Colonoscopy anyone?

[rockmastermike]

good to hear the procedure is not bad as I imagine. sounds like the prep is the tough part.
I'm 47 and finally getting around to actually paying attention to preventative medicine.

[GradyPhilpott]

The procedure, while far from the worst medical experience I've ever had, was not particularly enjoyable for me and the first one, with all the pushing and shoving of my abdomen to get into places with their tube, scope, alligator clip, and lasso, was very uncomfortable and because I just laid there and put up with it, the procedure was nearly over before the MD discovered that I was not given nearly enough medication.

I'm not sure how others get theirs done, but I have been awake and aware throughout the procedures, but sedated to the point that it's hard to do much in the way of responding or protesting.

During the last procedure, I was given enough meds that it was far less painful than the first time.

I will also note that my procedures have lasted on the order of 2.5 hours, which is a long time to endure all that poking and prodding.

I presume that it's worth my time and trouble, as with all the polyps they have been finding the numbers game is bound to catch up with me sooner or later, so it's best to get them before they can get me.

[vitalsignsrn]

Thats good advice you guys encouraging each other to get this done if you can. Nothing wrong with a baseline result. You just never know what you might be like down the road. ;-)

The IV is for administering the Versed & hydration fluids. But..the MOST important reason they don't tell you about, is if there is any kind of emergency or cardiac arrest, do you want to have the nurse or IV tech spend time trying to get one in? If you are dehydrated, your veins will most likely not be full & bounding, therefore will be more difficult to find great access. So it is MUCH safer if you have it in before the procedure. Don't fight the IV...never fight the IV. Its no big deal to remove it if you don't need it. But a damn shame if you do need it & you don't have it. ;-) I get a lot of patients that are alert after a heart attack/ emergent event.. complaining to have their IV's removed. By policy, on a critical care cardiac unit, the patient must have 1 running IV minimal. Too much can happen. People don't know that. And the dumb ones don't listen when you tell them why they need one. If I have to worry about oxygen, fluids, meds, crash cart etc...last thing I should want to deal with is ACCESS to the patient to help them live or have them come out of a lethal rhythm.. ;-)

Also..to share..I have had 3 gastroscopies so yes, I have not only been on the side of medical fence, but have been a patient also. ;-) I hated it..but it had to be done. I went with the flow. ;-)

[tkerrmd]

Glad you got through it, well worth it

My mother died of colon cancer, I have had several colonoscopies

A vaso-vagal reaction is quite common

[Rootbeer]

Had a flexi-sigmoidoscopy a few years ago which i guess is similar.

Found the whole thing fascinating and rather amusing - the camera and monitor were running before they got started so the beginning of the footage looked like POV of a rocket crashlanding onto a rather hairy moon.

Wasn't painful or embarrassing and i'd encourage anyone that needs one to do it.

[Boothroyd]

One other comment. It usually takes 20-30 minutes for the procedure. They even let you watch on TV, which in one's sedated state, generally beats the content on network TV in the US.

And hey, if you like to fart, they bring you into a room to get the air out of your system afterwards. Mine said, " I am your fart nurse, and I want to hear some noise". I had to laugh at the whole thing, serious as the procedure is to your well-being.

[Piloto]

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

And hey, if you like to fart, they bring you into a room to get the air out of your system afterwards. Mine said, " I am your fart nurse, and I want to hear some noise". I had to laugh at the whole thing, serious as the procedure is to your well-being.

I'll have to make sure Mrs. Piloto is in that room with me. Honey... Pull my finger.

[GradyPhilpott]

After they have done my procedures, they have advised me to pass gas, but I don't. Neither time. I don't know where all that air goes. To my head, maybe.

[Rock]

I've had both. Didn't enjoy either much but recognise the importance of good investigation of anything that could be indicative of a problem.
Good to see so many folks willing to share their experiences (and knowledge) about important health matters that potentially affect many Members. Well done all.

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by Laszlo

I think I can handle that!

I hope you can . . .

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by Piloto

I'll have to make sure Mrs. Piloto is in that room with me. Honey... Pull my finger.

