Endoscopy And Colonoscopy

No I really don't want to talk about it!

Ah yes the familiar response when dealing with two forbidden words Endoscopy and Colonoscopy. Required tests at age fifty and over.
Why are we tested? To promote early detection of Cancer, or any other digestive issues, syndromes and disorders that could later present themselves as acute or chronic painful inflammation that are potential threats or problems to the Digestive System. Some people accept this testing as precautionary measures, others like me have no choice, they delay the process or are unwilling to consider it. The last are those in complete denial they are the ones saying that is never being done to my A...

Today this article is going to take you on a special journey with the many people like me who procrastinate, delay and wait because they really don't want to talk about it. Fear builds up is us and our brains says no way not now. Excuses begin to take over. I can wait and we convince ourselves there is plenty of time. We look for examples like, people go a lifetime without having these tests and they are doing just fine or, in my case both my late parents lived to eighty eight without ever having either of these tests. Unless something goes wrong then I'll consider it. Unfortunately with me something was off and my digestive track was not on track.

The problem with me and I believe with many people like me is THE PREP.... Horrible words!! Oh God must I go through this, I just won't be able to bare the thought of it, then fear and panic takes over. You become nervous and anxious worried to death. Ultimately it becomes a flat NO... When you ask people about their experiences each individual experiences something different. They all say the PREP is the hardest part. Then the pit arrives in your stomach.
My personal story is designed to help ease the fear, tension and panic over having these very important and essential tests. I was one of those people who wallowed in fear. My imagination got the best of me so I put it off. So, by putting this off years go now I'm presented with mild symptoms that will require these tests. From what I understand many people around the world have these very symptoms more then I ever imagined. Could it be the times we live in or what we choose to eat, who really knows.

For me it all began by having digestive issues that became chronic. This is what you don't want to happen by waiting. I needed to have these tests taken by a reputable Boston Gastroenterologist. Insurance coverage is important. If you have private insurance you can go out of network but if you have other insurance policies that involve in network it is more difficult to find the doctor and hospital of your choice. Keep this in mind. There are different types of prep. used today. The newest one and more easily tolerated is called the Suprep Kit. There is plenty of literature to read and digest no pun intended that is important. All the information provided is to help you and your doctor complete these tests successfully.

Acceptance is the next word I would like to address because it is needed in this scenario. It is a responsibility that shouldn't be taken lightly. It simply has to be done one way or another during ones lifetime. Lets address what you want to avoid and have the Prep.Talk. Fear of the unknown and if this is your first experience then your mind is imagining all sorts of crazy thoughts. Please put your mind at ease as I openly share with you my experience. There are a list of over the counter medications and supplements they would like you to avoid at least seven days before the procedure. You can however take Tylenol.
The prep. involves food fasting, well that isn't too bad! Also, just three days out of your life, I can do that. The first day you go easy on your meals try to limit your portions. The second day is the all liquid day. However you can have a light breakfast to start. In the afternoon prepare for an all liquid diet like jello, some fruit drinks, Gatorade, sodas, ice tea, and coffee with no dairy products, lemon-aid, herbal teas, hot black coffee, chicken broth, plenty of water and popsicles. The important issue to remember is whatever you decide to eat it must not have any red, purple or orange dyes because it will compromise the testing. 

So far this is a breeze! Depending on your scheduled appointment for the procedure this is when the prep. actually begins.
For example: My scheduled appointment was at 9:30 am on Monday morning which means on Sunday evening at 6:00 pm I prepared to take my first liquid dose. Your asking, what am I drinking and how much do I drink? Believe me I can already hear your wheels spinning. The contents within these two bottles of a 6 oz solution contains 1) Sodium Sulfate. 2) Potassium Sulfate. 3) Magnesium Sulfate. The kit comes with a large sixteen oz clear plastic cup. Before you drink the 6 oz solution you are to add another 6 oz solution of your favorite drink and mix it thoroughly. Voila your ready! I mixed mine with lemon-aid. The taste is like a blend between lemon-aid and Robitussin cough syrup. Easily you can drink this right down.

Anticipation is what I call the next step. This depends on the weight of the person and how much one eats in general. I consider myself a light eater. Forty five minutes to an hour your friend is the toilet but not in a bad way. You go periodically without any cramps or nausea. It is very important and imperative that you drink two 16 oz bottles of water within the first two hours to hydrate, this is not a problem drinking water it is easier at room temperature. You may read, play on your computer, cell phone or watch TV in between sessions. Then it gradually subsides. At 12 pm midnight Monday morning six hours later you take your second solution. Drinking is a bit different this time around and I will be honest with you to drink all this solution can bit difficult. Why? Because first of all it's late, second your tired, and third your not so tolerant of it. That being said you drink as much as you possibly can and let it go. This second cleaning out process does not allow you to receive much needed sleep. You again have to drink two additional bottles of water within the first two hours and you cannot have anything more to drink five hours before your procedure. It is also necessary to supply yourself with baby whips as this process makes this area sensitive.

