I have to go for both an endoscopy and colonoscopy in Dec. I would like to know if they are pretty safe procedures and what are the dangers. I won't be totally out but they will give me some kind of drug to relax while they are doing this.

I have to go for both an endoscopy and colonoscopy in Dec. I would like to know if they are pretty safe procedures and what are the dangers. I won't be totally out but they will give me some kind of drug to relax while they are doing this.

My dad had a colonoscopy. He was given some exlax stuff that will make you stay in the bathroom for about 2 hours to empty you out. You can just drink water. They do twilight you, but you can still talk and respond. He didn't feel any discomfort or pain. Embarassment alittle but these doctors do it all the time:) Just take it easy and try not to be nervous:)

Both are very safe and the only consequence might be a sore throat for a day or two after:) That's it:)

Hope this helps!

Kat

Hey... I found the upper one to be easier than the colonoscopy... Unfortunately I don't think the stuff they are going to give you to clean you out will only be a 2 hour thing... It was like 7 hours being in the bathroom for me, until I finally fell asleep, and when I woke up in the morning I still was going. They say you can start the prep earlier than what most places tell you.

I was sedated w/ versid(sp?) and given demerol for pain.... When they went around the "turns" in the colon, that woke me up w/ a SHARP PAIN once, but quickly was given more medicine and I don't remember anything after that... but yes, I did experience a slight discomfort... But really wasn't that bad at all! Worst part is the prep for sure.

And yes, they are "safe" procedures... All procedures have their risks. I suggest you search for possible risks in the procedures online. My doctor however gave me a sheet that listed all the risks. If I find it I'll type it up for you.

okay i found the sheet, this was printed in the national digestive diseases information clearinghouse....

Colonoscopy- lets the physician look inside your entire large intestine, form the lowest part, the rectum, all the way up through the colon to the lower end of the small intestine. The procedure is used to diagnose the causes of unexplained changes in bowel habits. It is also used to look for early signs of cancer in the colon and rectum. Colonoscopy enables the physician to see inflamed tissue, abnormal growths, uclers, bleeding, and muscle spasms.

For the procedure, you will lie on your left side on the examining table. You will probably be given a medication and a mild sedative to keep you comfortable and help you relax during the exam. The physician will insert a long, flexible, lighted tube into your rectum and slowly guide it into your colon. The tube is called a colonoscope. The scope trasmits an image of the inside of the colon, so the physician can carefully examine the lining of the colon. The scope bends, so the physician can move it around the curves of your colon. You may be asked to change position occasionally to help the physician move the scope. The scope also blows air into your colon, which inflates the colon and helps the physician see better.

If anything unusual is in your colon, like a polyp or inflamed tissue, the physician can remove a piece of it using tiny instruments passed through the scope. That tissue (biopsy) is then sent to a lab for testing. If there is bleeding in the colon, the physician can pass a laser, heater probe, or electrical probe, or inject special medicines, through the scope and use it to stop the bleeding.

Bleeding and puncture of the colon are possible complications of colonoscopy. However, such complications are uncommon.

Colonoscopy takes 30 to 60 minutes. The sedative and pain medicine should keep you from feeling much discomfort during the exam. You will need to remain at the physician's office for 1 to 2 hours until the sedative wears off.

Preparation

Your colon must be completely empty for the colonoscopy to be thorough and safe. To prepare for the procedure you may have to follow a liquid diet for 1 to 3 days before-hand. A liquid diet means fat-free bouillon or broth, JELL-O, strained fruit juice, water, plain coffee, plain tea, or diet soda. You may need to take laxatives or an enema before the procedure. Also, you must arrange for someone to take you home afterward--you will not be allowed to drive because of the sedatives. Your physician may give you special instructions.

Things to report to your doctor.. This was from my doctor and he said immediately.

1. Excessive bleeding
2. Excessive pain not controlled by medication
3. Temperature above 100 in next 48 hours. ---> your doctors instructions may include others, but these are common signs of something wrong.


I hope this helps with the colonoscopy info, I typed it all out!! Hope ya appreciate it!

I do appreciate you typing all that out! Thank you. I tried looking things up on the net and didn't find much for complications so I guess that's a good thing. I'm going Dec. 21st so I don't want something bad to happen and not see my children open presents on Christmas morning. The paper I got from the dr. says to drink 1.5 oz. 6 pm day before and 1.5 oz. 6 am the morning of the procedures. Have you heard of this? Things that I have read say you take all the stuff the day before.

mom, every procedure has at least a slight risk. With the colonoscopy there is a possibility of nicking the colon. I forget the statistics on it . . . something like 1 in 2,000 - but the important statistic is how often it happens with your doctor/facility because I believe it does tend to happen in clusters. I have never read up on the other procedure.

Good luck!

