(no subject)

[cupcake_goth]

Today was not a lot better, mood-wise, but I’m not terribly surprised. Y’see, my mood was already low, and then yesterday afternoon was my follow-up appt. with the GI doctor. While things aren’t dire, things aren’t 100% great either.

• My esophagus was half closed because of damage from acid reflux. He opened it back up to full size.


• But because of the damage, inflammation, and ulcers, I get to do a bunch of preventative stuff and go back in six months for another endoscopy, because all of that meant he couldn’t do the tests to check if there are any pre-cancerous tissue signs.


• Aaaaaand because all of this comes with a side of digestive system issues, I also get to have a colonoscopy. (”After we’re done with this call, my office will call you right back to schedule this. No one wants to make this appointment, so it’s better that someone just calls and makes you do it.” “UGH. I mean, you’re right, but ...” He’s a good doctor.)

Yeah. So that’s my week.

Comments

[anankastick]

Sorry you're having such a rough one! I have a colonoscopy next month, and my doctor's office called me to make the appointment--maybe that's a Known Issue for GI docs? Hope the weekend brings you good rest and a more comfortable mood.

[oldhalloween]

I am sorry to hear you need to go through the endoscopy again.

As a card holding member of the frequent colonoscopy club I would ask for an alternate prep method. The Suprep they want to give you is super high in sodium and it can make you vomit. The other method is a big container of Miralax that can be mixed with any liquid and has no taste. Read up on it since it will greatly improve the experience. Highly recommend getting the first insanely early appointment. 2 reasons. If you are the first no-one else has been in the procedure room in the era of Covid. You can head straight to breakfast after and you won't have to go most of another day without food.

[cupcake_goth]

Believe me, I went with an insanely early appointment, because the less time for me to fall into my automatic pilot habit and drink water and take morning meds, the better.

Miralax, huh? Thank you for the advice!

[oldhalloween]

The Miralax can be added to any liquid. They just suggest Gatorade since you are losing fluids during the process. I keep some sugar free gatorade on hand if I get to feeling dehydrated. You can mix the Miralax with flavored water. I dump a pack of sugar free crystal light raspberry with water and the Miralax. The basics they give you:

https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/how-prepare-your-colonoscopy-using-miralax

Moist wipes are really your friend and its more about blotting than wiping. Get a tube of Vaseline you don't want to keep dipping in a tub of it. Makes a big difference. Every time I go through this I make adjustments. A basket in the bathroom full of good reading materials, wipes, Vaseline or diaper cream, hard candy like Jolly Ranchers, and music. I start the prep about an hour early so I have some chance of sleeping instead of being on the toilet all night. You will be spending a lot of time in the bathroom so make it comfortable. Oh, anti nausea med like Zofran can help if you get nausea. You will be fine with a little pre-planning and a comfy bathroom. :o )

[staxxy]

having had one myself, I have to say that I wish I had gotten this advice before mine. It is excellent planning.

I would also suggest that if you have never done anal play, doing a little light anal play with toys to learn to relax the anal sphincter is also helpful in making things more comfortable on the day and in the aftermath. They are really gentle and overflowing with the lube, but I would have been a LOT more miserable if I hadn't gotten over the butt stuff well beforehand.

[oldhalloween]

Colon cancer so I am now on a regular colonoscopy schedule. Coming up on my 5th anniversary of being cancer free. Honestly, the first one is just scary because you don't know what to expect only you sleep through the procedure and then get breakfast. The clean out is what it is and it is different for everyone. My spouse, he will love me for sharing, does not go all day. At 11pm he cleans out all at once and goes to bed. Very annoying. It varies for me only last time the bulk of it happened from about 4-7 pm. I have no problem with talking about this since it can save your life. A gal gave a blow by blow of what to expect in her blog. She taught me the basket full of supplies, comfy clothes, nice lighting, and music in the bathroom.

[archersangel]

The other method is a big container of Miralax that can be mixed with any liquid and has no taste.

this is what they told my dad to do for his. they said mix it with yellow or white sports drink, or at least not red. plus he had to have enemas.

[danabren]

I had to do this right before my most recent birthday. The desk staff offered me the choice of Gatorade flavor to go with my Miralax and Laxipoo and U-Go-Poo or whatever else they gave me. In addition to the advice above, allow me to offer these two small suggestions:

If you drink your lax with Gatorade, choose your least favorite flavor, because you will hate whatever you choose by the end anyway.

Don't bother to wipe well in the beginning. You may feel disgusting and less than human to do so, but by around midnight your asshole will be already so chapped from all the wiping that you will regret every life choice you ever made that brought you to this place. Better to rinse/bidet early on and save the wiping for the hours.

[cupcake_goth]

I don't need to worry about choosing my least favorite flavor of Gatorade or other sports drink - I hate them all equally.

[seraphicmachine]

Hope you will feel better soon!

[gwydion]

Wow, that's a lot. I wish you well.

[sistawendy]

pre-cancerous tissue signs

No. No, no, no. You are not allowed, young lady.

Wow, I do have brilliant timing, don't I?