Colonoscopy Journal

[PedOncoDoc]

Capsue endoscopy (the "camera pill") is good at looking at the small itnestines but not so much for the large intestines or the esophagus where we can reach with typce endoscopy procedures - it also does not allow for the biopsy/removal of suspicious polyps. The low complication rate of colonosopy makes this the screening of choice IMHO. I'm not scheduled to have screening procedures done for several years, but I've had a colonoscopy in the past and the memory is hazy, but not too traumatic.

[ZonieDiver]

When I had my colonoscopy done, the only problem was with "infiltration" from the IV. I ended up in "Urgent Care" over the following weekend, and the young doc there referred me to the older doc - who told me when he had his done that he had insisted on a local anesthetic. He told me that while you are under, they don't just "bend" the "hose" but that they bend you every which way to accomodate it - and that in this moving and bending, my IV'ed hand probably hit the rail on the bed - jarring it.

I wonder if they'll let ME, plain old civilian patient, insist on "local" NEXT time?

PS - You know that you are OLD when this is the kind of stuff you are posting!

[incarcerated]

Uh, Dave Barry wouldn't happen to have a cystoscopy journal, by any chance?

[Red Flag 1]

Originally Posted by ZonieDiver

When I had my colonoscopy done, the only problem was with "infiltration" from the IV. I ended up in "Urgent Care" over the following weekend, and the young doc there referred me to the older doc - who told me when he had his done that he had insisted on a local anesthetic. He told me that while you are under, they don't just "bend" the "hose" but that they bend you every which way to accomodate it - and that in this moving and bending, my IV'ed hand probably hit the rail on the bed - jarring it.

I wonder if they'll let ME, plain old civilian patient, insist on "local" NEXT time?

PS - You know that you are OLD when this is the kind of stuff you are posting!

Position changes can facilitate a colonoscopy; some do it, and some do not . I do not do the endoscopies, my experience is limited to anesthesia for the endoscopies. That having been said, the difficult part of the procedure is tolerating the bowel distention from air inflated into the colon. The air helps the endoscope pass, and it does provide a better diagnostic look at the colon, nod to PedOncoDoc. Colon distention generates a very uncomfortable cramping event, I'm not sure that a "local" will help.

Some of the docs I have worked with have asked me to stand-by during a non-sedated colonoscopy, and then used less air to inflate the colon. They do work, but folks are uncomfortable. If the discomfort becomes intolerable, it is nap time. Despite all, we really do not want folks to hurt if it can be helped. Diprivan, Versed, and Fentanyl work nicely, IMHO.

We do seem to be getting off "Comedy Zone" path here. I guess we could do Michael Jackson and Diprivan jokes.

My $.02.

RF 1

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by Red Flag 1

Position changes can facilitate a colonoscopy; some do it, and some do not . I do not do the endoscopies, my experience is limited to anesthesia for the endoscopies. That having been said, the difficult part of the procedure is tolerating the bowel distention from air inflated into the colon. The air helps the endoscope pass, and it does provide a better diagnostic look at the colon, nod to PedOncoDoc. Colon distention generates a very uncomfortable cramping event, I'm not sure that a "local" will help.

Some of the docs I have worked with have asked me to stand-by during a non-sedated colonoscopy, and then used less air to inflate the colon. They do work, but folks are uncomfortable. If the discomfort becomes intolerable, it is nap time. Despite all, we really do not want folks to hurt if it can be helped. Diprivan, Versed, and Fentanyl work nicely, IMHO.

We do seem to be getting off "Comedy Zone" path here. I guess we could do Michael Jackson and Diprivan jokes.

My $.02.

RF 1

Hey, that Fentanyl is a nice ride.

Seems to be an amnesiac as well. Probably for the best.

TR

[Red Flag 1]

TR,

Fentanyl is a potent narcotic, about 80-100 times as potent as Morphine. There are other Fentanyl children out there with even a greater potency. Narcotics occupy pain receptors, with the side effect of......well who gives a s#&*: however, memory loss is a function of other agents.

Valium, Versed, Ativan and other Benzos are the memory blockers. They occupy the GABA receptors in the brain. With the GABA receptors busy with Benzos, the brain is unable to deal with "new inputs", as far as we know. Large quantities of ETOH, beer, wine, whiskey, etc., etc.., can also do the same.

Before the days of Diprivan, SodiumThioPenthothal (STP) was the anesthesia induction agent of choice. STP is a barbituate that takes folks from wide awake to WELL asleep in a circulation time. The other noted effect of STP was that it also provided retrograde amnesia. Folks that had STP, seldom remembered going to the OR.

In terms of my choice for my colonoscopy, Versed so I don't remember, Fentanyl to block catacholamine, and pain response, then some Diprivan to get me to sleep; IMMHO.

My $.02.

RF 1

ps: perhaps some of this thread should go to the "medical " side of the house.

j

[ZonieDiver]

While being prepped for mine, I was told that Versed would be in the mix, and to expect "weird" dreams. Hell, I have those nightly... but she was right!

[Habu-MFFI 175]

Oh yea..almost forgot about all the gas pains for the next 2 days or so. Even after that my stomach muscles were sore from the cramping.

Ah such great things we relive and yep our age is showing.

<*)))))>{

[The Reaper]

I watched my Dad die of colon cancer.

We found out later he had been exhibiting symptoms for a long time before he dehydrated and had to be carried to the hospital. By then, it had metasticized to his liver, among other places, making it Stage 4.

He was only 68 years old, and was one of the toughest guys I knew. They cut out the tumor, and put him on chemo. He lasted 14 months.

Trust me, the inconvenience of a colonoscopy is nothing compared to the alternative.

TR

[ZonieDiver]

I'll echo TR's statement. Coupled with a good doc who is "proactive" and with whom you have great commo - I think you are in good shape. (I think I am!) And besides, mine is a female with relatively small fingers, which makes the annual not so bad. Kinda like a "date"! !

Originally Posted by The Reaper

We found out later he had been exhibiting symptoms for a long time before he dehydrated and had to be carried to the hospital.

Humor section or not, I think there are valuable lessons here.

Lots of people, men especially, who are used to being tough and have a high threshold for pain find it easy to shrug off symptoms as just "signs of getting older." There is nothing like a surgeon's knife to provide a whole new perspective due to this LCE (Life Changing Event).

It's hard to break habits of a lifetime and to suppress an element of self image for which you may have much pride.

Man up and get a colonoscopy, especially if you or your family have a history of polyps or colon cancer.