OK Folks to start off I am a 36 year old male who has never had a colonoscopy until now. I recently moved to a new state and been seen by a new family physician. Upon looking over my family history and him having noticed that my Mother had a cancerous polyp removed in her late thirties before she passed away from an unrelated cause, and that two of her brothers died of colon cancer in their early to mid 40's he strongly urged that I get a colonoscopy done right away, that he felt that with the history I was a good candidate and it would be a preventative measure. He referred me to a really nice gastroenterologist who agreed that I needed to be screened. I was in shock to be honest, I am a so to speak manly, man who thought that this was something I would never have to decide about until I was 50 and the thought frankly was dreadful. With that said this is not the case here, I am 36 and I have to decide now, frightening yes..... but equally necessary, even though I have no symptoms or problems at all. I also have a couple of good friends that are over 50 that have avoided the routine colonoscopy thus far, because of embarassment or whatever. So I agreed to have it done, to pave the way for them to be not so scared about the procedure. I have heard the clean out was the worst part so I was prepared for the worst. My doctor told me to get a bottle of over the counter Miralax, 8 dulcolax tablets and a gallon of Gatorade to start on my day of the bowel prep. At 10 am the day before I took 4 dulcolax tablets, then at 1pm I mixed the miralax with the gatorade and started drinking a full glass every 15 minutes until gone, I took the other 4 dulcolax tablets around 4 pm. With that said let me comment on the miralax solution, it is totally tasteless and blends perfect with the gatorade, how nice is that for advancement? I ended up going to the restroom a total of 14 times but it was not unpleasant, there was not any cramping or pain. The hardest part of the day before is having to come to terms with the fact that you cannot eat at all that day until after the procedure, I love food, so if I can do it so can you. The day of the colonoscopy I arrived at the hospital, I was checked in and given the typical open back gown. Everyone was very professional never once did I feel embarassed. I was given an I.V and later sent into the endoscopy room with about a half dozen people waiting there for my arrival. There was an anesthesiologist there who would keep me sedated for the procedure. I was a little concerned that I would be given versed which is a concious sedation that you dont remember, as I had this 3 times before with other procedures and it failed to work for me as I was alert the whole time. I was relieved to find out that they actually use propofol to sedate you, which is great stuff.... I was then told to roll to my left side and they put oxygen on me and started the propofol injection. In a matter of a few seconds I was completely out and woke up later in the recovery room after the procedure. When I woke up of course I was groggy, but felt no pain. All I noticed was some grumbling in my belly from the air they blow in there to see with the camera, but it did not hurt. If there was no grumbling at all I would have never known I even had that procedure. The final results were I had no polyps, everthing looked real good and I dont need to have this done again for another 5 years. I chose to do this in the memory of my uncles who lost their lives to colon cancer and the fact that they were too embarrassed to seek medical help for their problems until they got way out of hand as it had spread and was too late. I can honestly tell you that this whole procedure is really overated, its a piece of cake, and nothing to worry about. If you fit the parameters of needing a colonoscopy then dont delay, just get it done. It does not matter if your not 50 if you need screened then do it. If I was told I needed another one next week, I would do it again without hesitation...its that easy. I hope by this story that you consider my easy journey into colonoscopy when getting yours scheduled. Colon Cancer is the number one killing cancer of non smokers, and ironically one of the most preventable cancers as well if detected early. So don't be afraid its really not bad at all......

Lenster1975

USA

When I was told I was going to need a colonoscopy I was less than thrilled.  The concept alone was enough to make me question having the procedure.  It went so much better than I would have ever thought.  My doctor prescribed me pills (I believe they are called Osmoprep) as opposed to the liquid form which made the medicine so much easier to swallow.  Granted both medicines are used to clean out your system which is not a pleasant experience.  To be completely honest... it feels like one of the worst flus you could ever have.  Drinking so much liquid with the pills is slightly difficult but you can drink whatever you want as long as it is a clear liquid.  The "colon cleansing" bathroom experience lasted several hours and does make the bum a bit sore.  However, the doctor sedated me with an IV during the procedure and I remember nothing about the actual procedure itself.  It is not necessarily like a typical surgery so a tube down the throat was not needed and there is honestly little to no pain after the procedure.  I experience a twinge of pain that lasts about two seconds every now and then since a polyp was removed but it is not debilitating.  It is an extremely painless procedure and is nowhere near as scary as it seems.  Humbling, yes.  Worth it, YES!  The thought alone of preventing yourself from cancer is well worth one day of diarrhea and nausea.

