Calm the Colonoscopy Terrors

You've probably read all about the fasting, the pills and the mixes you take, the bland food diet. It's time to brace up and forget your minor worries. This procedure can be less of a worry than facing your dentist.

What is involved is a visit to a bowel specialist. I was referred when I asked my regular doctor if I could undergo the procedure. I'm 52, with two older siblings that have found polyps, but no history of cancer. I have known a coworker to die of colon cancer, and another currently undergoing chemotherapy. Once I met the specialist, he explained my options. It is possible to settle for what is known as a Virtual Colonoscopy, done by Cat scan. While it is non invasive, you still will have to purge your colon, and have it filled with another media so the scans take better images. While less involved, if anything is revealed by the scan, you will need to undergo the full procedure. Looking at it in that light, I opted to go for the works.

I received a very detailed set of instructions from my doctor. First, two days before I was to limit myself to foods which were low on fiber and basically as colorless as possible. I laughingly referred to this as the 'White Diet' since it consisted of fish or chicken, white rice, potatoes with no skins, fruits, pasta with no sauces, white bread, limited dairy, and clear soups or broth. There are to be no seeds, vegetables, peels, sauces or foods with red or purple coloring. The idea behind this is to be sure that nothing that mimics blood in the stool might be left behind.

The next day, I was allowed white toast, a poached egg or a small portion of chicken for breakfast. it would be my last meal until the evening of the next day after my procedure. While this might make you groan--it really wasn't that bad. The reason is because you are to purge your colon, and doing so takes tremendous amounts of fluids. In the afternoon I began my regime of mixing my dosage of the liquid Fleet brand Phoso-Soda laxative. it was mixed with a half cup of 7-Up or apple juice, and to be drank down and followed by 16 ounces of liquid. Slamming down a can of 7-Up, I started in on water, and was in the bathroom in around 15 minutes. There was no cramping or bloating, just an endless stream (pardon the pun) of what my colon let go of. Another dose came 4 hours later, timed by the surgical nurse to have me in bed by ten the night previous to the procedure.

I reported to the hospital, still drinking to be sure I wasn't dehydrating, and was prepped quickly. My anesthetist explained they had pain medication if needed, but most people settle for the 'amnesia' effect of the drug they would give to relax me. I was wheeled in and that was the last thing I remember until I opened my eyes later. The doctor did tell me they found and removed one polyp.

I was to look for bleeding (no more than 1 tablespoon), and a temperature of 100 degrees in the next 24 hours. I went home and had soup and went to bed. I can only report a mild cramping and no stools for three days. My body is now pulling itself back into my normal routine.

I would highly recommend this procedure for anyone my age or older, and the incidence of polyps, which can turn cancerous, increases with age. Once the scan is done, you are basically set for up to ten years according to findings and family history. The prep for the test is far outweighed by the relief that you have a clean bill of health.