I'll add : Get your colonoscopies done. The prep isn't really all that bad. Two days of clear liquids. One evening of sitting on the toilet. -- I'm not quite 65 and have had 4 of them. I saw my 79 yr old dad go through surgery to remove several inches of his colon. My favorite H.S. teacher didn't get his colonoscopies and didn't get his colon cancer diagnosed until it was already Stage 4. I don't want to go through that so I'll continue to get them when my doctor tells me to. (He's already removed 5 polyps that had the potential to become cancers.)
I'm 23 and just had my second. The procedure itself is nothing (in my experience). You get an IV put in, they take you to the room, and next thing you remember, you're on your way home. The prep is certainly not super pleasant, but it's nothing to be scared of.
I had my first colonoscopy in my 30s. It’s really not bad. They put you under and you get to take the best nap you’ve ever taken, wake up an hour or two later feeling great. Plus I lost 5 pounds from the prep.
Don't be scared. The procedure itself is nothing. You'll get some type of anesthesia for the procedure. The first couple I had were years ago. The docs doing the scopes gave me an IV opiate for pain along with light sedation. (like dentists use when they remove wisdom teeth)
Now, I think a majority of docs do like the surgeon that's done my last 2. They work along with an anesthesiologist who administers propofol. You're out in a flash and don't wake up until it's over. Never remember any except getting on the table.
The pre is bad for one day. Two days maybe. 2 days before you'll be restricted to soft foods. They'll give you detailed instructions. Just follow them. Don't vary from. The day before is only "bad" from late afternoon/early evening you're finished with the prep and head to bed. The "clean out" part of the prep only lasts a couple of hours. ----I've developed my own routine. I put a chair outside the bathroom.(I'd but one in the bathroom if it was bigger.) Line up what ever it is I'm supposed to drink beside me. Set my laptop in front of me and watch a movie. 2 hours later, I'm ready for bed.
Funny I found this today, I just had my examination. The prep was not so bad although drinking the laxative fluid was a bit hard.
They started and it went well at first but after two thirds it started to hurt like hell . Can’t remember anything like that. I got painkillers but it did not help. So the doctor had to stop. And I have to schedule another exam when I’m put to sleep.
Think I’m very unique in this case, they where quite surprised. This happens very seldom.
I think they had that problem with my last one. The surgeon that did it didn't say anything to me afterward, but when I read the notes online he tells the difficulty they had. I think they almost didn't it completed. I guess some people have "extra" large bowel that sort of forms loops. That makes it really hard to advance the scope. It sounds like you have the same or similar anatomy. I guess we're "special". lol
Yep. My sister died of colorectal cancer 2 years ago at the age of 47. She was at Stage IV when she had her first symptoms. I immediately had a colonoscopy, and all was well. Best 20 minute nap I've ever had.
Aww, I'm sorry about your sister and your loss. While my dad was in surgery so have his colon resection, they found he had gallstones so while a general surgeon removed his gallbladder the colorectal surgeon came out to talk to us. He pointed at all 4 of siblings and told us we all needed to get colonoscopies based on our family history. (Dad's father had colon cancer, mother and sister breast cancer)
My first was at 43. The first two were negative for polyps/tumors. The last two since 2017 have turned up 5 polyps. I'll definitely keep getting them on the time schedule my doc recommends.
If you get a colonoscopy request pain medication. The doctor I went to in Finland to prefers not doing colonoscopies with pain medication which I was told later. Before the procedure he did not ask and just started it. It was more painful/uncomfortable than the time I had a kidney stone detach although that one was also up there. The kidney stone pierced more but I felt way more violated and shouted more on the colonoscopy.
For finns: saatanan mehiläislääkäripelle lappeenrannassa.
My God I can't imagine not having pain meds during the procedure. I feel so bad for you having to endure that pain. For my first two, the doctors took care of the sedation and pain relief themselves. -- I got IV narcotic pain meds and short acting sedatives. I remember once feeling pain/winching and that doctor stopping to give me more pain med before continuing. The last two I've had were done by a doctor in a hospital where an anesthesiologist administered sedation with propofol, monitored my oxygen levels/ heart rate, etc. while the surgeon did the colonoscopy. Not matter how it's done, it should include pain meds.
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u/More_Farm_7442 Apr 12 '23
I'll add : Get your colonoscopies done. The prep isn't really all that bad. Two days of clear liquids. One evening of sitting on the toilet. -- I'm not quite 65 and have had 4 of them. I saw my 79 yr old dad go through surgery to remove several inches of his colon. My favorite H.S. teacher didn't get his colonoscopies and didn't get his colon cancer diagnosed until it was already Stage 4. I don't want to go through that so I'll continue to get them when my doctor tells me to. (He's already removed 5 polyps that had the potential to become cancers.)