Getting a Colonoscopy
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Getting a Colonoscopy
March 2007
Unlike many people who've posted to various BPN lists, I don't
have any particular anxiety about a colonoscopy, but I do have
irrational dread of the prep process due to embarrassing
childhood incidents involving diarrhea. (Yes, I've had
intestinal illnesses as an adult, but there's something about
deliberately inducing that result...) Wondering if anyone has
ever found any other sort of prep, such as fasting, to be
effective? I really want to have the test, but can't seem to get
past the first step and I've put it off too long.
Embarrassed
I've had about five colonoscopies in the past 15 years (I'm 36) and, so far,
the only prep seems to be the intentional ''whooshing out'' of the system.
Fortunately, now there is a series of pills you can take to induce it, rather
than drinking what feels like gallons of that horrible solution. I don't think
fasting would do it. They need the intestinal walls to be really clean so they
can see everything clearly. If it's any consolation, once it starts, it really
doesn't take very long - maybe a couple of hours. And that's the worst part
about it - the procedure itself is a piece of cake. Good luck!
anon
Fasting won't clean the colon as thoroughly as the yucky drink they give you
does. Nor does an enema. You have to fast anyway..or just drink broth. The
colon really needs to be ''squeeky clean'' so they can get a good look at the
tissue inside and be able to see all the nooks and crannys(technical term).
I would recommend that you plan on being home the evening before so that you
are near a bathroom. I know people have complained that it's horrible....I
thought it wasn't THAT horrible. Just inconvenient and the drink isn't all
that pleasant but certainly do-able. It's only one evening...just prepare for
it adn get it done. Good luck.
anon
Not having any traumatic childhood experiences with Big D, I'm not sure I can
relate to your psychological issues directly...
but for me, the biggest problem was choking down that awful, awful stuff that
you have to drink which turns solids into liquids. Even now, years later, the
memory of that taste makes me gag. If I had to do it over again, I would put
that liquid in the fridge and make it cold as possible, and then, when I had
to drink it, I would numb my mouth with ice first, THEN drink the liquid.
This only ocurred to me AFTER the fact. Good luck... and get a magazine to
read on the pot... you'll be there a while.
kevin
I would rather die from colon cancer than ever go through that again!
The colonoscopy itself was nothing. The prep nearly killed me. I weigh
105 lbs and couldn't handle the ''emptying''. I think it's wrong that
they precribe the same amount of liquid to drink for everyone (like a
200 lb person drinks the same amount as me!) I went into convulsions
right there on the toilet, all alone at home. It was the frreakiest
thing that ever happened to me. I also have a friend who started
bleeding from all his orfices during the prep. The emergency hospital
where he ended up diagnosed him as ''overdosed'' HELLO? They prescribed
the prep to drink!!!! If they dont' have an alternative before the next
time I need a colonoscopy, I ain't going!!!!
Sorry this is not good advice, but I don't advise drinking that prep
stuff!!!!
I somehow missed the original question but when I saw the answer
posted on April 19th I felt I should chime in. I have had a
colonoscopy and no, it's not fun. I did however, do a fair
amount of research online as well as speaking with everyone I
knew who had had one. There are numbers of preps out there. I
knew that I would not be able to do the one where you drink a
gallon of fluid. I went with fleet phosphate. It's 1 1/2 ounces
of not pleasant liquid. You drink half in the morning, and half
in the afternoon. I also took 2 ducolax tablets. Both of these
are over the counter. When I first spoke with my gastro guy he
was ready to prescribe the regular gallon drink but I simply
said, no I want to do the phosphate. He said fine. I think
Doctors and Dentist just get in a mode and don't take the time,
don't have the time, whatever, to go over what will and will not
work for each individual.When you drink the phosphate suck on a
lemon, it kills the taste. Drink LOTS of hydrating fluids,
(gatorade etc.)as I said, no fun, but beats the possible
alternative.
been there
Feb 2007
I've turned 50 and am ready to make an appointment for the
dreaded colonoscopy (sigh). I only see one or two names and old
recommendations in the archives. Can anyone recommend a great
gastroenterologist who's an expert colonoscopist (?) ? Could be
in the East Bay or SF. And if you have anything encouraging (or
just informative) to say about enduring the horrible preparation
and procedure, that would be appreciated, too.
