A Victory for Me (Bit TMI in the Background Info. Also Long)

[Tama]

I will say about the colonoscopy...mine was a breeze. The medicine, not so much. I fell asleep and woke up and had belly pain for a day. Will probably be the same for you.

I will still never forget the sheer JOY of being offered a Dr Pepper after waking up though.

[tollbaby]

Just out of curiosity, did your digestive issues first come to light before or after you went on medication? The reason I ask is because my ex is on some rather heroic doses of antidepressant and anti-anxiety meds, and he has some major digestive issues (akin to what you describe, can sometimes not get on the bus to go to work because he can't be away from a bathroom for that long) as a result of these medications. It's a relatively rare side effect (The fact sheets tell you that nausea/diarrhea is common when you're starting or weaning off the drug, but something like 0.3 percent of people have digestive issues the entire time they're on them).

[Miss Maple Leaf]

I will say about the colonoscopy...mine was a breeze. The medicine, not so much. I fell asleep and woke up and had belly pain for a day. Will probably be the same for you.

I will still never forget the sheer JOY of being offered a Dr Pepper after waking up though.

Great. More nasty medicine. (I had to drink two styrofoam cups full of barium for an x-ray I had to get done, and I'll have to drink another gross medicine for the CAT scan I have to get done on Monday.)

I'm not really worried about the colonoscopy, since I'll be unconscious, which is good, because that's the only way they're sticking anything up my butt.

When I wake up though, I'm hoping they have lemonade. I love Dr. Pepper, but lemonade would be just wonderful.

And tollbaby, the digestive troubles started before I went on medication. Plus, my dose of antidepressant isn't too strong, and I haven't taken an anti-anxiety med in over a month, so I doubt they're contributing to it.

The antidepressant did make me dizzy for the first few days, though, but I was told that was a common side effect (it's even on the box they come in) so I was prepared.

Sucks about your ex though. Poor guy, having to go through that because of his meds.

[KatherineB]

Great. More nasty medicine. (I had to drink two styrofoam cups full of barium for an x-ray I had to get done, and I'll have to drink another gross medicine for the CAT scan I have to get done on Monday.)

I'm not really worried about the colonoscopy, since I'll be unconscious, which is good, because that's the only way they're sticking anything up my butt.

Um, I've had barium several times and I've had two colonoscopies (sic?). I'd rather have the barium. Much, much rather.

[Tama]

Never had barium. As long as you have a free bathroom, you're going to be fine...if a bit burny and sore.

[Miss Maple Leaf]

Um, I've had barium several times and I've had two colonoscopies (sic?). I'd rather have the barium. Much, much rather.

Well that's reassuring.

Anyway, I have another update.

I had the CT scan yesterday, and it definitely showed some inflammation in my intestine. My doctor discussed the results with the doctor who studied the scan, and while I still have to see a GI specialist (who is going to call me to get me in for an appointment within the next few days) and get a colonoscopy, my doctor started me on prednisone temporarily to clear up the pain and bathroom issues I'm having.

He also assured me that it wasn't cancer, which I didn't even realise was a possibility. So I'm really happy to hear that bit of news.

So while I'm not back to normal yet, I've just taken another large step in getting there.

[Mikkel]

I have had several colonoscopies and in Denmark they don't put you to sleep before. You just get a painkiller if you ask for it under the procedure.
It's not that bad, it hurts a bit, like when you have bad gas, no worse. Last time I didn't even get any painkillers, but then my colon is half a meter shorter now .
The worst about a colonoscopy is that stuff you have to drink before. Much worse than barium.
Afterwards you will be a bit farty from the air they blew in, but I have never had any other aftereffects.

[BeeMused]

Good news, one step closer to knowing what's going on is always good.

I prefer sleeping through those procedures, too. You get an injection... *blink* *blink* *blink* you want to ask: "When do you start..." but they are already done.

[KatherineB]

The worst about a colonoscopy is that stuff you have to drink before. Much worse than barium.

Sorry, yes, that was the bit I was referring to as well. The procedure itself is a piece of cake if they knock you out for it.

[wolfie]

A site I used to follow regularly had this article about colonoscopy.

[Tama]

I wasn't drinking it as fast as they said to -- I just couldn't. After a while I think I got used to it...I still vaguely remember its taste. Like salty water...

[Miss Maple Leaf]

I wasn't drinking it as fast as they said to -- I just couldn't. After a while I think I got used to it...I still vaguely remember its taste. Like salty water...

Really? That actually makes me happy.

I've had to rinse my mouth out with salt water before after a dental procedure, and compared to the taste of both the barium and the gastrografin, I think I can handle some salt water again.

It'll be unpleasant, sure, but I don't think it'll be as bad as those two.

Well, I've got another update:

I've been taking the prednisone, and it's already started to help. I'm not running to the bathroom as much, and the pain is starting to clear up.

It still hurts when I move around, but if I'm still it subsides to a dull ache. Before I was in constant pain. So that's great!

Plus, during the nights I used to have go to the bathroom every couple of hours. Last night, I went to bed around 6pm (I was exhausted from lack of sleep and trying to catch up on some) and I didn't get up to go to the bathroom until almost 1am!

It feels so good to be able to sleep for long stretches again. I'd almost forgotten what it was like.

[Tama]

Really? That actually makes me happy.

I've had to rinse my mouth out with salt water before after a dental procedure, and compared to the taste of both the barium and the gastrografin, I think I can handle some salt water again.

It'll be unpleasant, sure, but I don't think it'll be as bad as those two.

Well, I've got another update:

I've been taking the prednisone, and it's already started to help. I'm not running to the bathroom as much, and the pain is starting to clear up.

It still hurts when I move around, but if I'm still it subsides to a dull ache. Before I was in constant pain. So that's great!

Plus, during the nights I used to have go to the bathroom every couple of hours. Last night, I went to bed around 6pm (I was exhausted from lack of sleep and trying to catch up on some) and I didn't get up to go to the bathroom until almost 1am!

It feels so good to be able to sleep for long stretches again. I'd almost forgotten what it was like.

Oh, and they already told you no red or purple things right?

[Miss Maple Leaf]

Oh, and they already told you no red or purple things right?

Nobody mentioned anything about any specifically coloured foods.

Do you mean for the colonoscopy?

It hasn't actually been scheduled yet, I was just told by my doctor that I will need one. I still need to see a GI specialist first and am waiting for him to call to set up an appointment.

After that, I guess the colonoscopy is the next step.

Or did you mean for something else?

[Mikkel]

Coloured foods can dye the intestine so it looks inflamed. I'm sure the specialist will tell you all you have to avoid, though.