Colonoscopy for Paul!

Saw the gastroenterologist today and he scheduled a colonoscopy for this Monday.     He's never had one so I guess it's the right thing to do, just for precaution.   Never a dull moment!  I'll be so glad when all these medical issues are resolved.      Are these supposed to be our "golden years?"   Still looking for the gold!

Have any of you ever  had this procedure done?

Yeah, The hardest part is drinking the diuretic; the procedure, itself is over before you know it's started.

Yes, the prep is the worst part, for sure . 

I cannot take the drug they give you when you get the colonoscopy to "knock you out", so was aware of the entire thing, and even then it was just uncomfortable, not really painful or anything.  They called me the morning of the procedure and told me they could actually reschedule and put me in the hospital for it and truly put me under (like for surgery), but I'd have to go thru the prep all over again, and I told them they were crazy if they thought I would put myself thru THAT again.  Said I would bite the bullet, which I did (and will do again next time, I guess...think I'm probably overdue )

Hope all goes well!

Yesl, I have had it done several times because of history of polyps and diverticulosis.  The prep is worse than the procedure. The last time I had it done, I didn't get along well with the prep either.  During the day when I could only eat popsicles, jello or drink Gatorade, I started feeling very faint and finally just had to quit doing anything and stay sittiing down.  The doctor didn't know what would have caused it unless it was a blood sugar issue.  Hope Paul gets along well with it.

The prep is getting a lot better, but it's still a battle.

One good thing about it.. it gives you a very good clean out!  I think it's a good idea to be careful what you eat for a few days afterwards... the whole system has been well and truly washed out and it's a good opportunity to us probiotics and a very healthy diet to make the best of the cleanse.

I had one a few years ago (and am probably due for another one ) and I agree the prep is the worst. I had to have a diet of no fat for 2 days which wasn't too bad, then 24 hrs before I had to start drinking this nasty gallon of crap and strictly a liquid diet. Stupid me thought I would go to work the day before but as I was getting ready I realized it just wasn't going to happen. Warning...make sure Paul doesn't wander more than 20 ft from the bathroom when he's drinking that stuff...it REALLY works, and fast!

The procedure itself wasn't that big of a deal. The idea is embarrassing but it's over before you know it. I wasn't knocked out but they gave me a sedative via IV that put me in lala land. The only part I remember of the actual procedure was when they took a biopsy. It only hurt for a few seconds but it was enough to wake me up. I remember looking at the monitor which was facing the doctor who was behind me, of course. I think I tried to curse him out, but it just came out as a mumble, then I was out again.

I agree, watch what he eats when he gets home. Start out small (crackers, soup, etc) then as the drugs where off gradually work up to real food. He will probably sleep for a lot of the day but pump the fluids. The first "real" food I had was a grilled cheese sandwich and it was the BEST grilled cheese I ever had!

I had it done and the prep is really the worst part of the whole thing. Lana, somebody told me about her terrible, terrible experiences with a colonoscopy several years ago and I was terrified to go through with it. Well, it's nothing....Paul will go to sleep and wake up. It's like a nap. The worst part is the preparation....drinking all that liquid and then living in the bathroom for the night.

When Rick had his, he was going through the prep. I was getting ready to go for my walk and he said, "It's going to take awhile for this stuff to work; I'm going with you." I said, "Dear, I don't think that's a good idea!" Rick said, "Oh yeah, not a problem."

Then his eyes widened, he looked at me, and said, "Uh-oh. Gotta go!"  And that was the last I saw of him for about two hours! Came back from my walk, knocked on the bathroom door and asked, "Hey, are you OK?" And he said, "Oh, shut up! Dear!"

Do make sure that Paul is not mixing the stuff with a liquid he really enjoys. Why? Because til he's drinking all that liquid, he'll never want to drink it again! I mixed mine with Gatorade. I've not had Gatorade since.

Call me! It's a good procedure and it's important for him (and you, BTW) to have it done.

(My first solid food after having it done was pizza.  )

I had a GI bleed several years ago and had to have a colonoscopy.  Then another a few years later.  I agree, the prep was the worse for me.  Tip:  If you are asked to drink something with your colonscopy prep, go ahead and drink something you don't like much in the first place.  Otherwise you may develop a deep loathing for your favorite soda.  The prep ruined Sprite for me forever.  I had an anesthesia that my insurance didn't cover, but left me alert and awake as soon as the procedure was over.  Good luck to Paul and keep us posted on his results.

I had it done a few months ago. The prep is the worst part. Not as bad as I thought it would be. Good luck to Paul