-- dreading it but determined
I had one about six months ago by:
Silvia Villagomez, M.D.
3300 Webster St., Ste. 312
Oakland, California 94609
Phone: (510) 444-3297
The procedure was performed at a veritable colonoscopy factory in the Rotunda in downtown
Oakland. If you can judge by volume, they know their stuff.
Dr. Villagomez was everything I hoped for -- businesslike, gentle, thorough (she made it to
the top of my colon), and she honored my request to go light on the drugs (I was
breastfeeding). (I also found it great to be back on my feet right afterward, instead of
groggy all day like those heavily drugged.)
The procedure itself was incredibly easy, and I was awake for it -- many people are basically
unconscious. Don't worry for a second about it.
The preparation, well -- it's many hours of explosive and uncontrollable diarrhea, so it is
messy and unpleasant. At least it doesn't hurt, like the flu does. Stock your bathroom with
magazines and be prepared to hang out there.
I had to have mine at 36, and as they found three pre-cancerous polyps, I have to go back in
three years. anon
Sorry, I don't have any local recommendations (did mine in
Minneapolis), but I can speak to the prep and procedure part.
My partner and I agree that the prep is most unpleasant! It's
been seven or eight years, and I can finally think of Fleet's
Ginger Phospho-Soda without gagging. Yuck, Yuck, YUCK. But the
idea of drinking a gallon of GoLightly or whatever it's called
sounds even worse. Maybe they've come up with a more palatable
prep since I did it!
But having gone through all that, the actual procedure was
relatively a breeze. You should be under conscious sedation,
a.k.a. more or less in Happy Land. You may be able to watch on
the monitor while they do the procedure, if you've ever wanted to
see your insides. And although it wasn't fun and pleasurable,
the only discomfort I experienced was some minor cramping-type
pains when they turned the sharp corner from one part of the
bowel to the next. Not a big deal. You will probably be
required to have someone there to take you home because of the
sedation--taxis are usually not an option.
Good luck!
Been there, done that, not looking forward to the next one!
I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the doc who did my
colonoscopy, but I would like to reassure you about the
procedure. The worst part is the prep the day or two before (not
painful, just the ''ick'' factor.). The procedure itself is a piece
of cake. You don't feel much at all, and it's sort of interesting
to watch the TV picture as the procedure is done. anon
I can ditto the recommendation for Dr. Silvia Villagomez. She has
performed four colonoscopies on me and is always extraordinarily
pleasant. Once I think there was a miscommunication in her office, which
delayed getting results to me, but I have always found her manner to be
very pleasant and responsive to my needs. After one colonoscopy (my
third) she found a polyp she could not remove because of its shape and
location. I subsequently had a colon resection to remove it, at which
time it was found to be cancerous. When my surgeon couldn't give me the
biopsy results in a timely manner (due to surgery) he had her come and
tell me the cancer had not spread. She came immediately upon his
request. I now have colonoscopies yearly as I have a genetic
predisposition toward colon cancer.
There are several different preps. The one that is most comprehensive is
the gallon jug. You don't need to drink it all, but most by the time you
are ''cleansed.'' It is the drinking that is the hardest part for me.
The cleansing of your bowels is not at all painful, just a nuisance.
Follow the drinking instructions closely. If you have the jug stuff,
keep it cold and ice it when you drink it. Add the flavor packet. It
goes down better that way.
The procedure itself is not difficult, although I usually require heavy
sedation as I am very sensitive to the sensations and she cannot
complete the procedure otherwise. This is because I have adhesions, so
my colon is not as flexible as most. When this first happened, she
stopped the procedure and sent me to have a barium enema (total
torture). When that identified a polyp she then had me back for another
colonoscopy with the heavy sedation, demonstrating her thoroughness.
Get your colonoscopy! Having mine by chance before the age of 50 saved
my life. Had it not happened until I was 50 I would probably be dealing
with stage 4 cancer. Anyone reading this, make sure you get a
colonoscopy as soon as you hit 50, earlier if there's a history of colon
cancer anywhere in your family, even a 1st cousin, or even a parent who
gets it in their senior years. Colon cancer can be prevented with
vigilance.
