Colonoscopy

I've had both procedures done, including 3 colonoscopies without any sedation at all, (didn't have anyone to drive me there and back...), so no choice in the matter.

Have to say that the doctor, and assisting nurse, can make a 'big difference'. The first wasn't so bad at all. In fact afterwards the doctor commented that he wished more people would do it without the sedation. And have to admit that it was nice afterwards just getting up, getting dressed and walking out of there, and not be trying to wake up from the sedation.

That first one was some years ago, when they were doing them in hospitals. Since that time, they're doing them in surgi-centers and even doctor's offices.

I think this was the first this particular doctor had done a colonoscopy to someone without the sedation. Nurses and assistants were running around like crazy when they had ask who was there to drive me home, and I told them no one.

They finally had to call the doctor down. He asked what the big problem was, like in a panic, all the nurses and assistants told him I didn't have anyone to drive me home.

He came to me talking about rescheduling for another time when I would have someone to drive me. Told him that I lived alone, and would never be able to have someone drive me.

I mean no relatives in the area, really no close friends, and even my neighbors, all worked during the day, and I wasn't going to ask anyone to take a day off work just to drive me there and back. Besides, I wasn't close with any of my neighbors, just close enough to wave when passing by each other.

And after all that 'prep', which I agree with many here, is like the 'worst' part of it all, and I didn't want to go through that again! Wound up having to sleep on the toilet the entire night before...

Anyway, he said that they couldn't give me sedation without anyone to drive me home. Frustrated at that point, I told him just to do it without the sedation.

He said okay, but was still going to hook me up to the IV, and if I couldn't handle it, they were going to push the sedation. Then I would have to leave my car there, and take a taxi back home or something. Anyway, that one went very well, didn't need any sedation, and wasn't that bad.

The second was more uncomfortable, but still managed to get through it. The third was nearly unbearable! Almost didn't get through that one. So three different doctors and assistants, three different results.

Of course with some years inbetween each, there's always that possibility that something changed in 'me', to where I became more sensitive to them? Don't know about that...

Need to schedule another sometime soon this year, and after that third experience, I do believe that I'm going to ask for sedation, just in case it is something in me that changed, or I don't get a doctor and assistant that was as good as that first.

Don't know about transportation yet, might have to bite the bullet and use a taxi. However some doctors have begun not releasing patients that have had sedation to a taxi. They want someone that's going to be responsible for the patient, to be with the patient afterwards.

And all a taxi is going to do is drop someone off at their door. But is having someone to drive someone there and back, really going to be much different?

I mean are they 'really' going to stick around afterwards, when they might have changed their schedule around to accommodate that ride back and forth, and have other things they need to get back to?

Granted, having a spouse around would be most handy and would tend to stay with someone afterwards, but not everyone has that luxury. All the doctors are doing is protecting their asses. If they release someone to another responsible party, then their liability afterwards is off their shoulders.

Makes it really difficult for a single and alone person to have 'any' procedure done when sedation is given.

My recommendation, find transportation, and take the sedation! If you want to watch a colonoscopy being done, you can find that on the Internet. No need to suffer so you can watch your own.

I just had my first colonoscopy this month, and to my surprise it was no unpleasant at all. I was sedated, but the doctor and nurses were so nice all the time...I have to repeat the procedure in five years (I have high risk of colon cancer) and the next time I will be more relaxed. I highly recommend the procedure to everybody in risk, because it can save lives!

Hi goosebumps, I also had the procedure done a couple years ago because of family history. It wasn't bad at all, took less time and less painful than having a tooth filled. 😃 Sounds like yours and mine were very similar. The worst part about all of it was the prep and not eating.

I had my first "scope" experience in my early twenties. In those days the dr was a proctologist and only rigid scopes existed. Not knowing what to expect, I was surprised to see the exam table and the shelf where I knelt. What I was not prepared for at all was the table being tilted and finding my self head down and fully exposed. Air pumped into me was the only unpleasant part of the exam. Since then I've had flixsigs and colonoscopies. Lying down is an improvement over the tilting table. I've never had a bad exam experience. The preparation with heavy duty oral laxatives is the worst part.

