FIRST COLONOSCOPY
What to Expect
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When one suffers from IBD, sooner or later, your doctor will probably want
to perform a colonoscopy. The patient usually suffers a certain amount
of anticipation prior to this procedure (as I'm quite certain we "veterans"
can attest.) Several members of our group have recently undergone
this test for the first, and for the benefit of those facing one in the
future, have written of their experiences.
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I knew about this upcoming procedure more
than 2 1/2 weeks ahead of time. That gave me plenty of time to agonize,
bitch, and worry about it. Which I did, profusely. Just ask anyone I talked
to, and I MEAN ANYone. "Saints" are what my on-line pals are, every one
of them. And they know who they are.
Rewind, 19 days ago. My Doctor, pointed
to a picture of the human intestines, on the wall of the examination
room and said "this is where I'll be looking", and proceded to show me
the trek that butt cam would take. Needless to say I freaked. He told me
I'd be under sedation, "Valium and Demerol", which meant nothing to me
because I was still thinking of how far in that thing would be going.
The receptionist handed me a pamphlet with
instructions, and answered the few questions I managed to stammer out,
and sent me on my way. That was my only prep for this, aside from what
I learned form the on-line support group. I learned more and continue to
learn more from them.
Fast forward to the day of the procedure.
I had completed the instructions in the prep kit, which meant fasting,
and "going" endlessly. OK, 1 full day, but still, yuck. Not to mention
the suppository. We wont go "there".
In the hospital, the waiting begins. I'm there
at 12:15, early. I'm scheduled for 12:30, but I didn't know where I was
going, not having been in that hospital for over 8 years. I waited a half
hour, then was called to answer insurance questions, and get that required
hospital bracelet, and then brought upstairs. I don't know what that area
was called.
About 20 minutes after that, I was brought
to the Endoscopy room. This was the "pre-procedure" room, connected to
a central room where there were phones and computers, and the bathroom,
which was connected to the "post procedure" room.
There, I was told to strip, and put on that
hospital gown. I waited there, laid there rather, another hour. Then was
asked many questions regarding my prep for the procedure, and any prescriptions
I was taking and why. Also about any allergies I might have, and whether
or not Id had this procedure done before. Then the technician checked my
vitals, telling me "you're kinda nervous, huh?", and then set up the IV.
She also explained what a colonoscopy entailed,
and tried to put me at ease. She was very nice. Soon, my doctor came in
and asked me "how my symptoms were". Wanting to know the frequency of my
"stooling". About a half hour after that, it was finally time.
I was wheeled into this small room, filled
with technical looking equipment. My opinion of my doctor soared as I eyed
this stuff. I didn't really trust him, yet, here I was, completely vulnerable
to what was coming. It was good for my sake, that he wasn't as bad as I
had thought.
There were 2 others in the room with the doctor.
The doctor and the tech began prepping me, the 3rd was doing something
behind me that I couldn't see. I felt dizzy, stoned. I didn't even feel
the scope enter me. I did however, see what it saw. There was a color TV
to my left, and I watched, totally transfixed. I couldn't tear my eyes
away if my life depended on it. Tired as I was, I stared, AND questioned
in my dazed state. I don't remember what I asked, or what the answers were,
but I remember having to repeat the questions to be heard over all the
noise in there.
The next thing I knew, the TV screen was showing
a black and white picture I couldn't identify. Then, I woke up in the "post
procedure" room, because one of the techs was saying my name. I went in
and out of that sleepy drugged state, waking only when my name was spoken.
She talked to me, but I don't remember what about, or if I answered.
Soon, she said I had a visitor, and in walked
my mom. Was it 3:30 already? No, she was early. They had me sit up, and
asked me if I wanted to eat anything, which I didn't. No way. I was thirsty
though, and there was apple juice there, so I drank a little.
I was told to get dressed, given a paper with
post procedure instructions, and when the wheelchair got there, sent on
my way.
I went to sleep as soon as I got home. No
dreams. When I finally got up, I was still feeling pretty good from the
drugs. It wasn't until the next day that I felt any pain. And it was back
pain and cramping that I felt, nothing where the scope had entered, like
I had anticipated. All in all, I'm glad its over. Now, the wait for the
results begins. I have to call next Monday, 5 days from now, for the results.
**************
The worst part for me was the prep......after
that, they gave me an IV, rolled me into the procedure room, put the sedative
in my IV (I think they used Versed). I remember thinking----"hey---don't
get near me with that scope----I'm still wide awake here!", then the nurse
was shaking me and telling me it was over. Whole thing took about
15 minutes.... went in at 7 in the morning, was home eating spaghetti by
noon. There was some pain afterward.....like REALLLYYYY bad gas...they
pump air in there so they can see. And the gut was a little funky
(but that's why they did the scope!) for a couple of days. For me,
definitely worth the discomfort and annoyance to find out there is nothing
terrible going on in there---"just" IBS. ;)
***************
Having had two sigmoidoscopes (somewhat less
invasive then a full colonoscope) without benefit of drugs, and a colonoscopy
under sedation, I can say most assuredly, that you should ask for; No,
DEMAND painkillers. It doesn't mean you are a wimp, and no one will
think the less of you. If they give you painkillers and you feel
anything more than discomfort (a normal definition of discomfort, not the
doctors) don't be ashamed to ask for more.
'Scopes are not pleasant, but they area necessary
evil. A biopsy (usually performed at the same time is the ONLY sure
way to diagnose Crohn's and Colitis. As many have said, with the
the proper drugs, there is no pain, and all seem to agree that the very
worst part is the prep the night before.
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