Colonoscopy pro
I'm not writing with a practitioner recommendation, but just to
say how surprised I've been that everyone responding seems to say
that they were sedated for the procedure. I've had 2 of them (at
Kaiser) with no medication of any kind and it was very easy both
times.
The pre-precedure prep, as everyone has said, was yucky, the
procedure was uncomfortable (it does feel weird), and I might
have said (not screamed!) ouch a couple of times, but I didn't
experience anything that I would call pain.
I'm not stoic about pain by any means, but it is possible that
I'm more relaxed about medical procedures in general than the
average person. If the thought of a colonoscopy doesn't make you
highly anxious, I'd ask about having it unmedicated. Maybe the
docs just routinely sedate patients to prevent them from being
troublesome!
Cece
I just wanted to comment about sedation being unnecessary for a
colonoscopy. I had an unsedated colonoscopy over a decade ago
and had a bad experience. While I'm sure some people do just
fine without sedation, I was not one of them. I've since had
other colonoscopies with sedation and it was a piece of cake. I
do agree that sedated or not, get the colonoscopy! One just
saved my good friend's life, and I had a polyp removed before it
turned cancerous. Colon cancer is almost 100% preventable with
timely colonoscopies. The prep is yucky but really not a big
deal, and the procedure, with sedation, is completely painless. All in all, a great deal to
almost completely prevent a killer
disease.
-scoped
I missed the original post, but I can recommend Dr. Neil Stollman
in Oakland. He was very professional and I felt well cared for
before, during and after by both him and the rest of the staff. Checked
out fine
April 2006
I am curious as to others' experiences with this procedure,
especially with the different methods of cleansing; drinking 67
ounces of the powdered liquid vs. 1 1/2 ounces of fleet
phososoda two times. Is one easier than the other, etc. Did
you experience nausau or vomiting - with which one. Were you
sedated or consciously sedated. How did you feel afterwards.
Also, who was your physician and where did you have it done.
How was the overall experience.
not looking forward to doing this
Oh my gosh. Talk about memories. It will be interesting to see how
many posts this one gets. I did the powder. No vomiting.
No nausea. It was really, really boring & hard to drink so much
liquid,
but I thought the cleaning-out process (so to speak) was pretty gentle.
I would recommend the tangiest flavor possible.
I used the orange and it tasted kind of glutinous towards the end, but
I
think maybe they all do. FYI, I found it harder to be on the clear
diet
the day before (beef bouillon cube after cube after cube) than I did
drinking the solution. I would recommend as early an appointment as
possible for the colonoscopy itself since you have to avoid liquids for
X hours before and I was REALLY thirsty when it was over. That glass
of
apple juice they gave me was the most delicious thing I have tasted in
my life. I chose to be awake during the procedure, but I remember
going
''ooh'' at one point, and the anesthesiologist must have put me right
under, because I don't remember anything else until I woke up in the
recovery room. I had Dr. Bernstein with Gastroenterology Associates.
Office on Regent Street in Berkeley; procedures performed off-site at a
very nice facility near the train station in Emeryville. And, don't
fret. It's really not that bad -- although I can't say I'm necessarily
looking forward to another one in 8 years or so.
I saw Thomas Hargrave, Oakland, who does colonoscopies and endoscopies
at an outpatient center in downtown Oakland; he has a nice, light
touch.
I only experienced the 64-ounce laxative that tastes like heavy liquid
Jell-O--not the greatest stuff in the world, but not nauseating. The
conscious sedation went well for me, and I actually found watching the
journey through my bowels kind of interesting. (Good drugs, obviously!)
No pain, and no bad after-effects; my husband drove me home and brought
me soup and crackers in bed, and I took it easy for the rest of the
day.
The down side: Having to spend four hours drinking the laxative and
hanging out in the bathroom. Being REAL hungry by the time the
procedure
was over. Also, I was kept waiting quite a while at the outpatient
center (but the staff was very kind).
In sum, the experience was better than I thought it might be; the
laxative part was the worst, and not that bad, either.
Anonymous
I had a colonoscopy about four years ago and the most unpleasant parts
were drinking a gallon of the cleansing drink
(yuck) and the migraine headache I got from being dehydrated...coupled
with a lack of a.m. caffeine.
If you drink a lot of coffee, I would recommend backing off of it
gradually a few days before the procedure. My head was splitting by
the
time they finally started prepping me.
