OT: Waste no time ...

If anyone's had a colonoscopy and it's been "icky and gross and feels horrible" they should seriously change their health care provider for colonoscopies! I've had three (mom had colon cancer) and they are not any of those things. The biggest nuisance is the prep and that has changed for the better over the past ten years. The first one I had required two or three days of liquid diet. The last one was only about 24 hours liquid. Yes, you will need to hover close to your bathroom for a few hours in the evening after you take the laxative, but then it gets easy. You go to the clinic in the morning, take a little nap, and when you wake up it's all over. And our clinic has coffee and cookies for afters! Oh, and if your insurance doesn't cover it, be sure to shop around. Prices vary a lot.

Iris

I agree with what Iris said. It really isn't so bad. My doctor make sure you are asleep during the procedure. Barbara in FL

Just had mine in September. Glad I did, it wasn't so bad. The prep is the worst part,and even that was easy. Make sure you have a "prep-coach" to hand you that prep drink on time. Stay in the pottie and it's over before you know it. Best nap I've had in years!

It's really not a big deal - but would somebody please copy forward and let me know what this is about? Polly

Did you miss Sunny's original post for this thread? or am I misunderstanding what you are asking for? Here is Sunny's post... which lead to the other colonoscopy posts.

Kate in MI

"Call your friends, the ones you haven't seen in years or talked to in ages because 'we're such good friends we will love each other even without constant contact' or the ones you always cared for in silence or family or anyone you ever cared about. Don't wait. Time is precious and short. There can be no better time than right now. Whenever 'right now' is.....

My dear friend Lonnie has colon cancer. I haven't talked to her 'in ages' and I got the email today. Our babies were born a few days apart and we bonded over their nursing problems. We've been dear friends since.

And while we're at it, go get a colonoscopy. Don't put it off just because it's icky and gross and feels horrible. Just do it.

Love, Sunny"

I had mine. My internist set it up. When I said that I was worried about pain, she said that I needn't worry, that I'd be snowed! Well it didn't hurt, I slept through the whole thing. It turned out that the doctors name was Dr. Snow!

I'm surprised that they routinely knock you out in the US - they keep you awake in the UK so that you can roll over to help them negotiate the bends of your colon and so that the cable can get better pictures. Due to "excessive looping" I had to roll over 6 times a few months ago. I earned my post-colonoscopy chocolate brownie & ice cream treat.

-- Jo in Scotland

I agree! Getting ready is the most "difficult" part - in that you cannot get too far from the bathroom !!!!! (Just take in a good novel or puzzle book! ) I had mine 5 yrs ago and am good for another 5 (negative results). BUT I was awake for some/?most? of the procedure and got to watch as the scope went through me -- I was fascinated with just how looooong and curvy that part of our body is! But, then, there were no polyps to be removed or anything like that. ME-Judy