has anyone had a colonoscopy

hi i was wondering if anyone has had a colonoscopy and why they did i have to have one done after the new year so i have time to heal after a lavh on tuesday any info would be nice i am only 28 and have to do this why i have been having trouble with my bowls for 3 years after a gallbladder surgery in 99 thank you

I had a colonoscopy to confirm my doc's diagnosis of suspected colitis. He looked around and also took some biopsy samples.

The procedure only lasts about 10 minutes, but the colon cleansing and fasting you have to do the day before is the hardest part. I was lucky that I was allowed liquid meal replacements the day before - when I had a barium enema x-ray, I could only eat clear liquids (Jello, broth, apple juice), and I got such a headache from not eating anything substantial.

You will have a sedative for the procedure, but probably won't be totally unconscious. They gave me a needle, and I was flying before the doc got into the room. I came out of it quite quickly as well, and felt fine except for not having eaten. I had to wait for 30 minutes afterwards so they could observe me, and I was allowed to have a sandwich and juice while I waited. By the time they let me go, I felt fine.

Blee,

What are they trying to diagnose? What do they think is wrong. I had my gallbladder out in July of this year, but I have had trouble with my bowels for several years due to IBS. I have yet to have a colonoscopy though. I was just wondering what kind of problems you had been having.

Thanks,
Leigh

(((blee))) I had a colonoscopy two years ago because I had diverticulitis and the gastroenterologist was trying to see the extent of the problem. I ended up having a barium enema after that, and ultimately most of my colon was removed.

The colonoscopy was about two and a half months after my hyst (which was a TVH). I had to do a thorough bowel prep the day before, and nothing but clear liquids. I was sedated with Versed, so I have only a vague memory of the procedure and remember no pain. I was able to get up and leave about a half hour afterwards. In the grand scheme of things, it was really no big deal at all and I'd do it again if the DR felt I needed it.

Good luck with your surgery and colonoscopy!
s,
-Linda

There is a strong history of colon cancer in my family, so when a fecal occult blood screen came back positive, my GP scheduled me for a colonoscopy just to make sure everything was normal.

The most difficult part of the whole thing is the bowel prep. I had to drink a one-gallon jug of Go-Lightly (I think that is the name) and it was difficult to finish. My mom has had several colonoscopies and the last time she was able to drink a small amount of concentrated liquid for her prep. She mixed it with sprite and said it was much easier to drink, and better tasting. She said that was the easiest prep she has ever done.

The one thing I will do differently next time is to have someone with me while I am doing my prep. I didn't want anyone around because I thought I would be embarrassed, having to run in and out of the bathroom so much. Instead, I found I felt weak about half-way through and would have been more at ease knowing that someone was there if I needed them. Plus, it gives you a distraction and someone to joke with, too.

The actual procedure was a breeze! The nurse started an IV, the doctor came in for one last chat and then I don't remember a thing until I heard my DH talking to the nurse and her calling my name in the recovery room. I spent about half and hour waking up, the doctor came in with a good report and then we went out for a nice lunch.

Most of the drugs they use cause a temporary amnesia, so you need someone with you when you get post-op instructions and when/if the doctor gives you an immediate report in recovery. Don't plan on driving or doing much when you get home, you may feel a little spacey from the sedatives. Take it easy, you deserve it!

Good luck and it will be over before you know it!

Blee:

I am having a colonscopy tues. I have never had one before, and I was told the bowel prep is the worst part. I have to drink miralax mixed with 64 oz or gatorade, drinking 8 oz of it starting at 5pm every ten minutes until its finished and then at 9pm I have to take 4 dulcolax tablets. I have to be on a clear liquid diet all day. My doc told me he wants to put me out totally because of all the work I had done during my hysterectomy. I have to have it done because I was having alot of cramping, diarhrea and nausea, and bloating for a good while now and my GYN had to do alot of work on and around my bowels during the hysterectomy so she sent me to the GI, he wants to see if I have endo scarring on the bowel or adhesions or he said it could be IBS. The hospital also told me they will only do the procedure if I have someone with me to drive me home after, so my dh is coming with me. Hope everything goes well for you.

Maggiemay:

What were the post-op instructions you got, and will I be up to going to work the next day?

KK:

You should feel fine to go to work the next day after your colonoscopy. My post-op instructions were to eat whatever I felt like, resume activity as I felt able, no driving the day of surgery and not to make any "big" decisions (like large purchases, selling your house, selling your husband ....lol, etc.). The decisions one is mostly because the sedatives can cause you to forget (or not remember clearly) things you may say or do right after surgery.

My colonoscopy was clear, so I did not have any follow-up with the GI doctor. I had no post-op pain, just a sort of weak-after-the-flu feeling from the prep. I was fine by evening.

Good luck and remember once you are done with the prep, the worst will be over!

BLEE-
I HAD TO HAVE A COLONOSCOPY A FEW YEARS AGO. I THINK I WAS 25 AT THE TIME. ALL THE LADIES ARE RIGHT. THE WORST PART IS THE BEFORE HAND STUFF. THE STUFF I HAD TO DRINK TASTED SOOO BAD. I WOULDN'T GIVE IT TO MY WORST ENEMY--YUCK. BUT THAT IS THE ONLY WORST PART. THE PROCEDURE ITSELF WAS A BREEZE. THE GIVE YOU SOME NICE DRUGS IN AN IV. THEY MAKE YOU FEEL VERY SLEEPY. I REMEMBER TELLING MY DOCTOR I WANTED TO WATCH THE PROCEDURE. HE TURNED ME TOWARD THE SCREEN & I THINK I SAW ABOUT 2 SECONDS OF IT. I NEVER FELT ANYTHING.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU. I WILL BE THINKING OF YOU

hi, its carol. Please dont worry about your colonoscopy, i have had four of them. My mother died of colon cancer 9 years ago, so I have to have them quite frequently. The prep is the worst part. I received demerol and versaid. I dont recall anything. I was tired after though from being up a good part of the night due to the prep. The whole thing only took about a half an hour with me. Believe me, after a hyst this will be alot easier than you think. I think its the fear of the unknown. Hope this helps a little. I will be thinking of you. let me know how it goes. I'll be sending happy thoughts your way, carol

I had one a couple of years ago also because of a lot of bowel/intestinal problems. It is really not a big deal, particularly as you receive general anesthetic. The tough part is the "bowel prep" - you are given meds and laxatives the day before so that your tract is clear. Don't plan to go ANYWHERE! You are being cheked for leisons, lumps, anything else that might be causing you problems. Plan to take the next few days off of work because you will be pretty wiped out after that. Good luck!

Kathie