I have had two colonscopies and am due for another in 2012 because a couple of benign polyps were found last time. I prepped both times with a colonic the day before the test along with part but not all of the nssty oral laxative. I could see on the monitor screen that I was nice and clean.

I have been told that I need to have one done at some point, but because I live alone and you can't drive from one after sedation, have been stalled. Perhaps a guy will turn up from this board who has an interest in enemas and colonoscopy observation?

One of the worst days of my life though the good part was no "C".

Prep was a bitch! Dr beat the hell out of me>>>>

Had ab and back pain for several days.

Bet if I ever have another one it will not be at the same clinic!

I had one to try to find problems with pains. It did not find anything, i was sedated.

Before I choose a doctor on my healthplan I thoroughly research "female only" selections and therefore add a little adventure to all of my visits especially a colonoscopy

Being sedated for my only colonoscopy, it was a non event. Have had a couple of flex-sigmoidoscopys and didn't mind either. Actually enjoyed the tube moving in and out of my anus as the doc worked the scope around what he called my redundant colon.

I had my first colonoscopy last week, not only did i have a very attractive young female doctor but her 3 assistants were also young females. the drugs they gave me completely knocked me out, i wish i could've been awake to see their reaction to my neatly shaved backside.

I have had a few colonoscopies

On the first occasion I was awake and it was amazing.

You need to be sedated but if you can see if the doctor will allow you to be awake.

Its not sexual its amazing to see the screen and see everything.

AMAZING

I had a colonoscopy a couple of months ago at a VA hospital. I had an IV inserted and just before it started, a young attractive nurse started injecting two syringes of liquid into the IV line. I said, "That's Versed isn't it?" (an anesthetic). She said, "Yes, and the other one is Demerol" The next thing I knew, I was watchin CNN in recovery. A total non-event as far as anal stimulation goes.

I went to a digestive health specialist and asked to receive a colonoscopy for health reasons. He wanted to run so many non-colonoscopy tests on me that I eventually gave up. He also said I was "fine" digestion-wise...which upset me as I have struggled with constipation since before I could walk...hmmm...

Too young to get regular medical docs to take me seriously...that's why I see a naturopath. Never got a colonoscopy, but I get regular colonics which are - amazing. A. They've found out more about why my intestinal tract works the way it does than anyone in my life ever has. B. It feels great before, during, after. C. If you want to talk sexiness - the ladies at the clinic were hot as hell. D. When else do you get to sh*t all over the place in front of someone else and have someone say "That's OK, it's what we're here for"

I have one every 5 years. They are not fun, nor is the prep. I fantasize about being able to feel the scope going in, but since they sedate and give a memory inhibiting drug, it is only a fantasy.

Since many medical procedures just plain hurt, i don't want to change my doctors ways. I like enemas for fun, not pain.

The prep is also clinical - drinking a gallon of that stuff and sitting all night getting is not my idea of a good time. My doc even rejected the idea of adding rum to the pina colada stuff!

#5 is coming up soon. I still won't be sedated for this one either. My real concern is that the Fleet Phospha Soda is no longer a prep choice. I have a feeling we are going to have a strong difference in preps. She'll want me to use a PEG laxative and I want to use other laxatives and enemas until clear.

I've had 3 colonoscopies in 15 years as well as 4 barium enemas. Love it. I always ask for light sedation and morphine. It's enough to take the edge off and I get to experience all of 6 feet of colonoscope being shoved up my ass by the cute female GI doctor that does it. The only discomfort is gas pains from being inflated like a tire. This can be avoided if you tell the doc to let some air out as they go. Lucky for me they leave my gown on in front or the doc would see the hard-on she gives me !

As for the prep, the gallon of PEG 3350 is the standard now. Some docs use the prescription formula (Golytely) and others have an equal substitute which you can try. That's a 238 gram (14 day) bottle of Miralax mixed in a gallon of Gatorade. Drink an 8oz. glass every 15 minutes. Miralax is the same dose PEG 3350 that's in Golytely. Tastes much better though.

