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[kaysixteen]

Sadly, I have developed some anemia in recent months, which is under control with iron pills.  That said, my doc believes there is some bleeding somewhere in me innards, and he sent me to a gastroenterologist for a consult.  The gastro concurs with this belief, likely either in his opinion due to an ulcer or some polyps, and he has ordered a one-shot deal endoscopy and colonoscopy, set for Jan. 9th.  At 44, I am a few years younger than the normal age (50) where apparently docs nowadays routinely get their patients this test, but it is what it is, and there is of course the outside chance that this is actually cancer or something else really serious.  I am going with the ulcer, owing to the intense and ongoing (mostly) financial strains I have been upon wrt my job here at the Christian school, but we shall see... anyone have any advice or commiserations to share, wrt these tests?  I would be lying if I said I was looking forward to em, but at least I am to be 'sedated', though the nature of such sedation was not explained very thoroughly to me (it does not sound like full-fledged anaesthesia(?)...

[infopri]

I'm sorry you're going through this, kaysixteen.  I had my first colonoscopy at 30, just before a related surgical procedure.  I had my second just two years ago, at 51.  There's another thread floating around the fora somewhere (no time to look for it, but you might persuade the search engine to turn it up for you), and if you read it you'll see that the preparation is much worse than the actual colonoscopy.  You have to drink a gallon of this really horrible-tasting stuff, and it cleans you out thoroughly.  (Don't make any plans for the day before your colonoscopy, as the cleaning-out process will keep you at home, near a bathroom).

The sedation is indeed different from full-fledged anesthesia.  You will probably fall asleep, but you might not.  If you're awake, you'll be only dimly aware of what's going on behind you.  You will remember almost nothing--including the hour or two in the recovery room, so it's advisable to have a friend with you to receive the discharge instructions.  I'm sure they will insist that you must have a ride home.  You can't drive after being sedated (until the next morning).

I hope the results show that the cause of your bleeding isn't serious and that it is easily fixable.  Good luck!

[conjugate]

Infopri's response is right on the mark in my experience.  Take a good long book to read and spend a day in the bathroom beforehand; go to the doctor, go to sleep; find something to eat afterwards.

Best wishes.  At least if it's caught early enough, it's very curable if it is cancer.  Ulcers are more common, however.

[prytania3]

Kay, don't stress out. Don't let your mind wander to all the scenarios until you get the facts. It could be something small--it probably is something small. Besides, you are a person of faith, so you need to trust God on this one.

Meanwhile, I've got to get one of those bad boys this year, which I'm so not looking forward to.

[tenured_feminist]

Kay, I started a thread on this a few months back. Honestly, the test is not nearly as bad as you are expecting it to be. The colon cleansing protocols now are relatively easy to endure.

If you have to have a polyp taken out, it really is no big deal. They'll take it out and biopsy it, but it shouldn't be much of a bother. Any polyp in there can cause the symptoms you are experiencing, and getting it out will resolve them.

I was scared to death of mine, but it was really totally fine. Try to separate your worry about the test itself from your worry about the possible issues. And on both counts, chances are everything is completely fine.

[aside]

I've had two of these; the information you're getting above describes my experience.  The procedure for me amounted to taking a short nap and then being a bit groggy.  Preparing for the procedure was far less pleasant, though the solution I had to drink to begin the purging process was not as foul-tasting as I expected from hearing others talk (there is more than one method, as was discussed on the other thread mentioned above).  I had a polyp removed the first time, with no subsequent discomfort. 

[glowdart]

If they tell you to mix the Foul Substance into another liquid drink to cut the taste, then I would advise not listening to them if you are at all good at chugging liquids.  Diluting it merely increases the amount of Foul-Substance-flavored drink that needs to be consumed.  Keep something nearby to rinse that taste out of your mouth, too.  And the first one is always a little scary, I suspect.  It's an easy test, though.  The prep is the hard part.  

I agree with the advice to invest in a good book that you've been meaning to read and just spend your day with the book and your toilet.  Likewise, try not to let your mind worry too much.    

