Colonoscopy

[Kjubertz]

Hey guys, I just got my first colonoscopy and everything is basically fine. They did find some hemme's and diverticulosis along with a pre-cancerous polyp but nothing major. The nurses were smokin hot (well, one of them was) and I was totally out for the procedure. Was not conscious. They treated me great from start to finish. At least that's what they told me...ha
Anyway, I believe it's important to do this as we get older. I know someone that died from colon cancer (a dude that was very active and STUBBORN!!!) recently. He was a great guy. I guess he got a little psyched out when imagining the scope thingy metriculating up his bunghole. Whatever his reasoning was he never got a colonoscopy. And he paid the ultimate price for it. Don't let that happen to you! It's just not that big of a deal.

[PYE46M3]

great first post

[rwheels]

Congrats on a positive outcome, but I have to inform you that this thread belongs in the “You Know You’re Old When” thread.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by rwheels

Congrats on a positive outcome, but I have to inform you that this thread belongs in the “You Know You’re Old When” thread.

I resemble that remark.

I had my second last Tuesday. One polyp, no news is good news so far.

I TOLD THEM I was allergic to needles, they didn't believe me. First nurse went for old faithful in the crook of my right arm. I swear she was pressing on my bicep trying to get the catheter in the vein. Second nurse comes in, goes for back of hand. Again, she's pressing around above my Medic Alert bracelet, no good. The prep seems to have really dehydrated me. Finally they bring in the big guns. Angie went to the inside of the elbow, first shot.

Then they roll me in to the "theatre" And rightly named, since apparently everybody got to see my butthole on the monitors. When they finish post-production, I'll upload for y'all Anesthesiologist is there with a white tube, "Ah, milk of the poppy?" Next thing I know, I'm eating pancakes and then waking up at a casino.

I'm pretty sure, based on the pain in the top of my foot, that the inside elbow position failed, and they switched to my foot. My nurse son told me once you're out, they do whatever they want, and you are much more compliant.

[///MPhatic]

I was surprised that the hardest part of mine was drinking all the water/pills. I did my very best and still was a bit short of the amount they wanted. Thankfully I'm used to fasting so I was clean as a whistle, and everything was fine. Not something I'm looking forward to again though.

[KevinC]

I've had 3 now. Had first slightly late at 53, a pre-cancerous polyp was removed that the doc ALMOST couldn't get with the scope - and that would be a very bad thing if the scope couldn't get it, because surgery to remove such a polyp is very invasive. Because of that, was back in 3 years - all clear and moved to 5. Have had that one and was clear again.

The procedure itself is completely painless and you are knocked dead cold, usually with propofol - that's the stuff that Michael Jackson was abusing heavily so that he could "sleep". The only unpleasant thing is the prep the night before. But in the end (pun intended), it's all worth it. Colon cancer is common but preventable, and very treatable if caught early.

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by KevinC

The procedure itself is completely painless and you are knocked dead cold, usually with propofol - that's the stuff that Michael Jackson was abusing heavily so that he could "sleep".

Best sleep aid I've ever had. Smelled a bit weird, and I felt a bit weird right at the beginning, but when the lights go out there is no time, you just wake up feeling like it was an instant later, and totally refreshed. I made a pass at my nurse when I awoke, with my wife standing right there. lol

[zx10guy]

This hits home big time for me as one that has been through colon cancer and appendix cancer. Contrary to the assertion that this should be in the old man's thread. It does not. There are ever increasing number of people UNDER 40 that are getting CRC. This myth that only the old needs to be scoped has to be dispelled as many medical professionals have subscribed to that mentality. I can't count how many young people ended up as stage 4 due to their medical team brushing off all the signs there is something seriously wrong. The common....it's probably hemorrhoids....just try more fiber in your diet. Everything else but ordering a colonoscopy. Just makes me sick how many of these people would be alive today or doing better had their symptoms not be brushed off.

There's a reason the screening age has recently been dropped to 45 from 50. And many, including my GI doctor, think the age should be dropped to 40. Had 40 been the screening age for me, my life would be totally different. I was diagnosed stage 3b colon cancer at the age of 42. I had no choice in the matter as screening wasn't even on the radar for me. I didn't fit the demographics as I didn't have any risk factors and am physically fit.

Just pisses me off when people that have screening as an option are out right PUSSIES with the prep. They have a choice to get screened. I and many others I know did not. Believe me, the prep has nothing on going through chemotherapy which is what I had to go through. A lady I dated kept putting off her screening because she was afraid of the prep and the procedure. Kept brow beating her about how stupid those fears are. She informed me a few months ago that she did go through the procedure which I'm glad. I've also had two colonoscopies AWAKE. So I know about how uncomfortable colonoscopies can be when you are fully aware of the scope going up your backside. I've also had three others under general anesthesia.

So people need to stop with the nonsense and get screened. And this is even more raw for me as I had to go to a close friend's viewing and funeral little over a week ago. She passed at the age of 53 and was fighting to stay alive for 6 years with rectal cancer. Not only was she a God send for me during my cancer journey and my divorce, she has done so much for people that will never have met her through her advocacy at various cancer forums and with Congress lobbying for more funding into research into this disease.

