It’s funny how quickly five years can go by. Five years ago, I had a colonoscopy but it seems just like yesterday. By the time you read these words, I’ll be under Happy Drugs. Diane will drive me home and I’ll be sleeping off the Versed. If you haven’t read Dave Barry hilarious story of his colonoscopy, you can enjoy it here. Is it time for your colonoscopy?
Had one in January. It was a disaster. The stuff I drank to clean me out didn’t start working until after 2 AM although I started taking it at noon. My results were not good since I wasn’t cleaned out 100%. They wanted to do it over but my insurance wouldn’t spring for another one in the same calendar year. Still cost me over a grand out of pocket.
That Dave Barry story really is hilarious!
I just went through the second “experience of the fourth kind” but this time they gave me a new mixture of laxatives which tasted not as evil as the first one …
PS:
Hope that everything goes well and they don’t find any nasty surprises.
A story from Hungary a friend of my wife told us:
Some time ago the mayor of a neighbouring village sent all people over a certain age a letter asking them to go to their docs and bring them a stool sample, because there was an abnormal number of colon cancer cases. The reason for this was the former aluminium plant which in Communist times had contaminated the ground with its sewage and people had used wells for drinking water until the 1990s when the village got water mains …
Another example of how the so called Communist system in Eastern Europe not only ruined the economy but also the ecology.
Wolf, glad you enjoyed that Dave Barry colonoscopy story. It’s a classic.
Steve, sorry to hear of your colonoscopy problems. My prep consisted of taking 2 Dulcolax tablets at 4 P.M. and then at 6 P.M. I had to mix MaraLax with 64 oz. of Gatoraid and drink it. I started getting “results” an hour later. After my colonoscopy today, my gastroenterologist told me, “Good prep.”
Remember my advice on colonoscopies: Pay the extra $$ and have it done by a professional. These guys who advertise on the internet, “Free colonoscopy in the comfort of your own home” are nothing but scammers.
Take it from one who knows.
Dan. this was my third colonoscopy with Dr. Cammera, my gastroenterologist. This guy is a pro.
As you know since you keep copious notes, mine was on June 30. Considering it’s a disgusting, dehumanizing, uncomfortable experience, it went well.
Bob, self-induced diarrhea is No Fun. But everything came out well in the end.
Hope all goes well and results are clear. We must be on the same schedule. I just received a letter from the doctor’s office reminding me it was time to schedule mine. So I suppose there’s several bottles of magnesium citrate in my near future.
I’ve often heard–and think there’s an element of truth to it–that women suffer their “medical indignities” (gynecological exams, childbirth) relatively early in their lives, so that by middle age, something like a colonoscopy hardly causes a blip on the radar; whereas men are usually middle-aged before all the medical poking and prodding begins, by which time it feels like a dreadful personal invasion. Just a thought–but it might help explain why men sometimes appear more reluctant than women to get these types of tests.
Deb, most men are wimps when it comes to medical procedures. Yeomen are much stronger and tough-minded. The results of my latest colonoscopy were good: no polyps. And I received the instructions I hoped to hear, “See you in five years,” from my gastroenterologist.
Enjoy!
Bill, now that the colonoscopy is over, I can enjoy food again! Bring on the pizza!
What Bill said. Good luck.
The high fiber diet really seems to be helping both of us.
Jeff, I’m a big believer in the high-fiber diet. Since I’ve adopted it, the polyps have gone away.
My husband also swears by Activia yogurt and probiotic supplements.
Deb, I eat Activa and Fage yogurt on a regular basis. It makes a Big Difference!
My wife recommends Greek yoghurt – and I have to eat a portion every day …
And of course she cooks with a lot of vegetables, including fibres …
In this respect she’s the one-woman-out among her Hungarian compatriots which use too much fat, eat only white bread etc …
Wolf, much as I love bread and pasta I limit my access to those goodies. Nothing will raise my glucose numbers like a slice of Italian bread or a plate of spaghetti.
Ugh!
Patti, Uph is right! But, it’s over and I’m a free man for another five years. Colon health is important. Colon cancer is easily preventable if detected early.
I’m about two years away, I think from my next one. Other than having to sleep on or next to the toilet the night before, it’s not so bad but they put me out, pretty much. The worst part is waiting for the “all clear” vs. “oops, we have a problem.”
Rick, my glucose numbers fell yesterday while I was on the Clear Liquid Diet to prepare for today’s colonoscopy. I had to adjust my Lantus accordingly. Today, I’m monitoring my glucose to make sure I don’t spike upwards as I reward myself with some pizza and chicken wings.
That happened to me when I “cleansed” too.