Yes, that is odd it says to take the one the morning of the procedure. Can you phone where the test will be taken to verify things? I've had a gastroscopy twice and colonoscopies 3 times. I always had to do the bowel preps the day before and stop eating approximately 36 hours before the test. I had 1 colonoscopy with no sedation and will never, ever allow that again. It was agony!! At that time I didn't know I could ask for them to give me something. My 1st gastroscopy I remember a bit of and it wasn't too bad. They sprayed something in my throat to numb it and to stop the gag reflux. The 2nd one I don't remember any part of it. I was laying on the table and the next thing I was waking up thinking they hadn't even done anything yet. Like the one poster said, there are risks with any kind of a procedure, but they are very minimal if the person doing the test has lots of experience. The benefit usually outweighs the risk. Good luck and let us know what you find out about taking the prep the morning of the procedure.

It's a colonoscopy. Preparation says Fleet Phospho-Soda Oral Saline Laxative 3 ounces total. It says to mix 1.5 oz. w/ 4 oz. cold clear liquid (or just drink it straight) then follow w/ an 8 oz. glass of clear liquid and continue with the clear liquids. Then the next morning I take the other 1.5 oz. and follow with an 8 oz. glass clear liquid.

What time is your procedure at? The prep you're using is the same stuff I took for all my colonoscopies. Maybe you should call the doctor's office to verify that the instructions are correct? I do know if your bowel isn't cleaned properly they can't proceed with the test. Every time I used that stuff I spent hours and hours running to the washroom. Definitely couldn't leave my house at all!! The instructions I had were to take the first bottle at noon and the second bottle at 6 that evening. I'd just be slowing down from using the washroom from the first bottle and then would have to start all over again.

The procedure is at 10:45 and I'm to arrive at 9:45, so I'll be leaving the house around 8:45. The instructions say that I need to drink clear liquids when I wake up, then at 6:00 to drink the other 1.5 ounces then follow with an 8-ounce glass of clear liquid. It also says I may have clear liquids until 6:45 am then nothing after that. The instruction list looks like a printed list that they give everyone, and it says to follow instructions exactly as they say. I will call anyway just to be sure.

I wasn't allowed anything to drink after midnight the day before I had the test. They aren't even giving you 4 hours after you drink the last one. I was going to the washroom for about 6 hours steady after each dose. If you have an hour's drive to the hospital I sure hope you know where there are washrooms along the way!!

I would definitely verify that... I just didn't think having any liquid at all after midnight the day before was good... I know some places won't do procedures if you forget and drink a pop, or part of a coffeee... Or even water... I believe!

But I would call about the preparation for sure... definitely, because you will be pooping forever in the morning, seriously!! I had an hour drive to mine, and I was still pooping the morning of, when I had finished taking my prep at 7 the night before....

I would DEFINITELY request the prep to be done the same day... That just doesn't seem like a gastro who knows whats going on.

Thanks for the advice. I will definitely call on Monday. I will let you know what they say.

I had these done last week and i don't remember much but waking up and them taking the i.v. out. It was not as bad as i expected. The worst thing for me was drinking a whole gallon of that liquid stuff. It tasted nasty.

I called and she said that after any clear liquids are finished (which would be 6:45 am the morning of) I should be done going the the bathroom. She said I could take the last 1.5 oz. earlier if I want to. Also she said if the procedure is after 10:30 a.m. then the prep needs to be finished the morning of the colonoscopy. If it was before 10:30 then I would finish the night before.

Ive had 1 colonoscopy and 3 endoscopies done with no problems.The endoscopy was the easiest.The colonoscopy wasnt bad at all except for the prep the day before.If i ever have to have them done again i wont even give a second thought. :wave:

MOM22

I unfortunately am going for both on Monday the 6th of December. I will get both done while sedated so that I dont have to go back again. I am very frightened by all of this. What are you having them done for? I have GERD and IBS. They are checking me to rule out or confirm Barrett's and any cancers. I have already had upper GI, ultrasound, and CT of the pelvis and stomach. I guess they wanted to save the best tests for last. UGGGG!!! I will write back and let you know how it went since you are getting both too. Say a little prayer for me that they don't find anything. Strang thing.....since they started treating me for IBS, all of my GERD symptoms went away. Good luck to you.
Vickey

Hi Vickey,
I'm having the endoscopy for GERD. Like you they are checking to see if there is any damage. I'm having the colonoscopy because I bleed when I have bm's. I also have hems and fissures and I'm pretty sure that's what it is from but I can't just ignore it. I will feel better knowing exactly what it is. Good luck to you also. I hope everything goes well. If you can, check back and let me know how it was. I'm having the procedures on Dec. 21st.

You don't want to drink that nasty stuff straight. I mixed mine with cranberry cherry juice and used a straw. They told me any clear juice.