We are at our best when we give the doctor who resides within each patient a chance to go to work. ~Albert Schweitzer, Alsatian writer, humanitarian, physician, and more
Okay, let’s continue this “crappy” story, shall we? If you missed Part One, please go back and read it first. We’ll wait.
And if you’re unable to handle talk of the bathroom this early, come back and read when you’re steadier.
My colonoscopy was scheduled for right after the lunch hour.
Usually, I prefer getting unpleasant things over with early in the day, but turns out, the Mayo Clinic folks knew what they were doing.
I was to receive mild sedation (not anesthesia), meaning I’d be awake but in a “twilight” state during the procedure.
They explained they’d take a few small samples from my colon, remove any polyps, and biopsy everything.
After checking in and undressing (I could keep my sneakers on!), they helped me onto a bed and covered me with a nice warm blanket.
They started an IV (in my sore right arm), and told me to lie on my left side. I noticed a large TV screen and asked if I could watch the procedure. The nurse laughed and said, “Sure, but most people just fall asleep.”
Then I saw an angry-looking black hose, coiled up like a snake on the counter beside the doctor.
Uh-oh, I thought. Good thing I’ll be out of it!
I remember nothing more until I awoke a short time afterward and received instructions on after-care: things like not driving, not eating heavy meals, drinking plenty of fluids, etc.
Basically, taking it easy.
No problem. A nap sounded pretty good after being strapped to the toilet for two days!
With doctor approval, I drove myself home (approximately eight hours) the very next day — See? Not as bad as I’d feared!
A couple of days later, they happily informed me that nothing was wrong.
No H. Pylori. No SIBO. No gluten intolerance. No Crohn’s Disease. No ulcerative colitis. Not a single polyp. And I’d done an exceptional job cleaning out, too!
Okay, I argued, but something’s wrong. What about all that diarrhea?
The best they could say was, It’s IBS.
Now for decades I’ve “known” I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, but it’s never been formally diagnosed. And doctors must rule out everything before they’ll diagnose it.
My medical team theorized my gut got out of whack when I combined an over-zealous consumption of fiber (not my fault since I was just following doctor’s orders) with the intense stress I was battling.
So they urged me to try a low FODMAP diet and see if that would work.
I can honestly say I felt better immediately. No more belching, no excess gas, no diarrhea. Woo-Hoo!
The diet is fairly restrictive for the first four to six weeks, giving my gut a chance to heal, but there are plenty of options, and it’s interesting to try low-FODMAP foods I didn’t know I could eat.
While I’ve yet to enter the 8-12-week “reintroduction phase” — where you gradually try other food groups to see which you react to — I know it will be equally interesting.
This whole experience has been an eye-opener. How many years did I waste, living in fear when I could’ve ruled out the BAD stuff early on, found out what I could and couldn’t eat, and lived a normal life?
Don’t be like me.
If you’re 45 or over, get screened for colon cancer (the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women in the U.S.). A few hours of embarrassment and discomfort pale when compared to the relief of knowing you’re healthy!
Musings by an ND Domer's Mom 
WOW Debbie, what a story! And it’s ironic you posted on a colonoscopy because a guy I work with made an appointment to have one next month and he’s dreading it. His doctor recommended it, now that he’s 45-years old. He’s dreading the “prep”, not the actual procedure.
Glad to hear that it went smooth for you and that nothing was wrong. And I’m also glad to hear that the low FODMAP diet is working and that you felt better immediately!
*doing the happy dance*
You’re right, what an eye-opening experience. Isn’t it something how we live and learn?
Thanks so much for sharing your “crappy” story. LOL!
And have a fantastic rest of your week, my friend! X
Ron, I hope your co-worker’s colonoscopy goes well, too. Yes, I can see where he’d be dreading the prep. It’s pretty awful-tasting (but I’d rather drink that than eat a single Lima bean, ha!!)
I realize how fortunate I am in this whole thing — the good report, the kindness of all the medical personnel, and the thoroughness of the testing. I’d have had a hard time getting all that in my small town. I realize you’re not big into medical procedures, so I appreciate your reading about my experience.
Happy upcoming weekend! xx
So very glad to read that all turned out well. Such a relief!
It really is, Laurie! Thanks for accompanying me on the story — here’s to a relaxing weekend.
I’m relieved to read that you checked out okay. I experienced similar symptoms 18 months ago and went on a healthier diet and though it was hard at first, it was worth it. Stress is a big factor, too, so I have to make sure I avoid it whenever I can. (Breathe! Walk, yoga, positive thinking! 🙂 )
After six months I started adding in new foods, and have found the ones I need to avoid. Sugar is #1! Sugar promotes bad bacteria and negatively effects my immune system, even my joints swell. I still haven’t added in oatmeal, beans, peas or corn, which I miss. What was explained to me is that while roughage is good, there is such a thing as too much, so I modulate things like that. A bite or two can be enough to satisfy, not a big heaping is needed!
I’m glad you found this out… you will be living better now. 🙂
Aw, thanks, Eliza — me, too! I’m sorry you experienced something similar, but how happy I am that you were able to figure out the causes and tame the unpleasant symptoms.
Sugar, huh? Who’d have thought? But yes, when you add stress to the mix, it’s easy to understand how our poor bodies go off the rails. And isn’t it interesting how the mere act of “thoughtful breathing” can calm one’s heart rate and help you focus?
