Upcoming Colonoscopy - Anemia Message Board

osteoblast · 10-03-2007, 01:09 PM

Ok-now it's about 6 days till the colonoscopy. Nyxie, flowergirl and Christine, we had such a great and helpful discussion about the procedure on the ferrous fumarate or gluconate thread. But, I am getting scared all over again.

You folks made me feel so much better about the procedure and I do have the osmoprep. Now, I am worried about taking the osmoprep, well not actually taking it but the ordeal of going and going and going. Would the bathroom experience be similar to a bad bout of diarrhea- or is it worse?
At this time I am not thinking of anything past the prep. If I can just get through that , it sounds like the rest will just take care of itself at the clinic.
And, then of course I can add my colonoscopy story to the board. I will be glad when this is over!! Because I was unable to keep my appt. in Sept. because of bad gi upset , doc would probably have been fine with procedure but I didn't want it--somehow then re-scheduling to Oct has made this like an endless wait with the procedure always looming ahead.

ChristineVA · 10-03-2007, 03:14 PM

Oh, you poor thing! I was fearing the prep in the worst way too.

Let me tell you: this is not as bad as a bad bout of diarrhea or an intestinal bug. It is much, much milder than that. Everyone I have talked to that used the OsmoPrep had no intestinal cramping (which is the worst part of a diarrhea bug, isn't it). It is very gentle. You just will need to go a lot. To be honest, when I did go each time, it wasn't a huge amount, wasn't explosive, wasn't a big deal. Just more of an inconvenience. Each time you go, it becomes more and more watery, until in the morning, it is really just pure water trickling out.

The most uncomfortable part for me was that sometime in the middle of the night, I got VERY thirsty and I had to get up and drink and drink and drink. The OsmoPrep, as well as the liquid solutions, are very salty and they make your thirsty. Have you ever gone out and eaten and really junky, salty meal (something like a salty pizza or country ham) and then just been thirsty for awhile. That is what I felt like. That was the most annoying part. Oh, and my "bum" was sore that morning.

FLFLOWERGIRL · 10-03-2007, 04:23 PM

Osteoblast--Sorry that your getting anxious, you really don't need to be. For me I had never been put under before and I was extremely worried about that but knew that it would be fine. When they took my history, they asked about prior SX and I had none, other than when I was 6 yrs. old. They couldn't believe that and they made a big deal over it and then I was scared again. It all turned out just fine.

As for the prep, I had the worst kind and it wasn't bad at all as far as the bathroom part of it. It was a breeze for me, just kept me busy up and down. I didn't have any pain or cramps or uncontrollable symptoms. I just drank lots of water all the time. This made me go more and cleaned out faster. Eventually, it does turn to water and that's okay too. I was already cleaned out from the iron supplements at that time so it was easy for me! My family just laughed everytime I ran off. My problem was the type of prep that I had. Be glad that you have the OSMO PREP. Next time I'm asking for it. Thank goodness they said I don't have to come back for 10 years. Can you believe that? I just turned 46 in June. Missed my birthday because I was sick from the anemia. Anyway, I think that when I turn 50 that I will go for it again just to be safe. I feel like I got short changed having to do it at 45 years old. And Christine is right about the sore bum but she had a solution on the other thread that was a great idea. I wish I would have known that at the time it would have been great! My doctor even said that my soreness was a result of my prep. But don't be worried about it, you'll be FINE!

The best part is the end when you get the pictures and results back. I didn't have anything for pathology so I had no concerns as Nyxie did. I'm just so glad that I actually had it done. I don't have to worry about it. With my GERD I was always concerned in the back of my mind. Now, no worries at all. Don't get anxious, no need, really. Your thread title gets me anxious for you LOL. FLFLOWERGIRL

Nyxie63 · 10-04-2007, 04:02 AM

{{{{{ Osteoblast }}}}} Sorry you're having such anxiety.

During the prep, lime jello was my friend. It gave the feeling of actually eating *something*. To help with the cleanout, eat light meals a day or so before starting the prep so there's less material to move. Also start drinking more a day or two before to get a head-start on hydration. Christine was sooo right about the flushable wipes. Get some and start using them from the get-go. They're a life.. errr.. ummm.. bum saver.

Christine's right about the OsmoPrep as well. No cramping and no feeling of a pending bum explosion. Just a frequent gentle need to go.

You know we're here for you, so vent as often as you want. Before you know it, you'll be posting your own non-story.

littlebunnyfoo · 10-04-2007, 06:49 AM

I just had a colonoscopy this summer after putting it off for a year. Someone gave me some tips and boy did they work!!

1. Start eating light 2 days before prep day...applesauce, mashed potatoes, toast, yogurt

2. Buy those flushable wipes!!! Blot, don't wipe. You might get a little sore, but not like the raw burning you would get if you used toilet paper. Also, dab on some vaseline down there every once in a while.

3. Buy some mints. Swirl the mint in your mouth right before you have to drink a serving of the prep. Drink the prep and then put the mint back in your mouth and swirl away all of the bad taste! This really did work for me.

4. Measure out 8 oz. (or whatever your prep serving size is) in a water bottle or gatorade bottle. Mark the 8 oz. with a marker and then pour each serving of prep in the bottle to drink instead of a glass. Lean over the kitchen sink and chug...you can get it down much faster this way 3-4 chugs instead of many many drinks from a glass.

I've had to clean myself out 2 times. The first time it was horrible. My rear was raw and sore and I was crying and miserable from the horrible prep. I had to drink almost ALL of the prep to get cleaned out. The second time wasn't a picnic, but it was soooo much better. I only had to drink HALF the prep because I ate light, soft foods for a couple days before and followed the above advice from a friend who has had many, many colonoscopys.

Hope this helps!