# Tell me about your colonoscopy **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 10, 2018, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914 "2018-12-10T21:09:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914/21 "2018-12-11T15:11:11Z")
> [@MrAtoz](#): > > I had my first colonoscopy about a year ago. I must say, for all that people talk about how awful it is, I found the horror stories to be greatly exaggerated. I have had two (and prepped for a third), and I agree with this. It is annoying to have a clear-fluids diet for a day, especially if you are not home. But it’s more the the thought of it that is distressing than the actual experience, so don’t dwell on it. In all three cases the prep solution was something I had to drink in a high volume in a relatively short time, and it is a chore. If you chug it down too fast and you might get a bit nauseated, so pace yourself. Different doctors order different solutions, and different timing. The evacuation is \*not \*like the diarrhea you get when you’re sick. I never got any kind of cramping or discomfort, just a huge amount of fluid flushing out after the initial dump. You don’t get a whole lot of advance notice, though, so you do need to stay within a couple of minutes of a toilet. Unlike others, I did not have any soreness or need to apply balms or salves. It was just fluid coming out (when you’re sick you get this acidic nasty diarrhea; I had dysentery in Egypt once and had a severely sore output port). There seems to be general agreement that the actual procedure is anticlimactic, since you are pretty much out for it. By the way, you may be wondering what “prepped for a third” means. In 2010, I took my Jell-O and chicken broth to work to enjoy a clear liquid diet to get ready for my colonoscopy appointment the next day. About 2:30 it started snowing and by 4:00 I figured I’d better leave before it got bad. Too late. My drive home was on 10 miles of interstate plus another mile home. It took me four hours. When I got home I began the prep immediately and after my second round of The Shits the doctor’s office called, about 9:00 PM, to cancel the appointment. The only thing worse than doing the prep and having a colonoscopy is doing the prep and not having a colonoscopy. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914/22 "2018-12-11T15:42:21Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > The evacuation is \*not \*like the diarrhea you get when you’re sick. I never got any kind of cramping or discomfort, just a huge amount of fluid flushing out after the initial dump. I’ll spoiler-box this for those who get grossed out easily.As I sat there, evacuating everything, I marveled at the fluid nature of it and thought to myself it was like I was pissing like I’d never pissed before. Except out my butt. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914/23 "2018-12-11T15:45:37Z")
I’ve had 3. I recommend getting it done first thing in the morning. The prep is not fun, but have some books to read or tv to watch and just plan on chilling at home. What I’ve done is just work a half day, and then the real prep begins. YMMV depending on the kit you get. Oddly, I was taking in so much fluid I never got that hungry. Plan on going straight to breakfast afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914/24 "2018-12-11T15:50:04Z")
The only problems I had with my colonoscopy were (a) finding someone to take me there and back, and (b) the doctor noticing that my blood pressure was a little high, although I do tend to register high on automatic blood pressure machines, and I had not taken my BP medication that day as I was told not to eat anything solid. I was pretty much knocked out (at least from my perspective) for an hour - or as I put it, “the best hour’s sleep I had in years.” ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914/25 "2018-12-11T15:57:19Z")
I had some twists in my colon which was leading to some very painful gas and intestinal blockages they were able to straighten out and that greatly helped. Along with the above, my doctor also had me avoid anything with seeds even tiny ones like in tomatoes or cucumbers. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914/26 "2018-12-11T16:02:27Z")
I’ve had two and the procedure was nothing and the prep was horrid. Both times it was GoLYTELY which was the only thing my insurance covered. I want to track down the home (or grave if he is deceased) of the person who invented that stuff and take a full dose right then and there. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914/27 "2018-12-11T16:50:41Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I’ve had 3. I recommend getting it done first thing in the morning. The prep is not fun, but have some books to read or tv to watch and just plan on chilling at home. What I’ve done is just work a half day, and then the real prep begins. > … > Plan on going straight to breakfast afterwards. IIRC, my last one was scheduled in the a.m. I didn’t need to drink the stuff until the eve before. Wife and I planned on just watching some vids. The stuff was somewhat nasty - like saltwater - and there was a lot of it. I recall wondering what the reaction would be like. When it starts, there is no questioning it. The loosest, most forceful discharge imaginable. But no pains/cramps, etc., and each discharge was fast. I don’t remember it being any problem after I went to bed. A bit of a hassle severely restricting your diet before, but not a big deal. Sure makes you appreciate food after. I lowered the boom on the cookies and crackers in the POST room! 😃 Not only a hassle having someone drive you home, but my Dr. required that my wife wait there throughout the procedure. Which we both thought somewhat overkill, seeing as we lived 5-10 minutes from the office. ---
**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914/28 "2018-12-11T17:16:50Z")
The only thing I will add to the advice here is that during the prep, there are no false alarms. If you think it is only air this time because you haven’t taking anything in since the last 4 trips to the toilet, you are wrong, there is another gush of liquid about to come out. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914/29 "2018-12-11T17:32:21Z")
> [@xizor](#): > > The only thing I will add to the advice here is that during the prep, there are no false alarms. … Yeah - I recall the pleasure when I simply farted after the procedure! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914/30 "2018-12-11T17:44:09Z")
Prep is worse than the procedure, since you’re asleep during it. The big issue for prep is the amount of liquid you’re required to drink. I think they cut it down now, but my first few it was tough to drink it all. The diet is restricted. Most of the options are sweet, but there are some tasty chicken broths that give you something savory to drink. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914/31 "2018-12-11T18:26:06Z")
