Colonoscopy

Question: colonoscopy? I am having a colonoscopy this week .My dr. is doing one to find out what is causing my cramping and abdominal pain. I have never had one done before (I'm only 25), but am worried--Will I be fully asleep during this or just out of it? I have read that ask people to move positions during this procedure, and wondered how people could move if they're awake. Any advice or info is appreciated. Thanks!

Answer: you can request sedation, but from personal experience it's TOTALLY NOT NECESSARY. I had mine done with a very tiny amount of Demerol only (and I didn't want that, but the Dr insisted.) Except for about 2-3 seconds of very mild cramping when the Dr went around the transverse colon, the entire procedure was completely painless. I watched the entire thing on the monitor. It was very interesting believe it or not. I even watched the Dr remove and cauterize a polyp..also totally painless. Your colon has no nerve endings, so if you just relax you'll be fine. Should you choose sedation, please DO NOT GO WITH VERSED!!! Versed is an amnesiac that does nothing for pain, the only thing it's good for is to give you memory loss so you won't recall the procedure. This is a very bad drug and should be banned entirely from use on people. I had it once in 1991 for an endoscopy, and I've had anxiety and depression every since. you may want to check out www.versedbusters.com, and www.askapatient.com. about this god-awful drug. You'll be fine, don't worry. Once it's over you'll laugh about how scared you were to go through with it. Feel free to email me if you'd like, and let me know how it went. Best of luck, I'll keep you in my prayers.

Question: How much does a colonoscopy cost for a dog? My dog has chronic colitis. We have ruled out parasites (done fecal tests) and food allergies (we've done a food trial already). The next step will likely be a colonoscopy from what I'm told. Has anyone had a dog who underwent a colonoscopy - if so, how much did it cost? In the thousands or hundreds of dollars? I'm just curious.

Answer: It's about three hundred and fifty plus here. Before you do that, have you just considered switching foods? Colitis is an autoimmune problem where the colon swells. I would assume allergies are to blame. Or how about the vet giving a simple round of steroids to see if it clears up. At least then you will know for sure if swelling was involved. Have you done a round of antibiotics just to make sure it isn't a bacterial infection in the colon? You are a good dog owner to consider this. Chronic colitis isn't curable, so you will be dealing with it for the rest of her life if that is the correct diagnosis. You might consider quality of life issues too.

Question: What is difference between colonoscopy and barium enema? Just had a colonoscopy but now have to have barium enima because colonoscopy would not check everything. Had barium enema several yrs ago and was very simple (done in doctor's office) doctor and nurse. Colonoscopy was done at hospital surgical wing. A bunch of nurses, etc. Much more involved. Same thing for wife a few yrs ago. As an added thoght Is this a scam for goughing insurance? Clarifyy question: why do a colonoscopy that may not answer problems and then do a barium enema. Why not do the barium enema first?

Answer: No both are valid diagnostic tools.

Question: How long after a colonoscopy does a person normally have diarrhea? My grandma did a colonoscopy which came back good today..she is having severe diarrhea though. Is this normal? For how long does this continue? Is it ok to give her some diarrhea medicine? She had a bowel obstruction about a week ago, but it is now cleared.

Answer: No this is not normal. She or you need to contact her treating Doctor. With a colonoscopy you are given medication that causes diarrhea to clean the colon. But this clears after a day. A bowel obstruction can cause diarrhea in itself. How long has the diarrhea continued? She would be going into dehydration by now placing her whole body at risk. Please contact her Doctor ASAP.

Question: Can a colonoscopy help detect prostate cancer? My father recently had a colonoscopy. After the colonoscopy, the doctor told him that the prostate was very firm and in good shape. How could he detect this?

Answer: The doctor sticks their finger inside the rectum when they lubricate the anus prior to the insertion of the colonoscope. At this time the doctor's finger can and should feel the prostate which is just inside the anus. At this time the doctor can determine the size and firmness of the prostate. Explain this to your dad for father's day. He'll be impressed.

Question: what is the difference between a colonoscopy and an endoscopy? I had a colonoscopy done 3 years ago, they went in through the rectum, I had a friend tell me that I should get an endoscopy where they go in through the mouth, I asked if this would reach my colon and he said yes, is this true too?

