topic Re: colonoscopy in Wellness

colonoscopy

catter70 — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 17:48:25 GMT

I took a cologuard test and it came back abnormal. Today I went for my consult at the gastro doctor. Geez, hope this is easier then it looks. Only clear liquids all day and all that water. No good food all day. Not looking forward to this at all. Hoping all is okay as I'm not ready for anymore health issues. Scheduled for January. Anything good one can say about the procedure?

Re: colonoscopy

LindaSal — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 17:51:33 GMT

In my experience the procedure itself is really nothing much at all. I feel fine when I come out of it, just really hungry at that point. The most difficult part is the prep, it isn't easy for some of us to go without food for 24 hours but it is what it is and well worth going through it. I wish you the best of luck

Re: colonoscopy

Puppy Lips — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 17:55:43 GMT

@catter70 wrote:
I took a cologuard test and it came back abnormal. Today I went for my consult at the gastro doctor. Geez, hope this is easier then it looks. Only clear liquids all day and all that water. No good food all day. Not looking forward to this at all. Hoping all is okay as I'm not ready for anymore health issues. Scheduled for January. Anything good one can say about the procedure?

@catter70 You might lose a little weight. It is really not all that bad. I have learned that every doctor has a slightly different prep for their patients. You would do yourself a favor by eating lighter meals on the days up to your procedure, and then follow the directions the day before. My prep started the night before the day before with a laxative.

Re: colonoscopy

Kachina624 — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 17:59:06 GMT

@catter70. It's not a fun experience no matter what but it's not painful. Now they're mostly using Propolol which put me to sleep instantly and allowed me to awaken alert without feeling dopey.

The good new is that a positive test usually results in just a polyp, which they remove and you're good for another 3-5 years.

Re: colonoscopy

kze — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 18:00:05 GMT

You'll find that chicken broth and jello are delicious when you're really hungry!

Re: colonoscopy

Shelbelle — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 18:00:59 GMT

So many older threads here about this, look them up for some good info. Test itself is a breeze, prep leaves some things to be desired, but we all do what we have to do to stay healthy. Dont worry over it, just do it, it is just 24 hours out of a lifetime.

I have had 2, took just pills both times. my gastro doc allows you to eat breakfast the day before and a light lunch day before.

Re: colonoscopy

SactoSue — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 18:12:19 GMT

Weigh yourself with as little clothing as possible just before you leave for the procedure. You'll have the lowest weight you've seen for a long time!

I'm so thankful that we have these kinds of procedures to us to safeguard our health and detect things that need attention, from diverticulosis, to polyps, to worse.

Be prepared to visit the toilet frequently duing the night as you cleanse the colon for the procedure. Follow the instructions faithfully to get a good cleaning, otherwise you might have to re-do the prep if you don't get fully cleaned out.

Then, fantasize about what you first meal with be after the procedure. Mine was jalapeno burger and fries.

Re: colonoscopy

jlkz — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 18:17:15 GMT

@catter70

Over many years, I have had 3 colonoscopies. My experiences mirror @Kachina624 's post: pre / during / after. Best advice is to start out eating light meals and follow the prep instructions....no " red " jello, my favorite !

My consult with the gastroenterologist this October ended with my 80-year old body going the Cologard route. Thankfully my results were negative.

While yours was abnormal, it may prove a false result: This is why the actual January colonoscopy is important. Please try to enjoy the holidays...you will breathe a sigh of relief when it's over knowing you are doing what's best for you and your family.

Waiting is hard....

Re: colonoscopy

Dragonflyveb — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 18:18:42 GMT

Hi,

I just went through the process in October.

I had to eat low residue 5 days ahead of time, then liquid diet.

Have broth or bouillon around, plus Jello and Italian ice. I found that lemon-lime PowerAde helped a lot.

Prep was split the night before and then 6 hours before the procedure. Had to get up at 5 am for 11am procedure. Plan for your best timing, if you have to do a split prep.

A straw helps to get the slime down without tasting it too much. A chaser of apple juice helps cut the taste.

Also, invest in soft toilet paper or better still, bum wipes.

I have to say, the first colonoscopy I had about 10 years ago, the prep was double the amount and really gross. This time, the taste wasn't as salty or slimy.

