If I may, why do people have these done?
You guys are all young and cancer in that age group doesn’t seem that likely?
Or is that just something the canadian health system likes to check on everyone?
I just think about my whole family, outlying family, friends, neighbors… havent known a single person to have that done and then there are several of you with the experience.
Anyway, glad it seemed to go well so far. Doesn’t sound fun at all, like goldberg i’m glad I dont have any health issues.
I have a question. Why do people get these done? I know that it cleans out your system for the backed up shit, but that’s it?
Cass - why did you have those done?
I apologize that I don’t know why people have these done.
Damn CGB the least thing they should have done was to give you a good looking nurse to look at.
And Sergius your post was to graphic. More then I need to know.
I’ve had the two previous tests done, and now about to have the BIG test done for a plethora of reasons.
In my case, I have what they call IBS: Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which, in my opinion, is what they designate you with when they don’t know what the HELL is wrong with you.
For me, I have to watch EVERYTHING I eat because it seems like EVERYTHING gives me gas. Yes, I said it, GAS. And this ain’t no nice purdy gas… it’s much worse. And it’s painful! Then along with this gas, I am terribly constipated and my lower gut is very distended and bloated. I’ve done everything to try to avoid this, such as a colon cleanse, certain food combining guidelines (like not eating fruit with any other foods OR not eating protein or carbs together… yes, I’ve tried every fricken wacko diet on this planet).
As of now, I have a pretty good idea what gives me the most problems:
ALL dairy, even yogurt now, which never used to cause me grief. So, if I ever even want to eat dry cottage cheese I have to chew lactaid.
Common Gas forming vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, zucchinini, mushrooms, onions, garlic, tomatoes, beans etc. This totally makes me sad because I actually LOVE my veggies. So, in order to enjoy these once in a while I take Beano, and it helps tremendously.
Alcohol sugars like maltitol, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol etc. These are sugars that your gut bacteria love to eat and turn into gas.
Vinegar and condiments with vinegar in them like salad dressings and salsa (again, the alcohol in vinegar is loved by colonic bacteria)
Spicy foods. I just try not to eat them, and I’m ok.
My gastroenterologist has also sent me for a lactulose breath test which measures your intestinal transit time, and the amount of fermentation that your gut bacteria produce. What I had to do was go in to the hospital one morning after fasting for 12 hours. Then drink this lactulose stuff, and breath into these special bags every 10 minutes for 5 hours! Fuck, that was exciting. I havent got the results back yet, but I will after I have this colonoscopy done.
Anyways, the colonoscopy is going to be used as a screening tool to rule out the possibility that I have Crohn’s disease or another abnormality of the intestine.
Again, if they don’t find anything, I’ll have to just continue on with my quest to learn more about my body, and avoid the things in my diet that cause me grief.
I guess that is the best thing to do for all of anyways. Since we have to live with our GI systems for the rest of our lives, we might as well become the resident expert on them!
The colonoscopy is a diagnostic thing. The cleaning out is beforehand.
But that does raise a good point – one that might be too graphic for everyone – what symptoms is everyone having that they aren’t getting answers about?
For me, the most anyone could say was irritable bowel syndrome. I’ve always had a long transit time, but it suddenly got worse about a year and a half ago.
I have other pain that seemed to develop about the same time, from the lower part of my ribcage in the back to the floor of my pelvis. After a CT, x-rays, a barrium enema and tons of labs, the doctor finally said the pain was muscular and not organic. The muscle that runs through that area is the psoas, so I found some stretchs to do for it. When it’s really bad I get a massage. It was one of the things keeping me out of the gym – but like so many aches and pains, lifting doesn’t make it any worse and actually makes it a little less noticiable.
The thing to remember is that by have your system clean your Doc will be able to better check for polyps and also be able to see clearly in order to remove them if called for.you run the risk of a perferated bowel if he can’t see clearly.Thats why you should only do clear liquids.I had one done in February,with the exception of the fasting and drinking the gallon of vile stuff it was no big deal.
Bump – for the morbidly curious.
Cass- do the digestive enzyme pills work for you? I have been taking some from the healthfood store for a while now. They are in the refrigerated section. I thought they were a waste of money, but Demo convinced me to try them - and they have made a big difference in my gas ‘issues’
Michelle and all,
No I’ve not found the general digestive pills from the health food store to be of any benefit. I’ve tried nearly every brand out there since I managed a health food store for 4 years.
