hello

[rrlilinoe]

hello i have been having bowel issues for quite some time. The Gastro nurse calls it colon spasms. I have colonoscopy scheduled for Friday but i am so scared to be put to sleep. Any helpful suggestions or how your colonoscopy went? Thank you

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi rrlilinoe,

Thank you for posting on Colon Cancer Connected. First of all, I would like to ask if your baby is doing well? I do hope so.

I am glad to see you have a colonoscopy scheduled. I believe the colonoscopy is the absolute best way to get good answers to what’s going on. That should be your focus. You have to do the preparation right in order to give the doctor the best chance on finding everything that needs to be seen.

The preparation part is probably the most difficult to deal with. As a part of my surveillance for cancer, I get a colonoscopy every year. I am used to it. I have found that moving the timeline up an hour to an hour and a half makes things far better when doing the prep. You’ll be going to the bathroom a lot and that’s expected as you have to clean out your colon. It is what it is. But moving the timeline up allows you to get a good night’s sleep the night before and it also lets you focus on the colonoscopy itself by not having to worry about finding a bathroom when you’re heading to the procedure facility.

I must admit that I actually look forward to the part when they put you to sleep. The drug they use with me is called propofol. It is the most relaxing moment when you first start to go under. My colonoscopies usually take less than 30 minutes. Typically 15 to 20 minutes. And then I’m in the recovery room and I wake up and the doctor will come in and tell me what the results were. I get dressed and then I go home. But I do find it to be absolutely a nice deep rest. It is so relaxing. And again, I do look forward to it.

I don’t think it’s anything you need to be afraid of. Unless you’re allergic to certain anesthesia. You will talk with the anesthesiologist about those types of things. But the colonoscopy is a very common procedure. It’s done a lot. You’re not the first. But also, different people have different reactions with anesthesia.

I do wish you the very best in getting this done. It will give you some good answers as to what’s going on. That is what you’re after. I do hope your experience is going to be like mine.

Also, please let us know what you find out. It is that type of information that can be helpful to others on this site.

Thank you,

~Tom, GCCA Survivor - Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.

[Sueleen13]

hi, I had a colonoscopy recently, 2 in fact within weeks but I was so offered a GA just sedation. I was so worried about it all but by far the worst thing was the worry about the Prep. I had a low fibre diet for a week, then no food at all for the last 36 hours or so and just clear liquids , I thought I was going to waste away and be weak and tired etc..but the volume of prep I had filled me up, it was not pleasant. I made myself comfortable on the bed next to my bathroom, wore loose comfy warm clothes and had iPad and iPhone charged and ready,. I was up till midnight in the loo.

I found that the use of wet wipes , soft loo roll and barrier gel invaluable. I’m not gonna lie it was not pleasant but I had Moviprep, other preps may be different but it worked it was thorougher and the consultant could see all the way to the Cecum ..good luck

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator in reply to Sueleen13]

Hi Sueleen13,

Thank you for providing great information that will definitely help. I do the moviprep as well. I have to get annual colonoscopies. I found moving up the timeline 1- 1.5 hours helps. You can get a good night sleep. The day of the procedure, the wave of loo breaks is over by the time you have to go to the procedure facility.

I also add lime Gatorade to the mix to make it taste better, thin it out and get some electrolytes as well.

I hope you are doing well.❤️

Tom

[Person82]

The prep was the worst part. Once I went in the anesthesiologist just injected the magic potion into my IV. The next thing I knew they were waking me up from an awesome dream I was having. No pain after. Don't eat too big of a meal when you get home.