How do single people do colonoscopes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't have anyone to ask. So I can't get it done.

Oh please, this "poor me" attitude is probably why you have no one to ask. You can hire someone.

Your ignorant and angry response just lets everyone know you're in dire need of some therapy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I took a Lyft and it was totally fine. My health care provider didn’t ever say I could not do so.

I am surprised they let you do this as everyone handles the anesthesia differently. I felt 100% fine after mine- walking fine and honestly could have driven myself home. However, my husband was a different story. He could barely walk to the car, almost fell outside the place and needed help getting into the house where he immediately went to sleep for a few hours. I can not imagine him just getting into a lyft.

I felt completely fine - even said to my wife that I could have driven myself home. And then, halfway through the 10 minute drive, I vomited (luckily had enough warning to tell her to pull over and get the door pen).

[Anonymous]

I was perfectly willing to book a medical transport (I think it was about double the price of a regular taxi) but my sweet neighbor insisted on driving me and was happy to leave her husband to deal with the kids & morning routine [HAHAHA].

Fasting: oh yeah it's awful. I took the fasting day off (or worked from home--can't remember) but definitely spared my colleagues the hangriness. I took the procedure day off too though honestly it was a very early appointment and I could've been at work fine by 9am.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I took a Lyft and it was totally fine. My health care provider didn’t ever say I could not do so.

I am surprised they let you do this as everyone handles the anesthesia differently. I felt 100% fine after mine- walking fine and honestly could have driven myself home. However, my husband was a different story. He could barely walk to the car, almost fell outside the place and needed help getting into the house where he immediately went to sleep for a few hours. I can not imagine him just getting into a lyft.

I almost thought I posted this. I too felt great after anesthesia and refused the wheelchair. I loved the nap for the procedure and could go about my day after I ate, though i followed the orders not to drive. My husband was a mess, needed assistance getting to our bed and actually needed to go the hospital within a few hours of being home. OP I say this not to scare you, but to make sure you don't just get an Uber and to make sure you aren't shy about sharing how you feel after and calling the doctor if you feel lousy. My husband's pulse dropped and there were other concerning signs. Also, nobody in his family does well with anesthesia so there may be some genetic thing with how they process that type of medication. Anyway, the point is a person with medical transport has probably seen more people coming out of these procedures and will let you know if they are concerned. They might even be able to stay with you if needed (ask the policy) though of course you'd have to pay for that.

I mean, if you live an hour away from your health care provider, maybe. But I felt fine and took a taxi 15 minutes and had no issues. My spouse could have driven me but I told him not to bother.

Either way, no need to create such drama--just book a medical transport taxi--they're more $$ but hardly insurmountable for someone who has a job.

[Anonymous]

I see people on my local Reddit every so often begging for someone on the board to be their colonoscopy companion. What they don't realize (it's their first colonoscopy) is that the person who is your companion will be responsible for getting you out of your hospital gown and back into your clothes, because you'll be a bit out of it. You're aware, but weak and need some help. I'm almost 60, and this is what our society that is all "you don't need anyone, you don't need a spouse of family, only yourself" screws you over.

[Anonymous]

this is *where* our society that is all "you don't need anyone, you don't need a spouse of family, only yourself" screws you over. If you want a stranger helping you put on your underwear and bra, go for it, I guess. I'd rather have my spouse of 30 years help me.

[Anonymous]

My spouse accompanies me. The nurses bring my bag of clothes from my locker and I put them on in the curtained cubicle where they wheeled my gurney. If I am not awake enough to do that yet I am not ready to leave. I go out to spouse in waiting room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I scheduled one without anasthesia. I know lots of people will be shocked - shocked! - but, if you can find a doctor willing to do the procedure that way, and you don't mind some brief occurances of discomfort (yes, there is some), then that is a possibility.

This is an option. Although it's rare in the US, in Japan most colonoscopies are not sedated. I did mine without it. I thought it would be bad, but I really don't like sedation so was willing to suffer. But I didn't: there were a few moments of discomfort, but honestly it wasn't as bad as a typical dentist cleaning.