The most pleasant truth about this last process that few people seem to admit or talk about is you feel so clean and pure you cannot believe it! No bloating no cramps like a new born baby inside. You cannot comprehend the difference and how great you feel inside. Depending on the individual you can loose up to 7 lbs. I lost 3 lbs. but I only weigh 107 lbs. What's next? Well your tired and perhaps a little weak and you must have someone with you during this next process. You arrive at the hospital and sign in. They bring you to special section in the hospital where all they do are these procedures. You have a separate private room where you change into a hospital gown. First and foremost these hospital attendants and nurses are professional. They act fast, precise and work as a team. The attending nurse takes your vital signs and starts an IV without you even being aware of it let alone feeling it. This procedure is allowing you to receive fluids for hydration. The nurse asks if there are any medications your allergic to, medical history and important information needed before the testing. You are calm and you know immediately you are in good hands so there goes the anxiety and all that unnecessary fear. They wheel you into another room where there is more equipment and you now sense this is where these procedures take place.

Choice of anesthesia: The anesthesiologist and your doctor are now discussing the two procedures with you. If your having Propofol you cannot be on or taking any type of prescription drugs days prior to administering this anesthesia. It was the doctors choice as well as mine that I wanted to be fully sedated without any after affects such as nausea or headaches. I also was assessed emotionally and put into the category of a high anxiety personality. Basically I was going to be knocked out...Propofol is the popular drug used for this type of testing that involved two procedures at once. I had heard a lot of buzz about this sedative. If you know anything about me I spent over four years since 2009-2014 working on thirteen illustrative stories in a series format that eventually lead to writing the first of its kind non fiction hand illustrated storybook about the late Michael Jackson. I was going to learn first hand about this so called Propofol sedative. I was prepared to fully comprehend it's use and effect.

First I was assured by the anesthesiologist she would be monitoring my condition throughout the entire process along side the doctor. She asked me to turn on to my left side and that through the IV she would administer the Propofol. She said I would feel a slight sensation, slight sensation for two fractions of a second I felt like I was going to paradise! Then I was out. What's next? I woke up alert, calm, loving and happy. I felt rested and not craving food. This euphoric sensation of peace was indescribable and I can completely understand why Propofol is the short term sedative of choice. The doctor said everything went well, no Cancer, no polyps, he took a lot of biopsy’s and said not to worry that they will know more when the tests results are completed. The doctor smiled and said I'll be talking to you in a couple of weeks.

Out of precautionary measures the attending nurse asks if you know your name, age and where you live. They also want to know if you have a ride home for you cannot drive or work with any type of heavy machinery. In my case I had a three hour drive ahead of me so I literally had nothing to worry about nor did I care. I was happy, content and clam and even better it was all over.
The after affects: I believe it depends on the individual but tired is one of the major symptoms. You really want to rest for awhile. Later on comes a slight appetite. Here's the deal, you feel so clean inside and even slightly thinner so it feels unbelievable like nothing you've ever experienced in your life before. This is the only way I can describe this physical feeling. What you don't feel like doing is going out and ordering fried clams and french fries! You take it rather easy and you desire to drink plenty of cold water. Again I will be honest when having an Endoscopy there is a slight sore throat. Not to worry it will be gone the next day.

Test results and pictures: They provide you with a full report on every biopsy they took, pictures of your insides you've never seen before and it is quite overwhelming. The reports were all good. I have mild IBS Syndrome. This is not a disorder and it is treatable and not a chronic disorder. You begin to say to yourself this is me and these are my organs that work in my Digestive System. And then the epiphany at least it was for me. I was taking nothing for granted that in fact I was a brilliant complex machine perfectly designed. By looking at my organs and what they actually do I said, I need to take better care of them, nurture them and not abuse them. In that moment everything changed I had a whole new perspective of my body inside. Like experiencing an ultrasound for the first time of your baby. I thought, I bath my body to be cleansed, treat my skin with creams and oils to be soft, have a hairdresser to keep my scalp and hair healthy, a dentist to clean my teeth, manicures and pedicures, facials, spa treatments and daily skin care regimes. See good doctors for annual checkups, the eye doctor for healthy vision all of this on the outside but what about the inside? How do I begin to care and treat this clean and incredible machine inside?
It made me wonder...

Please don't be afraid of these tests, there is nothing to fear but fear itself and our imagination running wild. It is one of the most important responsibilities you can do for your body. Never wait until it's too late. Appreciate how extraordinary you are inside and how clean your body feels after such procedures. I've shared my journey with you. Everyone's experience is different we are all unique individuals but, we all have the same Digestive Systems. Take that Leap of Faith and don't be afraid it is well worth it especially on the other side.
Early detection, acceptance, and responsibility are the keys to a healthy mind, body and soul..