Author Topic: Colonoscopy notes (Read 1123 times)

Questor · « **on:** November 23, 2009, 12:10:57 PM »

I've got my first colonoscopy in a couple of days and there's a preparation period where your diet is limited for a few days. I thought it was amusing to read that the foods I can't eat are the bedrock of my diet. No fresh fruits or vegetables, etc. That leaves a rather unappealing set of options, so I simply quit eating altogether. It's no big deal, but I thought it was funny.

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 23, 2009, 12:48:48 PM »

Yep..its bad on the food and all..just wait till they stick the camera and cables up your butt...gets pretty bad as well....lol

just kidding they will knock you out if you want it...i highly recommend you go to sleep and it will be over 'fore you know it.

ms · « **Reply #2 on:** November 23, 2009, 01:46:09 PM »

Tip # one hold your nose when drinking the pre kit stuff. Thats the only way I could drink the stuff.

teamnelson · « **Reply #3 on:** November 23, 2009, 02:19:29 PM »

Had my over 40 military physical a few days ago which involved the prostate exam, and I still feel violated. After that experience, I'd want to be knocked out.

gypsyman · « **Reply #4 on:** November 23, 2009, 02:47:05 PM »

It's not that bad. The doc didn't knock me out, but there was something in that iv that was a whole lot better than what I ever found in a bottle before. I was awake and watched the monitor. But for some reason, really didn't care. Told him if I **** all over this table, I ain't cleaning it up. 'Course, after drinking that stuff they give you the night before, there isn't anything left in you. gypsyman

Oldshooter · « **Reply #5 on:** November 23, 2009, 04:09:42 PM »

Ok here is my one and only colonoscopy story:

My ole friend Pete(not a gbo guy) is in the hospital for tests, a good while back. They decide that he needs a colonoscopy( i dont even know if they called them that then) and start him on laxatives and ememas! after a few of those he goes to the head and expels a whole lotta liquid and a itty bitty "nugget". I happen to walk into his room and he is seining the toilet with a paper towel!

Of course i say "PETE" what are you doing? He looks up sheepishly and says "I aint taking another Enema from that ole nurse for this little bitty T%&* She had told him that he was gonna get one until the toilet was clear! He said she enjoys it way too much!

good luck with that Questor!

Benaiah · « **Reply #6 on:** November 23, 2009, 04:12:46 PM »

Check out this video, it'll give you a chuckle and maybe ease the anxiety of getting it done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QI1go72c5H8

Squib · « **Reply #7 on:** November 23, 2009, 10:17:39 PM »

you better not go to sleep, never know what they might do to you

you think aliens and ufos probe people, that's just guys with ether rags and tranquilizers!!!

the victims just make something up do to fuzzy recollection or denial

go watch law and order:svu, then think about a medicated sleep and anal probing

it really is "anal probing"

I'd rather be awake, I got checked once for internal bleeding, got a hand stuffed in there with no warning (military doc, I was laid out with my pants cut off because I had shrapnel in my leg/they stuck me with morphine in my leg.. anyways they said they knew I wouldn't let them so they didn't ask) ps it probably wasn't the whole hand but it felt like a lot... guess rough is less sensual so maybe that's a good thing.. eeewh!

Sourdough · « **Reply #8 on:** November 23, 2009, 10:39:27 PM »

Taking the laxatives was the worst part. They put me on a table and one of the women said "Say night, night". Next thing I know I am in the elevator. I asked "When are you going to do it"? Nurse looked at me said "It's already been done, you'r finished, ready to go home in an hour". 20 minutes later I was up and walking around, an hour later I drove myself home.

Nothing to it, aside from the laxatives.

Squib · « **Reply #9 on:** November 23, 2009, 10:47:28 PM »

that's what you think, just remember what I said, watch a little bit of law and order: SVU

this reminds me that my step-dad just had colonal polyps cut out not long ago... sounds so painful
hemorroids would be bad too... I've always wondered how that happens though (why not a hurnea?)

anyways, all back to hunting form??? I assume you're not real young if you're having gut problems so other than that are you still good?

Squib · « **Reply #10 on:** November 23, 2009, 10:52:23 PM »

oh... man I know a lot of rot-gut people

anyways, a guy at work just got worked on for diverticulitis.. messed him up but he's looking better, getting a gut already now that he can actually get some nutrients out of his food...

