The Colonoscopy

Well I had my routine colonoscopy last week. The day before, I had to be on clear fluids, like blue jello (I had heard red is not allowed so thought I had best be safe), beef or chicken broth, apple juice, ginger ale, water, coffee, tea (no milk). I got hungry a few times, but it really wasn't too bad. I discovered that I don't mind the taste of black coffee. I always thought I needed to have it with cream.

The day of the colonoscopy, I had to take 2 packets of laxative at specific times of the day. My laxative was called Pico Salax and it really was one of the milder treatments on the market. I only had to mix each packet with 5 ounces of water and it tasted like lemonade.

M sat with me at the hospital, and I ended up having to wait almost 2 hours for my turn. It seemed there were two difficult cases before me. One older lady had two polyps. The anesthetist wheeled me into the treatment room while asking me some relevant questions. The nurse and doctor were waiting inside. Everyone was really friendly and I felt quite relaxed with my few questions answered to my satisfaction. I was given a sedative called Propofol which put me to sleep during the procedure and I had no difficulty waking up shortly after. I was just confused to find myself already back in the waiting room. I would say it's a better sedative than valium or demerol which are sometimes used. I was given the all clear and told that I was the quick, easy case that evening.

M discovered that the hospital had free wireless internet. This is not the case at all hospitals. The nurse told me that the Outpatient Ward has no night shift and as such, all the employees want to work there.

The other thing I would say is that it seems to depend where you go to have your colonoscopy. M did not have such an easy time when he did his earlier this year. He was given a most aggressive laxative and the valium really hit him out.

My 65 year old hairdresser told me he had a colonoscopy booked and he decided to cancel it. Now that I've had it done, I can say it was worthwhile and not that bad of an experience at all. It's recommended for people over 50. If you are all clear, they won't do another one for the next 10 years.