26 year old getting a colonoscopy

[redkim]

I went to the doctors because I have GERD and IBS with chronic Diarrhea.  They did some blood and stool tests and they all came back normal.  My gastro Dr said if I am still having Diarrhea (which I am, three days just last week) to call and schedule a colonoscopy.  I am very nervous about this.  First, what do you think they will be looking for (what could be the cause with those tests coming back normal.  Second, what should I expect before, during, and after the procedure?

[TT79]

I was 26 when I had my first colonscopy and it wasn't bad at all. I even asked the to move the camera over so I could see where they were scoping at. Some people are completely oblivious to what is going on, either way recovery is good,  I will say drinking and going to the bathroom all day the day before to prepare for the procedure is the worst part. Make sure you have plenty of water and juice for that day.

[conorconan]

Hi Redkim,

Glad that you had a good experience with the scopoy. I was wondering if everything went ok for you?

Good Health

[Fuzzz]

I agree - colonoscopy was easy.  And the prep wasn't so bad for me because I took the pill form (OsmoPrep) instead of the liquid kind.  

http://www.tabletprep.com/index.aspx

OsmoPrep tablets are large, so if you can't swallow big pills like vitamins or calcium tablets, they may not be right for you.  There are a lot of them; about 40 or something.  Seems like you have to keep swallowing about 6 pills every 30 minutes or something for a few hours.  Have a buddy who has done a prep before who you can call in case you get to a moment where you're afraid to continue, because it's weird to have water pouring out of you, but it's okay - really.  I felt quite clean afterward and I had the surprise benefit of the nerve pain in my left leg being GONE.  It turned out it was caused by constipation.  

Your alternative is to drink a large quantity of a liquid prep.  The only liquid prep I've tried to take was hard to get down.  It sort of tasted like water tainted with a tiny bit of gasoline, but I'm really funny about tastes and smells.

It is a very personal choice, but some offices may not give you a choice.  

The drugs my office gave me were very effective.  I remember nothing.  Also, since I had the procedure done in the office, they allowed me to wear a sports bra (no metal) during the procedure.  Wearing that and all the heavy blankets they put on me, I didn't feel at all undressed or embarrassed somehow.  

[freewaysbandit]

Fear not, if your doctor is worth an ounce of salt, you will not feel or remember most of the experience! I agree with conorconan, take the day off to prep properly. I had to get through the prep day working because I am self-employed. The gastric doc was ok with me starting the prep a few hours later than usual. I just didn't realize how lousy I'd feel throughout the day without food. After a while, I just couldn't drink enough. I definitely wouldn't plan to work the day of the test. In my area, the centers won't even let you drive yourself. And I was cautioned not to drive later in the day as well. I went back to my regular routine the day after without hesitation and worked. I suppose you might not want to work that following day if your job involves a lot of physical activity.
Believe people when they tell you the worst part of a colonoscopy is the prep! The rest is a peice of cake. At 26, let's hope your rebound time is shorter than those of us WAY over the Hill!
Good luck and keep us  posted on the results.

[conorconan]

I would suggest that you arrange the dat before off, as you will have purley a water diet. The day of the test is good to have it off as well as you will be full of gas. I would take the third day off as a day of rest and just to adjust to what the doc has told you.

Good luck and keep us informed friend.

[redkim]

Thanks for the reply.  I feel better all ready!!  I hope it won't be that bad.  Shoul I request the day before and the day of off from work?  Or should I also request the day after???

[conorconan]

Hi Redkim, a colonoscopoy is a pretty standard thing now a days. When a colonoscopoy is preformed, it is used to rule out other causes for your bowel problems. They will look for the likes of Inflammation in the colon, (which could indicate an Inflammatory bowel diseases the biggest two being Chrons and UC). They will also check for poylps (can be the beginning of cancer cells forming). However, do not worry about colon cancer, if you are younger than 50 years old, with no family history of colon cancer, the chance of you having that are really really slim.

The good thing about your Stools test coming back normal is the fact that you hve no bleeding down there. Therefore, that can help rule out a number of issue such as colon cancer, Chrons and UC.

Before you are tested, you will have to do a colon cleanse. This will involve drinking a liquid that will clean the whol colon out. This is a must for the test to be done correctloy. This will mean getting really bad Diarreha, and this is quite possible the worst part of the test. When you arrive at the test centre, they will then given you a local or a general anastetic, and the process will then begin. It can last from 15 minutes to 45 minutes, depending on what they find. After the test is completed, dependending on which anastetic you have had, you will be brough to recovery or allowed to go home.

Please don't think that worst, and all us to know the outcome.

Good health to you.