r/colonoscopy

Hi all! Here to share my success story!

Background: I’ve been posting in here for like 5 weeks now with extreme anxiety about the procedure. I have terrible health anxiety and I’m really afraid of medical procedures. I’m 39 and this was my first IV, first sedation, and first colonoscopy.

Prep: I did the low residue diet for 2 days first and then the prep day, so I was already passing mostly liquid by like the third BM on prep day, and that made it moderately easier. The Dulcolax I took first made me VERY nauseated, but I had already asked for some Zofran and they approved 3 doses for my prep day so I took one as soon as the nausea hit, and I didn’t need to use any more of them.

The MiraLAX was intense, but no nausea or cramping with it, just dozens of bathroom trips (I live in a tiny apartment, so couch to bathroom was mostly manageable each time). One time I was a little late and leaked a lot, but I’d been saving some absolutely destroyed ancient underwear for this occasion so I could just toss them 😂

My cat was very concerned with how often I was bolting to the toilet. I suspect she thought her primary source of food was dying. (/s)

Procedure: I was SO SCARED. SO TERRIFIED. I told everyone: nurse, tech, check-in lady, doc, student nurse who was just there to stock things. Everyone knew and I feel embarrassed about that now but they also were incredibly kind and VERY helpful. They had to stick me 3 times to get the IV and I was shaking by the end of that, so they covered me in several warm blankets and I felt a lot better. Told them I had a terrible headache by then so they got me some saline and it helped (and TIL I’m one of the people who can taste saline when it’s given in an IV, gross!).

Finally they wheeled me back for the procedure and explained it all again. Doc put on some soothing music. I’m not religious but I was doing a sort of half-prayer mentally like “please let me be okay” and then I remember thinking “please let my hands be warm. wait what? sorry Jesus or whoever I guess my meds are working now” and that was my last thought before I knocked out 😆 I did wake up once with a jolt from some pain, heard the doc say “a little more versed” an I was back out. Woke up in recovery with my partner laughing and telling me I was snoring and drooling. Got a gingerale and came home!

Results: No polyps!! They did a couple biopsies to check for ulcerative colitis as my dad has that. I’m currently eating a burger and milkshake and feeling proud of myself!

You’ll absolutely thank you me later!! I posted here not too long ago, and I mentioned being super anxious because of some of the symptoms I’ve been having - I was straight up worried I had CRC! I’m sitting in recovery right as I’m typing this (probably not a good idea haha!) and I was just told that EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL!!! I have some hemorrhoids, but NO POLYPS we’re removed. I go back in ten years haha!

They did tell me to increase my fiber, but I was planning that anyway haha!!

PLEASE PLEASE, if you’re worried GO DO IT!!

I've had this colonoscopy on the calendar for roughly 4 months, but I was toying with postponing to another year. Excuses: I had a negative Cologuard last year, I hate needles, I hate hospitals, I hate the beep boop machines, heard about Prep and already sounds like I'd hate it, I hate it all. But a few weeks ago, a dear friend of mine found out she had Stage 4 colon cancer and it made it very difficult for me to make excuses anymore.

Low residue diet: Tried to keep it light and easy both days with congee (rice and chicken broth), Campbell's Chicken and Rice soup, white rice and lemon pepper tuna, applesauce, Saltines, etc.

Liquid diet: Black coffee, lemon ginger tea (this turned out to be my favorite out of all the liquids), Glacier Cherry Gatorade, white cranberry juice, lemon-lime Jell-O, Swanson Ramen Broth, Pacific Low Sodium Chicken Broth (I didn't enjoy this as much as the Ramen Broth - with all the sweet drinks, I needed more savory), Dr. Pepper. Every time I got hungry, I just slammed another drink and tried to rotate as much as possible.

Dulcolax/Miralax: I did not feel the affects of Dulcolax until an hour before my Miralax dose. And once Miralax was in my system, oooh boy. I barely slept but it was nice binge watching a favorite show (even if I had to constantly hit pause). I am grateful I bought a pack of adult diapers because that was rough!

9 AM Colonoscopy: Hired non-emergency medical transport for round trip pickup (roughly same price as Uber/Lyft). I didn't need to do a pregnancy test because I was on my period. Nurse was surprised by my heart rate and blood pressure, but it lowered once I settled underneath the blanket. I did have to use the bathroom right before they wheeled me back, which amazed me given all the trips all night and early morning. All I remember is that they asked me to move to one side and that they started the Propofol IV.

I woke up to the nurse announcing the arrival of my Saltines and cranberry juice. I asked her how did she know I wanted Saltines and cranberry - and apparently I had a whole conversation with her that I do not remember. I did ask her if I said anything weird and she said no but who knows lol. I also apparently talked to the doctor about the 3 polyps that were removed - but again no memory of that conversation. After the juice and crackers, I felt alert. Got dressed, read through the discharge documentation, and got wheeled out to my ride.

