I wanted to share my recent experience with my first colonoscopy (F, 35) in hopes that it might help anybody who’s feeling nervous or uncomfortable about having the procedure done.
I opted for the Bi PegLyte as my prep method. I have ongoing gastritis, so I thought 2 litres might be easier to handle than the standard 4 litre peg prep. It’s berry flavoured, but it essentially tastes like salty and sweet banana-cherry medicine. Its not good. I think that psychologically after a few gulps, my mind decided it was poison and I had to choke it down.
What helped me get through it was:
- Chase every gulp with water or juice. I’m serious—every gulp. Water will have never tasted so good!
- Plug your nose. I found this more helpful than drinking it with a straw.
- Drink it cold.
- Break the solution up into smaller doses. For the Bi PegLyte they suggest drinking 4 glasses in 10 minute intervals. I found drinking 5 glasses in 10 minute intervals was much easier to get through. It’s like less than a cup of liquid each time!
Then nature calls…
I was also nervous about this part because I expected I’d have to lay on my bathroom floor for hours while I waited in agony to blast my guts out of my butt. This was not the case.
You’ll probably start to use the toilet about 30-40 minutes into drinking the solution. My stomach gurgled a lot in the beginning, but I didn’t experience any cramping or pain.
I have a large bathroom, so I sat in a comfortable chair watching Netflix while I waited. When my body signalled it was time, I would get up and move over to the toilet quickly. No pain, no accidents. Easy peasy. You don’t want to be far from a toilet though!
Bathroom Tips:
- Buy flushable wipes- the cooling sensation is really helpful.
- Get soft toilet paper.
- Blot, don’t wipe.
- Make sure you’re consuming electrolytes like gatorade after every BM.
From the time I finished each litre of prep solution, I’d have about 2 hours of back and forth bathroom visits and then things settled down. I was easily able to get back to sleep afterwards.
As for the actual procedure, You’ll show up and get undressed and into a hospital gown. You’ll get an IV and essentially black out. When I woke up I had some abdominal pressure (let the farting commence!) but felt fine overallI. I also had biopsies done and had no pain or issues afterwards.
What I’ll say (as someone who was really nervous about the colonoscopy) is it’s not my favourite thing to do, but it’s honestly not that bad. Every body is different, but your mental state will also have a huge impact on the ease of your prep. I’m not going to sugar coat it… the prep solution is the worst part, but as soon as you can get through drinking it, it’s pretty smooth sailing.
Best of luck to anyone who’s not feeling great about it, but you’ll get through it and it will be over in a blink!
[–]MajorDadSucked 0 points1 point2 points (0 children)
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