I don’t know what’s with all the talk about wipes and ointment. I didn’t take Picolax but something else. It wasn’t uncomfortable, just annoying and inconvenient, and was a bit like turning on the bathtub faucet. It wasn’t like diarrhea when you’re ill, just tons of water.
The only thing worse than prepping for a colonoscopy is prepping for a colonoscopy and having the doctor’s office call at 9 PM to cancel because of a snowstorm.
No idea about the colonoscopy stuff, but I am the father of a 2 year old who loves to crap at odd times like the middle of the night, and thereby getting diaper rash.
Triple Paste or Calmoseptineare the best ointments/creams we’ve found. Purple Desitin is pretty good, although it’s both stickier/gunkier and harder to get off your fingers than either of the other two, and smells far worse. TP is unscented, and Calmoseptine has a sort of minty medicinal smell that’s not bad.
I don’t have to go on the liquid diet until tomorrow but I am going nuts just thinking about food.
I see Senegoid did the hard work and linked all the threads. As you can see, it is a popular and oft repeated subject. I had my second one in May. It really isn’t that bad. I had a polyp removed during mine (which was slightly uncomfortable but not horrible) and now have to have one every five years.
The happy part: Once it’s done, go treat yourself to the best meal you’ve had in months, knowing that you’re completely empty and haven’t had anywhere near a normal calorie load in a couple of days. No guilt. Not cheap fast food, mind you! Get a good solid sit down meal. My sister had driven me and we went straight over to Godfather’s Pizza for their Taco Pizza, which I really really enjoy.
I’ve had a colonoscopy and an endoscopy. Both were a hoot. At least, everyone tells me I had a great time. I do remember making the nurses laugh, just before the curtain came down. Evidently, I’m a real funny guy, given the right drugs. I’d have thought they’d have heard all possible jokes already. Perhaps they were just good-spirited.
(Actually, the curtain didn’t come down: I was conscious through the procedure, but just stopped forming memories. I do have some scant memories after the “curtain” but they seem dream-like.)
I don’t remember any discomfort, at least nothing worse than mild hemarrhoids.
The only problem I had was I might have been just a tad too enthusiastic during prep at home, or perhaps just bad luck. I didn’t mind the prep; I’m not fussy, and it was no problem to visit the john frequently. IIRC, I had fluids coming from both ends, but not uncomfortably. The fluids were getting fairly clear, but then I all of a sudden had a rather explosive vomit, and after that, the fluids weren’t clear.
As a result, my colonoscopy showed blood in my colon. The assumption was that I had a something-meigs tear caused by the above, and was the reason for the endoscopy, which confirmed it.
So, don’t get too aggressive with consuming fluids.
Vodka counts as a clear fluid, right?
Just remembered I never posted these hints:
1)If you have a pho (vietnamese noodle soup) restaurant nearby, get a quart or two of broth. A good change from juice etc. and seems almost like food.
They gave me roofies. I woke up vaguely unsettled and feeling a little stretched if you know what I mean.
The worst was the gallon of glurge. I chugged the last bit just to get it over with and it came right back up. Didn’t matter - I was clean as a whistle.
And after that experience, I became even more dubious regarding the Thai colonic treatments that are supposed to find buttons and other items in childhood coming out.
So, I had the colonoscopy and the results were good. Nothing wrong and the doctor says I don’t need another one for 10 years. My father says that is good news because if anything catches their attention they usually tell you to come in every 5 years.
I did have the Pico-Salax yesterday and for the most part it wasn’t too bad. The main ingredient in it, by volume, is citric acid so there is that tartness when you drink it. However, I threw up the first dose after about 10-15 minutes but it didn’t seem to affect the overall cleansing. The second dose, which I drank slower seemed to work as advertised.
Looking forward to dinner in a few minutes…
Congratulations! It’s nice to have it over with, isn’t it?
Oh, so that’s what Pico-Salax is. Ack. I had to do a mag citrate cleanse for a barium enema back in my 20s, and it was absolutely horrible. It made me hurl like a sailor just back from liberty. My colonoscopy prep was with MiraLax, which is much easier on the stomach.
Glad to hear all was well. They’ll generally only have you scoped at shorter intervals if you have positive findings (usually polyps), a family or personal history of colon cancer, or some new symptoms that cause concern.
Enjoy your dinner!