[Oldgixxer]

Turning 53 this month I have to schedule mine...serious question,is there any pain afterwards if they remove polyps?? My wife had hers done over the summer and she had a few removed and has to go back in 5yrs,she said she felt no pain at all but that woman is tougher than nails and has dental work w no novacaine lol so her telling me zero pain leaves me a bit skeptical

[Chihuahua]

First post on a car forum is a tale of a hot nurse gassing you and putting fingers in your butt. Play on, playa.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by Oldgixxer

Turning 53 this month I have to schedule mine...serious question,is there any pain afterwards if they remove polyps?? My wife had hers done over the summer and she had a few removed and has to go back in 5yrs,she said she felt no pain at all but that woman is tougher than nails and has dental work w no novacaine lol so her telling me zero pain leaves me a bit skeptical

No pain during and after. How I know during is my GI doc took some samples of a spot and polyp in my colon during one of the colonoscopies that I was fully awake. I was actually watching the same screen my doc was looking at during the whole procedure. The polyp in question couldn't be removed due to it being in my appendix opening. I ended up having a laparoscopic procedure to remove part of my small intestines and the whole ascending colon.

[zx10guy]

Pro tip for those having a colonoscopy. If they use Propofol, ask the anesthesiologist if they're going to add lidocaine with the Propofol. If not, make them do it. Propofol burns like a mother going in. A good anesthesiologist will already add lidocaine with the Propofol push. You'll thank me later.

[Oldgixxer]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

No pain during and after. How I know during is my GI doc took some samples of a spot and polyp in my colon during one of the colonoscopies that I was fully awake. I was actually watching the same screen my doc was looking at during the whole procedure. The polyp in question couldn't be removed due to it being in my appendix opening. I ended up having a laparoscopic procedure to remove part of my small intestines and the whole ascending colon.

Ahhh,thank you very much for the reassurance. I've had 14 surgeries in 15yrs and the last thing I wanna pile on-top of my daily chronic pain is MORE pain since I don't mess w pain meds.

Originally Posted by zx10guy

Pro tip for those having a colonoscopy. If they use Propofol, ask the anesthesiologist if they're going to add lidocaine with the Propofol. If not, make them do it. Propofol burns like a mother going in. A good anesthesiologist will already add lidocaine with the Propofol push. You'll thank me later.

YES!! Excellent advice as I experienced that myself once and it was not pleasant at all. Dude says count backwards from 10,I made it to 8 and started motherfucking him til I knocked out a few seconds later lol

[c1pher]

Removing the old cauliflower in your colon is definitely a good thing to do.

[UncleWede]

I had my first one about the age of 30, and mostly awake. They gave me some sort of mild, oral med to relax. And this was after the THREE-day prep, as an insulin-dependent diabetic.

With that experience, I was actively questioning the nurse/Dr as they were searching for my veins, can't I just do this awake? Well, apparently now you have to have an IV regardless, so might as well go out.

I don't remember at all being asked to count backwards this time. I have no memory of the procedure, no idea who/how I got my shoes back on, nothing. And certainly no pain from the polyp removal, there aren't any pain nerve endings in the colon.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

I had my first one about the age of 30, and mostly awake. They gave me some sort of mild, oral med to relax. And this was after the THREE-day prep, as an insulin-dependent diabetic.

With that experience, I was actively questioning the nurse/Dr as they were searching for my veins, can't I just do this awake? Well, apparently now you have to have an IV regardless, so might as well go out.

I don't remember at all being asked to count backwards this time. I have no memory of the procedure, no idea who/how I got my shoes back on, nothing. And certainly no pain from the polyp removal, there aren't any pain nerve endings in the colon.

I guess things are different where you are. Both times I did my colonoscopy fully awake, I had no IV.

[zx10guy]

Originally Posted by Oldgixxer

Ahhh,thank you very much for the reassurance. I've had 14 surgeries in 15yrs and the last thing I wanna pile on-top of my daily chronic pain is MORE pain since I don't mess w pain meds.



YES!! Excellent advice as I experienced that myself once and it was not pleasant at all. Dude says count backwards from 10,I made it to 8 and started motherfucking him til I knocked out a few seconds later lol

Yeah, when I asked the anesthesiologist about having lidocaine added, he was surprised I knew about it. Told him it wasn't my first rodeo and I've been through enough procedures to know.

[Llarry]

The first time I did the prep it was the old-fashioned whatever-you-drink plus self-administered enema. Not pleasant but went okay.

The second time was drink two big bottles of semi-pleasant-tasting lemony prep. The first bottle was fine. About a third of the way through the second bottle, my system apparenty rebelled. I vomited a bunch of the prep up. So now I'm going at both ends. Ugh! I'm sure I wasn't as squeaky clean as they want you to be. I think I'm due in another year or two -- hoping it goes better this time.

[zx10guy]

The prescribed preps are slowly being phased out by many doctors. Whoever came up with the name for one of them, Golytely, has a sick sense of humor.

The new prep uses stuff you can buy over the counter. It's a mix of Miralax, Dulcolax, and Gatorade. It's much more tolerable by most and you can pick your choice of flavor as long it's not red or dark.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

The new prep uses stuff you can buy over the counter. It's a mix of Miralax, Dulcolax, and Gatorade. It's much more tolerable by most and you can pick your choice of flavor as long it's not red or dark.

Just not as effective. I started with the Dulcolax and drinking the Miralax at noon. It wasn't until 2:00 the next morning before anything happened. It's weird taking a shower at 2:45 in the morning, when you don't have to be anywhere until 7:00.

[ASAP]

I've had 2 - both are painless and quick procedures.

The prep however is another story.

The old school prep with magnesium tablets was a disaster and makes you feel like you would prefer to pass out... the newer prep with dulcolax and magnesium is much less of big deal at all... its annoying but its much smoother and the prep doesn't taste bad.