Hello @berekann

I certainly understand your concern about the colonoscopy prep, and it sounds like you want to make the procedure safer. You mention that you fear being alone.

What is it that you fear the most about being alone while you do the prep?

@berekann I’m 78, and due to family history, I’ve had colonoscopies every five years since I was 45. Even though my husband is in the house, I would prefer being to5ally left alone. It’s no walk in the park, but it’s mostly just needing o stay near your bathroom. You should be timed, so that you are able to sleep. The friend is most important to drive you. And, the procedure itself, well, it is a walk in the park. (One friend even told me recently that she loves the nap.) I have memory lapse for about an hour after, during which I’m told I’m quite hilarious. Best thing you can do for yourself - well, almost.

Ann, you will do fine. I have had three colonoscopies, and I am almost your age. The prep as you may have figured is the worst. The solutions taste salty and awful, and the patient has to drink large quantities. Some taste better than others, and Medicare doesn’t pay for the preferable prep solution. Whatever instructions your doctor has given you, follow them strictly. You only want to go through this once. If you are not cleaned out completely, the procedure is canceled. The doctor needs to be looking at a completely empty colon.

Basically, you will be confined to the bathroom or within a quick several feet away. Your entire system will be flushed out. It’s highly desirable that you rinse your bottom with water after every bathroom experience. This will save your skin which may take a beating. I should add that after your first or second bathroom trip, you will be passing liquids—not solid poops. Great a great experience, but you know the preps are working.

Have some magazines on hand to read in the bathroom. You probably will not get a lot of quality sleep that night. However, the MD will give you sedation, and you will not recall anything about the experience. Many people come out of that feeling like they had a great night’s sleep.

You mentioned you live alone, but I assume you have someone bringing you to the place where the procedure will be done. Many medical centers insist that someone be waiting for you, so you can be discharged to them.

As long as you have an experienced, Board-certified physician who does a large volume of these procedures, you are in good hands. Let us know how it went for you, OK?

@berekann colonoscopy was uneventful except for one thing I haven’t read anyone addressing. The first one I had when I was in the short recovery I could hear my neighbors passing gas. I was horrified that I might do the same so i refrained from releasing gas. As soon as I stepped inside my doorway I doubled over in such pain that I thought for sure my intestines were perforated. My son immediately called the Gasteronology department listed on my discharge papers. I spoke to a nurse. She immediately asked “did you release gas after your procedure?” I said “of course not”. She said please do so now and I’m pretty sure your pain will go away. Sure enough it did. So don’t be shy release away.