Colonoscopy results

[kimber3]

I recently had a colonoscopy done because of my age and family history. I was told it would be a breeze.  I did the prep the night before, and the next day right up to the time the colonoscopy was done, I still had diarrhia. I thought I would not still have it this long.  The nurse told me I was dehydrated even though all day before I drank broth, tea, etc.  When it was my turn, they actually raced me down the hall, as if in a hurry.  The nurse then put something in my IV,but the next thing I felt were severe stomach cramps.  I said that I felt pain, and the next thing I remember is waking up. They found I had diverticulosis. What causes this?
I would like to know if all the above is normal. Why did I have diarrhea so long? Why was I dehydrated when I drank all I could the day before?  Why did I feel pain at the beginning of the colonoscopy?  Is the diarrhea to be clear like water, or slightly colored? And last, they recommended I take metamucil to get more fiber.  I do eat Fiber One cereal, and lots of fruit. Is metamucil really necessary.  

[cirella]

Hi, from my experience, they usually don't give you the medication to help you sleep until you are actually in the room.  It's pretty fast acting.  And, they know that the whole thing causes people anxiety so they won't get going until you are out.  That's the way it should happen, anyway.  If you do ever have to have another colonoscopy I'd mention your previous experience.

I understand about the wait.  I had to wait pretty long for my first endoscopy and it made me more nervous, too.  I'd follow their suggestions for before and after.

Hope your results were good and nothing was found.
Take care.

[kimber3]

Thank you both for the info.  It is very helpful.  Do you think that they started doing the actual procedure too soon before I was out, or is it normal to fell stomach cramps. I had un upper GI done before where they went down my throat, and I didn't remember a thing.  Do you think when I have a future colonoscopy that I should say something about not wanting to feel anything.  I just got the idea from the nurses running down the hall with me in my bed to take me to the procedure, that maybe the Dr was running behindand that maybe he started a minute too soon before the medication they put in the IV for conscious sedation took effect.  I waited almost 2 hrs from the time I went into the hospital, until they took me to have the procedure.  Sorta a little long, as I was nervous and the wait just made me feel worse.  Also, is it good to still drink broth etc after you do the prep.  My prep started at 5:00 at night.  I was allowed to drink clear things till midnight.  By the next morning, my mouth felt all sticky like cotton.  So from midnight, till about 10:00am  I wasn't allowed anything except a sip of water to take my pills.  

[ggreg]

Thanx for the correx Cirella, my eyes and mind skip letters sometimes.

[cirella]

Hi, Diverticulosis is not Diverticulitis.  It means that you have some pockets of irritation in your colon.  They want you to eat more fiber b/c that keeps you 'moving along' easier so that things don't get stuck in the pockets and cause problems.  It turns into Diverticulitis when those pockets get things stuck in them and, depending on the severity, can cause problems, sometimes very painful. You probably didn't even know you had it.  During a CT they saw Diverticulosis and I didn't have a clue.

You may have been dehydrated b/c diarrhea can do that to you.  When you use a laxative it's kind of like your colon forcing all the water in your system to it so that it'll empty out.  And, at first what comes out of you will be looser but normal stools and as your body empties it'll get more watery b/c there is nothing left in your colon.  If it was colored then it was maybe the color of whatever you drank to force diarrhea.

I'm not so sure that Metamucil is needed if you eat a healthy, high fiber diet.  Just choose whole grain over regular with bread, rice, etc.

If you call your GI Doctor then he/she can recommend a good diet for Diverticulosis.
Take care

[ggreg]

I had a colonoscopy, came back okay, and the prep I used was probably different from yours.  I used it for two days, drank a lot of water, and eventually the endless passing of waste went clear.  So, I imagine the diverticulitis played a part in your diahrrea, or could be the prep that physician ordered was not quite adequate.  As for your tummy cramps, pain medication can sometimes cause that, so that's no big deal.  At the beginning of the procedure, your tissues were probably sore from the diahrrea, so that's why it felt bad.  I don't know anything about diverticulitis, you can Google online that word and find more info.  Don't know about metamucil, but could be for a while the extra fiber might help the diverticulitis, I don't know.  Just be sure you drink plenty of water when you take that stuff, to help the bulk pass.  Others here will probably know more about diverticulitis, which you could put that in the title of another post to get more reponse on that issue.