Bottoms UP....

[J.R.E.]

I will begin my Prep solution, for my colonoscopy, in about 5 hours... UGHhhh.... 

So figuring it will take a max of about 3 hours to finish the solution, it's going to be a rough late afternoon and early evening.

Colonoscopy, is scheduled for 11:00 AM tomorrow at the VA.  I've been going through my records, this will be my 5th Colonoscopy to be done.

My last snack was about 9:00 last night, And I am already hungry, can already imagine how I will feel tomorrow morning. Weak and hungry. Well, at least these occur, only once every five years.

Had my Covid test done on Tuesday all went well, also had my 6 month HIV labs drawn, total of 5 vials.

Ray 

[J.R.E.]

I also decided to mix the solution powder with Lemon lime Gator aid. I used this before which makes the mix tolerable.

Mixing with water, makes it taste pretty crappy.


Ray 

[leatherman]

ugh. so sorry. 


I had a colonoscopy a few years back and swore I'd never have another one.  The worst part for me really wasn't the prep but the freaking hunger later in the night before the procedure. I'm sorry, even though I love jello, jello is not a food and didn't even pretend to satiate my hunger. I usually only eat at dinnertime and I don't eat very much; so even though I ate earlier that day, "skipping" a meal was just too much for me. As soon as I was done and left the provider's office, I had breakfast for the first time in years and stuffed myself with not one but two large sausage biscuits.

Luckily everything was fine with my insides, so they said I wouldn't have to go back for 10 years or something. LOL I heard "never come back" and that's what I'm sticking with as my future colonoscopy plans.

I do however need to put my butt in gear and schedule an endoscopy. The scar tissue leftover from all the thrush I had in the 90s really needs to get stretched again so I can swallow more easily.

Interesting. Thinking about how so many people fixate on the supposed long term side effects of ARVs. I do have one long term side effect (this scar tissue) but that was from untreated HIV not from the meds   

Best wishes for the outcome of your procedure.

[J.R.E.]

ugh. so sorry. 


I had a colonoscopy a few years back and swore I'd never have another one.  The worst part for me really wasn't the prep but the freaking hunger later in the night before the procedure. I'm sorry, even though I love jello, jello is not a food

   I am not a fan of Jello.  Can't remember the last time I Had it.

I am now on my 11th, 8 ounce glass.  I have about another 5 or 6 to go.    The good thing is I am currently running clear about now. It took 4 glasses to get me going ! 

Ray

[J.R.E.]

I still haven't taken my nighttime meds yet of Epzicom and Viramune. I am not quite completed here yet. I was supposed to take them at 7:00pm

So I think I am going to take them around 9:00 tonight. About 2 hours from now, I should be completely settled down by then.

No more liquids after midnight. I just need a little swig at 6:00am, for my morning meds.

Ray

[J.R.E.]

Luckily everything was fine with my insides, so they said I wouldn't have to go back for 10 years or something. LOL I heard "never come back" and that's what I'm sticking with as my future colonoscopy plans.

Every time I had this done, they have found 1 or 2 polyps, ( That were benign) ,.. so that's why I am on this five year schedule.

Ray

[J.R.E.]

Ok, its completed. One polyp removed all went well. We are now at Outback Steakhouse.  Lol 

[leatherman]

WooHoo! Congrats? 
outback? Yum!

[J.R.E.]

WooHoo! Congrats? 
outback? Yum!

[J.R.E.]

WooHoo! Congrats? 
outback? Yum!

Thanks !  ( And it was GOOD) 

I spoke with the doctor prior to surgery today, and he told me, I will always be a on a 5 year cycle for colonoscopy, because as he was looking at the history he saw that my younger sister had colon cancer, but it was successfully removed years ago. He asked me about that today, and how she was doing. I said she was doing very well with no recurrence.

On the down side, all that prep solution, popped one of my internal hemorrhoids out.    And at this moment, this is what is bothering me the most.

