Colonoscopy.... - Cedar Park,TX

I think the baseline is done at 50 unless you have a reason to have one earlier.
My experience is just as the others' described.

I haven't had one but my husband has. He never even knew it happened and it felt like 10 seconds that he was "under." The colonoscopy itself was a breeze. It was taking the millions of pills the day before that he didn't like. If I'm not mistaken, there's a terrible liquid version or the pills. Everyone who has done this says, ask for the pills, not the liquid!

I had one at about 54yrs old since I was having some problems. (I was certain I had a volkswagon stuck up there)..The few days before, you eat light, and shouldn't eat anything red. The day before you do just liquids. The Prep is done the evening before and I don't understand why everyone still drinks that horrible drink they have when there are pills you can take with water. I made it real clear to my Dr that I gag way too easy and don't drink anything but water, so he gave me the pills instead. You take them with water. I took 4 pills with a couple glasses of water and about 30 minutes later I took 4 more with water and had the urge to go. I took the next ones 30 minutes after that and had to go a few minutes later. Things were starting to move,,Eventually I was on the toilet and drinking water taking pills at the same time.lol I do suggest you write it down and keep track so you don't lose count of the pills and time you took them. It did get to overlapping a bit and after a while you are just shooting out clear water anyway. Make sure you have a nice quality soft toilet tissue so you don't get too sore from all the wiping. It was nice that I have a bathroom less than 5 feet from my bed and I watched tv and chatted on my computer for a few hours and jumped up when needed. You can't be at work or taking care of kids or cooking or anything else so plan for that. Wear jammies that you can get up and down easily and the top isn't too long cause you might not have time to get it out of the way to sit. Gosh does this sound like fun yet? lol Then it's all done for the evening and you can sleep, and maybe get up in the night to pee and some more water comes out,, but not bad. The next morning I had to take the last 4 pills with water about an hour before the appointment. I actually cheated and took them 2 hours before cause I was so afraid I wouldn't make it to the office without needing to go in the car. It was fine. As soon as I got to the Drs office I went again, and then they took me in. Got into the gown, had the IV started, and I remember seeing the Dr, and the screen and saying "wow that's a side of me I've never seen" they all laughed and then I was back in my little room feeling all relaxed and sleepy. My husband was there saying it had been about 40 minutes, and the Dr came in and told me it turned out not to be a volkswagon up there as I had suspected, but colitis,,which is a real pain in the behind anyway, but no signs of cancer or anything else. I got dressed and went home. I had a sandwich for lunch and slept a bit, and was fine by that afternoon.So, be prepared for the prep, stick close to the bathroom, don't plan to be in charge of kids, and ASK FOR THE PILLS!

the five days prior to your colonoscopy you have to avoid ANY nuts and seeds - strawberries, raspberries, etc.

24 hours prior to your appoint you will be on a liquid diet - jell-o, broth, etc. and will start drinking a mixture that reminds me of Gatorade with NOT enough water...it's kinda syrupy - after 1.5 hours after you start taking it - stay close to the bathroom as your body starts cleaning out.

They put me under - so it was over before it even began for me. I had no issues and was home MAYBE 1 hour after it was done, if not sooner.

If you have colon cancer in your family or even pollups - get 'er done.....it's easy and better knowing than not!

I was in late high school, early college when I had mine. I had stomach issues a lot so they wanted to check (I had ulcerative colitis).

I was asleep for the procedure, so it was nothing. But the stuff they made me drink the night before was nasty! I struggled through drinking it. That was the worst part about the whole thing for me!!

As everyone else has stated the worst part of it is the day before when you do the cleanse... you live for the toilet. Make sure you schedule it for early morning. You will be out, it doesnt hurt. You'll never even know you've been violated after the fact :)

I was 40 due to family history and the relief once it was done was great. The worst part for me was that I threw up a lot after the procedure because I do not do well with anaesthesia. I have a friend who was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer at 37. If you have the ability to do this, you absolutely should.

I was 41 when i had my colonscopy. The prep is worse than the procedure. You are out for the procedure. Just make sure you take off work for the prep part because the bathroom will be your resting place for a while. :) Good luck and hope everything turns out good.

I feel that if Colon cancer runs in your family, it may be best to have one done. If there is any reason why your mom think you should have one, the best thing is to talk to your Primary Care physician.