(on preview -- I also hope you get aside's Foul Substance and not the one my doc prefers.) 

[systeme_d_]

Kay, Dear SO has had a dozen colonoscopies, with more certainly coming in the future.

The preparation (a strong enema) is not fun, and it's exhausting.  Plan a quiet night at home, relaxing in a room that is very near a bathroom.

The procedure itself will go swimmingly.  There is little pain involved.  They will indeed knock you out, so you won't feel a thing. You will also recover quickly, and they will probably give you a few pills for the next day or two.

Honestly, the preparation is much, much worse than the procedure.  

And polyps are usually nothing at all.  Snip and gone.  

You'll be fine, Kay.  Truly.  

[oldfullprof]

The anesthesia is quite nice!

[zharkov]

I've had three, the new prep being less of a hassle.  IIRC, no solid food for a day, then the purge medicine in the evening.  The anesthesia puts you more or less out for most of the procedure, which takes less than 1/2 hour or so.  I had polyp or two removed the first time, no big deal, really.  You need someone to drive you home, since you will be groggy for a while.  But back to normal in a couple of hours.  No pain for me for any of  this, I found the biggest hassle no solid food for a day.

To be frank, I do harbor thoughts of this being a cancer test, which I know is not helpful to my psyche, or mood, but I get over it. 

Best of luck, Kayster.

[collegekidsmom]

This type of personal information is helpful for those of us who have avoided this particular way to spend a couple of days.

[punchnpie]

This type of personal information is helpful for those of us who have avoided this particular way to spend a couple of days.

Yeah. I was supposed to have one, but conveniently 'forgot' to make the appointment. Now I am getting concerned because I just had a bunch o'tests and instead of finding I had too much iron (which runs in the family and can affect diabetes [who knew about that one]), the tests showed I hardly have any. Could I be bleeding internally? Wouldn't I know? I don't know.

My mother has these routinely. I think once she had polyps, but for the rest, I think the docs just talk her into stuff and she bends over (no pun intended) for anything they say. I think she is over-tested for someone in basically good health. I'm afraid I'm at the age now where the docs just go down a check list for tests, whether you really need them or not. Hence, my neglecting the colonoscopy. Mmmm. I really do not want to do this.

[jemima]

Have on hand several rolls of the softest toilet paper you can find.

[infopri]

My mother has these routinely. I think once she had polyps, but for the rest, I think the docs just talk her into stuff and she bends over (no pun intended) for anything they say. I think she is over-tested for someone in basically good health. I'm afraid I'm at the age now where the docs just go down a check list for tests, whether you really need them or not. Hence, my neglecting the colonoscopy. Mmmm. I really do not want to do this.

Punch, were the polyps precancerous?  Most polyps are themselves harmless, but sometimes they can also be associated with cancer.  My great-grandfather died at 38 from this (back near the turn of the twentieth century, when medicine was in a far less advanced state than it is now).  Perhaps they are watching your mother's colon carefully for a good reason?  I don't mean to worry you (nor kay), but there is a reason that frequent colonoscopies are sometimes necessary.

For those of you avoiding getting one:  Get it scheduled.  Really, the procedure itself is completely painless.  Completely.  You won't feel a thing during or afterward.  We're not kidding or lying when we say that the clean-out is the only real challenge (and, I suppose, the lack of solid food for 24 hours).  And, for me, the, um, result of drinking that stuff (that is, the time you spend in the bathroom) isn't the bad part--it's the actual drinking of the stuff.  As I mentioned on the other thread, I was fortunate enough to have pills (lots of them!) for this purpose the last time, but they've been taken off the market (bad for some organ or another), so we're back to the foul-tasting liquid.

And yes, don't dilute it.  Dilution doesn't cover the foul taste, it just makes it worse.  Drink it straight and then chase it with something if you need a mouth-cleanser.  (I used water; YMMV.)

[tenured_feminist]

Colonoscopies are far, far less uncomfortable and troublesome than colon cancer, and colon cancer is one of the most readily curable cancers with early detection. Get it done if you are 50+ or if you have a close relative who had polyps or cancer at an early age!