RE: Colonoscopy/Clare

[Guest guest]

Clare - here's the regimen from my GI's practice:

Diet - stop NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.) one week before - decreases

clotting if you get a biopsy. Start eliminating roughage 3 days before.

Day before, clear liquid diet (pop, broth, popsicles, Jell-O) - NONE OF THEM

RED-COLORED (makes it tough to tell what's going on).

Prep late afternoon before. I've always used Go-lytely/Colyte, etc. This

practice believe it gives a better prep. If this is what you're prescribed,

follow the directions. It's much more palatable chilled (as far as that

goes!), and I prefer the pineapple-flavored one - NOT the cherry flavor.

is correct - wear a warm bathrobe, sweat pants, down coat and anorak

(just kidding). I wear a down vest and keep a heating pad on my belly in

between trips.

Procedure day - you need a driver, since you will be under the influence of

some pretty potent sedatives. Undress and put on the typical " ties in the

wrong place " gown (you can keep your socks on, usually). Then you get your

temperature and blood pressure taken while you wait your turn. An IV is

usually started at this time too.

Then you get to hop onto a gurney (don't worry, all pretense of dignity is

gone by now) and take a little trip to the procedure room. This is pretty

cool, since they've got color monitors, digital pictures to document the

interesting spots, etc. I've been awake for all 16 of my colonoscopies -

kind of neat to see the technology changes.

The Dr. then injects the sedative. I always get Fentanyl with Versed - one

to slow your gut down so they have a stable image, and one to calm you down

and take the edge off any discomfort. The room spins for a bit and you're

off! As a result of the sedative, you're breathing might slow down enough

to trigger the O2 monitor, and they'll tell you to take a few deep breaths.

This invariably happens to me. Another possible side effect is the " Chatty

" syndrome. This also invariably happens to me (Judy claims I was

possessed).

Boldly going where no one has gone before (been a long time since that was

true with me!), the Dr. will snake the colonoscope around corners and end up

approximately where your appendix is. He/she has little controls that sort

of remind me of playing a video game - saaayyyy, maybe I can patent that

idea and make some money here! They do inject C02 to inflate the gut so you

can see what's going on. They also have a miniature " car wash wand " to

clean up the leftovers (and vacuum for same).

The goal is to get to the beginning of the colon, then take pictures (and

possibly) biopsies on the way out. The CO2 is removed in stages as the

'scope is withdrawn. Biopsies are painless (for me) - all I feel is a

little tug as the biopsy probe pulls a little piece of lining off. The

biopsies are sent in for analysis.

After this, you're wheeled back to a recovery area. They will monitor you

for a half hour or so. They won't let me go until I say I've released some

gas. The concern is to make sure your gut is working again. Don't be in a

hurry to get up - you can get faint if the effects of the sedative are still

there. The phrase " white as a sheet comes to mind " (you can tell I tried

this once).

Post-procedure - avoid heavy lifting for a couple of days, go back on your

normal diet (not right away!) and resume your normal activities the next

day. You should not operate machinery or sign important documents for the

rest of the day. This sounds kind of funny, but I had a co-worker who did

not recall anything until the next morning - and I was carrying on a

conversation with her the evening after her procedure! Your first meal

should be relatively mild - I've broken that recommendation more than once

with no ill effect (but that's me).

It's a little out of character for me to " talk " this much, but I just went

through this with my 82 year old mother. She was very nervous until I

explained it to her (a most unique conversation!).

It's not that big a deal, and it IS a pretty important procedure for us. We

are at increased risk of colon cancer. Hope this helps.

Arne

51 - UC 9/77 - PSC 4/00

Alive and (mostly) well in Minnesota

-----Original Message-----

From: queenie263

Hi Again everyone,

I have to have a colonoscopy next Thurs to see if I have UC, firstly

what are they like anyone? Also, wouldn't I know if I had a bowel

disease like that?

Thanks again to everyone who replied to my first message, I am

learning more and more each day from you all, even though I am a

little baffled by the abbreviations and terminology lo.

Clare