first time colonoscopy

[Delanna]

Hello everyone hope you are all well...Okay so long story short---Got a CT scan result indicated sigmoid thickening---colonoscopy recommended to determine the cause..

Now I am terrified of the actual procedure---as in how would I feel afterwards? I will be put under sedation so I wouldnt remember a thing but what are the symptoms post colonoscopy? Do you feel pain? Do you feel well what?

Appreciate your responses. Hugs.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi Delanna,

Thanks for posting with us. As a part of my surveillance I get an annual colonoscopy and CT scan. Every 3 years I add an endoscopy to the colonoscopy procedure.

My advice would be to not fear the actual procedure. You’ll get an IV which will be used to give you the sedation. I get propofol and find it to be the most relaxing feeling when it starts to take effect. I actually look forward to it. You slowly just go to sleep. It’s like you just melt away😂. When things are done and you start to awake, you’ll be in the recovery room and will feel a little groggy. Just hanging out there. You will slowly gain awareness and awakened and then will get dressed. You’ll feel weak for awhile, but I come out of that rather quickly. I’m good a couple of hours after waking up. I get a favorite meal and really enjoy that. I still don’t drive anywhere that day and just relax. I work from home, so I can do that. I don’t get headaches or soreness at all.

I think if you plan and decide to give it two full days, you’ll be fine. Everyone deals with it differently and can react differently as well.

Now, the really important part of the process and the thing to focus on is the PREP. 😳🤔👍. I normally use MoviPrep. My advice here is to move the process timeline up 2-3 hours. It is wha it is. You have to be cleaned out 😩 and that’s something you are in control of. Moving the timeline up lets the “wave” having to go be over sooner so you can get a good night sleep and not have to keep getting up to go. And the day of the procedure, the urgency to go will be over and you can focus on getting to the facility and focusing on getting ready for the procedure. And hopefully you’ll be anticipating that most relaxing moment when you drift off to sleep😊.

Also, I will add a lime flavored Gatorade to the mix for both taste and hydration. It comes in many flavors, just don’t do anything red in color. It’s a lot to drink, but it’s important to get it done and do it well. If you feel it’s too thick in consistency, thin it out with more water. After the “wave” of having to go is over, your last trips to bathroom should be almost clear / yellowish clear.

You got this. ❤️. Focus on winning the Prep process💪💪👍. Do it well. We wish you all the best in doing this and you’ll be getting some good information from it.

Tom

[Delanna in reply to GCCA-Survivor]

Hi thank you so much for your response and support💗. I have it this week and I am such a fan of food in general and a sweet tooth so chocolate and refraining from that is hard and all those food lol🤪. But yeah I got the MovPrep as well so hopefully it all goes smoothly. Not gonna lie still have anxiety😗 . I guess I will just learn to embrace and trust the process☺️

Thank you . Hugs💗

[Txbj1]

you got this! 20 to 30 mins procedure. Where I live , you are sleep during the whole time. The prep isn’t the greatest. Just be sure to drink lots of water, it helped me. You will be fine!

[Delanna in reply to Txbj1]

Thank you ❤️