Colonoscopy diet

[LucyWarlowsRightHand]

I've read a few threads on colonoscopies but I could use a bit of a hand hold.

I've had to start on the colonoscopy diet today and I know I'm going to be feeling like crap for the next few days. I eat a diet that's very heavy in vegetables, fruit and fibre, because processed foods make me feel really anxious and I get headaches from blood sugar fluctuations.

Now I have to eat a bland, fibre-free diet for three days. It's 12 noon on day 1 and I'm already a nervous wreck. I just want some healthy food dammit!

The menu sheet says I can have boiled baby beets(!), broccoli, cauliflower and carrots. Perhaps that's what I need? A big bowl of those would do me a world of good I'm sure. I'm already shaking from the high-sugar low-fibre which always affects my mood and energy within an hour of eating.

[HunkyPunk]

Oh, I do sympathise, op. I had that procedure a couple of years ago, and can't remember the restricted diet in any detail, just a general memory the whole prep period beforehand being much more onerous than the procedure itself! Enjoy your veg. Hope you feel better soon. It'll all be behind you before you know it. (Sorry, prob not the best way of putting it, given the strong laxatives I remember having to take! Although that wasn't as traumatic as I'd imagined beforehand, thankfully!)

[TheQueef]

When I had mine he was adamant I hadn't done it right or the clean prep
I had done it, he had found some stubborn lentils apparently (God knows how long they'd been in there and how they dodged the clean prep)
Good luck it will be easy when is your prep starting?

[LucyWarlowsRightHand]

Ah thanks for the replies, sometimes it helps so much to just have someone else say they've done it and you'll survive it!

Prep starting Tuesday afternoon I think.

I just looked in the cupboard and I have a tin of carrots mixed with bloody peas! So forget that. I've got a tin of peaches so I'll have those and get some other veg this afternoon when I'm out.

I'll be so happy to get this over with. I was originally referred in November(!) and thanks to hospital incompetence (sorry, but it was) and then coronavirus I'm finally getting it done at the end of July.

Until now I've been fairly stoic about my worsening symptoms and my various worries about what might actually be going on but now that I'm not eating properly I feel like I'm about to cry. I've had (sorry, here comes the TMI) ever-increasing blood loss all year, along with various other symptoms. I know there's no point worrying until I have more info but, while that's been my attitude all through lockdown, I'm catastrophising this morning.

[TheQueef]

Got some Vaseline? It's a lifesaver for the prep and ahem stops your hoop being abraded by the 4250 wipes it will be getting!
By the time you have faffed with diet and prep and PPE SD for the appointment you will be so relieved to have it finally you will be backing in to the cubicle arse presented
Are you staying awake or going for sedation? I like light sedation so I can waffle away at the team while they try and work, it helps my nerves honest.

[HunkyPunk]

That's understandable when you're at a low ebb. Easier said than done, but try not to dwell on the worst case scenario. The chances are it's not what you fear, and if it is, you're now on course to doing the best thing possible to get it put right. Can understand your frustration at the delay, though. Hoping all goes well.

[Hollywhiskey]

My sister had this and it was horrid. Like you she eats a very healthy diet normally. She got through it (and the horrid drinks she had to have) by following the instructions to the absolute letter out of determination that she was only going to do it once and do it right. She wouldn't have managed if they'd said she wasn't clear enough and had to do it again.
She also said the prep was the worst and the procedure itself was fine.

[faelavie]

Hi, I'm an endoscopy nurse, let me know if you have any questions and I'll try to answer (though procedures and policy will vary from Trust to Trust).

[MommytoA]

Hi op

I had this done just before Christmas and it wasn't half as bad as I thought it would be. I worried myself silly over nothing.
I remember just eating little and often and sticking to beige foods. Your diet may be slightly different. I thought I would feel faint and dizzy but I was absolutely fine.
As others have said the prep is far worse than the actual procedure. I only managed to drink 3litres of the 4litres prescribed and was told I had an excellent cleanse 😂 tmi. I believe this I was down to following the low residue diet 2 days beforehand. It will be over before you know it and you'll also be a few pounds lighter which I was delighted with lol. Results given same day too so no stressing about waiting for them. Good luck

[LucyWarlowsRightHand]

Thanks so much for the support everyone. I really was feeling miserable on Monday and it's amazing how much a few kind words can cheer you up. You really helped me.

