At first I would think that the most embarrassing part of a colonoscopy would be telling a new boyfriend or a new date why I must go into hermit mode for a few days.
“Ummm, well I have to swallow some stuff, sit on the toilet, and then get this thing shoved….”
Nope. Not the most embarrassing.
For the first few colonoscopies I have, I believed the worst part was the day of prep. It is bad enough that I must get one every year to check for Crohn’s flair ups, but the prepping was just a nightmare.
Turns out – not the worst part.
I had begun to come to terms with the idea that I would have to go through this procedure every year. After all, it was becoming more socially acceptable – many adults and those at risk of colon cancer do it. Most Crohn’s patents I know have the checkup as part of their regimen, and even my bosses were very understanding when I needed the time off work to get the procedure. Heck, I even liked the fact that once a year I lost five pounds in a day.
What I was not prepared for was the shock and embarrassment of this year’s colonoscopy.
I had a new doctor. Said new doctor was gorgeous. Note to self – if Doctor is more McDreamy than McEw - switch doctors for any procedures involving getting naked and shoving cameras up places.
My yearly prep goes by without a hitch and I enter the outpatient center the morning of my procedure. In walks Dr. McDreamy and (yes this gets worse) his even more gorgeous assistant. My nightmares are coming true. Interns and doctors who I would rather date are about to shove a camera up my behind to check for any Crohn's flair ups.
I am pretty sure my tush was blushing. Did I mention Dr. Dreamboat calls it a tush?
However, the mature person than I am, decided to put all blushing aside and just hope the procedure goes smoothly so I can get out of there.
I woke up, sore and groggy praying I would not have to face my doctors again. Luckily it was the nurses from there on out and I managed to get through the rest of the day with no run ins and minimal blushing.
Another year. Another colonoscopy. Another chance that maybe this year it could come back, which thankfully it didn’t.
I vow to keep watching my diet, staying healthy and do nothing to aggravate my stomach for the following year. That...and make sure to switch doctors.
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For me the worst part is the drugs (Versed is given for amnesia and often causes memory loss...) No doc would do mine unsedated despite my symproms and family history (bad) until I med Dr. K...she was super and reassured me that the exam could be done without the mind-numbing "sedation". anyway, the exam without drugs was painless. I had some bad lesions and now need yearly exams. My GI doc was worried that an unsedated exam might make me reluctant to return each year for a colonoscopy; heck no! She recently toldme that I oculd skip the sedation and get painkiller (fentanyl) only...so may last colonoscopy was done with fentanyl only...what an easy exam, no grogginess, memory loss etc.... I hope that everone gets as good a doc as I have. Too many GI docs are doing colonoscopies "carwash" fashion and miss problems... the sedation of worse than the exam.......if you don't specify "no versed" on the consent, you will be given this lousy drug to induce amnesia.trouble is, many GI docs abuse the patient under the influence (midazolam) and do the test roughly and carelesly (she won't remember anything",,,not true....slob gastros need to stop pushing amnestic drugs (versed) and give the patient s csreful, unrushed exam.......but in my experience, most GI docs zre in a hurry doing colonoscopied..patient care be damned.....
June 17, 2010 - 8:16pmThis Comment
Kristin,
Usually they are not!
Rachel
March 23, 2009 - 8:32pmThis Comment
LOL! What a great story. (Have never seen a gorgeous gastroenterologist before....)
March 19, 2009 - 10:46pmThis Comment
Thank you for your share. The most important thing is that you're cognizant of the need to take care of yourself.
I also have to have a colonoscopy done on a fairly regular basis, so I know just how embarrassing and uncomfortable it is - regardless how you perceive your doctor. Mine is a tall, thin, very funny Irishman who loves to crack jokes to help calm me (and my hubby, who is allowed to stick around until the actual procedure) down from my anxiety about what is soon to happen, LOL!
Yep, I hear you - the prep during the day before is horrible.
March 19, 2009 - 8:22pmThis Comment