I haven’t really gotten into Yoga, but I can imagine it would help. Perhaps I need to look for a class when I get a better handle on this IBS. Thanks for the suggestion!
Seems like a lot of good news for you! …. Here’s my favorite colonoscopy story. The doc told me friend to start drinking the stuff at 4 pm for his colonoscopy the next day. My friend dutifully followed is the instructions. At 4:30 pm the doctor’s office called to cancel the appointment and to reschedule.
Yikes, Frank, that’s terrible! I imagine your friend dared to taste the solution, found out how nasty it is, and was grateful for the reprieve (although I’d be thinking twice about it, once I’d taken a few sips and realized just how MUCH you’ve got to down!) Thanks for giving me yet another thing to be grateful for!
Great news, Debbie, and good advice for everyone. I’ve been doing a colonoscopy on a regular schedule for the last twenty years. There are polyps every time, so it is a lifesaver.
Golly, John, GOOD for you! Twenty years, huh? And to think this was my first!! You’re an inspiration, my friend — and I imagine it feels good to you, just knowing they can remove those nasty polyps and keep you in the healthy column.
Yes it does. 😁
Glad it went so well. I get mine done every 5 years, polyps every year, so it’s good to get it done. I’ve had so many now that I don’t really dread it any more..other than I really really hate drinking that volume of awful tasting stuff. You’d think they could make it not taste so bad. My aunt died of colon cancer this past October…she hadn’t had a colonoscopy since she was 50. She was 87. I don’t know what she was thinking.
Gosh, Dawn, how sad about your aunt. I guess doctors can only encourage patients to get the procedures necessary to keep us healthy, but it’s up to the patient to do them. My mom is the same way. She had her first colonoscopy in her 80s and this latest one in her 90s (when she was diagnosed with colon cancer). I think they just let old folks “slide” on tests like this. Maybe it’s a Medicare thing; more likely, they’re afraid of puncturing the intestines since old people have such thin skin. I’m glad you’re doing yours (despite the yucky taste!).
I’m glad things went well for you. My mother picked up H pylori in the hospital, and that wasn’t a pretty experience, for sure. There’s a lot that can be done with diet. Sugar is, in fact, one of the worst things for our immune systems. It can be tricky to find, since ‘low fat’ foods often have a lot of added sugar to make them taste better. I’ve significantly reduced the amount of sugar, fat, and salt that I consume, and I not only feel better, I’m dropping a few unnecessary pounds.
It will be interesting to see if the diet helps you out even more than it already has. Keep us updated!
Linda, my mom had H. pylori, too, so I understand. I think that’s why they tested me, just to be safe. Real sugar — in moderation — doesn’t seem to affect me adversely; however, High Fructose Corn Syrup is a real bugaboo! And they put that in nearly everything because it’s so cheap. Glad to hear you’re tweaking your diet, too, and that things are working for you (losing a few unwanted pounds is just lagniappe!)
I’m glad everything turned out well for you!! And great that you now have a good eating plan. I’ve had two colonoscopies and one cologuard test. If it weren’t for the fact I had an aunt die of colon cancer (in her 80s) I would only require one more (in my 70s), but alas, I’ll have to do one in my 80s, too. That prep is killer!
Kelly, I’m sorry to hear about your aunt. Colon cancer sure isn’t something to play with, is it? I’m happy you’re getting your screenings, too, even though NONE of us likes that prep. The cologuard was far easier than the colonoscopy, but I’m glad they urged me to do it … getting a clean bill of health is so worthwhile!
Excellent advice at the end. People need to be screened earlier in life now.
So happy to hear everything turned out well. I had two colonoscopies last year so I know just how exciting the prep can be. As it turns out, I have IBS, too. What I eat makes a big difference in how I feel (I suppose that’s true with or without the IBS).
Aw, Robin, you too? I haven’t met very many folks who suffer from IBS — nobody in my immediate family, even. I guess it’s just the luck of the draw, huh? With me, it’s not only WHAT I eat, but my MOOD when eating, how MUCH I eat, and what I eat WITH it. Lots of factors seem to come into play. I feel like a guinea pig, testing myself to see how I’ll react to different food groups. I shouldn’t complain though — this could be so much worse, right?! Hang in there!
I’m so glad to hear that you found an explanation for your symptoms and a way to manage them going forward! I’ve had IBS for years, and the diet that helps me the most is the paleo diet, which basically eliminates grains, legumes and sugar. I do miss things like oatmeal and baked beans but it’s no longer worth the distress they cause! Then, after pelvic radiation treatment for cancer, I developed chronic radiation proctitis. Now I have to be careful of having too much irritating fiber, too. Thanks so much for sharing your “crappy” story. 🙂 Somehow it’s comforting knowing others are dealing with similar problems.
Gee, Barbara, I’m sorry you’ve had to deal with this mess, too! I know stress really aggravates my symptoms, but I’ve been under sooo much stress for so long, that it’s no wonder my IBS acted up. Somehow, though, I find it reassuring to at least know what I’m dealing with. The symptoms mimic so many BAD things, and that just adds to the stress. I feel like a “mad scientist” testing myself with different food groups, but thus far, it’s very eye-opening. But it’s going to take a long time to get some results. Sigh.