Hi

I will be having a colonoscopy in a month. I have been having problems with rectal bleeding, weightloss, and nausea after BM's. I went to a colon rectal surgeon that I saw 7 years ago who treated the hemorrhoids again last week. He strongly suggested that I get a colonoscopy done. My last one was done 7 years ago. I was told last year that I needed to do one when I turn 35 because my mom had a precancerous polyp removed when she was 45.

It looks like my dr threw a kink into my plan and I will be doing it next month. To be honest, my colon-rectal surgeon scared me when he told me that he has diagnosed colon cancer in people my age.

Anyways, the prep that he is giving me is 3 steps. I am doing a combination of 4 dulcolax tablets, then a bottle of Magnesium citrate, and later I take mirlax. He said that it will start early and hopefully be done early. How much cramping will I experience with this prep? The thought of taking this much stuff is nerve racking. I am very regular and never had problems with constipation.

When I did the colonoscopy 7 years ago, I didn't not remember it. I had a spinal procedure done under sedation last year and was crying and screaming off and on. I made it clear to the dr that I am concern about the sedation and he told me that if I wake up, he will stop and give me more medication. I am scared that I will be aware of it. I don't want to be in pain or even care about it. Will this be possible?

How bad will the cramping be. Any way to reduce it.

Thanks
Jennifer

I had a scope earlier this year and the whole thing was a breeze....the prep was fine....I actually felt so purged after it was done (then went and ate half a large pizza after the procedure!) The procedure itself was fine...had no recollection of it when I woke up and no after effects. I would have another tomorrow if I had to. Good luck with yours.

Hi

Did you have the same prep that I will be having and if so, did you have any cramps. I have heard and read horror stories about the dulcolax tablets, then a bottle of Magnesium citrate, and mirlax.

I am nervous about it. It is hard to deal with this on top of going to college.

thanks

I am not sure if my prep was the same. I think I got the same bottle of prep, to be drunk at 4 in the afternoon, then two tablets to be taken at 8 in the evening, then a suppository to be inserted on the morning of the procedure. I had no cramps, just lots of running into the bathroom. You will be fine!

Hi

Thanks. that is a relief. I think I will ask him if I can take 2 tablets instead of 4. I know he wants me to take those first thing in the morning. Then after I go the bathroom start the other stuff. My feeling is that I go every morning anyways. Why take 4 tablets when research shows that 4 can cause alot of cramping versus 2. Also, the other two laxatives should cover it.

Thanks

Good idea to ask as it is important to follow instructions closely. If you are not completely cleaned out, the procedure cannot be done and has to be rescheduled. You certainly don't want that!

Hi

I called and checked with the dr today. I had some concerns with the dulcolax. I took it years ago and was on the floor with cramps. They told me that I can skip the dulcolax if I have a very light diet a day before the prep starts and liquid liquid diet the day before the procedure. They apparently do these modifications all the time.

Thanks

I would go over your request (demand) that you want to be unaware of the procedure before you every let them put the IV in. My husband has had 2, and the second time he was awake the whole time! He doesn't care, and apparently he had enough drugs to be comfortable, but that is NOT what I want. I have had one, and we came to an understanding beforehand, and he kept his word, but I just don't trust those guys. Because they are on the giving end of the "stick" I don't think they have the same appreciation for the pain of the procedure. It sounds like the guy is sincere, but you can't be too careful about making your needs known. Good luck, I'm betting it will all be fine.

Hi Clem,

I made my concerns clear to the dr last week on the phone. He said that if for any reason, I wake up, he will stop and give me more medicine. He told me that he had patients in the past who went to another clinic and had trouble. That same patient went to him and it went well. I have no desire or urge to be awake. I was told that there will be a nurse anesthialogist present that will be doing the sedation. I will express my concerns again. I had one 7 years ago and was asleep, although I do remember stressing when they were getting me ready and I wasn't given the meds. Next minute later, I was waking up in another room.

I just want to get it over with. Tough to deal with this and finals. I wished I had this week because the prep would have been a breeze. Just got done with some nasty stomach and cold bug. Can't keep anything in me and can't taste anything.

Jennifer