I know of a lot of guys getting chrone's disease from iraq.. I always worried about that because I had a lot of stomach pain when I first got back (after the first deployment... no I didn't have giardia or protozoan stuff, just irritable bowel syndrome type stuff off and on for months)

as long as I don't get alzheimers, atheroschlerosis or diabetes I'm alright... the rest can be cut out or re-routed!

fr3db3ar · « **Reply #11 on:** November 24, 2009, 01:15:57 AM »

Just had my first about 2 weeks ago. like someone else said....roll you on your side....then you wake up in recovery...20 minutes...go home.

I mixed my powder with power aid and didn't have any problems downing it all either.

ironglow · « **Reply #12 on:** November 24, 2009, 01:35:59 AM »

I had one last week and found things to be "just fine".. Had one years ago witheout the knockout, in fact, I viewed the procedure on an bedside monitor. This last one was a fr3b said..KO..then wakeup..

Graybeard · « **Reply #13 on:** November 24, 2009, 03:00:28 AM »

Why is it that this subject can never come up without you guys taking it to the gutter? We don't do that on this site, get the message or this one like everyone before it has to go to the trash.

Questor · « **Reply #14 on:** November 24, 2009, 03:25:24 AM »

I mixed the stuff you drink and it's got a strong ozone smell to it. Not exactly appealing, but it's only 2 liters.

I should have mentioned that I almost waited too long to read the instructions from the clinic, so when you schedule your first one, be sure to read the instructions right away. Especially if you're taking any medications, even over the counter stuff like aspirin.

It's great to have the opportunity to take a test like this because colon cancer is really deadly if it isn't detected, and it's very preventable. It's gotten to the point where few people in this country should have to die from it. So ultimately it gives me one less thing to worry about.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #15 on:** November 24, 2009, 03:39:19 AM »

I have had three to date with the first revealing a large cancerous tumor. I had a CAT scan four months prior to the first colonoscopy and was diagnosed with Diverculitus so the Doc & I thought it would be ok for me to wait six months when my work load would be much less and then let them correct this problem.

I did not make it that long as the ambulance had to come to my residence at 2:00am around three months latter and a hospital stay then a colonoscopy revealed the tumor. It had got into my lympnodes but did not attach anywhere else. They were able to do surgery and I had enough "loose ends" that they were able to splice me back together so my plumbing stayed intact.

Do not put off your Colonoscopy...the worst part is doing the clean out drug (one gal liquid to be consumed in a 2-1/2Hr period) but in my case, I liked the taste which I thought was comparable to alkaselzer. I tried to watch the monitor during the actual procedure but would drift off from the so called twilight drug before they even started.

Get it done now...Especially if you have unexplained sickness (vomiting) or if food can seem to run right through you at times. The Small Intestine has a major artery that runs directly to the liver so if there is cancer cells present, you just dont have time to try and tough out a little abdominal pain, sickness, and diarreha like I tried to. I figure that I got lucky as the pain took me out before the bad cells could spread and attach elsewhere.

ironglow · « **Reply #16 on:** November 24, 2009, 03:39:56 AM »

My apologies GB..I thought it was cryptic enough that children wouldn't catch it..again ; sorry..

williamlayton · « **Reply #17 on:** November 24, 2009, 06:26:49 AM »

I don't tolerate pain well but I do tolerate pain medication--too much.
I tell the doc's this and they start this procedure and I wake up about half way thru.
been that way my whole life.
I found a doc that understood and he did my last one and I still woke up just as he was removing the last pollop---the nurse had to hold me down.
Same thing happened this fall when I had the Aeorta stint put in---he learned real quick too stiffen up the meds.
On the other hand I am up and mobile before I can get to the recovery room---I guess there is a good side to it all.
Blessings

Squib · « **Reply #18 on:** November 24, 2009, 06:52:37 AM »

all the talk of polyps, rot, tumors

... I've got a high risk of cancer (any kind) on my dad's side of the family (a few people die of it every generation) so I'm gonna be going through a lot of this stuff I think

plus uranium exposure, chewing a smoking off and on, high-frequency radio wave exposure.....

I just hope I make it past my forties before it kicks in (not everyone in family does)

how old does a guy have to be to start worrying about colon exams (generally)?

williamlayton · « **Reply #19 on:** November 24, 2009, 09:55:34 AM »

Bout 40, sorry to say.
Blessings

Questor · « **Reply #20 on:** November 24, 2009, 10:15:10 AM »

Around here, they start with prostate exams at 40 and colonoscopies and PSA (related to prostate health) test at 50. I've just been going with the recommendations.

I figure I've got enough risk factors just by being alive, so getting a few easy tests that could extend my meager reighn of terror is a good thing.