I had an abnormal ColoGuard. Colonoscopy found a couple very small polyps and removed them. So the good news is that the screening caught what it is intended to catch.

good luck!

Re: colonoscopy

ps hottie — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 18:23:04 GMT

Make sure you get a morning appt. There is a different prep you can take the night before. You take it, go to bed, wake up in the morning, take it again and then go for your procedure. There's no need to go without food for 24 hours. Ask your doctor.

Re: colonoscopy

meallen616 — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 19:17:55 GMT

@ps hottie,

Re: colonoscopy

Carmie — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 19:32:41 GMT

The worse part is the prep. I prepped the day before and went for my Appt the next morning.

I wasn't hungry. With all that liquid you have to drink, putting something else in your stomach is not even a passing thought.

The procedure is not painful at all. I woke up for a few minutes during my last procedure and watched part of it on the screen. That was really cool.

My sister had an abnormal colorguard test, but her colonscopy was great..there are many false positives.

Re: colonoscopy

Imaoldhippie — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 19:33:18 GMT

@catter70 ...............I have had to have them every 5 years. The most unpleasant part is not eating and taking the prep and using the bathroom. You sleep through the exam.

Re: colonoscopy

mrshckynut — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 19:36:06 GMT

@catter70 wrote:
I took a cologuard test and it came back abnormal. Today I went for my consult at the gastro doctor. Geez, hope this is easier then it looks. Only clear liquids all day and all that water. No good food all day. Not looking forward to this at all. Hoping all is okay as I'm not ready for anymore health issues. Scheduled for January. Anything good one can say about the procedure?

@catter70 anything good yes the best way to detect and possibly rule out getting colon cancer the procedure is painless under general anesthesia

mrshckynut

Re: colonoscopy

ciao_bella — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 19:52:01 GMT

@catter70 Just so you know, many times there are false positives from Cologuard. It happened to me last year. My gastro doc said it happens quite frequently.

Re: colonoscopy

mrshckynut — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 20:40:21 GMT

@ciao_bella wrote:
@catter70 Just so you know, many times there are false positives from Cologuard. It happened to me last year. My gastro doc said it happens quite frequently.

@ciao_bella it is much worse if one gets a false negative as they go along thinking all is well when it is not
those that get false positives if smart end up having a colonoscopy thus 1 extra step accomplished what exactly

mrshckynut

Re: colonoscopy

Neetgal2 — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 21:06:24 GMT

Many times and recently in my case, your insurance company may have the last say in the type of prep. This is according to the girl in my doctor's office.

I have had three of these and as people said, the worst is the prep. The last one was the clear liquid so that did not bother me because I did not have the bad taste of the prep. I just go through with the stuff because I think about many of my relatives who did not have this option and the end result was not good so I just, do it.

Re: colonoscopy

JeanLouiseFinch — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 22:15:49 GMT

@catter70 - the prep is the worst. You'll be glad you ate light before starting the colon cleanse. Don't drink or eat anything red. (Maybe orange too. Double check on that.)

You'll get a nice, restful nap.

Make sure you have a driver lined up. I know there are exceptions but my experience has been that the patient could still be under the effects of the anesthesia and shouldn't drive themselves home.

Re: colonoscopy

Spinach30 — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 22:29:39 GMT

Had mine done a few weeks back. Worst part is the prep, of course. Procedure itself was pretty easy as you are sedated and don't feel anything. I had a great report and wishing the same for you!

Re: colonoscopy

ciao_bella — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 22:47:10 GMT

@mrshckynut wrote:
@ciao_bella wrote:
@catter70 Just so you know, many times there are false positives from Cologuard. It happened to me last year. My gastro doc said it happens quite frequently.

@ciao_bella it is much worse if one gets a false negative as they go along thinking all is well when it is not
those that get false positives if smart end up having a colonoscopy thus 1 extra step accomplished what exactly

mrshckynut

@mrshckynut Yes, and true to what you said. If you get a positive on one of these tests, it's most important to have a followup colonoscopy. I was merely trying to ease the OP's mind that it's not always bad news when you get a positive reading from one of these tests. From what I've read, false negatives are far less than false positives, but that makes the test even more threatening. In my opinion, the only definitive true answer is to skip these tests completely and just go for a colonoscopy.