I can't remember what they gave me to sedate me...but I do recall being
in and out during the procedure. I didn't feel anything. The
procedure
itself was no problem and I felt fine afterwards. I've had a
sigmoidoscopy (spelling?)and found it to be FAR worse.
Goodluck -- it really is not that bad.
Annon
I have had 3 colonoscopies so far, all with Dr. Frank Farrell at UCSF
whom I would highly recommend. I'm not sure about the specific
cleansing
methods you mention. Mine was a gallon of Gatorade with Miralax
dissolved in it, plus some Dulcolax. I didn't get very nauseous
although
I have avoided Gatorade since then! The Miralax really beats the older
prescription, I forgot what the name was but it tasted metallic and
that
did make me very nauseous and I vomited a lot.
I was sedated and I'm not sure how heavy the sedation was supposed to
be- one out of the three times I was barely conscious, the other two
times I was out completely. The after- effects were mostly from the
sedation. The only other after- effect I had was A LOT of farting-
since
they use gas to inflate your colon to take a look. You can eat
immediately after the procedure.
No one really looks forward to a colonoscopy- but it is much better
than
the alternative (having a problem, like cancer, and not knowing about
it). Plus, as you probably have heard, if it turns out you do have a
polyp or something else, the dr. will remove it immediately. Good luck
and feel free to email me directly if you have more questions.
cachien@speakeasy.net
Although a rather embarrassing process - a colonoscopy just isn't that
bad. I have had two, each by a different doctor. I didn't use either
of
the cleansing methods you mentioned, so I can't comment there. The
process itself is just something to get through - it doesn't hurt (say
as much as a mammogram which I find really painful). I didn't have any
after-effects at all.
That's my experience - like everything else it is probably different
from person to person.
anon
I had mine done at Kaiser. I was partially sedated. I even asked for a
monitor to watch, but I fell asleep. I do remember a little discomfort
when they had to reposition as the scope worked its way up, but they
gave me a picture of my polyp for my efforts!
On a scale of 1-10 I give it a 3. There's no pain, really, it's just
uncomfortable. Feels kind of like stomach cramps. I was not nauseated,
did not throw up. I did the fleet. I think it's just salt water.
You'll
be fine - just breathe!
the polyp
Hi, I had a colonoscopy as well as an endoscopy several years ago when
I
was 49 or so. For the colonoscopy I drank the phosphosoda twice. That
was probably the worst part of the whole procedure! You'll not be able
to stray far from the bathroom during that phase. I was supposedly
partially awake during the actual colonoscopy, but I remember
absolutely
NOTHING about it except the tech. telling me that the drug I was about
to get tended to give an amnesiac effect. The next thing I remember is
waking up in my paper ''socks'' and getting dressed to leave. I had the
procedure done at Mercy General in Sacramento. Don't worry about it;
it
was a piece of cake.
Elaine
I've had two colonoscopy exams and will be taking them more often than
most people due to family history of colon cancer.
The first was the massive quantity of liquid, the 2nd the lesser
amount.
Go for the lesser. Both do the same thing - cramps, bloating, etc. Both
taste ''not nice''. But having to spend HOURS drinking xx oz. every
10-15 min... I still shudder.
The degree to which either solution ''hits you'' - well, different
reactions for different bodies - but considering what the solution is
doing to your body, yeah, you're going to feel pretty lousy. No way
round it.
I fell asleep during the procedure and didn't feel a thing.
Afterwards... bit crampy, bloated, but felt better sooner than I
expected. Something rather bizarre about hiding behind your little
curtain in the recovery room, being told by the nurse that one must
pass
gas before being allowed to leave...
The doctor's name - can't find it handy. Had it done at some
''colonscopy center'' in Emeryville (though the doctor's office is near
Alta Bates.
But the important thing is the result - all clear.
All Clean
I had my first colonoscopy 3 months ago. Everything went fine but I
was
very nervous and put it off for a while. My doctor was Lisa Higa. You
have to wait for a while to get in to see her so make an appointment
now. I drank the smaller amount of stuff. I can't imagine drinking a
gallon of stuff. Get an appointment earky in the day so you don't have
to wait so long to eat again. I was sedated through an IV, and fell
asleep for a brief time. You can email me if you have any more
questions.
