Had my colonoscopy today

seadoug

seadoug

Senior Member
Location
Texas
My paternal uncle died of colorectal cancer so I have been a fanatic about having a colonoscopy every 5 years. Also, they have found benign polyps in the past so no taking chances.

Yesterday I had all my prep ready to start at 4pm. I was advised that I could eat a light breakfast up until 11am, which is different from the past. I was so looking forward to it because I wouldn't be hungry for most of the day. So, I heated up a frozen scramble bowl from Eggland's best at about 10:45am. The cheese in it didn't smell particularly good but I figured it was just the type of cheese they used. I ate half of it and within an hour (sorry to be graphic) I had the runs. So much for that. Had I eaten something else it would have stayed with me for most of the day.

My doctor gave me a different prep than the prescription one I'd had in the past. At 4pm, I drank a 10 Oz. bottle of Magnesium Citrate. It was cherry flavored and tasted fine to me. More than an hour went by and nothing happened. At 5pm I then drank, as prescribed, two 10 Oz. bottles of Gatorade mixed with 8.3 Oz. of Miralax powder.

I felt extremely bloated and a little queasy but I certainly didn't feel hungry for anything. It didn't taste bad, but I could only drink 10.5 Oz. because I felt so bloated. The instructions said as you "expel" it the bloated and queasy feeling will subside. Well, I "expelled" on and off until 9pm. I also went again this morning before my 7am appointment. The prep did do the trick and wasn't particular harsh like some I've had.

My colonoscopy went fine. A couple of polyps were removed but I'm in the clear. All in all, I do prefer this method to previous preps because I never really felt hungry during the process and the time in the bathroom was not severe. I was dreading this but it wasn't so bad.

So if a colonoscopy is in your future, check with your doctor and see if there are different methods you can use to prep that may not be so severe as the traditional ones.
 

Nathan said:
I had one a couple weeks ago, drinking the GOLYTLY prep was the worst part. 4 polyps(benign) removed...back in 5 years for another colonoscopy. I hope by then that Kaiser will have a less objectionable prep in their formulary.
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Glad the outcome of your colonoscopy was good, but yes... that old prep is horrendous. I'm surprised more doctors haven't modified it but I know you've had issues with Kaiser. :(
 

Good hear they were able to get it done.

I know someone who passed from late stage colon cancer. They seemed fine until their final four months in which it spread to form tumors and got into lympnodes. What surprised me is that they were almost 90. I thought cancers moved slower in senior years. Didn't have many of the signs it was just loss of appetite and thirst near the end

They did have a bunch of other issues and their diet was crap their final year including lack of fruits, veggies and vitamins.
 
@seadoug, they certainly have improved the prep. I start having these done at age 40 for a medical problem, not a cancer screening. I had a strange type of colitis, took medicine for a few years and it resolved. I was told in remission, but they still like to check me every 3 years.

I actually, kind of enjoy it now. It is just a really nice nap and I sometimes go for days without a migraine.
 
WhatInThe said:
Good hear they were able to get it done.

I know someone who passed from late stage colon cancer. They seemed fine until their final four months in which it spread to form tumors and got into lympnodes. What surprised me is that they were almost 90. I thought cancers moved slower in senior years. Didn't have many of the signs it was just loss of appetite and thirst near the end

They did have a bunch of other issues and their diet was crap their final year including lack of fruits, veggies and vitamins.
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I didn't mention it, but I have a friend in her early 60s who has never had a colonoscopy and was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 colorectal cancer. She has gone through chemo and radiation therapy and is now waiting to see if they can operate, if the tumor is gone or if she will need a colostomy bag. It is really sad.
 
You're the second person that mentioned a different prep than they use to prescribe. They sound better than the other stuff. I think my insurance only pays for 10 years but my PCP said since I did have polyps (benign also) he could get them to cover every 5 years. My previous gastroenterologist retired and I have not been to the "new" one, recommended by my PCP. So far the doctors he's recommended me to that are under the same "umbrella" as he is have been very nice.

Did they put you to sleep Doug? I've always been put under and I like it that way. Honestly, I'm more afraid of the IV starting process than of the procedure itself. I hate it when I have to get stuck more than once because the nurse, tech or whoever doesn't listen to me when I tell them what vein to use. I have very small veins, not noticeable from the surface, except this one that's on top of my arm and it has to be thumped to bring it up. It's not where phlebotomists usually expect to find veins. Anyway...I'm glad you're good.
 
OneEyedDiva said:
You're the second person that mentioned a different prep than they use to prescribe. They sound better than the other stuff. I think my insurance only pays for 10 years but my PCP said since I did have polyps (benign also) he could get them to cover every 5 years. My previous gastroenterologist retired and I have not been to the "new" one, recommended by my PCP. So far the doctors he's recommended me to that are under the same "umbrella" as he is have been very nice.

Did they put you to sleep Doug? I've always been put under and I like it that way. Honestly, I'm more afraid of the IV starting process than of the procedure itself. I hate it when I have to get stuck more than once because the nurse, tech or whoever doesn't listen to me when I tell them what vein to use. I have very small veins, not noticeable from the surface, except this one that's on top of my arm and it has to be thumped to bring it up. It's not where phlebotomists usually expect to find veins. Anyway...I'm glad you're good.
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Yes, I had a nice nap, and thanks!
 
Benjamin_24 said:
I’m glad your colonoscopy went well and that the new prep method worked better for you!
It’s great to hear you didn’t feel too hungry and found it less harsh.
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Thank you! And welcome to the forum!
 
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I've had several colonoscopies since the 1980's, the last being October '23.
My first colonoscopy was preceded by a Barium enema, I had haemorrhoids and a haemorrhoidictomy in the 90's. When diagnosed I asked the doctor about the cause, without hesitation he told me that as a farmer I ate too much meat.
Sorry if this is TMI, but I figured the squeamish probably glossed over this thread.
Perform a death defying act and get checked out, my paternal grandfather died from colon cancer.
 
Rakaia said:
I've had several colonoscopies since the 1980's, the last being October '23.
My first colonoscopy was preceded by a Barium enema, I had haemorrhoids and a haemorrhoidictomy in the 90's. When diagnosed I asked the doctor about the cause, without hesitation he told me that as a farmer I ate too much meat.
Sorry if this is TMI, but I figured the squeamish probably glossed over this thread.
Perform a death defying act and get checked out, my paternal grandfather died from colon cancer.
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You are brave soul. My mother had a hemorrhoidectomy in the 80's and I remember she had to sit on a donut pillow for a very long time. She said it was quite painful. Glad you continue to get your colonoscopies!
 
@seadoug
As the surgeon said, you can delay it but you can not avoid it
I wasn't brave and I delayed it, not to the point of emergency surgery but close enough.
 

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