Depression Recovery

Question:

Dear Annie,     I’m actually glad to hear SOMEONE loves versed….I know you were scared to have your scopy – I read your posts too late to pray for you!  Glad it went well. Love, NgashaB

Response:

I recently had a scope – was on just clear liquids from Monday until the Friday of the scope.  (I previously had done the Phospho-soda and couldn’t keep it down.)  Other than feeling a little tired ( and a bit hungry by Thursday!) it went well!  I had Dulcolax the night before and Fleet enemas the morning of the scope.  All cleaned out:))

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >ngasha >i had versed for the first time…i LOVED it..was like gas at the dentists.. >i had very little pain…and maybe i had it and forgot it..but have had no >nightmares etc.. >it was a LOT better than valium..which for me is a "do nothing" medication.. >versed and demerol were simply awesome…i was awake..i did get to see it on >the screen…i could hear the jokes..i guess i made some too <g>i remember >someone laughing but dont recall what i said…(hope it was clean) >the hour flew by soooooooooooo fast…. >but i guess versed isnt for everyone… >i think the idea of amnesiacs is that you experience the pain but dont >actually know it… >its like getting outside of yourself…i guess kind of like hynosis would >be..which would work also i would guess for some people. >i found versed less instrusive into my system tho i was a bit high…i was >dizzy for a couple of days after..on and off..and forgetful of where i was >putting things down etc… >but that has worn off…(i think..i am kinda absent minded anyway..no >comment alan) >i know when i am drilled my dentist uses gas and its the same thing..you >know you have the pain..but you dont "feel " it…ok with me… >in fact its kind of intriguing..i  think (see what happens when you major in >philosopy and psychology? you get a bit crazy) >take care >annie

Response:

ngasha i had versed for the first time…i LOVED it..was like gas at the dentists.. i had very little pain…and maybe i had it and forgot it..but have had no nightmares etc.. it was a LOT better than valium..which for me is a "do nothing" medication.. versed and demerol were simply awesome…i was awake..i did get to see it on the screen…i could hear the jokes..i guess i made some too <g>i remember someone laughing but dont recall what i said…(hope it was clean) the hour flew by soooooooooooo fast…. but i guess versed isnt for everyone… i think the idea of amnesiacs is that you experience the pain but dont actually know it… its like getting outside of yourself…i guess kind of like hynosis would be..which would work also i would guess for some people. i found versed less instrusive into my system tho i was a bit high…i was dizzy for a couple of days after..on and off..and forgetful of where i was putting things down etc… but that has worn off…(i think..i am kinda absent minded anyway..no comment alan) i know when i am drilled my dentist uses gas and its the same thing..you know you have the pain..but you dont "feel " it…ok with me… in fact its kind of intriguing..i  think (see what happens when you major in philosopy and psychology? you get a bit crazy) take care annie

Response:

> Dear Hugh, >    So sorry you had such a bad time.  That might have been what I "remembered" > via nightmares/depression after getting the "amnesia" drug that caused the > post-traumatic depression.  Did you have ANY drugs to help you during the test? >     Yes, it’s exactly the same prep solution I have to take… so, well, maybe > that won’t be that bad (?) or at least compared to the "experience" coming up > after it?

Hi NgashaB, What’s an "amnesia" drug?  Since I was only having a sigmoidoscopy, I had no relaxants.  In retrospect, I suppose this was best.  Although the pain was intense and prolonged by the difficulty the doctor had moving through the last 10cm, I’m rather glad I was able to fully experience the totality of the procedure.  With a colonoscopy however, the drugs are a necessity, not an option. The barium enema was really not uncomfortable at all for me even as some find it otherwise. My only feelings afterwards (I’m looking back now a couple of days) was a bit of embarrassment about my loudness reacting to what I perceived as real pain. Thanks for responding, Hugh

Response:

Dear Hugh,    So sorry you had such a bad time.  That might have been what I "remembered" via nightmares/depression after getting the "amnesia" drug that caused the post-traumatic depression.  Did you have ANY drugs to help you during the test?     Yes, it’s exactly the same prep solution I have to take… so, well, maybe that won’t be that bad (?) or at least compared to the "experience" coming up after it? Cheers, I guess, NgashaB

Response:

>I don’t know that the oral prep solution I used last night was co-lyte. >All the info I had called it "Peg-3350 & Electrolytes."  I drank the >gallon and found, to me, it tasted like diluted sea water — not so bad, >though a gallon is a lot of anything for me to drink.

