Well, that was special

[lydy]

So, added to my list of things that are not as fun as they sound: colonoscopy.

The prep was...it wasn't as awful as I was afraid it would be. They said I could put Crystal Light into the prep liquid, and I did, and I drank it very fast. It didn't upset my stomach, and it didn't taste like very much, so that was all good. But I got very, very, very, very cold. The nurse said that this was a common result. I've heard that warming the prep liquid helps with that, but the idea of trying to drink that much of that crap while warm is...daunting. Best tip: baby wipes. 'Cause after a while, toilet paper begins to resemble sand paper.

I don't remember the actual colonoscopy. They said I might not. I remember making some whimpering noises, and I remember thinking that I was doing that because I was in pain, but I don't remember the pain. After that, I don't remember anything at all. They tell me I get a real anesthesiologist next time. Evidently, I kept on forgetting to breathe.

They removed a 15 mm polyp. And they want me to go back in a year. I am really, really not happy about this. I was under the impression that this was a once every 10 years sort of thing. Grump. I think I will schedule my next one for July, and buy an electric blanket. I am not kidding about being cold.

Oh, anybody use the Crystal Light liquid thingies? I have some Ice Tea and Lemonade flavor left. One unopened Ice Tea, one partially used Ice Tea, and one partially used Lemonade. (Actually, the Lemonade is Cub's house brand, but it's got the same ingredients.) I won't use them in the normal course of events. I don't like aspertame. But I don't like the prep even more.

Comments

[guppiecat]

I believe the every ten years rule is if they don't find any polyps.

[lydy.livejournal.com]

Stupid damn polyp.

see

[lsanderson.livejournal.com]

Jay Lake's journal for the flip side.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

Still, a lot can happen in a year. The horse might develop better colonoscopy technology.

[bibliofile.livejournal.com]

July sounds like a good plan, ugh.

[laurel]

Ugh. Sympathies. Not looking forward to when the day comes I get to have this experience, but maybe by then technology will have improved (a gal can dream, right?).

As for the breathing thing-- they should know of your sleep apnea any time it's possible you'll be knocked out for a procedure, but then you likely know this. I blather because I can be a walking public service announcement. (I think the Sleep Apnea Association/whatever recommends one wear a medical alert bracelet to indicate sleep apnea, possibly even also have it specify one's preferred pressure or other details or at least carry something with details on a card on one's person. Can't say I know of anyone who actually does this, though I did for a time.)

[lydy.livejournal.com]

You know, I completely forgot about it. That is an incredibly good point. I'll remember that for next time. (By then, I should also have a new machine and a prescribed pressure.)

[apostle-of-eris.livejournal.com]

piffle
If you really want to get exotic, research the implement used to take samples for a prostate biopsy. All those stories about what people got done to them on flying saucers? Reality is stranger.

[jiawen]

I've done interpreting for a few people getting colonoscopies. They've fairly often not remembered the procedure at all, so I've been able to be witness that they were in fact undergoing the procedure. (I have to be there through the whole thing, natch.) At least one patient has maintained after the procedure that it didn't happen at all; they simply couldn't believe they'd already done it.

[iraunink.livejournal.com]

Because of my allergy to morphine (anaphylactic shock), my colonoscopy was performed without any pain medication. I remember it very well. The doctor was surprised at my discomfort tolerance until he learned that I have migraines.

[wild-irises.livejournal.com]

My experience was a lot like yours except that 1) I wasn't so cold; 2) I remember the whole thing. I was terrified of the prep, but it wasn't as bad as I expected. They didn't find any polyps, but I have to go back in five years because of my family history. (I believe my family history is likely irrelevant, because my brother had Crohn's disease and I do not, but I'm not about to argue with the medical profession on this one.)