Showered when I got home and had frozen Pad See Ew with more Gatorade. Napped for 2 hours and had a burrito bowl. Feeling tired, but alert.

If you are scared, like I was scared, hang in there. No regrets, I am so thankful they removed 3 polyps.

Thank ya'll for being supportive and informative! Special thanks to my prep buddies yesterday!

34M wanted to post another success story here as the ones I saw here helped me tremendously while waiting for my colonoscopy. Had similar symptoms to those shared here, blood streaks in stool (red and black) as well as occasional flat stools. Freaked out for three weeks thinking this was the end, based on all the news re: earlier cases of colon cancer. Got a colonoscopy recently and was all clear, not even a single polyp. So my advice is to stop googling, just talk to your doctor if you are worried about changes in bowel movements and get a colonoscopy. You can do this!

I have a colonoscopy on Monday, and I was advised to do a 2 day prep. So 1 full bottle of miralax with 64 oz of liquid on Saturday, another full bottle of miralax with 64 oz of liquid on Sunday, and a small bottle of miralax with 32oz of liquid Monday morning for a noontime procedure. That seems like a lot of prep to me! And I don’t think I can go that long without solid food. They said it’s because I’m constipated? But I also have severe nausea, and this seems like it’s going to be terrible for nausea. I’m also not even constipated right now, though I did accidentally eat a salad today (Friday). Any experiences with this? I really want to just start Sunday with one large bottle and one small Monday morning. I am a 35yo female.

Just had my first colonoscopy this morning. They removed a 5 mm sessile polyp, which also has me nervous. Lab results in 2 to 4 weeks!

I’m also oddly upset that I didn’t score “excellent” on my bowel prep! The note just said “bowel prep was good.” I’m worried that another sessile polyp could have been lurking under the leftovers if you know what I mean. Know what I mean?

Hi I’m 21f and during my scope today they found a 12mm polyp and removed it, and sent it off to pathology!I don’t have family history of this I’m freaking out BAD pls help I’m so scared it’s cancer!!!

55M. have had 3 negative colonoscopies in my life. last one 6.5 yrs ago. have dealt with bright red blood in my stool on and off for many years. thus the colonoscopies at young age. I recently also found out I’m borderline anemic. have been to docs several times over the intervening years since last scope and docs always say it’s hemorrhoids. have another appointment next week. also ordered cologuard today. anyone have any advice or guidance?

I started experiencing rectal bleeding a few year ago. I will preface by saying that before the bleeding started, I went on a vacation outside of the country and after the first few days there, I started experiencing bad stomach pains followed by constipation, diarrhea, mucus in stool, constant abdominal pain and stools that were very small in size. After coming back from the trip, my issues didn’t start getting normal until about a few months being back in the states. But then after I started getting better, was when i started to see blood in my stool at times. At first when it happened, I didn’t document if it happened after I passed a bigger stool than usual that was very hard. But in this past year or so, I have been documenting. 98% of the times, I always feel a “tearing” sensation right before I see blood. The blood is bright red and it is always on the surface of the stool. If it’s ever a bigger strain than usual, I will bleed a lot (although, I really don’t know what “a lot” is, since the toilet can make blood look like there’s a lot more than what there really is. I had a brief period of time where I did not bleed, it lasted around 6-7 (lol) months. But then it started back up again, after it started up again I finally went to my PCP and told him (he had already been aware of the issues in the past) and he said that it was time to see a GI. After seeing the GI, he just said it was a fissure (since my previous doctor had done an exam to look and did see a fissure. He prescribed me to use a cream to help the fissure heal and some natural pills that would help loosen my stool) the GI said that since I hadn’t bled since my last appointment with my PCP (which had only been about a month) the he thinks it was just a reoccurring fissure and I have nothing to worry about. I told him that my pcp and I were concerned, given any kind of blood in the stool, especially after many episodes of it, should probably get checked out. So he told me if I wanted to, he would write me the referral for a colonoscopy. My pcp then told me to make an appointment. My appointment is set for about two weeks and a few days from today. I’m very nervous, Ive heard the rise in colon cancer and gut related diseases and I’m overall just so nervous to find out some bad news. My issues does look like it could just be reoccurring fissures, but given I also don’t have the happiest tummy all the time and I’m definitely a girl who always says “my tummy kinda hurts” I’m nervous there is actually something wrong. I am 23 so it’s definitely statistically less likely for me to have something serious, but like I said, studies recently are making me nervous.

Also if you have any tips on how to make the colonoscopy easier, please let me know. I’m doing the MiraLax prep with the Ducolax tablets so I’ve heard that’s a lot better than the huge jug they prescribe you. I’ve also never gone under anesthesia so I’m scared of that too (can you tell I’m a hypochondriac?)

Thanks!!