The only ones that do work for me are the specific enzymes such as lactase (lactaid brand) when I drink milk and galactosidase (Beano) when I eat veggies.
The others like bromelain, papain, etc were useless.
Tony, the clear fluid diet does need to be emphasized, thanks. No sense taking chances and having to have it redone.
Cass, I had the full out job. Had a gastro back in June and opted for no sedative. It was awful awful awful. I gagged and threw up and started hyperventilating.
I have always had digestive problems. About 8 years ago, I had really bad lactose tolerance problems, but they eventually went away. Always had bouts of liquid ass, gas etc. with no real diagnosable condition.
Last summer I started having more severe problems with abdominal cramping, bloating, gas, liquid ass etc and it persisted until January when it escalated and I started having full-blown attacks that in one instance caused me to pass out from acute pain. Doctors thought it was my gall bladder, but a hida-scan ruled that out. Attacks consisted of extrememly sharp pain right below my rib cage around my gall bladder region that would radiate outwards, would lead to intense bowel spasms that would cycle upwards in intensity over a 2-6 hour period and tended to leave me in a writhing heap on the floor. Fats tended to set it off the worst, with fish oil being the big culprit. Then I discoverd that fresh brocolli was a huge contributer, which I confirmed while on vacation a month ago when I consumed nothing but fresh brocoli on two occassions and was left with pain so bad I could barely manage. Pain from the attacks is typically followed by two straight days of liquid ass, extreme gas and then constipation for a few days and then this is followed sometimes immediately by another attack, one cycle after another.
H-pilori bacteria was ruled out, gall bladder problems ruled out (94% efficiency!), blood work negative, lactose tolerance test negative, no wheat allergies… I believe it’s ulcers that are below my stomach, since the gastroscopy noted none in my stomach and medication that controls acid production gives me great relief and no attacks, but the doctors just don’t want to agree with me.
In the meantime, I watch what I eat, avoid fish oil in large quantities, take my meds, avoid fresh brocolli (cooked causes no symptoms) and generally just watch out for symptoms and if they come up, get home and lie down and try to relax and that often times wil help a lot.
Cass,
Have you tried Zelnorm for your IBS? It’s a relatively new prescription, but I’ve been on it for almost a year now and it’s helped me a lot.
Lexie
Hi Lexie,
No, I havent tried that drug yet for IBS, but the Dr’s are waiting to see what my test comes back with before they start prescribing anything.
I’m just angry (like CGB) that I have to deal with the all in the first place. Like, MY GAWD, I eat so darn healthy, and I take such good care of my body that I shouldnt have to deal with all this! But, I guess what doesn’t kill you will only make you stronger.
I bet there are a lot of other forumities that struggle with these very same issues. I know that talking about gas and your bodily functions is considered ‘uncool’, but really, if you want to understand your body better you need to learn from others who are going through the same thing. So, if you have something to add, please contribute so that we all can live happier, (and less noisy/stinky) lives!
Hahah
Cass, I was actually thinking that we might want to consider a support thread for people with digestive issues. Lots of people have responded to me through PM’s about issues they have and many never post about them, perhaps because they are embarassed or don’t feel others want to hear about their issues.
However, as we’ve seen here, many people have these sorts of issues and if we all start talking about them, perhaps we can get people to start dealing with them. No sense just putting up with something if you can actually resolve it. Ask questions, tell us your problems. Maybe someone here can help.
Don’t take this as a joke, please.
I fart and burp A LOT!! I take 2-3 #2’s a day. Could this be a sign of back up or too much crap in my intestines?
JW, for anyone that eats as much and as often as most of us do, excess gas and minor indigestions would be normal.
What Cass said.
JWright,
This is kind of a gross question, but does your flatulence smell really BAD? Like, are you embarrased by it?
And CGB, I think a support thread is a fantastic idea! So far, I think that this one had become one.
So, keep the questions and info coming everybody! Like I’ve said before, I’ve tried every damn diet out there, and maybe I can offer some suggestions too.
Cass, my thoughts exactly, this’ll do for a support thread.
CGB and Cass, I’ll pull your finger anytime. 
Seriously, I hear you, digestive issues suck, hope you both get some resolution to it soon.
I know most of the time my gas is positively caustic. As in paint-peeling bad. HAZMAT team deploying. NAAAAAAASTY!
And when there’s a flare-up looming, the gut starts sounding like a demon.