At least this makes me smile

To be honest . . . find it kind of scarry . . . at least untill the first time . . . on nr 2 you know what the procedure is

[pacific17]

Thanks for the answer regarding the IV line. Never thought of that and it was never mentioned to me. Yes, it will be good to have the line in just in case. It would be hard to get a line in when everyone is in panic mode. Procedure is not bad at all. Its pure cold loving from the wand

[Mfrankel2]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

forgive me because clearly to me familiarity breeds contempt, or in this case "ease of mind" but there are zero worries. It's a procedure that has been perfected and is routine to the crews that preform them. Preparing for it the day before is the bad part!

+1

[locutus49]

So when aliens probe their abductees, they must NOT use Versed. Otherwise, abductees would not remember in such vivid detail the procedure.

Originally Posted by Headshrinker

The IV is for the Ringer's Lactate solution. It's for hydration and electrolyte replenishment. The IV also makes it easy to administer the Versed, which puts you out. It is also has a short-term memory effect, so you don't remember much.
Thank's for all the kind words. My doctor told me he has done over 30,000 of these procedures. In the end - not such a big deal, not to mention an important preventative measure.

[Baco Noir]

The "prep" is by far the worst part! Uggh...

[Piloto]

Originally Posted by Kingair

At least this makes me smile

To be honest . . . find it kind of scarry . . . at least untill the first time . . . on nr 2 you know what the procedure is

I'm with you to a degree. This next year will be my first. Humor is how I deal with stuff like this. I learned it in the Army.

Needles do not bother me at all. I do not like being drugged and/or sedated though.

As far as the actual procedure, I'll just equate it to having to go to a government office to do business. Nothing I haven't seen before.

[cop414]

The first time is the worst, second time for me it was just an inconvenience as for the most part you're out of comission for about 36 hours... for no other reason that you have to be near a bathroom, even when you think it's "okay", don't trust it... if you know what I mean.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by cop414

The first time is the worst, second time for me it was just an inconvenience as for the most part you're out of comission for about 36 hours... for no other reason that you have to be near a bathroom, even when you think it's "okay", don't trust it... if you know what I mean.

Bucket List quote "never trust a fart"

[cop414]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Bucket List quote "never trust a fart"

There's a part b to that one Marc, can't say it here...

[Boothroyd]

Since we are on the subject, you can make life a lot easier by eating very plain stuff for 24 hours prior to the "clean-out" prep. It just makes things a lot less dramatic. And you want the doc to be able to see everything, so just stick to chicken, mac and cheese, etc. They miss a polyp, and you may have problems later.

Have several acquaintances who have died from it, so figured it's worth posting too much detail.

[East Bay Rider]

I've had many and have since had 1-1/2 feet of colon removed. Considering the scar tissue I'm not looking forward to the next one.

[GermanyMatt]

Um, so when should a guy start thinking about one of these procedures? Are they recommended mainly due to family history or ???

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by GermanyMatt

Um, so when should a guy start thinking about one of these procedures? Are they recommended mainly due to family history or ???

You should discuss this with your MD.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

I've had many and have since had 1-1/2 feet of colon removed. Considering the scar tissue I'm not looking forward to the next one.

x2
I hear you Bill.

[cop414]

Originally Posted by GermanyMatt

Um, so when should a guy start thinking about one of these procedures? Are they recommended mainly due to family history or ???

Matt, my MD started me at 50, first one then another at 3 years, the last one was "clean" so they don't want me back for another 5 years... YMMV of course.
PS I have no family history of any cancer whatsoever.

[The Sub-lime One]

Have mine in 15 minutes... First time and dreading it!

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by The Sub-lime One

Have mine in 15 minutes... First time and dreading it!

You dread sleep?
dP

[Kingair]

Originally Posted by The Sub-lime One

Have mine in 15 minutes... First time and dreading it!

And . . . . . ?

[Sperry]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

The last two times I did it with no anesthesia, prefer it that way.

The local pooper-party hotspot refuses to skip the funny-juice. Insists on knocking you out.

[locutus49]

It is called a Code Brown, FYI. Glad you made it. I had my vagus nerve cut during an open esophagus surgery; no fun.