Hello everyone! So I'm having an endoscopy and colonoscopy and honestly I'm more concerned with all of this crap I have to drink. 10oz of magnesium citrate seems like so much to me...what are some prep tips? I've seen people in here talking about diapers...am I going to need them? How painful is my booty gonna be after drinking all this? Am I gonna be farting all night/day after my colonoscopy lol? HELP

At some point after I turn 45 in August, I plan to request a colonoscopy (after I get a gastroenterologist). To that end, I have been gathering supplies, and reading as much as possible in this amazing subreddit. I’ve been jotting down so many tips.

Having read certain experiences, I think I ought to put adult diapers into my list of things to gather. I am a tiny 4’11’’, and 117 lbs. What brand of adult diapers do people recommend for a petite sort the most in case of an accident during the prep?

47F

The tl;dr was that I had a failed colonscopy in Feb. I have problems with blood sugar regulation (not diabetic, but it’s bad). The lack of nutrition and high sugar consumption left me in terrible mental state for a week. Now they’re talking 3 days of clear liquids and a 2 day prep. I cannot do this without a plan for nutritional support. I will end up in the psych ward instead of getting a colonscopy. Any suggestions how to regulate blood sugar?

The deets:

Post (failed) colonoscopy back in Feb was awful. I followed every single direction but my prep was not sufficient. I literally lost my shit on the way home from the hospital and was hideously disregulated in body and brain for a week. I had a colonscopy about 8-9 years ago and it was not like this, but bodies change.

I am extremely sensitive to blood sugar swings - I could literally go from fine to suicidal ideation in 15 minutes when I needed to eat. A lot of sugar really screws me up physically and emotionally. It has been better since Ozempic, but I still have to mind what I‘m eating when. I was off the Oz, so you can imagine how well having nothing but sugar and salt for 36 hours went. Then the prep kept me up most of the night. I have a mood disorder and cannot do all nighters any more. I was awful afterward - literally screaming, crying, wanting to hurl myself into a wall out of rage. I have a serious mood disorder and it has never made me feel that out of control. The entire next week was fighting to re-regulate my nervous system.

I felt very dismissed when I raised the blood sugar crash/lack of sleep issues with the prep nurse and then my experience was awful. Everyone was very nice but there’s still a feeling that it wasted so much of my and my husband’s time and nobody even cared. They first reschedule date from Feb 8 was May 5, and I made Feb appointment in November.

I scheduled the procedure for later in the day so I should be able to get some sleep. They mentioned a 2 day prep (meaning 2-3 day of clear liquids) and miralax for a week before but nobody has called me yet. I am going to ask for the diabetic protocol in the hopes that it will give me better blood sugar regulation but does anyone have any other suggestions?

If you had asked me the day after, I would have told you I would take my chances with colon cancer rather than feel I did afterward again.

Again, I had a colonscopy before and I didn’t have anxieties/concern with the idea of the procedure. I had my gallbladder out on an emergent basis last summer. I wasn’t without food as long and I slept tons.

I’ll set this straight , I myself would never do this and I would never recommend anyone do it either for their own safety or anyone else’s. Not to mention for liability reasons. Always follow your doctor’s advice.

Would the “I needed the money so I came in anyway” not a valid reason for them not to fire you? Could they actually just fire you on the spot if they found out you disregarded your discharge instructions and ended up hurt at the job site? Even if you yourself were at fault ?

Having a colonoscopy each year is nothing new to me due to UC and surgeries I’ve had.

But I was thinking back to my last colonoscopy and how I felt the lube gel and wetness in between my cheeks when I woke up.

Look, I know the wetness in my bottom cheeks was from the scope’s lubrication gel as they lube up the anus for the scope to enter in. But at the same time and this is gonna maybe sound overdramatic but I immediately felt dirty, violated, distressed, and maybe even degraded and less than when I felt the lube gel on my anus as it was a distressing reminder of what happened. Even though the procedure was over and I knew what the gel was for obviously. But I was too embarrassed and shook to ask the docs or nurses that came to check up on me about it.

Was I expecting too much of them to think they would clean me up better or at least tell me that there may have been leftover lube? Is it just a rush on their part or just laziness that they wheeled me into recovery with a still soaked and gelled up bottom (and didn’t tell me or didn’t notice the gel) ? They really expected me to clean it myself even though I’m fully out of it and in no position to do it yet?

To give them the benefit of the doubt maybe some remnants in the anus just flowed out though due to gravity ?

But they couldn’t tell me at least when I woke up “hey there may be lube in between your cheeks from the scope!” Nope. They just went over all my vitals , saw I was stable and told me to get dressed and I was free to leave. And I had to go home sitting in the car with the gross lube gel in between my cheeks as a reminder of what happened. Felt like I was in a diaper .

Just got hit today thinking about it and I had a decent panic or anxiety attack.

Was I overreacting or did I get legit PTSD and have a good reason to bring this experience up for my next colonoscopy?