I mentioned to him prior to surgery, that I may have a minor hemorrhoid issue going on, as I had some slight bleeding last night with all the wiping going on. 

He said it was very common, after the prep to have some hemorrhoid issue. So  tomorrow I will go to Walgreen's and get some prep H suppositories and the cream. It's been years since I have had to deal with this, and I forgot just how painful they can be, fortunately it heals up quite quickly for me. I will just have to take it easy for the next couple days.

Just have to wait now, for the results, off the polyp to be mailed to me.


All is well !

Ray

   

[Bucklandbury]

I spoke with the doctor prior to surgery today, and he told me, I will always be a on a 5 year cycle for colonoscopy, because as he was looking at the history he saw that my younger sister had colon cancer, but it was successfully removed years ago.

Thank you for sharing your stories. I canceled my scheduled colonoscopy recently due to the high prevalence of COVID-19 here, but I need to get it done. My grandmother died from colon cancer, and my half-sister recently had some resection due to colon cancer. It is serious, and there is a definite genetic component if it runs in your family. Also, I am way overdue at almost 52 for my first one.

[J.R.E.]

 My grandmother died from colon cancer, and my half-sister recently had some resection due to colon cancer. It is serious, and there is a definite genetic component if it runs in your family. Also, I am way overdue at almost 52 for my first one.

Sorry to hear about your Grandmother and you half sister. Your half sister is exactly what happened to mine, a resection.

Make sure to mention this in your family history, you will most likely be having a colonoscopy, every 5 years.

I had 2 older sisters and my mother all die from Cancer. ( Not Colon), on the male side,... my younger brother has had a Heart attack and had stents placed in. My Older brother has had a stroke, and also had a heart attack. They are both fine. And with me, I have the defective Mitrol valve,( which keeps me going to the Cardiologist every 6 months),... which eventually will have to be replaced or repaired. That, I am not looking forward to. Diabetes is on my mothers and fathers side, and Glaucoma is on my fathers side.

Not good family Genetics Here ! 


Take care---Ray

[J.R.E.]

Lab result update:

Received my lab results today. These were taken on November 2nd, along with the required  Covid test, just 3 days prior to my colonoscopy:

HIV VIRAL LOAD INTERPRETATION--RESULT-Detected

HIV Copies/mL ABBOTT--RESULT   <20

HIV LOG Copies/mL ABBOTT   RESULT <1.30

CD4 ABSOLUTE--- 506-- Slight drop from last result

CD4 PERCENTAGE 21% ( Highest its been in 18 years, but still low, was 17%)

CD8, ABSOLUTE -- 1252 ( HIGH) Range -180-1170

CD8 PERCENTAGE-- 51 ( HIGH) Range 12-42

LYMPHOCYTES, ABSOLUTE-- 2456

CD4/CD8 RATIO-- 0.40 ( LOW) Range -- 0.86- 5.00

HCV PANEL (SCREENING) Result Non-Reactive

SYPHILIS SCREEN--Non Reactive



That is all ! ----Ray

[J.R.E.]

Just to close this thread out, I received the results of the polyp that was removed:

I reviewed the results of the endoscopic polypectomy
 you recently had done at Bay Pines VA Healthcare System.
 The results showed :
 SURGICAL PATH DIAGNOSIS
 Colon, 65 cm, Polypectomy:
 Fragments of tubular adenoma.
 These findings are benign and do not change the
 recommendations given to you at the completion of the
 procedure.
 Your next colonoscopy should be in: 5 years.
 Please contact your primary care provider several
 months prior to your recommended follow-up so that
 you may be scheduled for your next
 colonoscopy.
 If you have any questions, please call...


Ray 

[Bucklandbury]

Ray, I am envious. I am glad it worked out!

I emailed my PCP yesterday to try to get mine scheduled by year's end. We'll see.

[Jim Allen]

Glad to hear the polyp was benign.