lilbladel

Knoxville, IA

**Colonoscopies are not that bad!** Yes, you heard me correctly!  I was *so* nervous about getting my colonoscopy.  I detest doctors, hospitals, needles, anasthesia, etc., etc.   Like they say, the day before prep IS the worst part!  Ask the nurse if he or she has any tricks for taking the salt solution [like how far to space out the doses].  If you have a sensitive gag reflex, you may want to ask for the pill that is available instead of the salt solution.  I didn't think I would get gaggy, but I did! Other than getting through the day before, there truly was nothing to be afraid of.  I went to sleep, had a nice little nap, woke up, and then the doctor came in with the results. Consider the alternative:  Developing a deadly colon cancer that *could have easily been caught and treated*...if you had just undergone the test... If you have *any* risk factors or if your doctor recommends a colonoscopy, do it!  RIGHT AWAY!! And here are a few tips for a healthy colon: 1. Take a prebiotic like Lactoferrin Gold 1.8 from the Nikken Company.  It will improve your gut health by leaps and bounds! 2. Drink half your body weight in ounces of energy-rich, PiMag water ~ your colon will be flushed out without stressing it with other toxins! 3. Go easy on the grains!  Emphasize organic meats, vegetables, and fruits.

FamilyWellness

Berlin, PA

I had to have a colonoscopy a few years ago, and , boy, was I ever dreading it!  First, I was worried about fasting the day before, but I got through that with beef broth and jello, and oh yea, my gallon of prep drink. I was dreading that more than anything. I'm a baby when it comes to drinking or tasting foul things. And, this drink is foul, especially a gallon of it. I'm sure I made a much bigger deal out of it than was necessary, but, hey, I had to get some sympathy somewhere. Now comes the problem! I never did go to the bathroom!  I drank that nasty stuff for nothing.  It's because of all the meds I take for arthritis.  It was a pretty quick ordeal.  They put you out, and you are surrounded by huge tv screens.  I woke up for a few seconds, and went right back to sleep.  I wish I had that stuff to help me get to sleep every night.  Anyway, I did have some polyps that were removed. The Drs. are so used to seeing all of this stuff, it's certainly no big deal to them. Do it!

Booklover25

Yukon, OK

*i'm eighteen and have been suffering from abdominal cramps which have made me need to go to the toilet almost every time for about 6/7 months. after countless visits to the doctor and several tests i was reffered to the hospital for a colonoscopy.i've never had any sort of procedure done before so i was initially terrified when i got told it was necessary.i spent nights searching for reviews on this procedure and how others felt about it because i was so scared of going through with it. to be quite honest i didn't bother to follow the diet for the "2 days before the examination" .. the night before i stopped eating and drank the prep which was okay because it had a lemon taste to it but at the same time i found it very hard to finish it. anyone who has to get a colonoscopy and has to take the prep, use babywipes when you go to the toilet because if you use normal toilet paper, your back end will be very sore.on the day of the procedure i went to the hospital and they took me through and gave me the wee gown thing and dressing gown to cover me up .. then half an hour later i was going to get it done, the nurses were all women and they were very lovely! the woman who was performing the procedure asked me to get onto the bed and lie on my back and told me i was totally in charge and that she knew how scared i was because my doctor had told her, she said she would go very slow and make sure it was as easy as possible .. she explained they would put a tube in my hand so they could give me sedation and painkillers .. but when they went to put it in my hand they said "god you do a good job of hiding your veins" so i explained that it might be easier to do it in the inside of my elbow where i had blood taken several times before .. so they put it in my arm and i was even able to squeeze another nurses hand because i was scared it would be painful. the painkiller buscopan was then put into my arm and i could taste it in the back of my throat and i could feel it rush to my head. then after that they put sedation into my arm and before i knew it they had put the colonoscope in .. i didn't feel it going in .. and i didn't feel any pain when it was moving around EXCEPT .. when it was going round a corner and i have to admit it was painful. after more buscopan and another couple of attempts of going round that corner .. i couldn't take anymore and said it was too sore .. so she stopped and took the colonoscope out .. she told me she was happy with what she had seen anyway and she had also taken some biopsies .. which weren't painful at all .. and she covered me up and told me i'd done really well .. and helped me roll back onto my back .. and before i knew it i was in recovery with my mum next to me.if your asked to go for a colonoscopy, i would advise everyone just to go and get it over with. it's embarrassing but the nurses & doctors are proffessional about it and make you feel comfortable and safe. it's a scary thought but after its done you will feel the same as i do. i'm so glad i went through with it and glad its over now.*

