I just turned 51 awhile back and will be scheduling my first colonoscopy with my doctor when I see him next month. There's no family history but I try to take care of myself and have tests done when I'm suppose to. Now, I'm not concerned with the colonoscopy itself as I'm ususlly pretty good about checkups and tests and things of that nature, but I'm worried about my asthma during the test. I've been told by people who've had it done that they give you something to relax you, but some people say they just go to sleep, and I'm worried that what they give you can cause a problem with asthmatics. This has me worried because I read awhile back on this board that anethesia can cause an asthma attack afterwards, so now I'm concerned if what they give you during a colonoscopy can cause breathing problems as well. Am I worrying for nothing? Has anyone on here with asthma had this test done and can hopefully reassure me? Thanks so much, any help will be greatly appreciated.

Hi,

I have asthma as well as ulcerative colitis. I have had 5 colonoscopies in 15 years and no reaction during the procedure from the (wonderful) drugs.

I'm not put to sleep, because I MUST watch the monitor and see what things are looking like in there. That's the "reward" after the night of clean-out.

I always take my inhaler with me.

The nurse will interview you and ask what your other disorders are. What meds you're on..etc.
She/he will probably make sure you have your inhaler with you when you go in.

I don't think it's worrying for nothing since you've never experienced it. It's a good question and you're responsible for asking it.

I hope it goes well. Enjoy a BIG breakfast afterwards, and then enjoy the rest of the day. You'll be a bit mellow.
quincy

Thank-you Quincy, I feel better. I don't use inhalers, I only take Advair, but good to know yours wasn't needed. Can I ask another question? I was under the impression that a colonoscopy doesn't hurt, but I just read on here somewhere a couple of days ago where someone was talking about it and said something to the affect that 'you certainly know when they go around a corner'. I guess I didn't think you felt anything at all, but after reading that I'm a little confused. Do you feel anything at all? And I also know that some people go to sleep and others like yourself don't. Is this something you can choose, or is it simply that some people 'relax' easier than others?

Hi,

Yes, they can cause discomfort and pain "going around the corner". The reason for the cramping and pain is because the colon is filled with air as it goes along to expand it enough for the scope to go through.

The last one I had was very uncomfortable going up into the transverse colon and I was certainly needing more meds. They work quickly and can be given also during the procedure. They say that they will cause amnesia....but I have no problem to remember the discomfort. Once it goes around the corner, to the transverse and then to the ascending colon (at the right)...it's not so bad. Coming back is a breeze and that's when all the biopsies are done. I had 36 the last time.

Once it's out, there's no discomfort at all.

You can choose to be asleep or awake. I've never been put to sleep, but it is up to you if you aren't up for the experience. If you are not able to relax the bowel enough for the procedure or there's way too much cramping I know they can administer enough to make you feel much more mellow. The pain is like a bad menstral cramp. I've never given birth, but if you have, I don't think it's much different than that in intensity but it's very short.

What are you having for the clean out?

quincy

I'm not to that point yet, I was going to talk to my doctor about it next month. I just turned 51 a few months ago and I've always been very good with checkups and tests and things of that nature. I don't have any family history of it and don't have any problems myself, and I do take very good care of myself, but I just figured it was time to start thinking about it. Funny how everyone I ask about it will go on and on about how you don't feel anything, nothing to it, etc etc. What a crock of doggie doo doo. I thank you for at least being honest with me. Makes me think back to when I was pregnant with my first child, and I asked my mom what labor pains felt like, and she said it was just like having a real bad period. Well, needless to say I was pretty ticked off at her after going through 18 hours of labor, so when she came walking through the door at the hospital, first thing out of my mouth was, "Well, I don't know what the hell kind of periods YOU have...."

Hahahahahhahaaaaaa!!!! Thanks for the laugh. You're welcome..

Now for my next suggestion. If you can, do the gallon of Go Lytely or CoLyte or other names I forget rather than the Fleet stuff. I've had 5 done, and had no problems with the gallon of stuff (no fun drinking it all in 2+ hours), but at least I could have something to eat during the day. With the Fleet stuff, you have to go on a light diet and liquid diet the day of the purging. I was nauseated and really shakey afterward because I can't go without food for that long. Drinking that stuff was really difficult. And interestingly enough, I never really felt cleaned out because it was an all day thing. After the scope during the entire day, I was nauseated. I couldn't even eat my after-scope breakfast which I so look forward to.

But, there are others who have no problem with it.....There are also pills Visicol (24 I think) that one takes for purging also before a scope. I don't know about the diet for 2 days before.

Just something else to know before you go for your scope. The way I see it.....I'm glad I have the experience of which to know what I prefer. And it AIN'T the Fleet!

Hope it goes ;-) well!

quincy