Endoscopy and Colonoscopy

[Arlene]

Well, this Friday is my endoscopy and colonoscopy. Ick. I'm dreading the good ole laxative and nervous about the sedation. The last time I woke up, I came out like this (from my cholecystectomy). I'm always afraid that I won't wake up or I'll be worse.

I think many GI's have probably made a lot of money off of everyone on this board with this test. Wouldn't you guys agree?

How was your experience?

Much love
Arlene

[TendrTummy]

Arlene,

Mine were fairly painless, but that was because I was VERY welcoming of the anesthesia!! lol I woke up during one of my previous colonoscopies and all I remember was screaming in pain, so I was VERY happy to be put to sleep during that one. Unfortunately neither of mine turned up any results, so my GI stopped believing me. I've since fired him, but currently have NO GI :(

Christine

[moremuscle]

Hi Arlene,

I am sorry you have to have those exams
They are not pleasant. I have the same fear you mentioned - that I won't wake up again after the sedation. I am usually so anxious when I go in that when they finally start the IV with the sedation in it I am relieved to get it started as I know it will be over with ASAP. Waking up is my favorite part of it - the feeling of complete relaxation in my body and the fact that I don't have to get up and do anything - I am allowed to relax and be useless for the entire day.
I try to find a nurse or assistant who is nice and kind and ask them to hold my hand and wipe my tears away as I let go of my ability to control my fear. I just give in to the fact that I am afraid but I choose to trust them completely as they are now in control. Even my GI was extremely nice before the procedure.

I compliment you for being able to admit your fear. It likely won't be nearly as bad as you imagine.

Keep us posted.

Love,
Karen

[starfire]

Arlene,
I can't say that I have had the same fear that you have. I'm sure it's not a nice thing to go through. I had one very bad experience with a colonoscopy (not enough sedative) and one excellent experience with a colonscopy & endoscopy(don't remember a thing). Different doctors, different hospitals. The prep is awful no matter what or where.

I surely hope yours is like my latter one.

Lovely picture (avatar).

Love, Shirley

[ronipow]

Arlene,

Everything will go fine. Try to relax and not think about it. Soon it will be over with, and hopefully will shed some light on your condition.

Roni

[Arlene]

Thanks Shirley. Had problems loading the picture up. Wayne had to help me out. I told him that if it were a bad picture of me that I probably wouldn't have any problems.

That picture was pre-illness. I wasn't big then, however, I'm much smaller now. Can be good and bad, I guess. Sigh....

Much love
Arlene

[starfire]

Hmmmm, wish there was a way to give you some of my increase to compensate for your decrease, hon.

Love, Shirley

[Tessa]

Hi Arlene, I just wanted to send my support to you.

If this is of any help, remember that everything passes... Nothing is for ever.

I hope it comes to a good end.
Take care,
Love,
Tessa.

[Umber]

Good luck Arlene! Your lucky to get them both out of the way at once. I had the endoscopic then a few mos later the colonoscopy. The worst part is the cleaning out before hand. The rest is a piece of cake.

When I had my thyroid surgery I was in the recovery room and the nurse was waking me up. I remember looking at her and thinking she is such a pretty girl but her hair is really too black for her skin tone. Then I saw the look on her face and realized I hadn't just thought it, I actually said it. I felt terrible and had to apologize.

Let us know how things go!

Hugs,

Lori

PS I already posted on another thread about your adorable thumbnail. You are as cute as can be! I can't imagine you being much smaller. I would like to give you some of my extra weight too!

[m]

I was so scared before my colonoscopy that I cried. I think they felt sorry for me so the cranked up the sedative and I counted to two and was out like a light. Did not wake up at all and felt amazingly good afterwards. The laxative wasn't much worse than the diarrhea I was already having so it didn't really bother me until the last glass and then I felt sick to my stomach. Since I was already at the, shall we say, "clear" stage of the clean out process, I said the hell with it.
Much luck to you. Repeat to yourself "this too shall pass, this too shall pass."
m

[Mars]

Arelene,

I was scared before my first colonoscopy too. I cried and let everyone who came within earshot know it too!

I have had 3 so far in the last 5 years. The first one they were unable to complete because I was so enflamed. I guess that is kind of unusual (but hey, I am unusual!)

The last two was over before I knew it. I took the medicine and then didn't have a care in the world.

I enjoyed not having to do anything when I got home too! Slept most of the afternoon away!

I'll be thinking of you on Friday!

[Polly]

Oh Arlene,

I know how you feel. I was a basket case before my first colonoscopy 5 years ago. My second one will be in Oct., and I am already dreading it. Not the procedure - it was a breeze and I felt nothing and felt fine after the anesthetic......it was that awful SWAMP water for the cleanout. WOW -is that stuff wicked. I gagged and puked for hours trying to get it down and still only managed to get 1/3 gallon down. Luckily, I had no solid stool in me anyway because of months of watery D, so the 1/3 gallon was enough.

I have a plan for the next one. Several days ahead I am going to go on a totally clear liquid diet until the test. That way I can avoid the swamp water! Maybe I'll even eat some cheese and drink a coke (dairy/corn triggers) to hasten the cleanout. LOL!

I'll be thinking of you Fri. and sending positive vibes your way. Try to relax and not worry. (Easy for me to say!)

Love,

Polly

P.S. Lovely avatar. You are one gawgeous lady!

[Arlene]

Thanks guys. You definitely made me chuckle. I'm sorry that you all had to go through this, but at the same time I'm grateful. Thanks for sharing all of your experiences. I'm still nervous, but at least I know I'm not the only one.

Polly, wish I would've known about the all liquid diet a few days prior, would've just done that instead. I don't think Wed and Thursday would be long enough on a liquid diet, do you?

I called the office to see if I could just do colonics the evening before and then just eat a liquid diet. They called me back today, but I was out of town and missed that call. I'm going to try them back tomorrow morning.

Much love
Arlene

[Babci]

Hi Arlene

Just had my endoscopy last week. Much easier than the colonoscopy cause no prep just npo after mn. Got lots of drugs cause I told them I was VERY nervous & claustrophobic. Worked great cause I knew nothing till I woke up in the recovery room. New colonoscopy prep this time was citrate of mag with g'ale. Much easier cause it was less to drink. Maybe you could ask? Sorry you need to do this but @ least you'l have a veg out day. Thinking of you & sending you light. Love & light, Rita

[harvest_table]

Arlene,

I had one colonoscopy in March 04- which finally diagnosed my CC, and things have been on the upswing since then.

I was afraid also but, it turned out to be no problem- I woke up in lala land and was happy knowing it was over. Don't remember a thing and had no pain. The prep was worse than the precedure having to drink all that stuff to prepare for it which causes D, but it's something we are all use to already. lol

I'm sure everything will go well, and we are thinking about you.

Love,
Joanna