I'll be checking in tomorrow at 7:30 AM for the procedure. And my oh my, what a lovely day today is turning out to be....

Tomorrow will be a piece of cake compared to today

And you didn't even get to travel to Mexico to boot! Look on the bright side- in a few hours, you'll be totally empty, with no more trips to the potty. And then there's the good drugs tomorrow (only kidding, sort of- you won't feel a thing).

Good luck, TM- you'll be fine, I'm sure!

I tell anyone who cares to listen that I happily trade a day or two of relatively mild discomfort once every few years for the rest of my life to be free from even thinking about colon cancer. There are no better bargains out there.

LOL, I think your signature says it as well....


A friend of mine said next time she'll work on the day of her prep and begin her prep after work. I don't think that would make for a very good night's sleep.

I'm about 1/2 way through my 2 quarts of prep as we speak.

Tomorrow will be my 2nd colonoscopy, my family has a strong history of cancer and
during my first they found 3 polyps. I'm on an every 3 year schedule.

all in all worth a little discomfort if you ask me.

Marty

My primary care doc is strongly recommending that I have one. (I am 50) Without being overbearing, he simply explained what has been talked about in this thread already. Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers in this country, and one of the most preventable.

He has described the er, "process". I'd like to hear from some folks who have gone through this though. Just how unpleasant is the "stuff" you're supposed to drink? He did mention that some people have a problem with it, but added that such cases were rare. I am told that once you get through that "day before", with the prep and trips to the bathroom, the actual procedure is not that bad.

Comments and advice? I now understand that it's important to have this done, but like most people, I'm not looking forward to it.

First procedure the prep was a fleet branded drink, 3/4 of the way through and I
was gagging to get it down.
Second procedure's prep consisted of 4 dulcolax tablets followed by Miralax
desolved in 2 quarts liquid of my choice, then drink 8 oz every 15 minutes.
Aside from feeling rather full not too unpleasant.
Had to be sugar free for some reason so I mixed with water and then added 2 propel packets
to it.
I highly recommend tucks or some other type of wet wipe, even the charmin gets rough
after a few sessions.
The procedure itself, haven't got a clue. 10 to 20 seconds after the IV meds were started
I was out like a light until I woke up in recovery.
exam found 1 polyp and 1 diverticuli. polyp removed and instructions to eat more fiber.

I had one about 3 years ago. No problems at all, even the Go-Lytely stuff you have to drink. Here's a tip about that- it is best if you chill it in the fridge, and drink each 8-oz glass with a straw, sucking as hard as you can. You won't taste it that way. But frankly, it's not that bad- sort of like a mildly salty, fruity, sweetener-free Gatorade. I chose raspberry, which was sort of like Gatorade Rain. Your pharmacist will probably ask you what flavor you prefer- orange, berry, cherry, lemon-lime.

Anyway, you drink an 8-oz glass every 20 minutes till the whole gallon is down. If you're like most people, you'll start the trots about an hour in. It's not uncomfortable- no cramping or painful bowel movement- just a little pressure from deep within and then watery, painless stools. Sort of like a painless, non-sickening version of La Turista (hence my Mexico comment earlier). Next to the IV (see below), the hardest part of the whole thing is being NPO (nothing by mouth- absolutely nothing) after midnight, especially if your procedure gets bumped from early AM to early afternoon, like mine did.

The procedure itself is a piece of cake. Frankly, the most painful part is inserting the IV, so that should give you an idea of what I'm talking about. You won't remember the procedure. Do not, whatever you do, attempt to drive or ride a bike for the rest of the day, however. It's not like they will let you drive home anyway, but the problem with the usual cocktail (Versed and Fentanyl) is that it's not at all obvious to one's self just how stoned one is, even several hours after the procedure. Best to go home and watch a game or something- then be prepared to have what will probably be one of the best night's sleep you've had in a long, long time. You'll wake up the next day feeling rested and ready to go.

1. The half lytely prep (four pills and 2 liters of solution) is a lot easier to get down than a full gallon. Still, there is no way around it, it's nasty and leads to an unpleasant evening.

2. The next day is shot too, procedure itself is not a big thing, you're out like a light, but as others as have said, afterwards don't try to do anything complicated on your own, you'll probably get hurt or screw it up.

