I am now a proud member of the colonoscopy club. Yes, a couple years ahead of the big 5-0, but let's just say there was "cause." Good news is, I have a very healthy colon! Yea! Bad news is, I may never be able to look at Jell-O again!
No, seriously, the procedure itself is a complete non-event. They give you fabulous drugs that knock you out in about half a second and when you wake up it's over.
I won't go into details about the prep, but if you're someone that is due to have a colonoscopy and is putting it off because of all you've heard, let me just tell you this, ask for the split dose. Schedule your procedure for late morning so you can drink the OTHER 8 glasses of solution in the morning, because I don't know how it's humanly possible to drink 16 glasses in one evening and survive to tell the tale.
The other thing I wish I'd done was ask more questions in my initial visit. They told me not to take any vitamins or supplements for a week prior to the procedure, and being the good girl that I am, I did not. Well, with the help of my wonderful naturopath, my high blood pressure and menopause are all eased by natural supplements. Not being on them for a solid week was not fun, plus I caught a cold, the first one in years, because I was no longer taking all that Vitamin C (2,000 to 3,000 mg. a day). I wish I'd advocated more for myself and learned more about what could possibly have been the harm of taking those at least until the day before the procedure.
If you are needing to join the Big C Club, plan it around a time you can really care for yourself before and after. The day before you will need to not do much of anything, since you won't really be eating, and will be as weak as can be and as crabby as all get out. Load up the DVR with "Jerseylicious," and make the most of it! Following your procedure, plan on sleeping and resting, again, more time with you and your DVR! I have officially reached the saturation point with the OWN network, nice as it is.
But, I am healthy, it is over, and all is good.
* Photo from www.thegeminiweb.com
9 comments:
oh, I'm so glad to hear you passed the test.
and Jello? I don't like it to start with.
Congratulations. The drugs are amazing. I give them to patients and I've had them. Good stuff.
Glad everything came out okay. He-he.
Well, congratulations and thanks for the tips. I do dread that day -- but maybe a tiny bit less, now!
You are so funny. Glad all is okay.
I, too, had a colonoscopy at 47--LOVE LOVE LOVE the propofil they give you--called it my "sedation vacation"! Best words of advice for the prep: Be home alone the day before, if possible, to avoid having anyone hear the embarrassing sounds coming from the bathroom! I have an endoscopy every single year, and the prep is much easier, but the drugs are the same--actually look forward to it!
The drugs almost make the prep worth it. So glad all's well.
Congrats! Happy for you it's over.
I don't mind the test at all. The prep is no fun but then it's a relief to get it all over with. And get a good result.
I hadn't heard of the 1/2 prep or whatever you called it. Sounds good to me.
One more milestone and you passed with flying colors.
Blessings, B
Umm, first, could you never have a blog post with that title again? To me, "Big C" means cancer and I nearly peed myself at the thought.
Second, thanks for the tips. I'll definitely keep that split dose in mind. I believe wholeheartedly in baby steps.
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