well I'm at the point where the doctor is insisting on a colonoscopy and now with my insurance, it's paid for - so I don't have that excuse to use anymore.  

What to do?  are these necessary?  suggestions?  experiences?

dang right they are! they save lives....

This one is truly a "no brainer".     What a gift you can give yourself.  

Ok.. well that answers that.  I know there is alot of controversary about them being 'necessary' on the web so I thought I'd get some answers here.

Quoted Text

Many people who have never had a colonoscopy really fear the exam itself. You are sedated for the exam so you really don't remember it. Which iis why people say the prep is the worse part of the whole process--it is really meant to ease people's fear about the colonoscopy itself. The prep involves drinking liquids or taking pills that cause lots of diarrhea which will clean out the colon.

Now really, what good does it do to not know?  It could only save your life!   More "pros" than "cons" on the internet.

I've had one and the prep is challenging because it is a 24 hr fast...which is hard, plus  the lemony drink...yuck, but the info you get is invaluable.!!!

Takes about 6 weeks for the gut flora to be restored. So make some fermented food in advance, get the polyflora from DPN and make sure you have some good food after the test.

Drink plenty of additional fluid with the prep.

Knowledge is power.

Quoted from Andrea AWsec

Takes about 6 weeks for the gut flora to be restored. So make some fermented food in advance, get the polyflora from DPN and make sure you have some good food after the test.

Drink plenty of additional fluid with the prep.

Yes!

Don't neglect giving attention to restoring the gut with healthy microorganisms.  This is at the heart of good health.  

I promised my doctor I'd get one before the end of the year (2010), and I still haven't made the appointment.     I really need to do it soon.  This is a timely reminder for me as well.

why don t you guys with doubts read the cancer health series book?
read about the BT pathology connection there is as well, and try the alternate protocols therein, for prevention.

that lemony drink sounds like citric acid containing to me!

its to "clean you out" in a day....its salty too.

Billy Connolly on getting a colonoscopy (warning: rude language).  Talks about the effect of the laxative pills they give you beforehand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBMsPNI6EZE

There are several different meds for prep.  I've had them all I think.  I have ulcerative colitis and have to have colonoscopies yearly.  In fact I have one scheduled for the 20th.  The prep is the the issue - but all in all, it's not ALL that bad.  It really cleans you out.  The procedure itself is no big deal.  It can save your life.  My Dad had one of those "virtual" colonoscopies and then refused to have a real one when they thought they saw something.  By the time his doctor finally convinced him to have one, it was too late and the polyp became cancerous.  He died in '06.  Have it.. It can save your life.
Jane

I'm wondering if there is a more benign way to clean out our colons, such as a big dose of Epsom salts.  Anyone ever try this, or any other technique?

I think the mixture is pretty much some epsom salts (thus the salty taste-yuck) and the lemon stuff.

get it done.. worry is worse then the cure.. some things are easy.. this is one of them..

It is like a complimentary parachute on an airplane.  If they offer one, take it!  It is there for a reason.

sorry they don't save lifes at all ...  but only  look for their personal profits... yup... sorry but it's true .. nearly all docs became ..... for big pharmas...  aaahh I'm looking... lurking for the true name.. was it prostitute or only ... ...

ja..jaaa you know that I'm right here ... ....

But Isa, they do catch cancers and also remove polyps during the procedure...it happened to me (removed polyps) and boy was I glad I'd had it...

It would have saved my father's life.

Others are alive only becuse of this kind of procedure.

Until the current medical diagnotic model is dumped in favor of the polymorphic model, colonoscopies will be required to combat deadly issues.  Ultimately we need the machines that can do phase angles in regular diagnostic labs.  With competent diagnosticians, of course!

You don't plan the last battle of a war until the penultimate is over.  

I just had a colonoscopy, and it really wasn't that bad, and believe me I'm a real wimp when it comes to precedures and such...the prep itself was tiresome, all that sitting on the toilet, and the sedation didn't really put me out, but still it didn't hurt hardly at all - just uncomfortable.  

I'm now waiting for the result of a biopsy of a polyp which was removed, which is quite worrying, but just wanted to reassure others that the procedure itself is not at all as bad as I expected.

Eva B, sending you all my best hopes and wishes that everything is ok with the biopsy.  I really have this on my mind now.