I know I keep asking this question and you ...

How to Survive Your First Colonoscopy

Relax, it's not brain surgery (or is it?)

You're over 50 and you've made an appointment to have your first colonoscopy. Good for you! Now you're wondering just what you're in for. Here are some tips that should give you the information you need to survive your first colonoscopy.
1
DO YOUR HOMEWORK. The more you know about having a colonoscopy, the better you'll feel about the procedure. So take some time and do a little research. There are many good Internet sites (see "Resources" below) that will give you the information you need about this important test for colon cancer. Your doctor should have some basic literature to give you. You can also talk to friends and relatives who've had a colonoscopy. But keep in mind, everyone reacts to these situations differently.

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  Step 2
  TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR. Make an appointment with a gastroenterologist who will perform your colonoscopy. During your pre-colonoscopy appointment, be sure to ask the doctor all the questions that are on your mind. Some of these might be: How long have you been doing the procedure? What kind of complications could occur? How likely is it that there would be complications in my case? What do I need to do to prepare for the colonoscopy? What should I expect the day of the procedure? What can I expect after the procedure? What kind of anesthesia will be used?
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  Step 3
  DO THE PREP. A lot of people think the preparation for the colonoscopy is worse than the procedure itself. That's because the prep involves drinking a lot of thick liquid and multiple trips to the toilet to clear your bowels. By comparison, the procedure is a snap, because you are sedated and unaware of what's happening. So plan to be home the day before the procedure and stay close to the bathroom.
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  Step 4
  HAVE THE PROCEDURE. A colonoscopy lasts anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, but with waiting, prep and recovery time, be prepared to be at the surgery center for a few hours. You'll be receiving IV sedation, which will make you very relaxed and for the most part unaware of what is happening during the procedure.
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  Step 5
  RECOVER. You'll wake up in a recovery area, where you'll be observed for awhile to make sure your vital signs are good before you are released. I remembered nothing about the colonoscopy. There was no soreness or discomfort. It was as though nothing had happened. Your doctor will come into the recovery area and go over your results with you. This is when it's helpful to have a friend or relative with you, since you might still be drowsy from the anesthesia and forget what the doctor tells you.
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  Step 6
  GO HOME AND RELAX. You will be released with a few simple instructions, such as not to operate machinery or sign legal documents for the rest of the day. So go home, relax, and be glad you had this important test. If your results were good, you probably won't need another colonoscopy for the next ten years. Good luck

1

A Colonoscopy is a procedure in which a camera device is inserted through a patient's anus into their lower intestinal tract, to inspect the large intestine and colon area for any polyps, cancerous growths or other abnormalities. The procedure is carried out by a specialist physician, usually under full anaesthetic, and it usually requires that you are admitted to hospital in the "Day Clinic." You should be able to go home the same day.

Due to the anaesthetic, you will be unable to drive and so you will need someone to take you home.

Note to the squeamish: in order to make the following sequence of events clear, it is necessary to be somewhat graphic in the descriptions.

The events you will go through are as follows:

You will be told not to eat or drink anything for 8 hours prior to the procedure EXCEPT:
..You will be given Magnesium Sulphate (Epsom Salts) which you must mix with 140ml (Just over half a cup) of water. You should drink this at least 6 hours before you admit yourself to the hospital day clinic. You have to drink this vile mixture followed by 3 glasses of water.

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  Step 2
  This acts as a purgative. Now a purgative, for those not in the know, is what will give you the runs, so within half an hour of drinking this, you will be on the toilet, and expect to stay there for about 2 to 3 hours! They expect you to go to the loo at least 10 times. Your stool will eventually be running like water.
  Once this violent purgative slows down, after about 3 to 5 hours, your so called "stool" should be almost clear liquid. This means that your bowels are clear.
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  Step 3
  Once you book yourself into the hospital day clinic, and have signed all the forms, the nurse will again take your blood pressure and pulse.
  You will be given a hospital gown of the type that fastens at the back with little strings, and hospital underwear, which is one of those "one size fits all" kind of stretchy blue things.
  Once they are almost ready for you, they will inject you with a "pre-med" in the buttock, which will make you feel a little dizzy. If you feel really bad, and start to sweat, call the nurse immediately, as this means your blood pressure has dropped too much, and she will then take action to make you feel better.
  After about half an hour, they will take you to the theater, where you will receive another injection in the arm to put you out.
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  Step 4
  The specialist will then inspect your colon, and once he is satisfied, you will be taken back to the ward, where you were, to recover. A drip will be attached to your arm once you are finished.
  After about another half hour you should wake up.
  You should be brought tea or coffee and a sandwich once you are awake enough to eat, and once you have eaten and drunk something, the drip will be removed from your arm.
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  Step 5
  You can then, if you are feeling OK, get dressed in your clothes again, and your spouse or assistant can drive you home. You shouldn't drive or operate machinery for at least 12 hours after an anaesthetic.
  
  There is very little pain involved: 2 injections which are not that bad, and the inconvenience of the artificial diarrhea that you suffer.
  
  You can eat and drink normally as soon as you leave the hospital.

Sammie, I had my first colocscopy, this year, the worst part is the stuff you have to drink before the procedure that cleans you out,once it starts you might as well get a good book and stay on the toilrt, the procedure itself you won't know anything about,you are asleep, so don't worry,   God Bless  Rita60 

You are not nuts. Think about this.......just suppose you have the start of colon cancer. What are you more afraid of, the colonoscopy or death by colon cancer left untreated?

If all else fails I think you should seek the help of a professional counselor.

It's up to you.

oh good advice lido.............not.......the person is scared.  everyone is the ,  first time.  there was some good advice to her from everyone.  colonoscopy are perform on patients for other things besides cancer......

god bless

nanadee