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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

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

I was told by the doctor that “Susan was expensive” and then the pharmacist told me the same thing. I have BcBs fed and it cost me $50. It was worth every dollar

[Anonymous]

The best tip I got was to use an extra wide straw to suck down the prep. I don’t like flavored drinks so the fact that mine was mixed with an electrolyte drink was truly disgusting to me. I squeezed my nose shut and could drink it fast, without much taste.

[Anonymous]

Another tip if you want to get a good nights sleep is to make your appointment for later in the day. That way you won’t have to get up at 3 or 6 in the morning for the second dose.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

I did the same thing and had the same thoughts. The agony that Dulcolax inflicted on me is no joke. I worry about that same agony happening with a colonoscopy prep. I just need to get over it.

[Anonymous]

45 and had my first yesterday - at CDC.

Other than a little anxiety (and I’m a type A semi anxious person by nature) bc prep took longer than I anticipated it was a nothing burger.
As someone else said, it’s strange to be passing material like that without associated cramps and misery. Actual time at CDC was minimal (maybe 90min). Staff was lovely. All clear for ten more years!

Not worth the anxiety at all- get yours done if you are due!

[Anonymous]

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

My prep instructions stressed drinking a lot until I think four hours before the procedure. I had to follow up after each prep bottle with even more water.

[Anonymous]

There’s no reason to do the dietary restrictions anymore: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10919995/

[Anonymous]

I find the whole colonoscopy thing to be a bit of a racket. I’m going to do the stool test and possibly a CT virtual colonoscopy instead.

[Anonymous]

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

? You can drink water, or any other clear liquid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s no reason to do the dietary restrictions anymore: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10919995/

That is really interesting, and will hugely increase compliance if it catches on.

A long time ago, however, I had a colonoscopy done by a true world expert . By a receptionist’s mistake, I had NOT been told to prepare in advance. The doctor decided to go ahead, when I arrived, and completed the procedure. He told me afterward, that he was sorry but I would have schedule a repeat procedure (with prep next time) because his view had been so impeded. He just could not be confident that he did not miss anything .

Maybe the dietary changes are not necessary, but the laxative still is (I did not read the whole study).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find the whole colonoscopy thing to be a bit of a racket. I’m going to do the stool test and possibly a CT virtual colonoscopy instead.

Well no, it saves many lives from a very common cancer.

The other methods you describe are better than nothing, but inferior.

There are scientific data on this. We don’t have to rely on your hunches!

[Anonymous]

We have decent medical coverage and the SUTAB still cost about $150. But I much prefer this prep than the liquid method. I had no issue taking the pills and downing the necessary water/diluted apple juice. The prep was way easier than I thought. No cramping, no issues going to the bathroom. I was thoroughly "cleaned out" and wasn't miserable.

50F w high anxiety over the procedure and pushed the appoint 2x so I can be mentally prepared. It turned out to be very manageable.

[Anonymous]

THANK YOU, OP! I have my first one scheduled for Friday and I'm feeling a little anxious. This really helped.

[Anonymous]

47 y/o female here. I don't have health anxiety and found the colonoscopy prep a lot easier than I imagined. I wasn't instructed to make any dietary changes ahead of time, so I didn't except maybe I didn't eat nuts or seeds two days before. I had zero problems drinking the liquid prep from a glass with no straw. I didn't need to supplement much with anything else to drink, just a glass or two of apple juice I think. It wasn't a big deal to fast.

I've heard the propofol nap is great, mine wasn't bad but it wasn't as awesome as it had been made out to be either. I was tired when I got home and took another nap and went to bed early that evening.

[Anonymous]

I’m 54 and was very anxious. I had my first last week and the prep is DEFINITELY the worst of it. I had to drink a massive amount of prep liquid, and it was a struggle for me because I tend not to drink a ton of liquid. The thing that saved me was True Lemon packets, which let me flavor the liquid so it tasted much better.

Lots of time on the toilet. If you follow the dietary restrictions, have faith the prep will work. I’d started on white bread, no real fruit or veg, etc., a few days before. In hindsight maybe I started it too soon, but I was very nervous about not being successful with prep.

The actual procedure is nothing. You roll on your side and they knock you out. You wake up back in recovery and it’s all over!

I vote for doing the procedure early in the day, to get it over with and ensure there aren’t delays. Probably won’t sleep very well anyway the night before, because he will be thinking about it!

Pro tip: if you are massively addicted to coffee like I am, remember to avoid a caffeine withdrawal headache and have some coffee or other caffeine as soon as you can after the procedure. I forgot to do this and had a terrible headache.