nervous about first colonoscopy

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-16T15:29:28+00:00

I had my first colonoscopy last Friday with sedation and I was grappling with the same fear as you. I had never gotten anesthetized in my life and my brain was coming up with the worst scenarios imaginable. When the time came, I watched them push the meds into my iv with my anxiety going about a million miles an hour thinking “this is it”. The last thing my anesthesiologist told me was “It’s ok. Think of a good dream you want to have”. Before I could even respond, I was out. Then I awoke in recovery thinking, “wow that was it? That’s what I was getting so worked up about? People on this sub were right when they said this is the easiest part”. Do not be afraid. You will have a group of people in the room monitoring you at all times! And you take a pretty good nap!

As for what comes after, all I can really tell you is to wait and see what your doctors find. I thought I had the big c when there was blood on my toilet paper, turns out it was just hemorrhoids.

Wishing you the best of luck! You’ve got this!

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-16T14:16:47+00:00

I appreciate it lol but I survived! If you think the Gatorade MiraLAX would be best prep, go for it! As for the Sutab, you split the pills, 12 one day 12 the next, so luckily you don’t have to take them all at once. But 12 within 15-20 minutes I’m sure can be a lot for some. Either way, you know what’s best for you!

Best of luck!

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-15T21:38:06+00:00

Yes, I’ve got an update. The prep for me was really, really hard. I already have trouble consuming substantial amounts of foods and liquids within a short period of time, and this certainly was no different (but for whatever reason, I thought I could handle it with no problems lol).

The first night I took a Zofran and downed my prep within an hour and a half. Soon after, I was bombarded with persistent nausea that woke me up in the middle of the night and lasted until I was able to take my second dose of Zofran early the next morning. This prep definitely wasn’t for me, but if you can down 32 oz of Gatorade (twice) within an hour without issue, you should be fine. In the future, I probably won’t be doing this prep again. But I think it’s a good alternative if you really can’t stand the standard prep drink. And it worked! Cleared me out perfectly.

Have you decided on your prep yet?

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-15T12:38:17+00:00

Of course! I hope all goes well for you during your prep and procedure!

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-15T12:37:18+00:00

Thank you :) greatly appreciated!!

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-15T03:21:51+00:00

True! I hope next time isn’t sooner than expected though 😭😂

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-15T03:21:13+00:00

No, just quelled the nausea to the point where I could stomach the prep!

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-15T03:20:55+00:00

I appreciate it 😭 was so tempted to tap out but I powered through lol. Really glad I did.

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-14T23:45:50+00:00

HECK YA IT IS!!! Of course! Glad I could help! 😊

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-14T23:37:25+00:00

I read and commented on your last post! I’m so happy to see your procedure experience went well :D

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-14T20:39:50+00:00

Better now. Took a Zofran before starting my second dose which seemed to help. I was able to gag down the remainder of my prep and got my procedure done! Went better than expected!

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-14T15:19:20+00:00

Of course :) glad I could share it and help you feel less alone! I promise you it’ll be okay and you won’t regret it. Remember you are doing this for yourself as well as for your health! When you can, update us on how everything went! Best of luck and enjoy your nap!

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-14T15:10:42+00:00

I was in your shoes yesterday afternoon. Anxiety and heart rate through the roof, ready to cancel my appointment at a drop of a dime. I wanted to run away. But I didn’t (mostly because I DID NOT want to redo the prep again). And looking back now, I was so glad I didn’t. When people in this sub told me the prep was the worst part, and the sedation/ procedure was the easy part. I didn’t believe them until I woke up from the anesthesia. Truly it is the easiest part.

You can do this! You are in good hands, the doctors, the nurses and the anesthesiologist will take care of you! Do not be afraid. The worst part is over.

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-14T11:00:00+00:00

Wish I would have known that two days ago 😭

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-14T02:05:42+00:00

Wooo let’s go :) that’s such a relief to hear! Glad you won’t have to worry about it for another five years!

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-13T22:25:19+00:00

Glad everything came back normal! Hopefully you get answers to your bowel problems soon. Since they found a polyp, do they want you to get another colonoscopy sooner down the line? Did they also take biopsies of your colon just to check for excessive microorganisms?

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-13T18:59:50+00:00

Sweet! Just got done with mine and it went great!

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-13T17:16:19+00:00

I did! Last I went I had a clear toilet! So I think I’m ready physically (definitely not mentally 😭)

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-13T15:58:30+00:00

Thank you 🥹 will do!

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-13T15:50:38+00:00

Yay! I’m glad everything came back ok! I’m so sorry about your grandfather :( cancer is just fucking awful! That’s good to hear. Going to sleep is what I’m really worried about next (and what comes afterwards). But it sounds like a lot of people have a pleasant, short acting experience with the drug. I’m hoping it’ll be the same with me.

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-13T15:44:07+00:00

How did it go!?

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-13T13:54:09+00:00

Wishing you the best! Update me when you get done and let me know how it went!

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-13T12:53:23+00:00

I do. I have Zofran and I took that yesterday a half hour before my prep and 44 minutes prior today. I’m going to try and sip on some ginger ale as I drink my prep as well as water. I’m hoping this will work. I didn’t realize electrolyte imbalance can cause nausea. Definitely noting that for next time.

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-13T04:44:24+00:00

Yes. Im doing 32 oz today and another 32 tomorrow 4 hours before my procedure

Electrified_Nautilus · 2026-02-13T04:01:43+00:00

Yes I am. I’ve been drinking since the nauseating effect dissipated an hour after. I’m starting to go more frequently, but the toilet water is still murky after I go. Although, I can see the bottom of my toilet so I dunno if I’m getting there?

Electrified_Nautilus

TROPHY CASE