Hey folks... I have to go in for a colonoscopy this wed. I scheduled it for 8am in hopes of getting it over with in the morning and going back to work for the rest of the day. However, when I asked the nurse if I would be able to go back to work, she said everyone recovers differently.

Whats everyone's opinion on it? Being that they are not doing anything surgical, just putting some thing in my bum, why should there be a need for me recover? Is it because they knock you out and it takes a while to get back to your senses?

Does it hurt? And how long does it take to recover?

I'm a bit nervous... I'd appreciate your advice.

I had one done at 8:00 AM as well. I took the rest of the day off, mainly, because they knocked me out. You tend to be tired the rest of the day. Besides, you need to have someone drive you home from the procedure. Otherwise, there were no restrictions. Eat what you want, but no alcohol. I suppose you can go to work (if you're driven) if you have an office job. No working any type of machinery, though. Personally, I needed the day to recover as it is a draining experience.

Most colonoscopies require sedation in a twilight anesthesia in which you may be left groggy and amnesic. So, if your job requires quick decision making it may not be in your best interest going back to work. Also....they will require somebody to be with you in order to drive you home because of the same effects of the anesthesia involved. Personally, I felt fine right afterwards, however, a few hours later I felt knocked out.

I've had a few done....I don't remember the first and the second I recall looking at the TV screen watching the entire thing but as if it were an out of body experience. No discomfort at all. So relax....the worst part in my opinion was the prep :eek:....Goody

The colonoscopy is a breeze. Meds are very good and very relaxing! I wouldn't plan on going back to work. After the clean out the day before, you will feel drained and need to rest up and get some nourishment back in your system. The cleanout is the worse part..but even the cleanout can be not too bad...depends on what you are given. I've seen husband drink a gallon of crud and then on another occasion take 40 pills. The pills make you cramp...constrict the colon for the bowels to move. Personally, I took the Fleet Phso soda which was a breeze...but you have to be able to take off that day to stay close to the bathroom. That's why most go with the gallon of crud starting in the early evening before the colonoscopy. Don't worry...you won't feel violated...like I said before, the meds they give you are very nice! If you feel any discomfort, it is just for an instant as the scope makes the turn in the sigmoid colon...yep, it might hurt just a bit, but as you are sedated, it's a very tolerable hurt! The doc will increase sedation at that time if needed. You will sleep like a baby Wednesday night....best sleep I can ever remember having! :) I'm looking forward to having my next one...6 1/2 years left to go! Just the rest you get after it is worth the mental anguish before you have it! Good luck and let us know the outcome! Cathy

I think you should take the day off. The procedure is no problem but you probably will be lethargic and a bit out of it for the rest of the day. My husband told me that when I was in recovery I kept cracking the same joke over and over as if I was saying it for the first time. I also went into the washroom for what I thought was only a couple of minutes, but my husband told me I was in there for about 20 minutes! When I got home I took a four hour nap, got up and ate dinner, relaxed in front of the TV for a couple of hours and then went to bed early. The next day I was well-rested and felt fine. Now I admit that medication hits me harder than the average person, but I still think you should give yourself a break and relax for the rest of the day! Remember, your digestive system will be completely empty so you will need time to replenish nutrients, etc.

I took the Fleet instead of the gallon of crud and I didn’t have to take it until the evening before. It doesn’t cramp you up or anything, it just makes you go (and go and go and go!). As far as pain, all I felt were a couple of twinges when they took samples for biopsy, but it was nothing major. The pin ***** for the IV was more painful than the procedure.

Yes, do take the day off.

The prep is the worst part.

I have another one coming up in 4 months, and am not at all worried.

Thanks for the tips everyone. I guess I'll play by ear according to how my body feels. Its nice to hear that the procedure isnt anything scary.

On a side note... I just took 4 pills and have to drink a bunch of solution in the coming hours. How long does the pooping last?

The procedure is a piece of cake. You feel nothing. The gallon of yummy juice is the worst part. I asked my Dr. about the other preps and he said he liked this one cause he knew it was going to clean me out. He was right. Get a good book and stay close to the bathroom. If I remember corectly I had to drink some every 15 mins. Almost finished the gallon but not completely. I didn't go to work. They kept me in recovery for about an hour and a half. I was dizzy walking to the car. Definitely needed a driver. I, too, was wiped out all day. Good luck. You'll probably be laughing at it after it's over.

Dont go to work, you will be groggy, and you cannot drive. The drugs mess you up for 24 hours and you need to rest. After mine I slept for 9 hours.

How did it go for you?