What is Fibro Feelings?

This week has FLOWN by! I met my new Gastrointerologist during a consultation appointment and got a colonoscopy the next day. I really like my Gastrointerologist, both medically and personally. Now I’m kind of glad my old GI doc left! Hehe. When I told him that I was taking Align probiotic he shared that he thought it was a really good probiotic. When I told him I’d researched it before taking it, he interrupted me to tell me “Good job!” I explained that my old GI doc didn’t think I needed to take probiotics, but that I thought they’d helped me. My new GI doc replied saying, “Although the research isn’t definitive, there is very little risk in trying probiotics” and that to him, “the proof is in the pudding.” I wanted to make sure to share that with all of you.

I’ve decided that because I seemed to have an even worse than normal colonoscopy preparation experience than most people, I won’t write about it, much. Although it was very real to me, I don’t want for people to think that is what they should expect if they have one. If you’d like to know more about my experience, feel free to email me or DM/message me on Twitter. I do want to share a few thoughts on things that made the preparation easier for me though.

The one thing I think everyone has heard about colonoscopies is how horrible the prep solution tastes. I was prescribed generic Golytely. Instead of mixing it with the flavor packs it, I mixed the gallon jug with no flavor additives. I then used an empty water bottle to pour 8oz of Golytely and 8oz of apple juice into. I shook the bottle to mix it all up. This mixture was the easiest way for me to swallow it. Since I was a kid, apple juice has always been my favorite juice. Consider changing the flavors up because once the prep makes you feel icky, you start associating it with the taste and mentally it gets harder to drink. My GI doc told me that I could also use Crystal Light flavor packs (some say not to mix with sweeteners) and I did use that in a few bottles.

I had 2 prescription anti-nausea pills, but The Helpful Hubby had to go out to buy me some Dramamine for extra help. I wish we would’ve had those on hand, just in case. Thanks to Selena at Oh My Aches and Pains, I had gotten some baby wipes with aloe. They are soft, which is very nice.  She also helped answer all my TMI questions, bless her heart!

Have you had a colonoscopy yet?

You may also be interested in reading:
Probiotics and IBS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome at Night

The all important water bottle & the prep solution*

*Image Credit: from www.flickr.com by EraPhernalia Vintage