Having a colonoscopy.

Ben M · 2 Jun 2008 at 16:08

Evangelion said:
Damn, I wish they'd told me. I had to spend all that time with a garden hose up my backside and some numpty waving it about like a semaphore flag, poking and prodding all the most uncomfortable places he could reach.

hahahahaaaaaaaaa

Poor poor people.

DanTheMan · 2 Jun 2008 at 16:10

Evangelion said:
Damn, I wish they'd told me. I had to spend all that time with a garden hose up my backside and some numpty waving it about like a semaphore flag, poking and prodding all the most uncomfortable places he could reach.

Do you have to put it like that when I'm having it done tomorrow? :mad:

How is your UC now mate? I've just spent 3 weeks in hospital with an unbelievably bad flare up but it seems to be back to normal now, let's hope it stays that way for more than a year this time.

Voltar · 2 Jun 2008 at 16:13

Man that sounds awful. Im going to wiki it for symptoms.

edit:

feel sorry for you guys. On the bright side I think I've only got IBS (oh the joys of running to the bog every two hours most weekends)

aslco · 2 Jun 2008 at 16:27

yeah, how many people have had troubles with their anus!? Not trying to be rude.

So once they've diagosed you what do they give you? and are you supposed to have regular checkups once you've had it once? And is it like herpes, where once you have the virus you always have it?

also: Ben M your signature was one of the best in the forums, i hope its coming back.

Ben M · 2 Jun 2008 at 16:30

lozzick said:
also: Ben M your signature was one of the best in the forums, i hope its coming back.

I'm flattered. It'll be back soon, don't worry. - of course I should take no credit for it, Red And White made it.

I just looked up ulcerative colitis, it doesn't sound like much fun a tall, I hope y'all recover soon.

Sankari · 2 Jun 2008 at 16:32

DanTheMan said:
Do you have to put it like that when I'm having it done tomorrow?

Sorry!

How is your UC now mate? I've just spent 3 weeks in hospital with an unbelievably bad flare up but it seems to be back to normal now, let's hope it stays that way for more than a year this time.

I had a minor flare up about a month ago, but nothing significant since then. I've actually been off my medication for just over three months now. :eek:

My wife and I are trying for a kid, but it turns out that I'm sterile. Initial investigations by our GP & consultant suggested that my anti-inflammatories were responsible (I take Sulphasalazine/Salazopyrin, which is known to affect male fertility). So I was advised to kick the meds for three months, and then see if I could get the missus up the duff (hasn't happened yet).

Due for a checkup appointment in about a month's time, at which the specialist will check my fertility rate again and see if the medication-free regime has had any effect. If it hasn't, he'll put me on a new medication and seek alternative reasons for my sterility.

At the moment I am regulating my condition by means of a careful diet. It's not ideal, but it seems to be working for the moment. This is the longest I have ever gone without medication, and it's a bit scary. But it's all I can do if we want a kid (and we do want a kid).

Sankari · 2 Jun 2008 at 16:34

Voltar said:
Man that sounds awful. Im going to wiki it for symptoms.

edit: feel sorry for you guys. On the bright side I think I've only got IBS (oh the joys of running to the bog every two hours most weekends)

You have my sympathy too.

DanTheMan · 2 Jun 2008 at 16:34

lozzick said:
yeah, how many people have had troubles with their anus!? Not trying to be rude.

So once they've diagosed you what do they give you? and are you supposed to have regular checkups once you've had it once?

It's a fairly common disease, apparently around 1 in every 1000 people have some form of intestinal disease. I personally know of 4 other people with UC and that's just family/friends/work colleagues.

Most people only end up getting diagnosed with it after being admitted to hospital with severe abdominal cramps and constantly feeling the need to go to the toilet.

Once you've had a camera up the bum to confirm it's UC, they put you on a short course of steroids to get the inflammation down and then depends on the severity, you'll be put on anti inflammatory drugs that aren't steroids such as Sulfazine or Mesalazine for an indefinate period of time, most probably for the rest of your life.

The thing with UC is that it's a disease for life but for most people it stays in remission for long periods of time so you can get along fine 90% of the time, it's just the other 10% of the time when it flares up that you end up in hospital and/or in agony.

