[cbmare]

Before any of you start barking at me about spending 1 day having nothing but a couple of cups of broth and several quarts of plain water, let me explain.

I had to prep for a colonoscopy. I have to say, I usually have 7 Up around during those days. I didn't this time. I won't make that mistake again. I had nausea quite badly.

I felt awful yesterday, too. Normally I get out of there and have no problems. He gave me additional "joy juice" yesterday because I prattle too much during the procedure. It knocked me out (almost). However, I left there with nausea. I got home, had a piece of toast and went to bed.

He removed 5 polyps (10 last time 1 1/2 yr ago). He also said something about part of my colon folding and part of the wall hardening. I don't know what all that means.

However, I'm sure I'll "find" the 3 lbs I "lost". It's nothing I care to repeat for a bit.

[Get n healthy]

I work for a gastroenterologist and basically, with a colon prep for colonoscopy...you might lose 3 or more pounds overnight but its not fat. So if you just want to see lower numbers on the scale...then yeah it will work...until you eat and fill your colon up again. but if you want to lose fat...doesnt do a thing for it. May actually have an adverse fat loss effect...since you didnt eat anything for a day...your body is probably assuming you are in a famine and will put anything you eat for the next day or so straight into storage (fat).

[4myloves]

Mare!

Congrats on getting through that prep! Ich! I can't think of very many more unpleasent things!

I'd call him back and make him explain about that colon folding and hardening thing. I hate it when drs tell you stuff when you're half-out of it!

[cbmare]

Thanks for your advice, but I know it isn't fat. I can't imagine how anyone can manage on an all liquid diet. Even Oprah admitted it was a big mistake. I need some solid food in my life.

I'm starting to eat again. It's a bit slow because of the cramping. That will pass as my body gets used to food again.

I think I'm going to use this "not too hungry" phase to continue to reduce the amount of food I'm shoving into my body. However, I WILL NOT be doing the all liquid thing again until it is medically necessary.

[cbmare]

Originally Posted by 4myself

Mare!

I'd call him back and make him explain about that colon folding and hardening thing. I hate it when drs tell you stuff when you're half-out of it!

I called them yesterday. The note at the bottom of my paperwork said he wanted a follow-up in 2-3 weeks. They told me that they would call me with an appointment. I would have to wait until he went over all the reports and lab results before I could see him.

I hate being told stuff when I'm out of it, too. I'm glad boobalah was there. He doesn't understand it either, but he heard the whole thing.

[Beach Patrol]

I need to have a colonoscopy. But I'm a big ol' scaredy cat... and have been putting it off for a FEW YEARS... (yes I know, I'm bad).

Could you give me a few details... so I'll know what (exactly) to expect? I will have to do this sometime before December 31st, so my insurance doesn't start over in January.

[cbmare]

Originally Posted by Beach Patrol

I need to have a colonoscopy. But I'm a big ol' scaredy cat... and have been putting it off for a FEW YEARS... (yes I know, I'm bad).

Could you give me a few details... so I'll know what (exactly) to expect? I will have to do this sometime before December 31st, so my insurance doesn't start over in January.

It's really scarey when it is your first one.

The first time I had to drink about 1 gallon of this stuff named "GoLightly" or something like that. That stuff is EXTREMELY hard to gag down. (at least it was for me). All the other times I drank 2 bottles of magnesium citrate 4 hours apart. Someone told me it tastes better cold. I tried that. It was had to gag down. I drank it at room temp this time and it only took about 15 minutes to get the 10 oz bottle down. I used the lime flavor. They have it in cherry as well, but you aren't supposed to consume anything red. You will probably be told to take 2 Ducolax tablets between the bottles of that stuff.

We make our own broth. You are allowed to drink clear liquids all day until a cut off time which your dr. will tell you. The canned broth is so salty to me, even the low sodium ones. I prefer ours. Also, you can have jello. (NOT RED).

Be sure and have some 7 Up or other clear soda around. (Not diet). The sugar in it will help settle your tummy if you are prone to nausea.

I don't allow dinner cooked in my home the night before. The smell of food makes it worse for me. (My grandsons are hoping I have to have another one next week so they get taken out for pizza again )

Try and make your appointment one of the first in the AM. You won't have to go without food through 2 days if you can.

They will give you an IV of something like Valium (I think it's Versid or something like that). Then they will give you something like an opiate to kinda knock you out. You can stay away and watch if you like. My dr. gave me more this time because he said I talked too much and made his crew laugh too much during my last procedure. I was out of it til about mid afternoon yesterday.

The procedure itself isn't that bad. It's the day before that is so awful. Don't plan on going very far from your toilet and have an extra roll of TP in there. You might want to take a quick shower before you go in for the procedure.

You WILL be required to have someone drive you home. They will have to sign that they are the driver. Have them bring a small bottle of water for you if you live very far from the center. You will be thirsty. When you get home, have some toast. You can eat a little later if you feel OK. I've wanted to stop on the way home in the past, but not this time.

You will be fine! You can squeeze my cyber hand throughout the entire time if you wish.

Be sure and get that appointment soon. Most of them are booked up months in advance around here.