Colonoscopy Prep, Experiences and Tips

Looks like Im scheduled for one in early april, I did a FIT test and they saw something that made them want to take a closer look

Looks like Im scheduled for one in early april, I did a FIT test and they saw something that made them want to take a closer look

Don't worry - I'm looking into the options and FIT is almost a 20% false positive rate.

Don’t fear colonoscopies! I’ve had friends die from colon cancer and it WAS NOT PRETTY!

I’ve had at least three colonoscopies, the most recent back in November and I have actually come to enjoy having them done.

HERE’S MY COLONOSCOPY EXPERIENCE. The worst part is the prep the day or two before the procedure. Just follow the instructions and find a comfortable toilet to park your hiney for an extended time. Find a good book or surf the internet with an iPad to pass the time as your colon is convulsing with frequent discharges. After a while, your poor anus will probably become raw (mine did!) from all the rushing traffic passing through, but it will recover quickly. At the actual procedure, you will strip yourself naked and be given an open back gown to wear. A nurse will explain the procedure and place an IV port into a vein on the back of your hand. This is not painful. I REALLY LOVED THE WAY I was sedated for my most recent procedure. I was rolled into the treatment room on my left side. My doctor and I were having some small talk as the anesthesia was being prepared. I watched as the anesthetist connected a syringe of (creamy colored) Propofol to the IV port. He slowly started the injection and before half of the Propofol was in my vein, I was waking up in the recovery room! I had no drowsiness nor dizziness. It’s a great way to be sedated! They found and removed 5 non-cancerous polyps which surprised me. In all my previous procedures, I had none. I’m glad they found them early! Now, I have to repeat with another colonoscopy in three years when I am 79.

I’m 49 and I ‘ll get my second colonoscopy in two days so tomorrow I start the fun of the prep. I hated this part the first time. Hope I’ll pass through it easier this time. I’ll take the sedation as my mother will drive me home afterward. I’m stressed but hope it will be ok. I may have a medfet but doing this for real is not erotic at all…

Had my first Colonoscopy at age 60 (yes, I'm late to the party, I know) this past January. Everything they say about the prep being the worst part is true, but it isn't terrible. My prep was to stop eating anything solid at 10:00 am the day before the procedure. In the afternoon I took the first dose of two Dulcolax pills. That started to work its magic. Then in the evening I had to empty an entire bottle of Mirilax powder into a clear liquid (I used low sugar apple juice) and drink 8 oz of it every 15-20 minutes until it was finished. Numerous trips to the bathroom and then two more Dulcolax pills later I was completely cleaned out.

The actual procedure was easy. Nicest people at the place where it was done. They get you situated and wheel you into the procedure room, the anastheologist administers the propofol and the next thing I knew I was awake. two polyps, no biggie. they said to come back in 3 years.

I have had a colonscopy 3 times. The disgusting prep is horrible, but my most recent was not as bad. Basically, drinking non-toxic radiator antifreeze - a glycol product. Over and over.

The actual procedure is fine. Valium drip, awake but high. Doctor and nurses chatted the whole time and I said lots of stuff I should not have said. Float back to earth after the procedure is over. Gave me the summary - all good, snipped a couple benign polyps. Diverticulosis looks stable. You appear to be a moderate / cautios enema enthusiast - since you appear moderate and cautious we will save you the speech. Wife drives me home.

Three days of clear gelatin, tablets and the fnialy, the foul tasting make you shit drink is no fun. The procedures are nothing after that ride. To be entirely honest, I don't entirely not enjoy them.

I have bowl and intestinal problems and go through them regularly, they are cancer symptoms, so no one wants to take chances with me. Upper GI is easy, I just drink yucky chalk and turn this way and that way, have a ride on the table. I am given an enema after, so that's a bonus. The lower GI test is a dual contrast barium with air. My specialists are a bit old-fashioned that way. If you have any dignity, leave it at the door. The colonoscopy comes into play to deal with the polyp farm. I have not been given any drugs for it . They just put a thing in my bottom and in goes the tube snake. I watch the whole thing on a monitor. It is rather fun.

I’ve had a lot of them down thru the years, and one thing that’s important is to start that miserable prep when they tell you to. Just had a friend who was sent home and had to reschedule as his bowels were not cleaned out. Irritating enough to go thru the prep once; you sure don’t want to do it twice!

Go to liquid diet on day -2, then clear liquid on day-1, then give yourself several enemas Just before you start the dreaded lool-aid or whatever you want to call it, then just sit on the toilet until you stop pooping. That is the short story for me, but others have given great advice on their experiences that are important. Despite the inconvenience, you are doing this to catch a terrible, sneaky killer. You want to stay alive for yourself, your friends and family and your community. It is MORE than worth the annoyance. The alternative MIGHT be cancer. Now THAT is not only inconvenient but extremely painful and expensive.

I just had one yesterday as I had a positive Cologuard test. This was done urgently as there was a suspicion of something being really wrong. Thankfully, the preliminary results are good.

I did a Suflave prep this time. I did clear liquids starting Tuesday morning. At 6p on Wednesday, I did the first bottle. It just sat in the stomach with little to no affect. Then, Wednesday at 2a, it decided to move things along. Second bottle at 5a on Wednesday.

Procedure was easy - propofol makes everything easier.

Did make a big mistake - because of the early rise to empty out, I got home about 4p on Wednesday and went to sleep. I know that I was behind on fluids and didn't stay up and take care of it. Well, that led to remaining horizontal all day. Feeling better now, but make sure that you make up your fluids when you get home.

I had my first at 38 and opted to do it unsedated. Since had two more the same way.

My first I made an appointment with the gastro who agreed it was time for me to have one due to family history and she agreed to me not being sedated which I had my reasons for. I was sent back out to the waiting room for the PA to go over prep and schedule. The PA eventually calls me back and takes me to an exam room and right away was like I need to do a quick rectal exam, lower your shorts and let me have you bend over the table. I did as told she did the Dre and gave me the prep instructions which was the over the counter every laxative prep, she actually told me a fleets enema as I started drinking the miralax would make it easier. I too the advice and actually don’t find the prep horrible. Vaseline is your friend, put some near the toilet for every time you go.

Got to the center ended up waiting in pre op for a while as she was behind. Finally wheeled into a room with 4 women the Dr her pa and two nurses. Rolled onto my side they lifted the gown, Dr told me I’m gonna take a quick look and she did with no warning shoved her finger into my anus. Did that and inserted the scope, I found it slightly uncomfortable on some portions of the insertion, but that is generally done in just a few minutes , the most time is spent coming back out. When it’s all the way out a nurse wiped all the lube and wheeled me back to the pre op room and I got dressed and left. I really don’t find it all of that horrible of a procedure and I highly recommend people have it done it saves lives. I have already had a polyp removed on my second 3 years later.

Everyone should get a colonoscopy as required. Don't be afraid. Its no big deal. i have had two, both without sedation. I do think the guidelines should be changed to every 5 years. This is the one screening test that can also be preventative by removing any polyps. Get ere done

Do as you're instructed. This is no time for creativity or non compliance. From my experience, it was uneventful and did not live up to the dreaded hype that I had read about or heard. Yes, it's not how I would like to spend time but I was sedated and asleep so there was not real awareness just my imagination! Hopefully, yours will be entertaining as well?