Answer: I don't think so. Your small intestines are far too long for a camera to make it through the meters of that ****(Not literally). But I' a designer, not a doctor!

Question: What are the chances that after having a clear colonoscopy 17 months ago, a mass I have now is cancer? I am having another colonoscopy and biopsy Tuesday, but it seems weird I would have been normal less than a year and a half ago and now have cancer.

Answer: Having a colonoscopy 17 months ago would not detect cancer that might be microscopic or became cancer at 12 months. Cancer is a progressive disease which means that it starts out as a single microscopic cell that begins to grow uncontrollably. A cancer tumor can grow in as little as 28 days . . . which means unless you have the colonoscopy at eactly the right time when a cancer is growing . . it can easily be missed. The reason I know this is because my son has a stage IV abdominal sarcoma that can grow rapidly within that 28 day period. Cancer growth is not at all predictable . . some can grow rapidly and some will take years to appear. If you have an aggressive colon cancer it can grow fast and become larger in a month or two. Which really means that 17 months is a long, long time in the cancer world . . ancient really, meaning that you need a new colonscopy if anything at all seems suspicious. The old test is just that . . . old news now, because many things can change in a few months including a new cancer. The reason that cancer patients have a CT or PET scan every three months is to track whether the cancer is growing or not. It is not at all weird that you might have been 'normal' a year and a half ago and now you might have cancer. This happens all the time. The good part is that you do have records of the colonoscopy from a year or more ago and the doctor will be able to compare the results with what is happening now. Here is an illustration of the stages in colon cancer. Please note how tiny the cancer is in stage I and how difficult it would be to detect. Keep in mind that one microscopic malignant cell can occur at ANY time . . and remain dormant for an undetermined amount of time . . and than suddently start growing. Cancer is a deceptive disease. Do not underestimate it. Illustration: The stages of colon cancer http://www.meb.uni-bonn.de/cancer.gov/Me… Best wishes to you.

Question: How does barium sulfate taste compared to the halflytley stuff they give you for a colonoscopy? I had crohns disease, and I had already had the colonoscopy, and I now need an Upper GI series via barium swallow. The liquid I drank to clear my system before the colonoscopy was disgusting, and I barely was able to drink it all without throwing up. I am now nervous about the barium, and I am wondering how the barium sulfate tastes in comparison to the colonoscopy stuff.

Answer: I know the colonoscopy stuff taste salty and warm. The Barium has flavors but is really thick. They have chocolate and grape to name a few. It's like a chalky milkshake with some flavor. Also there is far less barium to drink compared to the colonoscopy prep.

Question: How painful is the cleansing for preparation for a colonoscopy? My 3 year old son is scheduled for a colonoscopy on friday. He has to take laxatives to cleanse his vowels and can only have liquids on thursday. The laxatives sounds painful and i don't know how he will go about not eating for the whole day. Has anyone else gone through this?

Answer: It isn't to painful just uncomfortable. Make sure to have baby wipes and vaseline handy. Before he takes the laxatives, rub a little vaseline between his butt cheeks so that it will protect his skin from irritation. Use the baby wipes to gently wipe. After each wipe, put more vaseline. Because of the laxative he will need to constantly drink water, this should make him feel full. If they are making him take fleet phospho soda laxative, mix it in some sprite/sierra mist/7up, this really hides the nasty flavor. They usually allow clear liquids so you can alternate between water and soda, this should keep a little hunger away. Put a movie on and have him just relax. Toward the end of the day after he has gone to the bathroom plenty, have him take a nap if he can, that may also help time pass. Otherwise try not to eat in front of him or take him anywhere that will make him want to be hungry or fussy. Give him lots of love and just be there to take care of him. Good luck with your little guy.

Question: What can i eat before an endoscopy and a colonoscopy? I am having an Endoscopy and a Colonoscopy tomorrow at 10:00 AM, and I would like to know what I can eat, and when is the last time I can eat. If you would answer quick I would appreciate it. Thank You

Answer: If you are having a colonoscopy they should have told you that you can only have clear liquids for day before your test. Then they should have prescribed some meds for "cleaning out our colon" that you take the night before the test.