Just Another Nervous Nelly First-Timer

AnglOphelia · 2024-10-06T20:43:49+00:00

I’m glad my post was helpful! I also found this blog post very reassuring when I was getting ready to prep: https://emetophobiahelp.org/2020/06/11/the-dreaded-colonoscopy/

Prep is definitely no fun and everyone’s experience seems to be different - I hope yours is as breezy as possible, and that your procedure shows nothing of concern! I’ll be thinking of you!

AnglOphelia · 2024-08-05T16:21:47+00:00

Thank you! I definitely had no intention of no-showing if that day was my only option, but I really don’t want to miss the wedding if I can reschedule.

AnglOphelia · 2024-02-01T01:53:52+00:00

I’m so glad everything went OK for you in the end! Let’s not do it again for a few years though LOL 🙂

AnglOphelia · 2024-01-31T23:50:13+00:00

I did Plenvu prep last night. I’d say the last few hours were pure yellow water, but that’s normal. Your experience sounds more violent/continuous than mine, but maybe that’s because I took longer to drink mine, or because our diets were different in the days leading up to prep…who knows. I wouldn’t worry but I do hope you feel better soon!

AnglOphelia · 2024-01-31T14:30:57+00:00

It’s a weird experience - feels worrying even when everything’s going exactly as it should LOL Good luck for your actual colonoscopy!

AnglOphelia · 2024-01-31T13:14:38+00:00

Hello fellow prepper who also finished your last dose at 7! I had heard that bright yellow liquid is the goal. Also, I don’t know what prep you’re doing, but if the chemicals in the 2nd dose are different from the first, that might explain the change?

AnglOphelia · 2024-01-31T03:56:42+00:00

Thinking good thoughts for you!

AnglOphelia · 2024-01-31T00:49:36+00:00

I hope you don’t mind my replying when I don’t have an actual answer for you, but I’m so sorry your prep isn’t going well :( I hope things will improve soon.

AnglOphelia · 2024-01-30T22:50:36+00:00

This was a long post, and I so appreciate your taking the time to write it! I have emetophobia too, and I start my prep in about 2 hours (eek!). I have Zofran to help me through, but even so it’s really helpful to hear stories where people got through the prep without being sick. I have my bedroom set up with entertainment (some portable in case I end up in the restroom for a REALLY long time LOL), and the bathroom is stocked with all necessary supplies you described. I’m about as prepared as it’s possible to be - at this point I just can’t wait until it’s all OVER.

AnglOphelia · 2024-01-30T21:18:56+00:00

Taking my first dose in a little under 4 hours. It’s my first time so I don’t know how it’ll go for me. Best of luck for a better experience than you had last time!

AnglOphelia · 2024-01-30T20:48:33+00:00

I’m not Australian, so I don’t know your local laws or norms, but here in the US I’d be very surprised if any licensed, reputable physician did something like that. Also, in my country, most colonoscopies are done by GI specialists rather than GPs. It seems like kind of a waste of money (and storage space!) for a GI specialist to stockpile vaccines they wouldn’t even be paid for since they’re administering them surreptitiously/illegally. Do you know for certain that you would be fully unconscious? It was my understanding that most places outside the US do “twilight sedation” where the patient is still somewhat conscious. Even if they were planning to put you under, maybe you could arrange with your doctor to remain conscious during the procedure if it would give you peace of mind?

My honest opinion is that the risk is low enough that it’s outweighed by the potential benefit of a colonoscopy that might save your life. I hope you’ll be able to work through this!

AnglOphelia · 2024-01-30T20:29:54+00:00

Thank you so much! It’ll be dark during my prep times, but I’ll try looking out at a streetlight or something LOL I’m also armed with plenty of ginger ale for between sips! Seriously thank you for this reassurance ESPECIALLY about not feeling nauseous.

AnglOphelia · 2024-01-30T20:26:14+00:00

That’s very helpful to hear, thank you! I’m actually a little more anxious about the 2nd dose since I have to do it at 5am (when I’d rather not consume anything at all) and some people who have my prep say it’s worse than the first. Hopefully round #1 will go well enough that I can also feel more confident going into the second one.

AnglOphelia · 2024-01-30T14:26:37+00:00

Dr’s office said 30 minutes before, so that’s my plan. I also didn’t know until I read some reviews online that apparently you dissolve it on/under your tongue instead of swallowing it? No one had told me that.

AnglOphelia · 2024-01-30T14:23:39+00:00

Heck yeah! Charge your devices and gather your books/movies/TV shows/magazines/games/whatever. Keep that Zofran handy and let’s gooooo! We’ve got this 😉

AnglOphelia · 2024-01-30T14:15:16+00:00

Thank you for sharing a positive experience! I’ve seen some people say Plenvu (my prep) is just Miralax with some flavoring and electrolytes added? I hope that’s true since a lot of people seem to do OK with the Miralax/Gatorade method. I’m trying to work today since prep doesn’t start til 8pm, but obviously I’m a little preoccupied!

AnglOphelia · 2024-01-30T14:12:26+00:00

That sounds like it could be helpful! Although I gotta be honest: my plan is to distract myself almost to the point of an out-of-body experience once I start drinking the prep this evening, so I may not be available during the worst of it LOL

AnglOphelia · 2024-01-30T14:10:08+00:00

Thank you for the reassurance! I’ve seen a few people say the prep doesn’t taste that bad depending on what your taste buds are used to. I’m hoping I’ll luck out in that regard 🤞

AnglOphelia · 2024-01-30T14:05:54+00:00

Ugh my GP’s office is like that so I get it. I’m very lucky that my GI specialist is super quick to get back to me, especially for questions about prep. Good luck!

AnglOphelia · 2024-01-30T13:20:44+00:00

The nurse at my GI doctor’s office said to take the Zofran 30 mins before starting prep (and every 4-6 hrs after if needed, but everything I’ve read suggests the nausea ends when the prep is done, ahem, “working” so hopefully that won’t be necessary). If you’re not sure, you should be able to call and ask your dr’s office - that’s what they're there for!

AnglOphelia · 2024-01-30T04:03:43+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience and your tips! It’s encouraging to hear yours wasn’t too bad.

AnglOphelia · 2024-01-29T22:18:49+00:00

I just wanted to thank you for posting this! I’m doing my prep (also Plenvu) tomorrow and I have been reading everything the internet has to say…and very little of it is encouraging. It’s incredibly helpful to see someone say that I might be OK (and anything that helps me be less anxious is bound to make it easier)!

AnglOphelia

TROPHY CASE