Same thing — my problem is that I start bloating and cannot force it down when I start getting to the bottom! >So I thought: this oral prep is ok; there must be something else coming >that won’t be.  Today, I experienced as much pain as I ever have with a >25 minute sigmoidoscopy.  Two doctors and one rn had difficulty getting >the flexy around the last turn — the last 10 cm were a long and painful >trip.  I moaned, groaned and finally yelled while they told me I was >"OK."  In retrospect, I’m embarrassed by my loudness.  

Hey, don’t be. When I had the fistula to my bowel and bladder and they wanted to do a uroscopy, I rather loudly told them that I would agree, but that they damn well better put me under general anesthesia, because if I could see what they were trying to do, there was no way in hell that I’d let them do it! The assholes should have warned me that the tearing and bleeding was normal, but I figured it out myself. That first leak was kind of rough, though! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Good news is that >the sigmoidoscopy indicated nothing abnormal. >Later, before all the gas had passed, I had my first barium enema.  I >was impressed with the professionalism of the staff who performed this >procedure. Any discomfort was very mild. >I worried when told I would have these procedures and used the internet >to gather info and read of others’ experiences.  I am grateful and >appreciative to all who helped me mentally prepare.  But, in the end, it >seems to me that each person’s experience is very personal and >individual. What bothers some is no big deal for others; what is a >"piece of cake" for one is a BIG "pain in the ass" to another.   >The doctor explained that my "discomfort" was the result of "spasms" – >spasms that some experience more than others.  Well, I had enough of >them yes, but looking back I’m still embarrassed by my response. >Thanking all who helped, >Hugh

Yeah, we’re all different. I’ve never had anything but mild discomfort with the sigmoidoscopy. I do tend to have spasms during barium enemas, but I don’t really need those anymore, so it’s no biggy, and even if — I handle it fine. And today when the ENT guy showed me the thing he was going to put up my nose, I was like — hey, I’ve got CD; I’ve had much larger and longer scopes inserted into much smaller and tighter orifaces! But I did close my eyes! I’m sorry you had such discomfort, but don’t be embarrassed by your reaction. Hell, if I make it through all this crap without breaking into tears, I figure I’m going to be okay cause nothing else’s going to bother me. It’s cool, but what’s really cool is that your doc understood and was comforting. My records at UVa Medical Center say that I am uncooperative and possibly threatening, because while an intern was trying to listen to my abdoman during my first kidney stone, he warned me that he couldn’t treat me if I couldn’t be quiet and let him do his work to which I responded, "Tell you what: you give me a knife and allow me to jab it into your lower back and twist it every five minutes, and if you can be quiet, I will too!" He he he he — I forgot the point of this whole post! No, hang in there, and I’m glad things looked good despite the discomfort. love, steve preferred e-mail address: without the "SPAM," of course! http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Falls/3298/ You need to laugh every day, because a day without sunshine is like … night.                                                  Steve Martin

Response:

Fleets Phospho Soda was an awful experience for my 6 y.o.  We tasted it seeing as we were making him drink it and it was the most disgusting thing we had ever tasted.  As an adult you could probably tell yourself that it has to be drank and get beyond the taste, but at the age of 6 there was no reasoning with our son.  He did not finish the first glass, and then vomited it up after an hour or so.  The second glass took 45 minutes to drink and 5 minutes to come back up.  He told me in the morning when I had to give him two adult sized enemas that he would rather just do the enemas next time!!!  That from a 6 year old!!