I am 44 and I had my first Colonoscopy and Endoscopy in 2010. This was mainly because I had been having severe abdominal bloating, cramping and normally around my cycle each month, I was in extreme pain.

I had also started having quick run in's to the bathroom with diarrhea, bloody stools or it can be the opposite.

After seeing a GI specialist the test was done and although I knew something wasn't right with my stomach. I was diagnosed with UC (ulcerative colitis).

So, if you know that you are having some GI issues talk to your physician so they can request more test.

Check it out...it's not bad, sedated, you have no clue whats going on.

Hi RM,

I had a colonoscopy almost 6 years ago. I was 32. I had a medical reason for it, and was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Anyway, the procedure itself wasn't bad, it's the prep. You have to basically cleanse your colon, expect NOT to go to work because you'll pretty much be on the throne all day. Happy to provide pointers for what you need, ie wipes, desitin, etc. ;-). They knock you out, so you don't even know what they do. Done outpatient, usually. Best nap ever. You won't be allowed to drive for 24 hours, so I'd plan to take 3 days off or bracket a weekend if I were you. Good luck! L.

Had my first one at age 45. The most unpleasant part was really the prep. Once I was at the hospital outpatient services, they inserted an IV, administered Versed, and I was pretty much unaware of the procedure itself. I did not find this to be awful at all.

I am 50 and I have had two. The actual procedure itself is not bad at all. The prep done at home can be a little yucky. Most of the time they have you drink this liquid stuff (you can add flavoring to it, nothing red based) and then wait for the magic to happen. It is not painful, uncomfortable or anything like that but it doesn't taste the best. I found with the second one, that I would have a little cup of chicken broth ready when I had to take a dose of it. The drink itself is salty so I simply wouldn't breathe while drinking it, and then immediately chased it with chicken broth. For me, that was a winning combination! I also took a hot shower when the whole thing was done as the stuff you are drinking is cold and it really does make your body cold. The second time I did the test, I thought...well, I just won't make the liquid as cold....BIG MISTAKE! Make it cold!

I had my first one done at 45 (for other issues) and boy, was I glad I did! They found polyps that, had they been left to grow, would have turned into colon cancer (the ONE cancer that is totally preventable!) My second one three years later to check out why I was having constant bowel issues and then to follow-up to make sure that nothing was growing back. Nothing there the second time.

Have it done! You will never regret it and if you have no issues, you don't have to have another one for usually 10 years.

I hope this helps!

I am 50 and just had my second one. The first one was done in my 20's for other issues. The prep is the worst. My Dr. had me take 2 Dulcolax pills and a bottle of Miralax mixed in 64 oz of Gatorade. Wouldn't have been so bad but I HATE Gatorade!LOL! And then...found out it didn't have to be in Gatorade! Anyway, the experience is all about the same...it cleans you out which can be uncomfortable. TUCKS are great to have around when bottom starts getting irritated.
Medical field recommends initial colonoscopy at 50 but I encourage anyone to get it when you can from 40 on. This one found an already precancerous adenoma! Wished we would have found it sooner! I get to do this all over again in 2 years! YIPPEE!!
Hope this helps and good luck!!
KP
BTW...I had to stop taking some of my supplements that can increase bleeding time until after the procedure. You want to make sure and check any med/supplement to make sure it is safe to take prior to procedure.

I just had one last month and I am 38. I was having some issues. The worst part of it was the "cleansing" beforehand. They gave me general anesthesia and I was done in under an hour. DH went with me to drive me home.

Try to eat as little as possible the few days beforehand. They do give you very specific instructions on what to eat and do for 2-3 days before the procedure.

The only bad part is the stuff you have to drink to 'cleanse' yourself-its horrible! Teh actual process is easy...you get twilight anesthesia and don't remember a thing.

Hi, I have had one, it was about three years ago, I am 40 now. It wasn't too bad. The doctor gives you some twilight drugs through an iv, they wheel you in, and you sleep through it, mostly. I woke up during, but don't remember too much. They then wheel you in to recovery, where you have to pass gass before leaving.....lol You are there a few hours, the procedure only lasts about 15 minutes, maybe half an hour. It isn't too bad though. I am supposed to get them every year as my dad died of colon cancer, but haven't found the will to do that!! Take care, and don't sweat it too much.

