If you read no further: Get your screening colonoscopy. It's two days of indignity but vitally important to our health. 
. 
I put off my colonoscopy for a year. I was afraid, skeeved out, embarrassed. My PC suggested I do a Cologuard crap-in-a-box-and-send-it-for-diagnostics kit, which I did. Results came back positive for baddies in my guts. 

I waited another year. Too busy. Been feeling really healthy. Lost weight, lifting weights, running, hiking....

This year's physical my doc asked if I was stubborn or stupid. So I scheduled it. 

My date was November 20. Today.

I read the instructions and talked to my friends about the process. The main recommendation is to take the prep instructions seriously, and even to pregame a couple of days to be sure. You don't want to be not clean enough to have the procedure - that means you get to do it twice. 

My appointment was Wednesday at 10:30 am

I had only chicken and mashed potatoes Sunday with clear liquids. Monday morning I had a chicken breast. Then on to clear fluids. 

Tuesday was some chicken broth, some Pedialite, and water. Then the prep.

Soduim sulfate-potassium sufate-magnesium sulfate osmotic laxative. 1 container mixed with a pint of water followed by 2 pints of water. Repeat in 12 hours day before exam. 

It wasn't that bad. 

Procedure was smooth. I opted for conscious sedation since I work in medical devices and wanted to watch on the monitor. Whole procedure took 25 minutes. I have peace of mind for the next 5 years 

Everyone - Get your colonoscopy.

Maybe next year.

It's better to give than to receive.

I had my first one earlier this year. Luckily it netted results good enough that I don't need another one for ten years. I have other digestive issues to deal with but not the things usually caught by a colonoscopy.

I am a pretty small person and drinking all that prep liquid, and keeping it down, was near impossible. If I live another ten years I will still be hesitant about the process unless they come up with a prep that isn't quite so brutal.

The actual procedure was nothing. The prep was horrible for me.

The prep, I'm expecting my backside to sing and will be disappointed if it doesn't.

(November 20, 2024 at 6:33 pm)arewethereyet Wrote: I had my first one earlier this year.  Luckily it netted results good enough that I don't need another one for ten years.  I have other digestive issues to deal with but not the things usually caught by a colonoscopy.

I am a pretty small person and drinking all that prep liquid, and keeping it down, was near impossible.  If I live another ten years I will still be hesitant about the process unless they come up with a prep that isn't quite so brutal.  

The actual procedure was nothing.  The prep was horrible for me.

I'm a beer drinker, a Liverpool fan, and a rugby nut. I downed the pint of solution and the 2 other pints of water in 30 minutes. My beer guzzling skill paid off!

ETA - kidding aside, I just wanted to get it over.

(November 20, 2024 at 6:35 pm)brewer Wrote: The prep, I'm expecting my backside to sing and will be disappointed if it doesn't.

If you follow the prep instructions it'll be aqueous and not difficult to pass. 

There is the risk of chapping. YMMV

Good for you, nanny! I'm down to a three-year repeat regimen. Polyps every time, and I've had 4 colonoscopies. I blame it on the incinerated meat I ate growing up. My mother was so afraid of trichinosis that she burned all meat. 

(November 20, 2024 at 6:59 pm)Fireball Wrote: Good for you, nanny! I'm down to a three-year repeat regimen. Polyps every time, and I've had 4 colonoscopies. I blame it on the incinerated meat I ate growing up. My mother was so afraid of trichinosis that she burned all meat. 

Seriously folks. It's a bit of work for a necessary result. Do it.

I should clarify a bit about conscious sedation.

I was high as fuck. Not unpleasantly but not totally with it. One of the drugs given is a partial amnesiac, so the time really flies.

Of course the treatment regimen will vary. My point is that it's important for folks to get this done.