10 replies to this topic

[BillS]

I just turned 50 and my regular doctor would like me to get a colonoscopy. Now I don't have a problem with the procedure but I do have a MAJOR problem with the cleaning out done beforehand. For an AB person usually it's a major laxitive the day before and it involves lots of trips to the bathroom. But for me it would involve no control what so ever and a heck of a lot of cleaning up all day and night.

So have any of you had a colonoscopy yet and how did you handle the cleaning out phase?

[Swordfish]

Holy shite! excellent question... I am thinking of getting a colonoscopy (read my "sweats/shivers" thread.

I'd be interested in knowing, too...

[edlee]

I went through it about a year ago. Not a pretty sight.

They started me out in the late afternoon, in the hospital, with almost a gallon of this clear liquid,, to be drunk within two hours,, called "go lightly". Since I have no sensation or control, I had to sit on a bedside comode for a bit over five hours, while letting the stuff work. It was on an unpadded seat, something I'll be sure to ask about should it ever becomes neccessary again.

I slept with a diaper, and only had a small bit of additional leakage in the morning.

The doctor told me I had a "squeaky clean colon" and no other problems.

If you are doing the clean out at home,, make sure you have a padded seat,, start the laxitive in the afternoon and don't eat after lunch. Don't get off the pot too soon,,, it'll take a while,, so be prepared to wait.

Wear the diaper. Wear one home, too.

It took me about a week to have a movement after the procedure.

All in all, it wasn't the most pleasant experience I've ever had,, but not the worst either, so I wouldn't worry about it.

If there's a problem, best to catch it early,, if not, it's good to know that, too.
ed

[Texaswheelz]

I have not had a colonoscopy before, but I have had some other procedure done that I had to be cleaned out for. I took a liquid laxative the night before and it took about 3 hours before it hit me. I can normally tell a tiny bit before I have to go in an emergency, so I was ready and waiting. Once it started it took about 20 minutes of high explosives to finish, but once I was done, i was done for about 4 days.

[E-DOG]

Ah the colonoscopy.
Brings back such fond memories. Back in the late 80's I needed an upper and a lower because of some internal bleeding a couple of weeks after a GSW.
I was at the VA and they did them back to back. Kept me awake for both, some Demerol and valuim to calm me down but that was about it. Better than most of the shit you see on TV now a days.

Put the video on you tube if ya can.

E

[imaquad]

Im having my first soon too. I take it you just start going without stimulation. Did the procedure effect the dysreflexia?

[BillS]

I finally had mine last month. It wasn't pleasent but it really wasn't all that bad.

They had me stop eating at midnight. Then at 2:00 in the afternoon the next day I started the dreaded drink. I sat on the toilet with a good book, my laptop and some movies to play on the laptop. My first go round took about 3 hours from the first drink to the last squirt. I stayed on the toilet for an extra hour to make sure it was all clear. Then at 10:00 I started my second and last set of drinks. I was pretty much empty by 1:30 and got to bed around 2:00 AM.

I had no accidents, no leakage and my doc said I was very cleaned out. 2 Polyps so I have to go back again next year. I started eating right after I got home from the hospital and had a fairly normal bowel program 2 days later.

Edited by BillS, 24 September 2010 - 09:46 PM.

[Wheelsonfire]

Ah yes, I remember it well.

Much like Star Trek Enterprise......

Where no man had gone before........

Evac as normal the morning of and fasted from 12 the night before.....

Jeez, So how was the inside of me ass doc?
It was perfect says he.
Perfect, says I.
Beautiful colour and not a problem to be seen, says he.
Yeah, that's alright for you to say, says I
You were the one with the camera......

Ah ya just can't beat it, baring your ass to all insundary and then he asks his team to come take a look..
Amazing site is the look of interest on their faces as they scratch their chin with a nod and say, oh that does look good...

I thought I had feckin problems!!

[isobar]

 I had one two years ago it went well.... i was prescribed half litely which consist of taking two tablets an hour later your bowels will move then you drink a clear solution you mixed and left in the fridge over nite  8 oz every ten minutes until its all gone. Once you have the bowel movement induced by the tablets take the solution in the bathroom with you....just sit on the toilet in two or three hours you're done. No accidents at all. I was very persistent with my doctor about my bowel situation and he listened. I did the clean out the day before the procedure at home. It helps to eat light meals that week. 

Edited by isobar, 09 October 2010 - 03:03 AM.

[jume]

BillS, on 01 June 2009 - 05:32 PM, said:

I just turned 50 and my regular doctor would like me to get a colonoscopy. Now I don't have a problem with the procedure but I do have a MAJOR problem with the cleaning out done beforehand. For an AB person usually it's a major laxitive the day before and it involves lots of trips to the bathroom. But for me it would involve no control what so ever and a heck of a lot of cleaning up all day and night.

So have any of you had a colonoscopy yet and how did you handle the cleaning out phase?

I have decided not to get one due to the problems with the prep, I have been told by another quad friend is that for her it was useless because she couldn't get clean enough. Good luck yo you.

[Schmooz]

Had upper and lower done about 6 years ago due to a c-diff bacteria in my colon, wasn't all too bad. The good old "go-lightly". First suggestion, chill the liquid you have too drink. It doesn't make it taste like fruit punch, but it does make the taste a bit more tolerable. It's basically like drinking salt water. Once you start drinking the prep, after about an hour expect to spend some time in the bathroom. I actually ended up falling asleep on the toilet waiting for everything to finish, lol, don't recommend it, my boney tush was sore as all get out and I was very stiff from falling asleep. But it should take you about 3 - 4 hours to completely clean out. I'm sure all of us obviously work differently, but after mine I was able to eat right after the procedure, and resumed normal bowel routine a day or 2 later. No accident issues at all. Really wasn't all that bad. Hopefully you'll get a squeaky clean bung of health as I did. And don't be surprised if the doc ask's ya if you wanna watch the procedure on the monitor he watches lol.

One minor warning though if you end up having an upper done also. The lower was a breeze, it was the upper I hate, have had 2 done. For the upper they may not give you much to relax, only thing you will most likely get is some spray on the back of your throat too numb your gag reflex, as when they insert the scope, you will need to be able too swallow when asked by the doctor. When the doctor is sliding the scope down your esophagus, as it get's to the middle of your chest, you will feel like you are unable to breathe, don't panic, this is where you will be asked too swallow. The inability to breathe feeling is the scope blocking your airway, hence why you will need too swallow, to get it to easily pass by. Just keep relaxed, swallow, and it's a piece of cake. The worst too expect is maybe a mild sore throat when all is said and done.

Hope this shed a bit of light on the procedure. Good luck.

Edited by Schmooz, 21 October 2010 - 08:14 AM.