I understand many people have different preferences, so do whatever you prefer, but you have a choice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I scheduled one without anasthesia. I know lots of people will be shocked - shocked! - but, if you can find a doctor willing to do the procedure that way, and you don't mind some brief occurances of discomfort (yes, there is some), then that is a possibility.

This is an option. Although it's rare in the US, in Japan most colonoscopies are not sedated. I did mine without it. I thought it would be bad, but I really don't like sedation so was willing to suffer. But I didn't: there were a few moments of discomfort, but honestly it wasn't as bad as a typical dentist cleaning.

I understand many people have different preferences, so do whatever you prefer, but you have a choice.

Thirded - I've done my last 2 without sedation. It's nice to be done and just walk out and get on with your life.

I personally considered IUD insertion to be more uncomfortable than the colonoscopy, though neither was awful. And yet colonoscopies are routinely sedated in the US, while IUD insertions are never sedated.

[Anonymous]

I've driven several family members and friends. It's no big deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m single and asked a friend. I did it on a Monday so prep was on a Sunday but it was fine, I could have worked the day before. Don’t you have friends?

I live in a major city and while I have friends, none of us have cars. Not everyone lives in the suburbs and drives everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I see people on my local Reddit every so often begging for someone on the board to be their colonoscopy companion. What they don't realize (it's their first colonoscopy) is that the person who is your companion will be responsible for getting you out of your hospital gown and back into your clothes, because you'll be a bit out of it. You're aware, but weak and need some help. I'm almost 60, and this is what our society that is all "you don't need anyone, you don't need a spouse of family, only yourself" screws you over.

I have done a few colonoscopies and never needed help with my clothes. If you need help, they have a call button. Also, you can hire an aide to drive you and wait for you and that person can help with this. In my husband's case he could not walk well and I had to assist him in the bathroom. No way he would have allowed a friend to do this. Everyone is different. The thing is, it's MUCH easier to do prevention than it is to go through cancer treatment. Not a big deal to hire transport or even an aide or even a nurse if you are really afraid or have a history of issues. You do what you have to do and in the scheme of things it isn't a big deal and it's worth the money. If I did have issues and my husband couldn't be there, I'd feel much better about paying an aide than making a friend take off from work to escort me to the bathroom and clean up my vomit. I'd probably insist on giving them a generous gift card where I paid just as much as if I hired someone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:this is *where* our society that is all "you don't need anyone, you don't need a spouse of family, only yourself" screws you over. If you want a stranger helping you put on your underwear and bra, go for it, I guess. I'd rather have my spouse of 30 years help me.

You do realize that if you marry someone subpar, they won't be helpful to you after a colonoscopy right? I am not married because nobody has ever been interested in me. I'm not fighting men off with a stick here. Also, look how many people have awful spouses - do you honestly think they're helping people get dressed? No, no they're not. Never mind the spouses that die pre-50, for whatever reasons. So marriage is no guarantee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m single and asked a friend. I did it on a Monday so prep was on a Sunday but it was fine, I could have worked the day before. Don’t you have friends?

I live in a major city and while I have friends, none of us have cars. Not everyone lives in the suburbs and drives everywhere.

In major cities, there's Uber/Lyft and other ride shares. And certainly there's medical transport. You have your friend book the Uber/Lyft for you, and go with you if you expect you will need help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was perfectly willing to book a medical transport (I think it was about double the price of a regular taxi) but my sweet neighbor insisted on driving me and was happy to leave her husband to deal with the kids & morning routine [HAHAHA].

Fasting: oh yeah it's awful. I took the fasting day off (or worked from home--can't remember) but definitely spared my colleagues the hangriness. I took the procedure day off too though honestly it was a very early appointment and I could've been at work fine by 9am.

Do you think this makes OP feel better. You are so special someone insisted on changing up the morning routine, having her husband leave later for work so she could be there for you and so you need to let OP know this when her neighbor may not be able to do this? It's lovely your neighbor did that/ Do you also brag about other kind things people do for you to those who don't have people looking out for them that way?