Hey old guys, it's my turn and I want some advice...

[Just Jack]

I thought there was a thread about colonoscopy prepping but I can't find it. I was originally scheduled for spring 2020, but you know what happened and the appointment was cancelled. I never bothered to reschedule, until my doctor basically forced me to this year. 

 

I'm getting the camera shoved up my butt next week. What are some tips and tricks for the prep the day before? 

Edited 10 hours ago by Just Jack

[That's No Moon]

Chili. Lots of chili.

[dhg]

Toilet paper. Quick access to the bathroom. The prep concoction cleans you out pretty quickly 

[Mike in Horseheads]

Drink a few beers with the prep stuff, "moves" the process quicker

[davefan66]

The provider performing the colonoscopy should provide a list with the location, time to arrive and prep.

 

Prep is one of two regimens from what I’ve seen.  Provider will specify quantity and time to start day prior. Usually early evening.  1. Golytley. May sound like a nice prep by its name….but it’s not! Very misleading! Usually a gallon of liquid that is drunk 8oz at time every ten minutes (or so) until complete.  2. MiraLAX mixed in Gatorade and a few Dulcolax tabs. This is the one I recently used. Tough at first, but by 2-3 am it was successful and  had pretty much stopped doing its job.  Both preps are to be used until you run clear. 
 

The procedure itself is very quick. You are knocked out with an either fentanyl and versed (or another), or Propofol.  Either works well. Propofol to me is a bit better as it wears off much quicker and the recovery period is easier.  Anyway, the procedure is very easy and you should be in and out in a few hours….no pun intended!

 

I highly recommend that people get their colonoscopies as soon as it is recommended. I believe the age has dropped to 45 recently.  Your provider may recommend earlier if you have a history of colon cancer in your family.  If you have a change in stool patterns, ribbon like stool, nausea/vomiting, blood in your stool, abdominal pain/cramping, weight loss/fatigue contact your provider as they may all be signs of colon cancer.

 

Colon cancer may not present with any of the symptoms above unit it is a problem. So getting screened regularly is a must. I work very closely with patients who have colon cancer. A bunch found out by regular screening without any symptoms. Some had symptoms, and didn’t see a provider.  Some found out by “accident” as they were being screened for other issues and eventually found to have colon cancer. 
 

Surgery may be all that is needed if found in time. Surgery with a strong course of chemo, or chemo and then surgery is another path. The chemo regimen for a lot of the patients is very tough for them. In the clinic every two weeks for infusion, then go home with a small pump infusing a med over a few days and then back to be disconnected. Loss of hair, loss of appetite, nausea,vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss are all side effects of this chemo regimen, amongst other issues.

 

I’ve seen patients on their first day of chemo and the steady decline many of them experience throughout their course of treatment. Some have successful outcomes, many do not. Some seem successful, but are back in a few months to a year.  A quick google shows there is a 64% survival rate over 5 years. A lot of it depends on when it was caught and how fast the intervention is.  Colon cancer is not restricted to “old” people. I’ve seen very young people with it - 30’s and a few in their 20’s. Majority is 40’s and up.

 

Again, I highly recommend you get screened as soon as it is warranted or need based on symptoms. A night spent on the toilet is far better than the alternative.

[\GoBillsInDallas/]

 

[Augie]

I’m told the anesthesia will give you the best sleep of your life. I wouldn’t know as the only time I’ve been scoped like that I did not benefit from the marvels of anesthesia. They were in a hurry to schedule some unnecessary surgery for the next day that caused me 5 years of hell, but that has nothing to do with your scope. 

 

You’ll be fine, no biggie. The anesthesia makes all the difference, I’m sure. 

 

.

Edited 1 hour ago by Augie

[Sweats]

Make sure you got plenty of lube going on and if the doctor is smiling, just slowly back away and maybe reconsider your life choices going forward.

[Draconator]

Thankfully for me, all I've had to do is Cologuard. Poop in a bucket, send it off to the lab, get the results in a couple of weeks. 

[RichStadiumGuy]

Like everybody else has said... the day before is by FAR worse than the exam itself. Plan your time after starting the drinking regime carefully so you're always just a few steps away from a toilet.

 

As far as the anesthesia goes... I've had three of them now and I was wide awake and watching the scope on the screen through all three of them. Only once did I feel anything at all and it was when the scope was right at a spot where a hernia repair was repaired with mesh and they halted for a moment while they increased the amount of whatever the pain stuff was that they were injecting through the needle in my arm and all was good again.

 

Cake walk... you got this!

[muppy]

Just do it as the Dr recommends.

 

It isn't pleasant. It never will be

 

But for your health it is worth the trouble.

 

at least you are well drugged and likely wont remember much of the actual procedure if anything once it strts

 

I have a "torturous colon" which means it must be like a maze to get though all the twists and turns. I woke up during my first one

2 minutes ago, RichStadiumGuy said:

Like everybody else has said... the day before is by FAR worse than the exam itself. Plan your time after starting the drinking regime carefully so you're always just a few steps away from a toilet.

 

As far as the anesthesia goes... I've had three of them now and I was wide awake and watching the scope on the screen through all three of them. Only once did I feel anything at all and it was when the scope was right at a spot where a hernia repair was repaired with mesh and they halted for a moment while they increased the amount of whatever the pain stuff was that they were injecting through the needle in my arm and all was good again.

 

Cake walk... you got this!

wow you were semi awake? I get knocked Out for mine. which I prefer lol