I am having a colonoscopy tomorrow!

Chicago29 · July 27, 2010

I am having a colonoscopy tomorrow which I am required to have every year do to polyp history and family history of colon cancer. This is my 6th one.

I was very worried about it this year due to being banded the end of Jan. 2010 I was worried about the capacity for this much thick liquid, nausea and bloating.

I just drank the 1st 32 oz of Movi-Prep and it wasnt so bad after all. First I drank a cup of very hot broth before starting the prep to loosen the band somewhat and I got the prep down in the alloted time. Phew! Now waiting for the umm..results.:scared2:

I have to drink another 32 oz in the morning and off I go to get the test. Hope its ok in the morning for that much liquid.

So in case anyone having this procedure needs info..I unfortunatley am an expert and would be glad to answer questions. Cheers!

Jachut · July 28, 2010

Well, I need some advice, lol. I'm having one 11 August, similar family history of polyps, plus I've been having issues all year. I've never had a colonoscopy, this is my first.

What I'd like to know is this: will one day off work be sufficient (its only light sedation isnt it) and how soon before do you need to start doing the bowel prep - I'm a teacher, I cant run off to the toilet every five minutes!

I know I'll get the instructions when I pick up the bowel prep the week before but I need to put in my application for sick leave asap, and I want to know if I need to start the prep like 24 hours before, as I'd need to take that day off work too. I know my grade sixes would be highly entertained by the sight of me in intestinal distress, lol, but I'd rather avoid it!

Chicago29 · July 28, 2010

Hi Jacqui,

There are several types of cleansing preps out there. It depends on what your doctor prefers. I have had 4 different kinds of preps but they all mostly require you to be on Clear liquids for a minimum of 1 day and the cleansing procedure usually begins at 5 or 6 pm the night before the actual procedure.

So you could certainly work the day before and just drink clears while at work. Plan to get home by 5pm to start though.

Follow the instructions on your prep.

Some are once at night and some are at night and in the morning. I advised the gastro doctor that I have the lap-band,so he prescribed the prep with the least amount of liquid. There are pills available as well, but he prefers the liquids.< /p>

Of course you will need the whole day of the procedure off work, but should be fine the next day. Some people do like to take the day after just because they are still a bit tired or sore and dehydrated. All in all, it's not so bad after the cleansing prep is over.

Tips: Use a large box of kleenex or some kind of tissue with lotion. Don't use plain Toilet paper.

Plan on spending lots of time in the bathroom, and dont be too far away!

Have some A&D ointment or vasolene handy for your sore botty!

Scented bathroom spray is a must

I always ask the nurse at the hospital when I arrive for a little jab of numbing solution in my hand before they begin the IV because I am a total baby with IV's. Some hospitals do that for you and some don't.

The whole procedure is very fast and you are finished before you know it,

The knockout drugs they give you are awesome!!!

Hope this helps!

AlienBandit · July 28, 2010

I had to have a colonoscopy once and it was nothing.

The day before you will need to be near the bathroom all day so no work for sure.

As for after the procedure, I simply stayed at the hospital until the "air" was out of me ( so lots of farting..... yuck) and then went home.

At the time I was dating a guy whom I didn't tell about the surgery and I spent the night at his house only a few hours after being at the hospital and I was completly fine.

It wasn't painful or hard to recover from.