Graybeard · « **Reply #21 on:** November 24, 2009, 12:23:59 PM »

Both Faye and me had the polyps that turn to cancer if left alone. This is a HIGHLY heriditary situation so we were both told all our close relatives need to get tested ASAP if over 40. I think both my sisters did and had them. My brother refused and had colon cancer as a result. All of Faye's family were tested and had them I think.

Being stupid and not having it checked at age 40 is likely to mean colon cancer eventually and it's a nasty way to go. My oldest is now two years over due but too stupid to listen. No doubt he'll have colon cancer like his equally thick headed uncle.

teamnelson · « **Reply #22 on:** November 24, 2009, 03:08:01 PM »

After watching my Dad go through prostate cancer treatment, I'll suffer the indignity of the tests. Just found out I may have a kidney blockage which would require a different sort of indignity, but better that than the alternative.

Sourdough · « **Reply #23 on:** November 24, 2009, 04:10:37 PM »

What indignity? My health comes first. And I honestly don't remember anything from the time the nurse said "night night", till I awoke in the elevator. No pain, no hurt, no feeling of being violated, nothing.

Sourdough · « **Reply #24 on:** November 24, 2009, 04:20:48 PM »

by the way, my buddies wife resisted getting one. Her sister went and had one, then called saying she had come up positive on her test, and she thought my buddies wife should get tested. My buddy took his wife in on a Thursday morning. Thursday night they were in Anchorage (from Fairbanks) going through surgery. She wore the little baggie for a year. She underwent cemo and radiation therapy. Just over a month ago they sent her back to Anchorage and they put everything back together. She came home for three weeks, then developed problems. She has spent the last week in an Anchorage hospital with an infection associated with the surgery. She got home Sunday night, but my buddy is real worried. He canceled out on our annual hunting trip.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #25 on:** November 24, 2009, 04:49:06 PM »

my boss's wife asked the doc to give her a check up for colon cancer when she was 49, and the doc said "nah you have always had stomach trouble, i think we can wait another year or two on that."

she died this summer from colon cancer.

the doc said later how much he wished he had listened to her...

took 4 years to do it too...and she had so many "youre in the clear" talks with the docs and had hope, only to have it yanked away from her later.

the family has been through a lot...it's a good lesson to learn.

Graybeard · « **Reply #26 on:** November 24, 2009, 05:12:06 PM »

That doctor best have a REAL BIG malpractice insurance plan cuz he's gonna need it big time. That's likely worth several million to the family.

Squib · « **Reply #27 on:** November 24, 2009, 07:29:20 PM »

my stepdad (as of now, they have to go back in to get the rest) had twenty something taken and about that many left to be taken out soon

they said none of them were yet malignant, although I've got to wonder how benign they could be if there is forty-fifty in there... I think he would probably be wearing a kylostomy (I know, it's not spelled right) bag in a few months if he didn't start treatment

an aunt of mine developed some minor lung problems from smoking and didn't really cut down much on the cigarettes or get herself taken care of either.. it went to lung cancer quick, then to her brain and I think even lymphoma... it was strange seeing a woman grow facial hair with vomit in it all the time.. she took all the steroids and chemo during her last few months but all that pain and fighting didn't save her because she waited... I won't ever forget that

all ufo jokes aside I know it's a big deal... like I said I've seen what cancer can do and I've had fingers in my colon/prostate area, it's better than the alternative

the parallel between this and armed defense should be obvious.. standing your ground and fighting won't always save you but don't just ignore the problems or cave in, you (no one in particular in here, just anyone reading this) can't talk the tough talk about being mr. tactical action jackson and be afraid of two fingers and an endoscope right?

Questor · « **Reply #28 on:** November 25, 2009, 04:56:50 AM »

I started the liquid portion of the preparation last evening. All I can say is that you should not get too far from a toilet with lots of toilet paper handy during the process. The taste of the liquid is easily ignored. You drink 8 ounces at a time every 15 minutes for 2 hours. After that you are getting really cleaned out by crapping liquid. I woke up about 1:30 to drink some water because I was thirsty. I drank about a half gallon of water in about an hour because of the thirst. Then crapped some more. This morning I got up and drank some more water and then a bottle of magnesium citrate, a laxative. After this, the doc should have a nice, unobstructed, commanding vista of my innards.

Is it unpleasant? No, just a bit tedious. After 3 days of preparation it'll be done in a few hours.

The goal is to prevent a terrible disease, so I can hardly complain about the process.

teamnelson · « **Reply #29 on:** November 25, 2009, 07:58:48 AM »

Quote

After this, the doc should have a nice, unobstructed, commanding vista of my innards.

You sir, are a literary giant!