My colonoscopy story from a few years back: > [@Tell me about your colonoscopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/652743/86): > > I’ve had two and it’s a bit of a horror story, but I’m fine, I’m OK, don’t worry. > > I had the night before ritual like others have described and ditto all the advice they’ve given. Be prepared to sit on the toilet for some time the night before. > > On my first scope, the doctor removed a precancerous node from the intestine and then could not stop the bleeding. The ended up wheeling me out to recovery, then wheeling me back in to take another whack at cauterizing it. There was a monitor that the doctor watches that I could see as well and it was interesting watching that while I could. I do remember falling unconscious during the procedure and then waking up in recovery only to be taken back in. > > My wife was there to pick me up and they made her wait and wait and _wait_ for me without explaining what was going on because there was some sort of disconnect between the recovery area and the front desk. I was in there a long time and she was flipping out because of it until we were eventually reunited. Ever have one of those stressful moments where you bring up humor as a defensive mechanism? My wife had that and it was cranked up to 11. I think the doctor got sick of the jokes, but he was very gracious about it considering the circumstances. > > Because of the node (there were actually two, but fortunately only one was precancerous), I had another scope a year later. For some luck of scheduling, I had it the day after my cousin’s St. Patrick’s Day party. I do not recommend getting scoped the day after you have to go to a party because then you end up sitting around and you miss drinking the beer and eating the corned beef. > > The second scope turned out fine and I remained awake and watching the monitor for the whole thing. The doctor then told me to come back in two years, which I think is about 3 years ago by now. I’ve been back and gotten my third about two years ago and the doctor said that I had polyps but “nothing to worry about.” I did appreciate that the staff was amazing and good natured – that’s certainly appreciated before a procedure. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914/32 "2018-12-11T18:33:21Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > The diet is restricted. Most of the options are sweet, but there are some tasty chicken broths that give you something savory to drink. I bought both chicken and beef broth. Didn’t like the beef broth but did like the chicken broth. ---
**Author:** ![Dahnlor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dahnlor/32/533_2.png) [@Dahnlor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahnlor)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914/33 "2018-12-11T20:11:29Z")
I had mine just a little over a month ago. As others have said, the prep was the biggest challenge, and I quickly learned that different providers have wildly different recommendations for the preparations. My doctor told me to go a week without nuts, seeds, red meat and a very short list of other things, while online I found others with extremely detailed lists of eat-this-and-not-that but for half as long. I used the list I found online as a guideline but didn’t sweat it too much when I accidentally wound up eating something that was a no-no on the online list as long as it wasn’t something my doctor told me to avoid. I didn’t find the diet too terribly hard to follow, and found the final preparation fairly amusing (pretty much as described in **Dewey Finn** ’s spoilerboxed comments). I did have problems after the procedure, though everything that hurt wasn’t what I was expecting to hurt. I woke up with a very sore throat, and by the next day a black spot developed on my uvula, which had become a bit swollen, and I felt as if something was stuck in my throat for a couple of days. My leg hurt as well for some reason. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914/34 "2018-12-11T20:22:50Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Prep is worse than the procedure, since you’re asleep during it. I had IV-sedation/conscious-sedation of some kind and was basically awake but so stoned as to not really care or feel anything. The anesthesiologist described it as “two too many martinis”. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914/35 "2018-12-11T22:01:16Z")
> [@Dahnlor](#): > > I did have problems after the procedure, though everything that hurt wasn’t what I was expecting to hurt. I woke up with a very sore throat, and by the next day a black spot developed on my uvula, which had become a bit swollen, and I felt as if something was stuck in my throat for a couple of days. My leg hurt as well for some reason. Made you wonder which end they scoped, didn’t it? It sounds like you were intubated during the procedure. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2018, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914/36 "2018-12-11T22:51:49Z")
Your friend is right. You will be quite busy for the day. Make sure you get the extra soft toilet paper. The procedure itself is a lovely little nap, then you can eat whatever you want, once you’ve farted in recovery (they want to make sure your colon is working normally. So toot away.) Go forth, be an adult, and get this done. They clip out any polyps and you should be good for ten years. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2018, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914/37 "2018-12-12T00:10:02Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I’ve had 3. I recommend getting it done first thing in the morning. The prep is not fun, but have some books to read or tv to watch and just plan on chilling at home. What I’ve done is just work a half day, and then the real prep begins. YMMV depending on the kit you get. Oddly, I was taking in so much fluid I never got that hungry. > > Plan on going straight to breakfast afterwards. I had my first one over this past summer and I don’t have anything to add to the thread - but will echo this - first thing in the morning, do the prep the day prior. No biggee. Mine was also Suprep - not horrible but bad enough. Definitely the worst part, tho. And as others have stated - a few hours of discomfort beats some of the alternatives. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2018, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914/38 "2018-12-12T00:14:02Z")
I’ve nothing to add, but I have a question. Does it hurt when they clip the polyps out? ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2018, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914/39 "2018-12-12T00:38:54Z")
> [@teela\_brown](#): > > I’ve nothing to add, but I have a question. > > Does it hurt when they clip the polyps out? I had one removed. I felt no pain at all. They warned me there could be some blood in my stools for a day or two, and if that got worse or did not stop, to call them right away. Just something to keep an eye on afterward. I had no complications. Downside: since I had a polyp removed, I get to go back for this in 5 years instead of 10. Fun times. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2018, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914/40 "2018-12-12T00:41:41Z")
I’ve had two colonoscopies. Both times the prep was OK; it was more about the hunger than any discomfort (almost no abdominal discomfort.) And the first one was just a matter of being put under and waking up afterwards, no issues. But the 2nd colonoscopy was quite painful. I wasn’t given enough sedation and I could feel the tube poking and moving about in my colon, jabbing into corners and places. It was like a blunt stabbing sensation, really quite bad. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-me-about-your-colonoscopy/825914.md?page=3)