Anyone had a colonoscopy???

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Permalink Reply by shadesofgrey49 on August 7, 2008 at 5:57pm

I'm 21 and I had a colonoscopy two weeks ago...my symptoms have taken a turn for the worse the past few months. The scope was awful....the prep made me throw up, and then I felt nauseous and barely ate for more than a week after. I still feel kind of gross, but it might be from my gastritis, which was diagnosed about a month ago after an endoscopy. I felt like this before the scope, too, really. The scope showed nothing, but I still think I have more than IBS, and I know things like Crohn's can go undiagnosed even after several scopes and several years, so I'm asking for more tests. I got a sonogram and blood work yesterday, and I'm getting upper GI X-rays tomorrow.

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Permalink Reply by Memphis Jean on August 8, 2008 at 8:28am

I've had many colonoscopies and they are not much fun. My first when I was 25 and diagnosed with
IBS. Since then I have had internal bleeding that ended up being two bleeding polyps in my colon discovered by a colonscopy procedure. I was also severely anemic and had to take massive amounts
of iron, that caused me to be constipated. My IBS swings from diarrhea to constipation. I have had the
best results from taking probiotics, yogurt and watching my diet. Also, I take stool softners and fibercon for the constipation. The doctor has given me bentyl and levinson for flareups to calm my colon.
You really have to get a good gastroenterologist and figure it out for yourself.

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Permalink Reply by Suzanne on August 12, 2008 at 1:00am

The key is getting a good gastro doc! Like all others, there are good and bad. On myspace page, there is a blog about keeping a calendar so you can help yourself have a productive conversation with your doc. You're more than welcome to check it out. As for sedation: it's pretty ok. It really depends on you. No one likes the prep. It's the worst part for most people. The test itself is what it is. Most are done in a hospital and the staff does them so often, they've got the routine down.
I suppose like anything, there can be side effects.
Age isn't really a factor on whether you have it done. It's your symptoms and whether the doc feels it's a necessary diagnostic tool. There are other tests they might want to do first.
You can google 'Katie Couric colonoscopy' and watch a video of her going through the prep and everything. Her husband died of colon cancer, so she's a big advocate of early detection. It may put your mind at ease to watch it.
Hope it all turns out well for you.
Take care, Sue

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