Old person rite of passage

[SerenityNow]

I have Ulcerative Colitis, so I have had 8 colonoscopies (so far). As everyone has said, the prep sucks - best way to describe what I've had to drink - it's a combination of raw eggs and snot.

But, the procedure itself is a breeze. I remember my first one as I was getting wheeled in I told the doctor I expected color pics. When I woke from recovery, 4 photos were laying on my chest. I still have them.

Good on you to get one; small discomfort that can potentially be life saving down the road. Good luck!

 

[clone52]

Really looking forward to my first colonoscopy on Monday! Not really. Anyone got advice/stories?

Dont wash down the nasty drink with a carbonated beverage.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Don't ask the doc for the hands free procedure.

 

[BoxsterCy]

I had my first in 1982 at Mayo Clinic. Since than I've had more than I can remember. Over 50 years of intestinal disease has left me as sort of a patient expert.

I've sort of run the entire history of these more modern flexible scopings from the no sedation 1980's to the current. Old days were just the doctor with an eye piece view. At some point they had a training scope attachment and Dr. Weinberg asked if I wanted to watch, so I did. Me, "Looks good to me, Doc." The no sedation was sort of crampy but doable. Later they added a low level sedation that I remained wake for and watched on the video screen they had moved on to. Not too many years ago they switched to different sedation and I no longer stay awake for the procedure. I miss being able to watch but the newer sedation is a quick recovery and no after affects. Did get to see the indigo dye contrasting one, that was cool, I called it the Smurf Scope Exam.

For me they have become an every couple of years routine thingie. The prep sort of still sucks but the MiraLAX with Gatoraide mix is 10X easier than the old Golytely gallon of unpalatable awful stuff. If you have an old school doctor prescribing the Golytely than find a new doctor, 100% serious on that. It's complete and total ******** to prescribe that and there is zero clinical support that the easier MiraLAX isn't an absolute equal. Likely better because with MiraLAX people can actually finish the prep and not stop partway like is common with the Golytely.

 

[snowcraig2.0]

 

[Prone2Clone]

I am a fan of potty humor so I just giggled most of the time, start to finish.

 

[cycloner29]

I think I had like a half gallon of that Miralax. I got to a point that I couldn't drink anymore as I was so full. If you have to drink the clear liquid the next morning (magnesium citrate, middle bottle) refrigerate it and plug your nose when you drink it and don't sneeze!!

 

[Ms3r4ISU]

I had my first in 1982 at Mayo Clinic. Since than I've had more than I can remember. Over 50 years of intestinal disease has left me as sort of a patient expert.

I've sort of run the entire history of these more modern flexible scopings from the no sedation 1980's to the current. Old days were just the doctor with an eye piece view. At some point they had a training scope attachment and Dr. Weinberg asked if I wanted to watch, so I did. Me, "Looks good to me, Doc." The no sedition was sort of crampy but doable. Later they added a low level sedation that I remained wake for and watched on the video screen they had moved on to. Not too many years ago they switched to different sedition and I no longer stay awake for the procedure. I miss being able to watch but the newer sedation is a quick recovery and no after affects. Did get to see the indigo dye contrasting one, that was cool, I called it the Smurf Scope Exam.

For me they have become an every couple of years routine thingie. The prep sort of still sucks but the MiraLAX with Gatoraide mix is 10X easier than the old Golytely gallon of unpalatable awful stuff. If you have an old school doctor prescribing the Golytely than find a new doctor, 100% serious on that. It's complete and total ******** to prescribe that and there is zero clinical support that the easier MiraLAX isn't an absolute equal. Likely better because with MiraLAX people can actually finish the prep and not stop partway like is common with the Golytely.

Sorry, the editor in me had to laugh about the bolded spelling, even though this is not in a cave thread.

 

[BoxsterCy]

Sorry, the editor in me had to laugh about the bolded spelling, even though this is not in a cave thread.

Ah, auto correct is my friend, sometimes not a good friend.

 

[imaclone2]

Truth

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

My appointment was at 11am so I had to do half the liquid in the evening and the second half the next morning. So after running to the toilet over and over and over in the evening things calmed down and I got to go to bed knowing I was going to have to wake up and do it all again in the morning.

 

[cycloner29]

Truth

Hell, that what it was like peeing!! Once you break the front seal it was only a matter of time before the rear seal gave way. Either way, you are doomed!!

 

[drmwevr08]

Just had the full upper and lower last month. Second time for the colonoscopy part.

I would concur with prep being worse than actual. They knock you rtf out and then its over. Nothing to avoid, although lots of men do.

 

[Pope]

Had a sigmoidoscopy once and that was enough. The prep is the same. They shove a tube up your rear about 1/3 the distance of a colonoscopy, but you're completely awake during the procedure and it feels like they go all the way up to your tonsils. Ended up having to have a hemorroidectomy shortly afterwards to repair the damage. Not doing that again.

I just read about a recent major study which questions the effectiveness of regular colonoscopy screenings. Not sure what to think.

New study examines the effectiveness of colonoscopies | CNN

A "landmark" study suggests the benefits of colonoscopies for cancer screening may be overestimated.

www.cnn.com

 

[Cyrealist]

I just read about a recent major study which questions the effectiveness of regular colonoscopy screenings. Not sure what to think.

CNN is stupid. They said screenings were of limited benefit, but over half the people in the "treatment group" didn't get the treatment - they weren't screened.
I've had three with a couple of unpleasant experiences. The first one, I thought I was going to be able to go out for lunch after, but they left a bunch of air in there leaving me with the worst gas pains of my life. On my most recent one, they went top down and bottom up. I woke up before the bottom up one was completed and there was definitely some discomfort.

 

[SayMyName]

Was wondering if anyone was going to bring up the fact that they've officially lowered the recommended age from 50 to 45 for routine screening. Still trying to figure out if my insurance will cover it, as I do not have genetic risk factors and currently fall in that in-between age range.

 

[Pope]

CNN is stupid. They said screenings were of limited benefit, but over half the people in the "treatment group" didn't get the treatment - they weren't screened.
I've had three with a couple of unpleasant experiences. The first one, I thought I was going to be able to go out for lunch after, but they left a bunch of air in there leaving me with the worst gas pains of my life. On my most recent one, they went top down and bottom up. I woke up before the bottom up one was completed and there was definitely some discomfort.

CNN didn't do the study. They just reported the results. Jeez.

 

[Yaz]

My first was 30 years ago. No sedation. Doc said we will go till you say stop. I would definitely suggest the sedation route!

Reminds me a little of my first prostrate exam. As the exam progressed lets say beyond just the small talk phase, the Dr. was concerned I was going to pass out by my audible displeasure and asked me to lean on the exam table in case I passed out. I said, " Doc, I'm sure as **** not passing out right now as your finger is up my ass and I've never been more awake". Next time I'm looking for a Dr. with smaller hands.

 

[Pope]

Reminds me a little of my first prostrate exam. As the exam progressed lets say beyond just the dating phase, the Dr. was concerned I was going to pass out by my audible displeasure and asked me to lean on the exam table in case I passed out. I said, " Doc, I'm sure as **** not passing out right now as your finger is up my ass and I've never been more awake". Next time I'm looking for a Dr. with smaller hands.

As I was leaning over the table, I told the doc that I wasn't sure which was worse, doing the exam or being on the receiving end. He laughed and said his mother told him it's always better to give than receive.

 

[aeroclone]

I enjoyed these threads more years ago when I could simply view them as humorous instead of helpful and informative.