HHxGD

Minneapolis, MN

Everyone needs to have a Colonoscopy by the time their 50. You have to go on a diet which eliminates certain foods to prepare for the procedure. You also have to drink about a gallon of some unpleasant tasting liquid (like Go-Litely) which will totally clean out your digestive system prior to the procedure. This is so that during the colonoscopy they can clearly see if there are any polups or other problems. I was told that I would be sedated with an IV, I think they call it twilight sleep. I don't remember ANYTHING (didn't even get to count from 10 backwards). I felt great after the colonoscopy (just sleepy for the rest of the day). I found out that I have diverticulitus which I never would have known with out this test. I wish all medical procedures were this easy. 

TAMEDIAMIX

Scottsdale, AZ

If you are thinking about or been asked by your doctor to schedule a colonoscopy, do so for your health's sake. After my husband had his,and all went well it was my turn to have it done. I was totally terrified, but decided it was worth the peace of mind knowing if I had any problems. Drinking the liquid laxative the night before seemed to never end, but honestly, it wasn't as bad as I thought. Be sure you prepare it in the morning and drink it cold at your scheduled time. I took a sip of Chicken Broth after drinking each glass of the laxative, it helps take the taste out of your mouth. I was in bed by 10:00 pm and the following morning left the house to the Surgical Center to have the colonoscopy. During the procedure didn't feel anything, you are totally asleep. Woke up about 35 minutes later. A little dizzy at first, then was able to sit up and drink some 7-up. Within an hour I was dressed and ready to go home. Everything went well and I can wait 10 years until the next colonoscopy. Schedule yours if you need to! IT'S NOT THAT BAD!!

health4me

Salt Lake City, UT

These can save your life! Don't hesitate- get checked!! I had a colonoscopy and am so glad I did. Sure having to make yourself have upset stomach the whole day before was bad, but the day before was the worst part. I had a polyp and it was removed while I slept!!!

motherofmayhem

Muscle Shoals, AL

About 5 years ago, my husband & I both were at the age that we were to have our first colonscopy.  Of course, I was scared to death.  They scheduled my husband first so I sat waiting for him, thinking the worse.   But, the Dr. came out & told me he removed 3 polyps which he felt would be nothing to be worried about.  Which is how it turned out. I had mine about a month or so later & they had changed the place they performed them.  I had to drink a bottle of Citrate of Magnesium at 2 p.m. the day before & at 6 p.m. I started drinking a jug of flavored mixture.  I was allowed to drink any other clear liquids with it so I settled myself into my rocking chair in the bedroom with a book, the t.v. on, propped up my feet & had my glass, the jug of stuff & a can of ginger ale by me.  I downed a big glass ful & then took a sip of gingler ale & swished it in my mouth & swallowed it.  I found that this took any after taste away.  Seemed in no time at all, I had the whole jug down. It then came time to stay in the bathroom BUT I had thought ahead & recommend this to anyone having one done......get baby wipes & petroleum jelly.  Wipe with the baby wipes & after a while, put a thin layer of the pet. jelly over the tender skin.  It truly does help to keep from getting sore. The day of the procedure went really well.   They were so very nice, place was super clean & spotless, & the Nurses were very attentive.  I remember them talking to me & then I remember a Nurse calling my name...it had been such a peaceful sleep that I wanted to go back to sleep again.  But, they gave me crackers, juice & I slowly got awake, hubby drove me home & I slept off & on all day.   Very peaceful day. The perks for this is that your significant other caters to you that day, the sleep is so peaceful, nothing is expected of you that day & most of all you are checked for cancer.  I was one of the lucky ones.....no polpys. But, do remember the wet wipes.....wish they would put those on the list of instructions they give you prior to the procedure as it would really help a lot of people to know that these are better than any brand of toilet paper when you're going that often.

LindaBee

Williamsport, MD