3. The first meal or two you eat after the procedure will be some of the best tasting food you've ever had.

4. As I have said, I'm very willing to trade a couple of days of relatively mild discomfort for being and knowing that I am for all intents and purposes, free from the risk of colon cancer. Ask anyone who has had it what they would trade not to have had it, and I suspect you will quickly come to the same conclusion.

5. My first one was at 50. 5 polyps removed, all benign thank God. My second one at age 55 was yesterday. One polyp removed, labs not due back for a week. Doc says things up there look good.

6. Be smart about this. Get yours scheduled and done sooner rather than later. It's not that big of a deal.

As I discuss Colonscopies with people I'm hearing there are all sorts of ways to prep. I used Fleets Phospher-soda (sp?). It is very effective but about the most disgusting horrible stuff to gag down possible. The bottle recommends mixing 1/2 (a very small amount I think the whole bottle is just 3 oz) with a glass of soda or water. DON'T! Just gag down the stuff from the bottle. The quicker the better as once you start sipping the stuff, the gag reflex sets in and it gets very difficult.

I've also heard of the gallon jug of stuff. I can't imagine trying to drink down that much liquid although I can imagine it's to keep you from getting dehydrated. And lastly, there are pills which I am going to ask for next time. Just seems like the easiest way.

I've already posted this but I start early, in the am so I am all done by evening and can get a good night's sleep. Can't imagine waiting to the evening to prep and I sure wouldn't want to follow that person the next day during the procedure. Those are the folks that get the queue all backed up (pun intended) and the doctor is manually forced to clean the patient out in order to complete the procedure (can you imagine - how embarassing!).

I had one done this year, as I have just turned fifty. They found no polyps, thank God. And thank God I live in a country where health care is free (well, not really, but I'm happy to pay the taxes that support it). I probably couldn't have had it done if I still lived in the States. How much for a colonoscopy over there?

Ekdog

I did the Fleets Phosper - and I did mix it with ginger ale. I didn't find it all that unpleasant, no gagging. I think a lot of people get psyched out by the stuff - try holding your nose, maybe that will help. Anyhow, the prep was no huge deal, lots of good advice above and it sure beats the potential consequences if you don't have the procedure done.

You are the third person now that has told me the Fleets didn't bother them. It might have just been me. The problem is the salty taste. I really don't like anything salty so maybe that's why it had me gagging.

Thanks to all. Where mine will be done (Boston U. Medical center), the Golytely stuff is prescribed. Haven't heard anything about any pills.

The only other thing I have heard is that if you come up "clean", you might not have to have another for ten years. If polyps are found, another schedule may be needed.

Ekdog, I can't answer your question regarding cost. I'm one of the dwindling number of Americans with decent health coverage. This procedure is covered, as long as it's ordered by your doctor.

Kerlenbach.....How are you feeling? Any updates to your condition? I am going for a scope Wednesday and found your story quite inspiring. Thanks for the shove.....a shove I should not need after 25 years of being a Colitis sufferer.

Good luck Gary, Kerlenbach and everyone else in this thread. I just finished with the Prostate biopsy, so I'm giving my a** time to cool down, but I'll be having one done soon as well...

I turned 50 in April and had my first colonoscopy about a month ago. It was really no big deal. The prep was much worse than the procedure, but nothing to use as an excuse for not having it done.

I don't have insurance. My bill for the procedure was right at $3,000. Outrageous.

Next week for me as well ---- my first. Lp

just had mine 10 days ago. slept through the hole thing (lol). After caring for my aunt who died of colon cancer (she never had one until the cancer was everywhere), I say GET ONE! Snaproll, your investment in health is in the right place -- can't make any money in the market right now anyway

Well, it was quite a blast from the past to see this, my very first post, bumped up again. I am now two years, three months post-chemo with a CEA of 0.9 (that's very, very good) and no sign of cancer. I just might have beaten this thing. Now, we must keep Bud Bent and Blues Dawg in our thoughts while they fight the C.

Great to hear you're doing well!!!

That's great news!

I'm 63 and had my first colonoscopy the first of the year. The doctor said I wasn't cleaned out good and that my colon was longer than the scope. Had to go through the prep again the next week and have a barium enima. The good news is that everything is normal. At least one part of my body is longer than normal. Ha!

Kerlenbach - glad to hear your good news and I will keep the others in my prayers.

Today is my prep day. I think Ill wait another or so to start...