The worst part of a colonoscopy is drinking down the 4 liters of liquid (slightly over one gallon!!) the night before!
The doctor's office suggested I mix it with Crystal Light Lemonade to make it more palatable (I'd hate to think what it would have tasted like without the lemonade mix because it was hardly a yummy concoction!!) Apparently there is a pill that some doctor's offer, rather than the drink, but my doctor prefers the liquid over the pill, so that wasn't an option for me...
But - and here's the important part - the colonscopy was a breeze!!!
Every year, at my physical, my doctor tells me I need to go for a colonoscopy, and I every year I "put it off till next year." So after six years (yes, six, very bad.. I know), I finally booked my appointment.
I would like to reassure anyone who hasn't yet gone for a colonoscopy out of fear, or embarrassment, or for any other reason (I had many, believe me).... all my fears/embarrassment/excuses were completely unfounded. And beyond that, I can actually say it was a pleasant experience! After checking in, they brought me to the "prep" area where I relaxed in bed, reading the book I brought, until they wheeled me into the examination room, at which time they gave me a sedative that within minutes (seconds?) allowed me to drift off... The next thing I knew, they were asking how I was feeling, giving me my results, and getting me up to walk around a bit. I felt absolutely fine and was able to get dressed - no discomfort whatsoever - nothing! I then got to sit in a comfy chair and read some more while they called my daughter to come pick me up. It was a relaxing, pleasant day.... Would I have waited SIX years if I'd known all this? No! Did I ever think I would use the words RELAXING and PLEASANT in the same sentence as COLONOSCOPY? No!!! What a sweet surprise! So I'm hoping that if any of you out there in blogland have been procrastinating about this procedure, like I did, that you'll pick up the phone and make your appointment today!
Oh, and the doctor said she doesn't need to see me for another 5 years... Maybe they'll come up with something tasty to drink by then!
Donna