Most people don't get their first colonoscopy until they turn 50 unless they have a history of colon cancer or are having gastrointestinal issues. I had my first sigmoidoscopy at the tender age of 17 in the ER, frightened to death since 1) I didn't know why I felt so bad and 2) I had no idea what a sigmoidoscopy was. That ER visit led to a week in the hospital with more testing and X-rays which gave me an initial diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis and then further testing a few months later showed it was really Crohn's Disease. Everyone dreads the idea of a colonoscopy because frankly who wants something stuck up their rear end? But I want to tell you that the worst part is NOT the scope but the prep for it. A full day of a clear liquid diet is not fun (yum jello and broth all day!) and then add a dose of Magnesium Citrate or Miralax on top of that. Once I had Castor Oil as a prep, let me say that was the worst ever, never again! Having had Crohn's for so long, scopes are a part of my life, good or bad, they are what they are, I need them periodically to make sure everything is okay.
So a few weeks ago, I wasn't surprised when my GI suggested that have an ileoscopy and sigmoidoscopy just to make sure my meds are still working. I was expecting this since it's been 2 years since my last one and both my surgeon and PCP have been asking when I was getting another one. This past Tuesday I spent 1/2 the day on a liquid diet (the upside of only having 79cm of small bowel and an ostomy!) followed by some Magnesium Citrate to clear things out. On Wednesday, my sister-in-law, Richelle, got the pleasure of taking me to my appointment although according to her it got her out of housework so all was good. We arrived at the scheduled time and waited a little longer than I expected to be called back. The nurses were very pleasant and only needed one stick to get my peripheral IV in. (I could let them use my port but I am very protective of it and and only a few people are allowed to touch it). While I was waiting the Dr came by to talk with me about my procedures; the sigmoidscopy to check on my remaining rectum and the ileoscopy to check on my small bowel. I have no problem with the regular -type scope but for some reason the thought of having a scope inserted into my stoma just creeps me out. By 10am I was in the procedure room and the very nice Anesthetist (ALWAYS be friendly to them, they are in control!) gave me a good mix of drugs to put me out. The meds stung as they went through my IV and the last thing I remember is shaking my hand to get it to stop and I was OUT! Forty-five minutes later I heard someone calling my name and I was in recovery with Richelle sitting next to me. The Dr came around and said the 6" of rectum looked good but the small bowel showed some areas of ulcers. He took biopsies of both areas and said the ulcers could be the Crohn's or a virus. Richelle took me home and fed me and then I took a good 2 hour nap. I felt sluggish all day but I expected that.
Now I have to wait a week for the biopsy results to come back and am praying that the ulcer's are not my disease. Realistically I know the possibility of them being something else is small but since I am not having any disease symptoms, catching it early would allow me and my medical team to adjust my meds to keep things under control. I don't have much small bowel left to lose so I want to protect it as long as I can.
Many people delay having preventative scopes because of the perceived unpleasantness of them. Ask anyone that gets them regularly, they will tell you that the worst is the prep and the best part are the drugs to put you out! If you have one scheduled and need a ride, call me, I will take you without hesitation. The "dreaded" colonoscopy can keep many of us Living, Loving and Laughing longer!
