Pre-op test question

Next week I have to go for the upper GI thing and a colonoscopy the same time. YUCK. I've never had either and I'm nervous. Can anyone help calm my fears???? How is it? What do you have to do? Are you knocked out? How can anyone swallow a tube?

Mary....I have had several of each. There is nothing to be concerned about. You are so well sedated you really won't remember anything. They spray your throat and you won't even feel that tube. The test go very quickly too. I can guarantee the prep for the colonoscopy is the worse part of any of it!!

You will be fine....keep positive and find things to do today to keep calm. It will be over before you know it!!!

HUGS....connie d

Worst part is the prepping for the colonoscopy....you will not even know you had it done I promise you!! As for the one down the throat...you won't know that one either! Easy as pie!!!

HUGS

Mary,

They will knock you out and there are no bad after effects.  The prep for the colonoscopy isn't much fun, but then you'll be a member of the "club" and you'll have your own prep story to tell others. 

Hang in there!  You can do this!

 I've had several of each, and the upper is nothing to be concerned about at all.  They spray your throat to numb it, and you won't know it happened.  The lower involves prepping with laxatives, which will be explained to you by your doctor's office.  It means not eating anything after a certain time the day before, and only clear liquids, nothing red, during the prep period, till midnight.  After midnight nothing to eat or drink.  Stay home, so you can scoot to the bathroom, because the prep is going to clean you out for the scope to examine the inside of your colon.  I just had the lower a couple of months ago, and the prep didn't seem as bad as the first time.  It's all over the next day, and you'll be a veteran at it in no time.  

In the meantime, practice deep breathing exercises to relax.  

Hugs,
Trish

Everyone gave you the info you need, just know the toughest part is the prep because they put you under and you may, and I say may, because I've had several and only once did it happen to me, wake up with a scratchy throat or have froggy voice.

Good luck, oh and the good part is, if everything turns out good, you only need to go for a colonoscopy once every 5 years, unless there is a history of colon cancer in the family, which reminds me, I'm kind of due for one myself. . .