There's other combinations in use as well. PEG 3350 is usually preceded by a liquid diet and 3-4 Dulcolax for lunch.

I have had a few myself and I prefer to skip the drugs; my GI doc does the same for hers..it's a personal choice. A colonoscopy is nearly worthless if your colon isn't clean; I have always been amazed at how pooly my own preps were despite the fact that I did the gallon of PEG 3350...Last time I did a 2 day prep, clear liquids for the entire time, 1/2 gallon of PEG 2 days before and an entire gallon plus 3 dulcolax pills the day before..plus sveral enemas just for kicks. Since I was awake, I saw exactly how my colon looked and it still wasn't as clean as you might think. For my bext one, my GI doc wants me to do a split prep..same as before but on the day before 1/2 gallon PEG at 5pm plus 3 dulcolax then the other 1/2 gallon 6 hours before the test. Only problem is: if your test is at 8am then you have to get up at 2am to drink the last of the prep.

Several days prior to the procedure, the doctor called and said I could do the 48 liquid prep. This prep wasn't a difficult as I expected. I actually started prepping the night before the prep was to start by taking a series of enemas (mineral oil, followed by two SSE followed by two TWEs. For the actual prep, I got a bottle of magnesium citrate at 6pm two night prior and another at 4pm the night before. She had wanted me to use a Dulcolax suppository around 7pm; however, my butt knew that was going to burn; so, I went to enemas until clear. The next day she told me that she actually would have suggested enemas until clear except most of her patients are opposed to enemas.

Like the previous colonoscopies, this past one was without sedation. I saw the chyme in the ascending colon and part of the transverse colon during the procedure and commented that after all the prep I figured that would have been gone. She said considered this a successful prep because the stuff remaining was liquid and she was able to rinse it out with water she was injecting. It was pretty cool seeing water like an enema squirting at the sides of the colon. All in all she said she will keep this prep as an option in the future.

The best (for me) and the worst (for her) was it took 45 minutes because she had problems getting the scope to reach the cecum. She finally had me reposition to my back; in order to let gravity help her. While on my back and knees up, the scope was being moved in, out and around my anus. I forgot all about the pain in the colon. It couldn't have been better unless she had pulled it out and pegged me. I am going to tell her that the next time she should move me to my back earlier because I had less discomfort in that position.

Where are you folks finding all these female gastroenterologists? We have a couple here in Columbus, but 95% of the gastro's are men. The G.I. group that does my 3 yr. scopes is 16 male gastro's. They have labs. in their offices and do scopes all day. I always take whatever drugs they want to give me. Now ,I do the prep. exactly as told and still the Dr. will say,"you weren't that clean."

One reason Gastro's stopped enemas as part of the prep. is that they leave what the gastro's call a, "wet bowel syndrome", where the Dr. has to "ride" the suction button on the scope constantly.

When i had mine done last year i was excited to see not one but 4 young females in the room with me. my dr, a female also told me i would be able to converse with her as she guided the scope up my colon as the drug they were giving me wouldn't put me completely under. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz -- i should have told her how sensitive i was to any drugs because i don't take anything. i was out so quickly i didn't get to see the young females giggling over my neatly shaved ass and balls. the next thing i knew i woke up and told them i was very hungry and wanted to go for lunch. i jumped up and headed for the nearest buffet for my first food in over 24 hours. i'm only 5' 11" and 158 pounds but i have a terrific appetite and eat like a horse. i think that was possibly the best meal i've ever enjoyed. a day afterwards i was just a tiny bit sore in the upper part of my stomach but the nasty stuff i had to drink for the preparation

was by far the worst part.

so guys and gals, don't put off having all those tests done, the feeling you get when you eat too much pepperoni pizza and are wondering what that pain down there is and then you realize you're never going to have colon cancer is well worth the nasty part of the exam.

