopy... you're right, the prep is the worst part by far!
s,
-Linda

I'm glad everything went well for you Royjean & that there are no polyps or cancer !!
I have diverticulosis & did have an attack about 3 yrs. ago - I didnt need surgery. I had a barium enema when they dx me with diverticulosis - that is a test you want to avoid if possible. The colonoscopy is a breeze I hear.
Let us know what your Dr. says on Tuesday. Take care

Susan

Royjean,
I'm so happy the test is over for you. on no cancer! For me the prep was the hardest part also.

Good luck and I hope that the doc can give you some meds or perhaps a special diet to control the diverticulitis.

Thank you so very much for the support. Linda, I do know about all the things I'm not suppose to eat....I guess I should have explained more about why I had this procedure done. When I said I had posted here a while a go about weird attacks, these have been going on since 3 months after my hysterectomy. At first I assumed as did my GYN it came from the actual surgery since I had a total abdominal one. But these pains would occur like every 3 or 4 months just like clockwork. I'm talking about since Jan. 2001. So it wasn't until this past spring that someone mentioned to me that it sounded like Diverticulitis. Me being me, started reading about it and it did sound like what I'd been having off & on since then. So when I went for my yearly checkup, I posed this diagnose to my GYN and she agreed. But she never let on that it could be a serious thing....just told me what to stay away from which it didn't seem to matter if I did or not, I was still having the attacks. It wasn't until I had them back to back that I saw a specialist and thus the colonoscopy. So I do know a little about this. I think when the specialist heard I was having them so frequent is when he felt the urgency to have the colon test done so he could see what was going on. So actually I already have been diagnosed with Diverticulitis and have the little pouches....many of them. That's what scares me the most I guess. But I'll know more tomorrow and hear what he thinks is
best.

Ha ha Amy.....you are a riot. I told the doctor and the anesthesia guy....hey if you see any calluses on my hiney....they're from riding a stationery bike 60 miles a week!

Funny thing is my dad always had stomach trouble. When he died at 60 yrs. old, his death certificate said complications due to kidney failure (he had been on dialysis for over 2 years) is what was the cause....secondary reason was peritonitis due to septic shock. This is what scares me about all the little pouches. But anyway....I'll know more tomorrow. No sense in getting myself all riled up for nothing.

You ladies are the greatest for listening. Thanks so much Kim, Susan, Linda, Amy & Joselle.

Warm s,
~Royjean~

Hi, I"m glad to hear that your colonoscopy was easy - mine is scheduled for Dec 19 and I'm NOT looking forward to it. I'm really not looking forward to the prep. I just had the barium enema thing a couple of weeks ago & it wasn't much fun LOL. My dh had his last year and did have diverticulosis. He was told no nuts, nothing with small seeds (strawberries etc), lots of fiber and veggies. Let us know when you see your dr.

Hi Jean....let me tell you, although I've never had to have a lower GI with the barium mess, I sympathize with you and am telling you, a colonoscopy is a piece of cake. Although the preparation is awful. I think from what I've been told drinking what I had to drink is the worse of what they can give you. I had to drink a 48 oz. jug of this stuff that didn't look so bad, looked more like lemonade, but it was some bad sh*t!!! I understand some docs give you 3 bottles to drink which is better. So depending on what you are given will make a big difference. Good luck with yours. Make sure you let us know how you make out.

s,

~Royjean~

	Quote:
Originally posted by jeanus Hi, I"m glad to hear that your colonoscopy was easy - mine is scheduled for Dec 19 and I'm NOT looking forward to it. I'm really not looking forward to the prep. I just had the barium enema thing a couple of weeks ago & it wasn't much fun LOL. My dh had his last year and did have diverticulosis. He was told no nuts, nothing with small seeds (strawberries etc), lots of fiber and veggies. Let us know when you see your dr.

Jean, if you have the BIG JUG to drink, I suggest keeping it cold (which may mean putting it on ice in the bathroom sink after the first hour, because that's where you'll be spending the evening). Have several books to read, in case the first one isn't good, or in case you wander out of the bathroom to stretch your legs and have to run back. Get some nice wipes: Kleenex Cottonelle Moist Flushable wipes were what I used. Some women recommend A&D ointment. And watch what you eat the day before. The seeds in kiwi fruit, as it turns out, have sharp edges. Who knew? You might want to eat food that's soft when you're done chewing it a day or two ahead.

If you do all that, the prep is manageable. Good luck!