Fortunately I didn't get the awful headaches I'd been worried about, and although I've certainly felt better than I do this morning, I've made it through and will be leaving for the clinic in a few hours.

Now I just need to worry about what they're going to find and what impact the six-month delay might have had. But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

[MommytoA]

All the best for today op it will be over before you know it. Back home stuffing your face lol x

[LucyWarlowsRightHand]

@MommytoA

All the best for today op it will be over before you know it. Back home stuffing your face lol x

Thanks . Can't wait, I'm starting to get really hungry now!

[Borntobeamum]

Hope all goes well for you x

[Lillygolightly]

Good luck, after the procedure they will take you through to a little rest area where you can have tea and toast etc.

I had the procedure last year and by far the worst part was the prep, procedure itself wasn’t too bad and the tea and toast after was very welcome.

[LucyWarlowsRightHand]

Unfortunately it’s bad news, there’s a tumour in my colon. Not much else to say at this stage but I’ll need surgery and will have a scan next week to see what the full story is. The messages here really cheered me up this morning and the clinic staff were all really lovely and supportive both before and after the colonoscopy. So, deep breath and wait to see what happens next!

[AuditAngel]

I’m really sorry to hear your sad news. DH has the procedure scheduled for next weekend. Glad the kids and I are away and he can prep solo. I’ve appreciated the responses on your thread.

Good luck next week.

[LucyWarlowsRightHand]

Thanks audit. Everyone was right, the prep was by far the worst part. It's drinking the mixture that's horrible, the rest is completely doable. I bought some lovely fresh white bread and just had that with butter on the last day. Pretty boring but it's low-fibre and also delicious!

I hope his doctor and nurses are as lovely as mine were.

I know I'm going to have my ups and downs over the next week before my CT scan, but right now I'm feeling really determined. It's just reminding me more than ever that life's too short to waste time doing stuff you don't really care about. And also that socialised health care is the only way to go.

[OrganTransplant123]

I’m really sorry to hear that OP. Glad the staff looked after you. Post endoscopy/colonoscopy is the only time I’ve been presented with a teapot and cup in hospital.

[LucyWarlowsRightHand]

This is Europe, I was brought a cappuccino and a toasted cheese sandwich! I suppose I can expect more colonoscopies in my future, so at least the snacks are good.......

[TheQueef]

Aw bloody hell Lucy sorry to hear you've got a growth
I've had a few bowel and anal ops and there is one silver lining you don't have to worry about dignity any more
The last mass I had removed was on an ovary and I swear it looked like a conjoined twin (I'm grim, I like to look at the images) you sound as though you're in a good head space to tackle it, have at it lass

Always shitty digestive biscuits here in South Yorks but they make a smashing mug of tea.

[LucyWarlowsRightHand]

I've had a few bowel and anal ops and there is one silver lining you don't have to worry about dignity any more

Having given birth twice, my dignity is long gone so no worries there

Apparently the good news amongst the bad is that the tumour is high enough in the colon that I won't need a stoma. So let's hope that's correct.

I feel like I'm at a fork in the road of my life and I'm curious to see what's going to happen next. I'm scared, but what can you do? I just have to take it one day at a time. Either way I'm going to stop wasting time on people and things I don't care about. Life's too fucking short.

[Borntobeamum]

As a colon cancer survivor, I want to wish you all the very best. X x x

[loubieloo4]

@LucyWarlowsRightHand

Sorry to read it wasn't the best news op, dh (39) was diagnosed with bowel cancer after a sigmoidoscopy last April (they thought he had diverticulitis) so a complete surprise/shock.

We found this part you are going through the hardest part, everything seems to take forever and all you want is answers and a plan. Everything seems easier Cole with once you have a plan.

I have everything crossed you have caught it early x

[loubieloo4]

@LucyWarlowsRightHand they have a great cancer support thread on here that I lurk in.