After 40 hours with only little Jell-O in my system, almost a gallon of water mixed with a witches-brew of glycols, with salts, my colonoscopy is over. I was supposed to drink the entire gallon, but I had to quit at around the last sixteen ounces. The stuff is brutal to drink, regardless of what anyone tells you. I did learn from a nurse that there is another way, which uses over the counter laxatives and water. She said it yields the same results, and is approved by the doctor that performed my colonoscopy. That's a good thing.
The prep was a little different than the last procedure. One week stop on some medications, (blood thinners and such) three days without seeds, vegetables, and anything that is slow leaving the colon; one day clear liquids only; and a start at 4:00 pm with the prep liquid. Eight ounces every thirty minutes until the first half gallon is gone. Repeat the procedure starting at 10:00 pm, which leads to prepping to 1:30 am, and draining over the next few hours. With my 8:00 show up time, that left time for a cat-nap.
The results were good. No polyps, some diverticulosis (an inherited things according to the doctor) and a 7 year respite until the next procedure. That was welcome news, and according to the photos provided by the doctor, my colon is as shiny as a new car. I'm impressed. Then again, it was power washed twice in the last twelve hours before the procedure. As I told my wife before the second half: "The wash is over, but now it's time for the rinse cycle."
So it's over, I'm happy with the results, and with my calcium scan two weeks ago, I'm in good health for now. That test revealed no plaque in my heart, and a zero risk of heart disease. I'll take both, continue my bastardized health regimen, and go on as best as I can. The good lord has taken me this far for a reason, and it's up to me to continue.
Yay!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad it's over. While it is portrayed as a simple, basically worry free procedure, the prep alone causes anxiety. Thinking there is something that requires another prep in the near future isn't a pleasant thought.
DeleteThat's great news, and yes, colonoscopies suck!!! Mine was late last year, and I too am good for seven years! But I hate yogurt, and that's what I had to eat to get probiotics back in the 'system'... yech...
ReplyDeleteI like yogurt, so that's not problem. If I did, I think I'd have to find a substitute.
DeleteI got a case of it from the VA... sigh...
DeleteHad a not so good one in 2020, got cut and fixed. Was on 1 year plan till 2025. Now on 3 year plan.
ReplyDeleteHopefully, your next visit will be for a seven year return. I was relieved when this one didn't reveal any polyps.
DeleteStumbled across you from Pitsnipesgripes so I know nothing of you but the subject caught my eye. I'm 71 as of April this year and just got my annual physical bloodwork report. I noticed no PSA test. So I contact the Dr. and am told "no further testing is required over the age of 69" and my historic numbers from my previous tests warrants getting no more PSA testing... Obviously this concerns me due to the number of friends I have with prostate problems. While with the Dr at the time of my office visit part of the physical, which consisted of height,weight, BP check, and listened to my heart and lungs. I asked the Dr about a response I received from him about an annual scheduled low dose CT scan of my lungs that he canceled. In the message I was told my "time threshold" had expired. I was a smoker of many years having quit 25 years ago and he assured me it wasn't cancelled because of my age, that the "two" other scans produced negligible changes. This was going to be my final scan if this one had no changes and now that he says I no longer am going to receive PSA testing I feel I am being put out to pasture.
ReplyDeleteThe medical world where I live has changed so drastically in my area (S.W. Michigan) in my lifetime. Back in the day a visit for a physical used to be all the ones I described above plus temperature, lymph nodes , carotid artery, conducting physical movements, laying down on the exam table to thump the abdomen, ect, ect. Now I don't even remove my shirt. At this point I'm betting they've already canceled my colonoscopy previously scheduled every 5 yrs as due June of 27. I've only vaguely known this Dr for three years now and prior to him, 3 yrs with his PA because Drs just are not available for new patients. Before the PA I had a private Dr who conducted all the exam but he moved to Knoxville, TN. I think he saw what was coming. And now, every doctor in this area have been grouped or gobbled up by the hospital system, now titled under "Corewell Health". All privately independent doctor offices have closed up and moved into this huge hospital complex. I understand Michigan legislature's pushing for assisted suicide. Sorry to dump so much on you but if you are in your 40's, which is when I had my first colonoscopy, I wish you the very best
Some procedures aren't recommended after a certain age, and 70 seems to be the magic number. While the reasons vary, my suspicion is there are so many above that age, they want to limit resources; regardless of how much money was dumped into the system over time by those they now recommend just die.
DeleteMy doctor ran a PSA test during this year's blood work, but since I'll reach that magic number in age this year, next year the test might not be paid for, and any health difference due to not doing the test will be addressed only if I have symptoms of prostate trouble.