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A couple of months ago in an OT post I mentioned that my doctor had
scheduled me for a colonoscopy with a specialist. I was nervous about it
and was looking for assurances.
Well, I had the procedure yesterday. And just in case I can reassure
someone else who may be facing this, I want to relate my experience.
I was scheduled for the procedure at 10 a.m., and by far the worst part was
the prep the day prior. After a very light breakfast the day before, a
strict clear liquid diet had to be followed for 24 hours. Beginning at 5
p.m. that evening, I had to take a regimen of sodium phosphate mixed in
(diet) ginger ale every ten minutes around 5 p.m and again around 10 p.m.
This is an unbelievably powerful cathartic, and 1 hour after I took the
first doses -- well, it was not pretty. (If you go through this, buy a
good book, keep it in the bathroom and stay there along with an extra roll
or two of toilet paper). Let's just say I ended up having to change all my
clothes including my socks, and shirt (don't even ask!) take two showers,
and scrub down the whole bathroom incuding the floor and wall (don't even
ask!) . It wasn't quite as bad after the 10 p.m. series of doses; by then
there was not much left but clear liquid -- which is the whole point.
The next morning (not that I was able to sleep since I was mostly in the
bathroom) I could still drink liquids until 7 a.m.; after that, nothing by
mouth at all until after the procedure.
The colonoscopy itself was anticlimactic; it was remarkably easy. Mine was
done in the specialist's office; there was a hospital-like suite set up with
all the equipment. (A friend had his done as a hospital outpatient; same
thing I guess). A PA explained the procedure to me and answered questions.
Then I was asked to put on a gown (I was told I could keep my shirt and
socks on) and got in the bed, covered up with a sheet. She inserted an IV
drip in my arm, explaining that it was just saline solution for now. When
the doctor came in, he adjusted his gizmos that added a potent liquid
Valium/Demerol mixture to the drip. Within seconds I experienced a good old
fashioned high. The doctor and PA talked constantly (conversationally) with
me, the last thing I remember was him asking if things were spinning yet.
The next thing I knew I was waking up in a recovery area. I was groggy for
about 1/2 hour, and had someone waiting to give me a ride home. I had no
memory of the procedure at all, and there was absolutely no residual
diccomfort or pain of any kind. I wouldn't even believe that it had been
done had I not been given glorious color photos, taken by the micro-cam, of
the inside my colon! (Which turned out to be healthy, with no lesions or
polyps. Yay!) I now have a clean bill of health in that department and
don't have to do this again for 10 more years. What a great feeling just to
know this; it is well worth the time and effort to have this performed.
I guess I had been expecting a humiliating experience; it turned out to be
just the opposite. I was treated with dignity and respect by the staff, and
at no time was there any type of consciously embarrassing situation for me.
I was asleep (or in a drug-induced stupor) during the actual colonoscopy and
have no memory of it. Although my understanding is that if someone wants to
stay alert and watch the minicam image on the monitor, they can request
lighter drugs. I personally had no desire whatsoever to watch a live image
from a camera going six feet into my netherparts!
Again, I'm only writing this in hopes that I can reassure someone who may be
either facing or considering submitting to the procedure. The experience
was surprisingly easy and completely free of any pain or residual
discomfort. It was SO worth the peace of mind that I now have!
p.s. And between the cathartic and the 24 hour liquid diet I lost nine
pounds! Heh!
Peter
270/219/180
Website: http://users.thelink.net/marengo