Post colonoscopy question

[Bucky]

I had my first colonoscopy done in November.  My question is: (sorry if this is TMI) is it normal with us Sjoggies to have combination floaters and sinkers BM's afterwards?

When I had my gallbladder out in 1996, I had floaters for a long time and the nurse said this was common after gallbladder surgery.

Bucky

[Cassi307]

Bucky,
Does it sound odd to say congratulations for doing a colonoscopy?? My primary and the nurse from my insurance chronic care unit keep trying to get me to go but the idea of the prep and the procedure itself stops me in my tracks.
Thanks for the topic. I am looking forward to reading feedback on it. Maybe it will help me understand it's not so bad.

[quietdynamics]

Hi Bucky...
The combo BM is probably due to diet.
Some people 'go' more frequently than others, others less often...
so if you have a high fiber meal and then later one with less .....it is more than conceivable to have a combo BM.

" In fact, a study from the Harvard School of Public Health revealed that with every 10 grams of fiber eaten, the risk of heart disease drops 20 percent" http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-williams-phd/are-you-a-sinker-or-a-flo_b_788359.html

I saw the colonoscopy cleanse as a great opportunity to tune-up my diet....clean plumbing and all...lol. Along with the fiber it is good to increase water consumption.

[Friedbrain]

After I had one, I experienced diarrhea for months after.  At some point, I noticed that it was an actual change in bowel movements (one of those things you see in hindsite), but heck, I'd just had a professional scope, for goodness sakes, and knew there was no cancer (lucky me, I have a family history, and they did indeed find two pre-c polyps, though) so wasn't sure what to think about it.  I didn't go see a doc, and it eventually resolved.  So.....I don't know why, but I most definitely saw a change.  Maybe from being so CLEAN?   With the colon completely wiped out (and with an irritant scope through there, on top of everything), maybe the colon stops absorbing for a while due to the entire process and it takes a while to re-grow those cells?  Idk

[SookieBordeaux]

Bucky,  I just had my 4th one so I'm an old hat at this. lol  I have it down to a science now!  The last one I had was 2 months ago and due to such a magnificent prep the doctor was able to get several polyps that he would not have normally had gotten.  I cheated and took laxatives even before I took what they give me to drink.  He was curious as to how I did it.. lol  I have had a lot of problems with them before and had to redo one because what they gave me did not completely do the trick.  I have to take Mirilax every single day now for life as I have Diverticulosis.  They found an Adenoma Polyp the first go around so I am very high risk cancer and so are my children.  I have to have one done every 5 years now. 

I have found that after they do it I am sore for quite awhile and yes it changes the consistency so I would not be concerned too much.  I have a wonderful doctor!  I just love him!  He is amazing!  It is very important to have a soft stool every single day.  Mirilax will not hurt you and also 1 tablespoon of Metamucil a day is important as well.  That is for fiber in the colon.  The other is to make sure that you stay regular.  Also you need to eat leafy greens every day but not too much to start out with or it will be too much fiber and will tend to make you constipated.  It's a delicate balance for sure.  I have battled with it for years and finally have it under control. 

I hope that anyone who is supposed to have one gets one.  If I had not done it when I did I would have full blown cancer by now or have died from it.  You are totally asleep when they do it now so it's not like they used to do it.  Piece of cake now in comparison!  The stuff I used to drink was a lot worse than what it is now too.  I used to have to drink like a gallon of this nasty stuff but now you only have to drink 16 ounces and then follow it with lots of water.  Sooo much easier!  Please don't ever put off having one!!! 

My husband is having one next week.  His annual physical showed blood in his stool so I'm praying it's nothing serious.  Crossing fingers big time! 

The doctor liked how I did my prep so well that he is having my husband do the same thing. lol  So he is taking 4 Dulcolax laxatives the morning before the night that he starts the drink prep.. That just cracks me up because the doctor must have asked me like 4 times what I did to have such a clean inside.. !!  Now he makes all his patients do what I did.  It's because he knows my past history and how hard it is for me to achieve this result and I usually have to drink only liquids for two days prior instead of one. 

Yeah, I think I could write a small essay on the subject.  I think my IBS, and Diverticulosis have had a lot to do with the onset of Sjogren's and that it's all connected.   

I do agree that it has a whole lot to do with diet.  Bread and cheese will make rocks lol, as well as too much fiber.  If you follow what my doctor told me to do it works!  He's dah bomb!

SookieB

[Barbjc]

I've had 3 colonoscopies; I was scared to death the first time because I was afraid of what the dr. might find.  The dr. was wonderful - he talked with me before hand and calmed me down and then had me stay awake through it so I could watch it on TV.  Fascinating!!  The last 2,  I was put to sleep because we had moved to another state and that's how they do it here.  I don't think the prep is as bad as people think it's going to be.  I have a family history of colon cancer so I make sure I do what I'm supposed to do and so far, all has been fine.  I think I'd rather have to deal with colonoscopies every 5 years than Sjogren's every day!!

[Barbjc]

Especially since I get to sleep through it!!

[SookieBordeaux]

I've had 3 colonoscopies; I was scared to death the first time because I was afraid of what the dr. might find.  The dr. was wonderful - he talked with me before hand and calmed me down and then had me stay awake through it so I could watch it on TV.  Fascinating!!  The last 2,  I was put to sleep because we had moved to another state and that's how they do it here.  I don't think the prep is as bad as people think it's going to be.  I have a family history of colon cancer so I make sure I do what I'm supposed to do and so far, all has been fine.  I think I'd rather have to deal with colonoscopies every 5 years than Sjogren's every day!!

Barbjc, That reminds me of that movie where they shrunk that submarine with people in it and inserted them into the patient. lol  What a journey!  haha 

I agree with you on the preps..  They are much easier now so no excuses not to get one.  Also I would have one every two years if it meant not having Sjogren's for sure!   

[irish]

I have probably had 5 colonoscopies over the years and am due for another one this winter. My immunologist wants me to have one every 3 years as autoimmune patients are higher risk for cancer.

I had one in 1998 and my colon was never the same after that. I know in hindsight that it was most likely an exacerbation of my autoimmune disease in the bowel caused by the stress of the scope. The scoping is not that bad. The prep is no fun but it is a heck of a lot easier than it was 10 years ago. They have come up with newer prep protocols that are less stresssful on the body. Having a scoping done under light anesthesia is great and it actually allows the doc to expand the colon better and get better visual and pictures of the layout of colon which results in less items being missed in the assessment.

Cassie, I have to tell you that the fear you have is normal, but the fear you have could cause you to die young which would make you one unhappy girl. It is of utmost importance that you get a scope done ASAP so that you know what is going on with your colon. We all need to have one early on to give the docs a "baseline" for comparison for future scopings. A scoping isn't "fun" but it isn't as bad as childbirth and is over before you know it. Please do it and get it over with before summer comes. Good luck. Irish