[quote author=jimmyt44 link=topic=1940.msg376054#msg376054 date=1313341374]

... One reason Gastro's stopped enemas as part of the prep. is that they leave what the gastro's call a, "wet bowel syndrome", where the Dr. has to "ride" the suction button on the scope constantly.

[/quote]

I would have though the same about the "wet bowel" because I did present once with the remnants of morning enemas in the ascending colon; but, when you see how quick they suck it out you realize the doctor is just bitching because it meant he had to take longer. The last time she told be preferred wet to dirty. She said, I would be surprised how many present with hard fecal matter in the colon and have to have reschedule.

As to how did I find a woman much less a beautiful woman? Partially luck, mostly by doing a search in the Insurance Company's website and checking "female only" in the search criteria. In my experience, I found the male doctors were less likely to agree to not sedating for colonoscopies. I had two male doctors pretty much tell me terms of the colonoscopy were non-negotiable; so, I said "We're done here, consider yourself fired." This is one of the advantages of living near a large metropolitan area surrounded by a number of nationally acclaimed hospitals. I don't mean to put down other parts of the country. There are good and not so good doctors everywhere; but, a larger supply allows the consumer to be more selective. Choice is good.

[quote author=ford link=topic=1940.msg376175#msg376175 date=1313383153]

... my dr, a female also told me i would be able to converse with her as she guided the scope up my colon as the drug they were giving me wouldn't put me completely under.

[/quote]

My guess is you did converse with her as she guided the scope up your colon. She just failed to tell you or you failed to realize that the Versed in that cocktail was going to wipe your memory of the entire event. Refusing sedation is the only way you get to remember.

I had one several years ago, about due again. Cleaned out with chemicals. Went bye-bye for the procedure, and didn't remember a thing about it. The best part was that they found a polyp and took it out.

I recently had a colonoscopy...didn't do the "go-Lite" cleanout sinc e my body rejects it...butt did enemas and Citrate Of Mag. The procedure was gud, finding 5 adn removing. The hard part was since there was some bleeding I wans't to take another enema for a week. That was difficult and the resulting massive thing damn near tore me a new one!

Oh well. I'm now scheduled for every two years.

the boxcar

[quote author=boxcar link=topic=1940.msg387821#msg387821 date=1317481823]

I recently had a colonoscopy...didn't do the "go-Lite" cleanout sinc e my body rejects it...butt did enemas and Citrate Of Mag. [/quote]

Did you do that with or without your doctor's approval?

I've been dragging my feet about getting my next colonoscopy because of the prep. I would gladly fast and take enemas, but the rest is discouraging to me.

I was able to get the alternate prep by flatly stating "I will not take ANY PEG3350 based prep". The alternative I was offered was 48 hours of liquid diet. Magnesium citrate two nights prior. The night before it was Dulcolax at 4 pm followed by Magnesium Citrate around 6 pm and then when it wasn't clear returns by 8 pm I took enemas until clear. She had recommended Dulcolax suppositories if the returns weren't clear; but, was pleased when I said I used tap water enemas instead. The doctor said it was acceptable and I could do that again the next time.

Tom, thanks for the feedback. I'll see what my doctor says.

I wondered if I were the only guy or gal that gets off on them? While so many individuals complain about the prep, the anesthesia, etc., I look forward to these infrequent diagnostic sessions with delightful anticipation.

From the first prep enema to the final moments when the Gastro doc pulls the tip of that long, black, tube from my rectum, I enjoy every crampy minute.

I especially love watching & feeling the lighted tube traveling along the twisting labrynth of my colon as the attractive nurse rubs my tummy and reminds me to take deep breaths and relax. Being a fan of both punishment and air enemas, the somewhat achy, bloated sensation is part of the appeal. Naturally, I would never submit to anesthesia and miss out on what I perceive to be "The best ride in the Park!".

Am I the only one?

Never having had a colonoscopy I can only speculate that most people only have a passing interest in the subject. While the procedure is very important in the detection cancer of the colon, it is important to remember that the procedure is not without risk. The possibility of perforation of the colon can lead to serious problems,(ie. surgery etc).