Response:

When we get embarrassed I think it’s a natural feeling.  When a doctor makes us feel embarrassed, that’s another story.  I’m glad they told you that you were OK and were able to explain to you why you felt so much discomfort. When you have this disease it is essential that you find a doctor who understands what we are going through. Fletch

Response:

> I have heard that some doctors will allow you to go on a clear-liquid > for 3 days before the procedure, but I’ve never tried this myself.

I don’t know that the oral prep solution I used last night was co-lyte. All the info I had called it "Peg-3350 & Electrolytes."  I drank the gallon and found, to me, it tasted like diluted sea water — not so bad, though a gallon is a lot of anything for me to drink. So I thought: this oral prep is ok; there must be something else coming that won’t be.  Today, I experienced as much pain as I ever have with a 25 minute sigmoidoscopy.  Two doctors and one rn had difficulty getting the flexy around the last turn — the last 10 cm were a long and painful trip.  I moaned, groaned and finally yelled while they told me I was "OK."  In retrospect, I’m embarrassed by my loudness.  Good news is that the sigmoidoscopy indicated nothing abnormal. Later, before all the gas had passed, I had my first barium enema.  I was impressed with the professionalism of the staff who performed this procedure. Any discomfort was very mild. I worried when told I would have these procedures and used the internet to gather info and read of others’ experiences.  I am grateful and appreciative to all who helped me mentally prepare.  But, in the end, it seems to me that each person’s experience is very personal and individual. What bothers some is no big deal for others; what is a "piece of cake" for one is a BIG "pain in the ass" to another.   The doctor explained that my "discomfort" was the result of "spasms" – spasms that some experience more than others.  Well, I had enough of them yes, but looking back I’m still embarrassed by my response. Thanking all who helped, Hugh

Response:

>NgashaB here again.  My Colyte is the unflavored variety (I don’t know why!) >and I can’t add the lemonade mix because it has citric acid – which I can’t >have.  I also don’t deal well with carbonated drinks….is this Phospho-Soda >carbonated? >    Have any of you ever heard of a DOCTOR prescribing any kind of "natural" >fluid prep sans enemas? (I’m not due for any that I know of) >    Thanks for all the replies!

I have heard that some doctors will allow you to go on a clear-liquid for 3 days before the procedure, but I’ve never tried this myself. love, steve preferred e-mail address: without the "SPAM," of course! HOME: http://www.digdat.com/~psyche0/index.html ASCC: http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Falls/3298/

Response:

NgashaB here again.  My Colyte is the unflavored variety (I don’t know why!) and I can’t add the lemonade mix because it has citric acid – which I can’t have.  I also don’t deal well with carbonated drinks….is this Phospho-Soda carbonated?     Have any of you ever heard of a DOCTOR prescribing any kind of "natural" fluid prep sans enemas? (I’m not due for any that I know of)     Thanks for all the replies!

Response:

Fleet’s Phospho Soda is much more pleasant than whatever-lytely.  It tastes kind of lousy, but you only have to drink a pint or so of liquid.  Ask your doctor about it. — Chris — For Paris travel tips, see http://www.geocities.com/Paris/5852/

Response:

I’m also for the Fleet’s Phospho Soda.  It may taste awful, but at least you get to follow it with water. Fletch

Response:

The Phospho-Soda is much easier to take.  I remember however years ago when I had my first colonoscopy I did not take any medications.  Instead, I just had to be on clear liquids for about 36 to 48 hours before the procedure. The night before I had to have enema after enema to a good internal scrubbing.  In the morning, I had to redo the enemas some more.  Check with you doc.  The problem is that if you are not well cleaned, then it is of course difficult for them to see or navagate and you may have another go at the test! In hind sight, the Phospho-Soda is actually the easiest prep.  Another hint is to get some chewing gum and chew after you imbibe. I like Big-Red. Neil Marko

