34F Colonoscopy Overview
I just had my second colonoscopy as a 34F. Wanted to share the process in case it’s helpful to others who may have anxiety or questions about it.
My 1st colonoscopy was at age 26 in 2018. I got a GI referral from my PCP after finally telling them about the literal YEARS (like 2-4 probably) of rectal bleeding. Bright red blood that would come and go a little but i would say 60% of the time it occurred and at times it was so bad I wouldn’t even poop and would still be dripping blood in the toilet from bearing down slightly. This was what triggered me to finally go in. I also had some IBS type of symptoms, so I was concerned.
I have 2nd degree family history of colon cancer (paternal grandmother and maternal aunt and uncle). So between that and bleeding, my GI suggested colonoscopy.
Ultimately, everything was truly a breeze with my first colonoscopy, and it came back that I had internal hemorrhoids causing the bleeding which they were able to treat during the procedure. I also had a small polyp removed (I wanna say 2mm) that was benign so the doctor told me to come back in 5 years (which would’ve been 2023).
In 2023 when the 5 year mark hit, I was 8 months pregnant and then nursed for a year and wasn’t having any concerns so I pushed off the colonoscopy. Being the procrastinator I am, I then delayed another couple years after I was done nursing my daughter…
So today was finally the day for colonoscopy #2. I had the initial GI office visit last week and they were able to schedule me for the procedure just 6 days later which was today. I loved the fact i could get the colonoscopy so soon after my office visit. That way it wasn’t looming on the horizon for several weeks.
Onto the prep, the worst part, by far, in my opinion, was not being able to eat the day before the procedure. I was starving all day, and I think when you know you can’t eat it makes you focus more on how starving you are lol.
My prep began at 5pm the day before procedure and it was not bad at all. My doctor prescribed Clenpiq which is just 2 small bottles of sour, unpleasant tasting but not unbearable, liquid. Unfortunately, my insurance did not cover this prep but I didn’t find that out until the day before the procedure, and I was worried about timing to get a new prescription for the jug prep, so I bit the bullet and paid the $100 cash price.
About 3 hours after first bottle of prep, made several trips to the bathroom that evening but it was exactly what I expected, you basically poop liquid for the next several hours. I was able to sleep 5 hours off and on that night and had to drink second bottle of prep at 4am. Second round of prep was a lot milder since the worst had cleared out by now.
I arrived to my appointment at 9am. they called me back by 9:20ish. Once back, had a consult with nurse, she had me get into a gown, the anesthesia person came in and answered my questions, told me what to expect, and then they rolled me back for the actual procedure. they started giving me the IV and that’s the last I remember—this part from entering precedure room to passing out was like maybe 5 minutes. The process was very well orchestrated which I think helps with any anxiety bc i was never waiting around and all the steps moved quickly. Next, I woke up feeling amazing lol. My husband and I were leaving the clinic by 11:15, so slightly over 2 hours total.
Results: 2 polyps, 3mm in rectum and 5mm in transverse colon. doctor is confident they are benign, but they will still go through the normal pathology process. Now I go back again in 5 years, and I’m glad I finally can cross this off my to-do list until 2031. :)
Also, sidebar, while my insurance copays kicked in, mine was not covered as “Preventative“ because of my own history of polyps, family history, and being under 45 which is when preventative screenings normally start being covered. Lame. I know I’m fortunate to be in a financial position to absorb the out of pocket costs, but really feel for people who cannot get proper care because of this. It‘s really unfair, and I hate our health insurance system.