There's plenty of worse things out there to have.

aslco · 2 Jun 2008 at 16:34

Well i hope everything works out for you guys, especially the kid and all.

[TR]SweetSpotOz · 2 Jun 2008 at 16:35

Sankari · 2 Jun 2008 at 16:36

lozzick said:
yeah, how many people have had troubles with their anus!? Not trying to be rude.

It's not the anus, it's the bowel. My anus is the least of my worries, tbh.

pquote]So once they've diagosed you what do they give you? and are you supposed to have regular checkups once you've had it once?[/quote]

They prescribe medication (usually anti-inflammatories of some sort) and remind you to have regular checkups (which I've been a bit slack about in past years). They may also advise you to experiment with different diets and avoid certain foods (some people have found this very helpful; I have only enjoyed limited success with diet management).

And is it like herpes, where once you have the virus you always have it?

It's permanent and incurable.

It also gives you a slightly increased risk of developing bowel cancer.

fluffmct · 2 Jun 2008 at 16:39

Have fun

I know your pain though, I've got a severe case of Crohn's disease and have had a colonoscopy twice. Anyway, quick recovery mate.

DanTheMan · 2 Jun 2008 at 16:40

Evangelion said:
Sorry!

I had a minor flare up about a month ago, but nothing significant since then. I've actually been off my medication for just over three months now.

My wife and I are trying for a kid, but it turns out that I'm sterile. Initial investigations by our GP & consultant suggested that my anti-inflammatories were responsible (I take Sulphasalazine/Salazopyrin, which is known to affect male fertility). So I was advised to kick the meds for three months, and then see if I could get the missus up the duff (hasn't happened yet).

Due for a checkup appointment in about a month's time, at which the specialist will check my fertility rate again and see if the medication-free regime has had any effect. If it hasn't, he'll put me on a new medication and seek alternative reasons for my sterility.

At the moment I am regulating my condition by means of a careful diet. It's not ideal, but it seems to be working for the moment. This is the longest I have ever gone without medication, and it's a bit scary. But it's all I can do if we want a kid (and we do want a kid).

Glad to hear it's not too bad at the moment, just a shame about the side effects of the tablets. Has your doctor mentioned anything about mesalazine to you? It's an alternative to sulfazine with less side effects/less potency.

I've had to radically change my diet too, no alcohol or milk/cheese for me and anything with seeds in such as tomatoes are a big no-no.

Sankari · 2 Jun 2008 at 16:43

DanTheMan said:
Glad to hear it's not too bad at the moment, just a shame about the side effects of the tablets. Has your doctor mentioned anything about mesalazine to you? It's an alternative to sulfazine with less side effects/less potency.

I can't remember the name of the medication, but it's something like that. The bottom line is that it has less of the active ingredient within Salazopyrin, and therefore fewer side effects (particularly with regard to male fertility).

I've had to radically change my diet too, no alcohol or milk/cheese for me and anything with seeds in such as tomatoes are big no-***.

I am still into alcohol and dairy, but have cut down on the tomatoes and citrus fruits. Frankly, I am amazed that I've had such a good run without any medication whatsoever.

Good luck with the colonoscopy. Remember to post some photos if you get them!

shauncr91 · 2 Jun 2008 at 16:46

Ouch, hope it goes ok.

DB_SamX · 2 Jun 2008 at 16:48

Been there, done that...several times. Painful BUT sedation through laughing gas partially makes up for it.

Hate · 2 Jun 2008 at 16:57

Picolax is actually hilarious... if you think about it.

davethe11 · 2 Jun 2008 at 17:03

I had an endoscopy a few years back, was fascinating watching the monitor, it's advisable to make sure you are 'empty' before the proceedure though lol

Voltar · 2 Jun 2008 at 17:06

markyp23 said:
Have you been tested for coeliac disease?

Won't say any more due to the medical advice rule but look it up!

No

I'll look it up. but I'm not going to a doctor in Spain as I'm back in the UK very soon indeed.

Good luck with the procedure. Wouldn't wish it on anyone

edit: uh-oh. Shouldn't have looked that up

Will be seeking medical advice on return to civilization.

BigglesPiP · 2 Jun 2008 at 17:17

How can I avoid ulcerative colitis?