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Dear Friends, >     Speaking of Pittsburg, that is where my excellent GI doc (Krishnan > A. > Gopal) moved just after I was diagnosed with UC in 1979.  I would have > done > anything to stay with him, and haven’t found any as good yet.  So > Pittsburgh > must be the Mecca, eh? >     I have a question about the colonoscopy prep.  Also drugs.  My > last > colonoscopy was in 1991, and the aftermath was horrific.  They said I > fought > and cursed in recovery; I had night terrors and severe depression for > months > afterward.  Nightmares about being held down on a metal table while > crocodilian > beings shredded my abdominal flesh. I had demerol, versed, dalgon (my > present > dr. doesn’t know what that is) and something like robelin (drying > agent).  They > say you still feel the pain under those but the versed gives you > amnesia > afterward.  Am I the only one of the opinion of: what the HELL good > does THAT > do?  I thought anesthetics were to PREVENT pain?  Anyway, I think in > my case I > did not get amnesia, instead I got a repressed memory that surfaced as > depression & nightmares.  Are there any better drugs since 1991? >     Next, are there any do-it-yourself colon preps?  I am to drink 4 > liters of > Co-lyte within 4 hours.  What does this do to your colon?   Are there > any > natural alternatives such as apple juice, etc. that would not affect > how clean > the colon gets, and therefore the dr. couldn’t tell I cheated, or is > Co-lyte > the only thing that will get it clean enough?  I’ve heard it makes you > vomit — > why?  I’m kind of mervous about this stuff, not to mention the whole > ordeal > since last time went so horribly.  Any peace of mind out there, let me > hear it. > Sincerely, > Ngasha

 I’m sorry to hear of your bad experience with the whole thing.    I had a colonoscopy on 30 September and had to drink 4 liters of Nulytely (I think Golytely is a "sister" to it), it was cherry flavored.    Not as bad as the stuff I had to drink 15+ years ago but not so good either. COLD is best and drink it fast.    Didn’t make me sick but 4 liters is an awful lot to drink.    I also felt pain but they gave me the anesthesia drug so as not to remember.    Thing is, I remember feeling pain but I don’t remember getting dressed. Good luck!

Response:

Co-lyte is some disgusting stuff.  I’m 17 and they told me to drink a gallon of it in like 2 hours? YEAH RIGHT!  I’m sorry, I believe in doing everything I can to help the doctors, but drinking this stuff was no good.  I drank, I’d say, maybe 1/2, 1/3 gallon of it.  The rest of it I poured in the toilet.  After the colonosopoy, they said I did a good job with the prep because I was clean as a whistle.  The only tip I can give you is, the colder the better.  Make that stuff freezing!  I’ve heard you may be able to add sugar free crystal light to it (not red or purple) but I’m not sure.  I wish I would’ve. — Brian Drain

Response:

Dear Friends,     Speaking of Pittsburg, that is where my excellent GI doc (Krishnan A. Gopal) moved just after I was diagnosed with UC in 1979.  I would have done anything to stay with him, and haven’t found any as good yet.  So Pittsburgh must be the Mecca, eh?     I have a question about the colonoscopy prep.  Also drugs.  My last colonoscopy was in 1991, and the aftermath was horrific.  They said I fought and cursed in recovery; I had night terrors and severe depression for months afterward.  Nightmares about being held down on a metal table while crocodilian beings shredded my abdominal flesh. I had demerol, versed, dalgon (my present dr. doesn’t know what that is) and something like robelin (drying agent).  They say you still feel the pain under those but the versed gives you amnesia afterward.  Am I the only one of the opinion of: what the HELL good does THAT do?  I thought anesthetics were to PREVENT pain?  Anyway, I think in my case I did not get amnesia, instead I got a repressed memory that surfaced as depression & nightmares.  Are there any better drugs since 1991?     Next, are there any do-it-yourself colon preps?  I am to drink 4 liters of Co-lyte within 4 hours.  What does this do to your colon?   Are there any natural alternatives such as apple juice, etc. that would not affect how clean the colon gets, and therefore the dr. couldn’t tell I cheated, or is Co-lyte the only thing that will get it clean enough?  I’ve heard it makes you vomit — why?  I’m kind of mervous about this stuff, not to mention the whole ordeal since last time went so horribly.  Any peace of mind out there, let me hear it. Sincerely, Ngasha

Response: