Colonoscopy and Endoscopy Tests

[linus69]

Well being in my 50`s I was finally pressured by the wife and my family doctor to have these two tests done. My doctor wanted them done 1 1/2yrs ago, so lets just say I procrastinated a little.
It was done in the hosp. I got there at 1PM was out by 4PM.
The worst of it was the prep, at 6Am you take a pill, at 6:30 you start drinking an 8oz glass of the prep solution every 10mins till you consume 4 liters of this horrible tasting crap.
It tastes like sea water you put a little tang into, it`s vile. I learned a tip from Katie Couric about using lemon wedges to bite into before and after each glass.
I hate Katie Couriic, but her tip works and I can highly recommend it.
By 2PM I was in the O/R and the anesthesiologist was a gent in his 70`s with a David Niven mustache, he was a South African with a heavy British accent and I think he had a few pops with lunch because he was dancing around humming to himself.
I explained to him I didn`t wanna watch on the big screen, I didn`t wanna hear voices or be semi-conscious or aware.
I told him I would have to be on another planet for this to work and he smiled and said as you wish.
He assured me good dreams and a fast wake up because they were using the latest generation in sedation. He didn`t lie, it was like flipping a switch, off and then on again. I woke up being rolled out of the O/R wide awake and feeling great, with no memory of the previous 40 minutes.
Everything was A-OK on both ends, in fact he said I have a young mans stomach, which is amazing with my diet and eating habits.
So knowing many of us are in our 50`s, I will now do some preaching and say if you haven`t gone yet go, it`s not so bad at all.

Paul

[3RRL]

Paul,
I've had several done now.
They are not that bad but you what, you never get "used" to them...lol
Rob-

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Paul
I'm due again and I am delaying it! My procedure was done while I was asleep. The prep is pain in the ass. My wife with her german stomach didnot clean-out on the first prep and I had to run to the drug store to get something else. My brother's best friend is a vet and he did it without going to sleep he rattled the name of the drug they use and it's used on animals as well. Guess he has a low opinion of the drug; to do-it cold turkey! -Ed

[carld]

I don't know if it's true or not but it was said on another site when talking about a colonoscopy that the solution you drink is Propylene Glycol (PG) – USP .

It is an antifreeze solution that is supposed to be non-toxic and cleans you out. I may have the wrong name of the product though.

[quikduk]

Well I am no doctor but you might be correct. Propylene Glycol is a "non-toxic" antifreeze solution so it could be similar and I would imagine taste like crap.

The OTHER antifreeze is Ethylene Glycol and it would kill you...shortly after you drank it. First you would likely go blind so you wouldn't see yourself running into things as you were screaming. Not good all the way around.

I may have to have this done soon ( the Colonscopy and Endoscopy Tests I mean... ) as I am getting older (near my mid-forties).

I know I know. Shut up Ken. ;D

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I know I know. Shut up Ken. ;D[/quote]

There's quite a few people (family too) that I would love to say that to Your not one of them. . . Keep talking -Ed

[linus69]

Yes, Propylene Glycol (PG) is the active ingredient in the noxious brew you prep with. It sends your stomach and intestines into convulsions I believe, you actually feel your insides moving, at least I did.
It does clean you out, no doubt about that, it`s quite a ride.

Paul

[richardc]

I was about to have a colonsopy. Isn't it cononasopy? But I read of perforated intestines and liver and kidney problems form the agents used to clean you out with. But you guys all had it done. I have to think about it. Richard

[linus69]

I got a phone call last Saturday from my Doctor of 30yrs, that a biopsy he had taken during my colonoscopy was reviewed by a board of 5 MDs at New York Hosp. and they determined it had to be removed.
I was told it was no great rush, but I`m of a mind that if something has to go, then get it out now. So yesterday I got to do it all over again, I drank the gallon of tang flavored sea water again and repeated last months process.
Going in my doc was a little concerned about creating a hole in my colon due to the shape and nature of what he was removing, and was concerned about removing the whole section in question.
But luckily it cut out very well and he was quite pleased with the outcome, now the whole offending piece can be analyzed in the lab.
I can`t say I feel any different than the last time, I feel no pain or discomfort from the surgery and I have to take it easy for a week or so. I have to get checked again in a year, I`m probably gonna be in the once a year colonoscopy club now, but hey I`m not complaining.
The kidney problems that Richard mentions were from the Prep solutions that have since been taken off the market, you see the Lawyers commercials on TV about them by me. The gallon jug of Prep is safe, but extremely unpleasant to consume.

Paul

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Richardc-
Ever see those ugly anti-smoking commercials? My father is now using a bag cause he had a tumor which he ignored until he could not stand the pain. He's lucky to be alive and those bags are messy and . . Point being getting it taken care of before you know saves lives. Check out the doc doing the tests and ask around. Like Paul said the hardest part is the prep. -Ed

Paul we where posting at the same time Glad you're feeling better. Personally after next years check I would do it every other year since those tumors are usually slow growing. I'm due again but have decide to go next year. Take care -Ed

[3RRL]

Sorry to hear you had to have a section removed Paul.
But better they found out and you got rid of it. Personally, that would scare me to death. My Father passed a way from Colon Cancer when he was 68. He never got check ups or even went to the Doctor much. When he started bleeding through the rectum, it was too late. He was diagnosed and had surgery but passed away within 6 months from that first diagnosis. I was with him.
I get yearly stool samples analyzed but it is one thing I ask them to check for every yearly physical because of our family history.
Take care and God bless..
Rob-

[linus69]

Thanks Ed and Rob, so far so good, I feel great today. I will take it easy as instructed and drink the Metameucil every day for 2 weeks like he said to do. But really it was not bad at all, I have piece of mind now, even though it cost me a piece of my ass in the literal sense.

Paul