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Colonoscopy

How bad is it to do a Colonoscopy?  Aren't there some better alternatives than to have to drink stuff and be put out for the procedure?
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Avatar universal
did u find the reason of your eye floaters ?
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Avatar universal
Thank you both so much for your answers. I know it's not going to be a pleasant experience but guess it does tell a lot about what's going on opinion there.
I sure thought that a person had to be out completely out for the procedure. Guess I was wrong about that according to you, Andy. Maybe it would be best to actually be out....ha!
When I do it, I'll post my experience.

Thanks again to you both.
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6499035 tn?1381860124
Hi there :)

It's pretty grim I have to be honest. I've had 2! I was having symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease a few years ago so it was kind of necessary :P

I'd say the worst part of the whole thing is the preparation. I had to drink this laxative solution, one sachet 12 hours before the procedure & then another one 6 hours before the procedure. It's quite horrible, I'll not lie, it made me gag a bit, but then I'm a wimp when it comes to things like that. The solution made me sit on the toilet for about half an hour whilst my bowels were "cleared". I couldn't eat or drink anything, not even water for 12 hours before I was to have the procedure.

But the actual Colonoscopy itself was actually not that bad. True it is invasive to an extreme extent haha, I mean its an optic camera up your backside, but it doesn't hurt, like at all. It feels very weird how it goes in & just keeps going and going. The nurses were VERY nice when I had mine done, I was only 17, so 6 years ago for me (wow I feel old). It's the nurses job to be kind and reassuring, they all know how freaked out people can get & I was pretty nervous to say the least, I was shaking a little when I came in to the room to have it done *bless*

They gave me a small needle in my hand that I barely felt, which had a sedative I think. After about 10 seconds I suddenly felt as if I'd had a couple glasses of wine haha :) So they didn't put me to sleep, I don't think they can for safety reasons. I was able to watch what was going on as the screen the doc was looking at was on the wall opposite me, it looked pretty freaky, ....sort of like that bit in The Empire Strikes Back when the Millenium Falcon is in that Giant Space Worm on that asteroid haha :P

Anyway I felt a little out of it but I wasn't asleep. There was a very nice nurse sitting by my head. I remember she was talking to me about that show Heroes. I remember her saying that she met Zachary Quinto somewhere on vacation & then all of a sudden the doc who was at my rear said "All done!" I felt a weird sensation as the camera came out of my bum, but it didn't hurt. I was then wheeled out of the room when I think I fell asleep.

I woke up and apparently had been asleep for 45 minutes. The procedure felt like it took 5 minutes but the nurses said we were all in there for almost half an hour, it really didn't feel like it :P

In short I wouldn't recommend it as a fun afternoon activity, but if your doctor thinks you should have one have no fear! :) it wasn't fun having the laxative drink but like I said I'm a wimp. The actual Colonoscopy itself was a breeze. :)

Good luck & be brave!
Andy :)
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Avatar universal
It isn't that bad its only one day and a one time thing usually u don't have to do it for a while. I mean it does suck but its necessary if you are having problems or need it which is usually 50 yrs old and over... I am 24 I did it when I was 23 hoping I would find an answer to my IBS and stomach problems as well as my acid reflux. Basically found bad acid reflux but if the doctor recommends it I would say do it the worst part is drinking and constantly using the bathroom beforehand.
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