I've had two (I'm 53). Will never again drink the fluid...get the pills. When you come out from under be cautious about how much you drink, I barfed in front of God and everybody because I drank too much juice in recovery. That was probably worse than the procedure. Be really careful about OTC pain relievers. The last time I had taken Iboprofen too close to the date and couldn't have general anesthesia. I was awake and watching the whole thing, trust me, it is just NOT that much fun to watch.

I'm 33 but I had one done in my mid 20's b/c of issues I was having. The procedure itself was not bad at all. I remember having a light IV and going to sleep. It was the preparation for the colonosopy that was somewhat difficult. I remember I was given something to take beforehand that had me in the bathroom all day and all night.

There is no need to get a baseline one done. I had one at 35 because of bleeding. Three days without food besides Gatorade. The next one at 40, only 2 days of no food, but the prep drink was the worse thing I've ever had. So glad to read that they have pills now! My husband went in to have one done at 40 also, but the insurance wouldn't pay for it since he didn't have any family history of colon cancer. He has to wait until he is 50, so check with insurance before you schedule it.

The usual age for a baseline is 50. However, if a parent or sibling has had a large number of polyps then you should have your baseline at age 40. I suspect that is why your M. is telling you to get a baseline now. She is concerned for health, as a mother should be. I can tell you that the worse part of a colonoscopy is the prep you have to do at home the night before, the numerous trips to the bathroom! You can make up for that lost sleep after the colonoscopy. During the colonoscopy I did not feel a thing. If polyps are found they are removed then and there. You spend a little time in recovery and then go home to sleep it off.

I was your age, when I got my first colonoscopy. They put me to sleep, and before you know it, you're woken up by a medical assistant. I didn't feel anything.

Forty is a good age to do this.
This is most important if you have a family history of cancer.

the day before is not fun, there is no way around it. The test
is nothing after that.

but isn't your life worth this inconvenience?

Doctors recommend your first one at 50, and every 10 years thereafter. The only reason you would need one now is if there is a family history of colon cancer or you appear to have problems. I had mine at 50. The colonoscopy is no big deal; its just drinking the nasty stuff that cleans you out and then spending so much time in the restroom.

I had a sister and grandfather pass away from colon cancer. So I have had 3 in 15 yrs.
Remember they consider this outpatient surgery-the 1st one I got, I was shocked by the price! You have to pay the dr, anethesiologist, the facility where you are and the lab!!! Most insurance covers it but just be prepared.
Discuss it with your dr-no need to have it done at your age unless you have family history.
The 1st time, I could not drink the pre-med w/o throwing up. You get a dry powder in a huge jug, bring it home and mix with water. Every hour, you have to drink 8 oz until the jug is empty. W/in a few hours, you are hanging out in the bathroom and trying to figure out how to finish drinking the stuff!! lol It took me almost the whole hour to drink the one dose. The stuff is clear but very thick. Imagine trying to drink motor oil. It is also flavored so make sure to get a flavor you probably plan to never taste again!
The 2nd year, I had the pills. They are huge but my hubby told me to put a drop of honey on them-went down much better. They take a little longer to work and you have to start out taking like 10 and then smaller amounts as the night goes on.
The 3rd time, I asked for the pills again and the dr. said he quit using them because they didn't clear you out as well and he could not get as clear of an image so back to that darn motor oil!!
Never found anything, no problems. They do tell you to eat easy the day of and stay in bed most of that day. YOu want to anyway and sleep since the anesthesia is still in your system. No pain involved. But you do have to have someone go with you to drive home.
Oh and the best part is, they give you a color photo of your colon as a nice souvenir!! lol

I've had many, my father died from colon cancer so I started having them at 32, every 5 years for the rest of my life! YEA! I've had the stuff you drink and also the pills...I see a lot of people like the pills. My experience is that the pills are WAY worse! They sat in my stomach like a beach ball and you still had to go to the pot every three seconds, but you have that beach ball in your stomach.....way worse than the drink that just makes you go. I know everyone has a different experience, but that's mine. No matter how you slice it, the prep is the worst. They're right, don't plan on being responsible for anything besides cleaning yourself out. You will be a limp rag doll after! The actual procedure is a breeze, they usually give you Versed that makes you forget what's happened. Just beware of what you say while you're "under"! You're not really out and I've said some really funny/embarrassing things during colonoscopies! My doctor has a great sense of humor and tells me about them later! Good Luck!!!!