My First Colonoscopy

[kybearfuzz]

Yesterday around lunchtime I left work for a doctor's appointment. It was a consultation with a gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy. After hearing about my older brothers passing away from colon cancer (and other things), my current doctor recommended I get things looked at, so to speak. My twin has his done a few months ago and everything is "clean as a whistle," as he put it.

It's a little early for me, but I turn forty soon and it seemed like a good idea. The doctor was young and nerdy, showing me his iPhone 5 and how the case isn't as sturdy as the older models, but that he loves it. He's a super nice guy. I went ahead and scheduled it for the day before the election in November. How fitting, I thought, I'll be completely purged in time to cast my vote. I was given the jug of laxative powder to flush things out. If what they described is true, I'll be supermodel thin in just one evening. I'll have to stock the bathroom with better reading material, maybe even set up my iPad for Netflix streaming.

Right now the only concern is a ride. I live less than three miles from the doctor's office, but they wont let me take a cab there and back. Someone has to be with me apparently, which isn't so easy since all my family is hours away. I'll find someone, but I have to admit that I'm not looking forward to asking.

Happy hump day! :)

Comments

[mort-83.livejournal.com]

Harry has his first one this past summer. From his experience, you won't be spending all that much time on the throne per each...ummmm movement. It's kinda fast.

Bada-Bing-Bada-Boom

Just sayin'

You really ought to have someone drive you. Especially if you've not had that type of anesthetic.

[mort-83.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah,


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUTrqvjYjGI
:-)

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

It's definitely worth doing for your peace of mind.

[boobooirl.livejournal.com]

I had one about 3 years ago. It's not as bad as you would imagine.
The "preparation" is more annoying than anything else.
But be warned... afterwards you will be farting as if your life depended on it!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've heard about the farting part. I'm usually very skilled in that area already. After this, I may be a Maestro. :)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Thanks! And thanks for the add. I was going to send you a message earlier when I sent the friend request and got tangled up with something at work. :)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I'll remember to put the toilet paper in the fridge :)

[spatts5.livejournal.com]

No worries Mark, drinking the prep is the worse part, but now it comes in flavors so it's not as bad. After my last colonoscopy, I took my friend out for lunch for driving me to and from the doctors. I had no side effects at all and was starving afterwards. I'm sure your procedure will go just as easily and you'll be clean as a whistle as well.

[squirreltot.livejournal.com]

Have fun! I had mine a few years ago and it was a cake walk. Now the night before...sucked, but the procedure was a non-event. And it is good to have someone with you because I don't even remember talking to the doctor after mine I was so doped up. Now for added fun, slip something fun up in you first for them to discover with the scope...a little green army man or maybe a note that says "Kilroy was here". Have fun with it!

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

I'm actually curious how much weight I'll shed in this endeavor. :)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

LOL... I'm sure they'd ask a lot of questions if I did that.

[putzmeisterbear.livejournal.com]

I've had two done. Both times I drove myself to and from. The worst part is the prep but even that isn't that bad. I hope everything is "A-OK" so to speak.

The prep

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

I took advice from a friend, and pass it on to you. They give you this large container of powder that you're supposed to mix with water, then drink, like every 1/2 hour or so. Here's the advice: Don't drink it straight; it tastes gawd-awful. Mix in some Crystal Lite (I used their single-serving lemonade flavor packets with each glass), it made all the difference.

[texwriterbear.livejournal.com]

Good luck with everything.
I can say I'm not looking forward to it any time soon! LOL

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Apparently the ability to go solo is becoming a thing of the past. I asked if I could take a cab from the medical center to home and they said no. Ugh... not easy on those of us who are not from the area.

Re: The prep

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

That's exactly what they told me to do. I already have the jug of powder :)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Eh, from all accounts, it appears pretty easy except for the pre-exam purge. :)

Re: The prep

[mort-83.livejournal.com]

Gatorade. We used Gatorade.

Harry didn't remember the 15-20 minutes afterwards..he was fuzzy. Some folks also develop false memories. What fun!

Chill that toilet paper! LOL

[designerotter.livejournal.com]

You have my sympathies ... I've had the same problem about a ride, though did find one friend who was available. You can get there by taxi ...it's the ride back that the hospital is snarky about. You can also find out about time you're estimated to come out of anesthesia, so the person getting you home won't have to be there through the whole procedure.
My doc gave me some good advice: you can put lemon Crystal Light into the mix you're having to drink, so it doesn't taste quite so godawful. Also, stock up on some Jello and fruit popsickles for when you start the fast ...you're allowed to have that stuff and it'll keep you from feeling starved or dehydrated.
The procedure itself is a breeze (I had it in April) - was blissfully knocked out through most of it...and you'll probably get to take home a series of pictures of your innards - in color ! Whoopdedoo!

[maxauburn.livejournal.com]

Wishing you success!

Okay, that was lame, but all the good replies are taken. ;)

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

Well, thanks! I have a ride now, so thankfully that stress is gone.

And the scheduling person said that crystal light packets really help get that stuff down. I've not had popsicles in a long time. I'm sure I'll be sick of them by the time this is done.

Pictures of my innards? LOL... I wonder how I'll feel about that when I get them. :D

[kybearfuzz.livejournal.com]

It's always good to have a reply from you :)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Maybe Brian can pick you up. They really mean it when they say you have to have someone pick you up after the procedure. Good luck! I had my first colonoscopy earlier this year. Clean as a whistle:)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I took Joe's advice and it helped. I woke up in the middle of the procedure and watched as the camera moved around. That was a surprise!

[maxauburn.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

I like your replies, as well.