Colonscopy Experience (50 y.o. female with major health anxiety)

[Anonymous]

After googling "colonoscopy experiences" for months before mine, I thought I would share and put a few of you at ease. This was my experience and I don't want folks to think this is the gospel, but may help a few. I can't sleep before a dental cleaning if that tells you anything about my anxiety!

3 days before, I went with white bread, bagels, white pasta, baked potatoes (no skin), chicken, baguettes--- no fruit, seeds, nuts, or veggies. I did eat tomato sauce, parm cheese, butter.

I purchased every color jello (except red/blue), lemon and mango itaian ice, a zillion clear liquids, and broth.

Prep - Clenpiq - 2, 6 ounce bottles - it says not to refigerate and I didn't - bottles were hard for me to open as I did not read the instructions until the 2nd bottle (read the insert instructions).

I had absoutely ZERO appetite the day of (probably anxiety/stress) but started day with black flavored hazelnut coffee (w/ splenda). I had a few bites of jello and a glass of apple juice (for the sugar) prior to my first clenpiq bottle at 5 p.m.

After the bottle was open, I was terrified of the taste - terrified of throwing up. It tasted like VERY sweet syrup/melted down smarties and cough syrup (it's clear---not salty, nor thick). I excpected MUCH worse. I did sips of clenpiq, sips of ginger ale (not diet) until I finished - took me 30 mins.

I drank about 40 ounces of sprite, fresca, ginger ale from 5 - 7 p.m. and then had a lemon italian ice at 9 p.m. (again, not hungry at all but wanted the sugar).

The bathroom trips are loose diarrhea but not like when you are sick- no nausea/cramps - it's a very odd liquidy sensation but manageable. At the end of all of this you are supposed to have clear yellow toilet where you can see the bottom of the bowl - mine was NOT EVEN CLOSE ....I was terrified it was for nothing.

I did not sleep all night as I was afraid I would miss the 2nd bottle at 3 a.m. I am not going to lie, the second bottle was hard to get down as you are only allowed 3, 8 ounces of water vs. flavored clear liquids. I was also very full from all the liquids from earlier. If you are a Friends fan, I told myself "vanilla milkshake, just a vanilla milkshake" and watched a really fun TV show while trying to get it down.

The second bottle had me living on the toilet from 3:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. - could have had my mail delivered. The bowl was still not clear and my appoimtment was 7:30 a.m. It also burns a little and wish I had soothing wipes. Finally at 6:30 a.m. - my bowl was clear and yellow like the pictures!

I brushed my teeth before heading out and my mouth was very parched and dry - I was not allowed water from 4 a.m. onwards so that was tough.

The actual procedure was less than an hour (they did have issues finding a vein as I was so dehydrated which made me lightheaded). However, nurses were great, wheeled me in, you get yourself on your side which was comically odd - sedation, lights out and recovery! EASY BREEZY and best nap ever. You will want to sleep longer than allowed in recovery

I was not hungry after I got home but apple juice was definitely and surprisingly my #1 drink of choice through the entire process. I had apple juice with some pasta and napped the rest of the day.

If I did it again, I liked apple juice, ginger ale and lemon italian ice - everything else grossed me out. The thought of broth was bleh. I was more tired and drained than anything else and yes, it's gross but you will feel proud of yourself when you are done - too many horror stories for no reason! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thanks OP!

DH has this coming up. First time so I'm taking notes

[Anonymous]

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Thanks! That's crazy how dehydrated you have to be/become for the appt.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know why the colonoscopy has such a bad rap. The clean out is doable and you are in your own home. Thank you OP for your personal experience.

[Anonymous]

I wish more people knew that colonoscopies are easy peasy! Sure the prep sucks but it's one day and then the nap during the procedure is nice And they're so critical if you're having any issues, I just found out about my second friend in their mid-30s diagnosed with colon cancer. Get your scope, people!

[Anonymous]

I much prefer the Sutabs to drinking any of the liquid prep medicine.

[Anonymous]

There is a small percentage of patients for which they cannot finish the procedure and need to stop. Say, if you have a twist in your colon that makes it hard for them to pass the scope through. I'm one of those people. I woke up and they told me I would be put in a MRI machine for a scan in a few hours. I was at the hospital all day. I hadn't eaten anything real in a few days and told my spouse to get me the big double burger at the drive thru on the way home, lol. I got through it, but it was exhausting. Just be mentally prepared for anything.

[Anonymous]

^^ PP here: Not to terrify you, OP. I've had a lifetime of constipation problems and it suddenly became very clear why -- I have a narrow passage, so to speak. I'm sure you will be fine. It's good to take care of your health. Focus on planning your big meal afterward. You will suddenly be very, very hungry!

[Anonymous]

Very similar experience except I took the pills. Also found it weird they made me lie on my side. Like, can’t they do that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish more people knew that colonoscopies are easy peasy! Sure the prep sucks but it's one day and then the nap during the procedure is nice And they're so critical if you're having any issues, I just found out about my second friend in their mid-30s diagnosed with colon cancer. Get your scope, people!

Neither Sutab I could eat normally for three days. I went to McDonald’s drive thru on the way home.

[Anonymous]

I have to you get them every two years due to a genetic mutation that greatly increases my risk for colon cancer. The Sutabs are a huge improvement over liquid prep. I get a prescription for Zofran so I don’t get nausea.

I go to Capital Digestive Care and they allow you to eat low residue foods until noon the day before the procedure.

I have had a couple bad experiences, however. I get dehydrated and it’s very difficult to get an IV started. During my last colonoscopy, they turned off the anesthesia too soon and I woke up during the last few minutes, which was quite unpleasant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I much prefer the Sutabs to drinking any of the liquid prep medicine.

u

It’s super expensive and some insurance doesn’t cover it so check that.

[Anonymous]

They had DH take an otc laxative (ducalax?) for his colonoscopy. One day I was feeling really constipated, so I took one. OMG F*N holy mother of Geez ... I had horrible cramps and slept in the bathroom writhing in agony. I could barely get up to go on the toilet. I was seriously thinking about just stripping down naked and laying down in the shower, and letting it all go.

I'm terrified of the prep. But, I know I need to get it done. I also get bloated and gas pains if I don't have solid food in my stomach for more than 6 hours.

I'm 54.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to you get them every two years due to a genetic mutation that greatly increases my risk for colon cancer. The Sutabs are a huge improvement over liquid prep. I get a prescription for Zofran so I don’t get nausea.

I go to Capital Digestive Care and they allow you to eat low residue foods until noon the day before the procedure.

I have had a couple bad experiences, however. I get dehydrated and it’s very difficult to get an IV started. During my last colonoscopy, they turned off the anesthesia too soon and I woke up during the last few minutes, which was quite unpleasant.

I also went to Capital Digestive Care (K Street) and also woke up during the procedure. I won't be going back there. It was my second colonoscopy. The first one (not at CDC) was an amazing nap!