My Experience

I just got a new doctor, a wonderful but no-nonsense younger woman who suggested a colonoscopy (I’m 50) even before she did my annual physical. When I admitted a change in bowel habits, she told me that I was going to get one and not to worry; she had one and she’s in her 30’s and gets them yearly because of IBS.

For preparation, I used Golytely. It wasn’t fun but it was not terrible.

I arrived for the exam, got changed into a gown and answered questions about allergies, etc. I met the colonoscopy doctor; she was nice and did not rush me. Since I didn’t have a ride home I wouldn’t be getting sedation, but the doctor told me that properly done, a colonoscopy shouldn’t be painful, just somewhat uncomfortable.

The nurse started an IV and I got on my left side. The doctor did a rectal exam and inserted the scope. She told me to tell her if it hurt (it really didn’t) and she kept me distracted by describing what was on the screen. A nice nurse kept rubbing my shoulders. The doc reminded me that she was going to put air into the colon and it was my job to let it out: relax and just let it out; don’t push. She removed a few polyps and we were done in about 20 minutes. The hardest part was to pass the air in front of the doctor and the nurses; that was until the doctor told me about the aftermath of her lunch at a well-known fast food restaurant. A fart joke broke the tension.

Afterwards, I was still a little dehydrated from the prep the night before and a little dizzy. I was ready to drive myself home, but the doctor and the nurses insisted that I get more IV fluids and take a nap, so she hung another IV bag and I fell right to sleep as soon as they dimmed the lights. I woke up about an hour later, surprised to see the nurse watching me like a hawk. If they are this careful with a patient who doesn’t get drugs, they must really watch someone who gets sedation. The nurse brought me a snack and a drink. Afterwards, she made sure that I wasn’t still dizzy and they let me go. They were super nice people.