Good luck with it.
Hi,
I just took my mom to the doctor for this yesterday. She drank the
liquid. She did not enjoy the experience, but said it wasn't awful.
She vomitted once, but it wasn't painful - just very unpleasant. As
for
the procedure, she was sedated. It was all very easy and quick. Once
it was over, she was drowsy and slept for about 3 hours. She had mild
cramping afterwards. But she said it didn't hurt. All in all, it
wasn't a too bad an experience. The worst of it was drinking the
liquid
and not being able to eat for hours prior to the procedure.
anon
I agree with earlier posts that the prep is far worse than the procedure. I just had
my second colonoscopy last month, and for the first time was given pills to take with
water -- not phosphosoda or some other vile pseudo-drink. Four large pills with a
large glass of water every 15 minutes for a total of 5 sessions the day before, then a
couple more sessions in the morning of the procedure day. WAY better than forcing
down the
vile stuff.
Smile for the Camera!
July 2005
hi. i want to get a colonoscopy. can anyone recommend someone
who is very good in the East Bay, including the Lamorinda area.
thanks.
Patsy
I had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy done a week ago with Dr.
Silvia Villagomez (444-3297) whose office is in Oakland in front
of Summit Hospital. She was HIGHLY recommended to me by general
practitioner. She was gentle, caring and attentive. Although it
was initially difficult to get an appointment, I managed to get
one when she had a cancelation for the appointment and for the
colonoscopy. Based on my experience and the referral I had, I
highly recommend her. Good luck!
I just had one today at Kaiser Oakland--no complaints. Before
I was with Kaiser, I had two in Oakland/Emeryville performed by
Dr. Michael Silpa, and I highly recommend him. His office is
on Regent Street in Berkeley, but these procedures are all
performed at a clinic in Emeryville that is fairly new and very
nice.
If you've never had one before, I think the most important
thing is to get someone who is experienced in the procedure.
The worst part BY FAR is the prep--which consists of drinking a
huge jug of awful stuff to clean you out. Once you've managed
to get that stuff down, the rest is easy! You will be semi--
woozy thanks to the wonderful dose of demerol you'll get, but I
do recommend trying to stay awake so that you can watch it on
the TV. It's pretty cool!
Good luck!
anon
Aug 2003
Having recently turned 50, my Dr. gave me a referral for a
sigmoidoscopy. Many people have told me I should get a
colonoscopy, that it's much more complete, and though it's a
longer procedure, you're sedated so it's actually more
comfortable to have done.
It makes sense to me to have the colonoscopy done instead,
however, I'm a Kaiser member and they will not schedule a
colonos. as routine, I'd have to have a new referral from my Dr.
and usually a good reason for one, like colon cancer in the
immediate family, etc.
I'd like opinions from those of you who have had to make that
choice, and from health care professionals. I could likely get
my Dr. to refer me for a colonoscopy....what to do.
Thanks,....not looking forward to thtis.
anon please
I've had a sigmoidoscopy twice since I was 40 (I'm 49 now) and I
recently had an endoscopy, which is essentially the same as a
colonoscopy in terms of sedation, prep. I do have relatives
with colon cancer, but, as I understand it, most health plans
cover a full colonoscopy at age 50 for everyone, with or without
a higher risk of colon cancer. I wanted to let you know that I
too was not looking forward to the endoscopy, but that I was
pretty much ''out'' during the procedure. I feel you should go
and have the colonoscopy; you'll feel relieved knowing that
there is nothing wrong with you afterward.
Elaine
The recommendation, now (and as it should have always been), by
the American Academy of Gastroenterology is that one forego the
sigmoidoscopy in favor of a colonoscopy. Sig. only images
about 50% of the colon, meaning that if you have a tumor or
pre-cancerous polyps in the remaining part of the colon, you
could bein trouble. Sadly enough, I know of more than one
scenario and a current scenario of someone who is dying of colon
cancer and who had a sigmoidoscopy, religiously, bi-annually.
You would be justified in fabricating that there is a history of
colon cancer in the family in order to access a colonoscopy
Good for you for knowing the advantage of a colonoscopy over a
sigmoidoscopy. And good luck with getting Kaiser to allow a
colonoscopy.
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