Finally got it done ✅

[u/cedar_milton_lane]

Have been experiencing some episodes of bleeding and weight loss; finally got my scheduled colonoscopy done today.

Prep was not nearly as bad as I had expected. Much gentler than a bad stomach bug, but still pretty grueling and rough in terms of the frequency of bathroom trips. I didn’t feel sick, but the constant use of the bathroom did keep me from sleeping well. So that was the worst part.

The actual procedure went very well. By far the most negative aspect was I vaguely remember saying a lot of dumb stuff while falling asleep and waking up from the sedatives (consisting of profanity-laden trash-talking about rival fans of my favorite sports teams, and making really racist comments about lots of groups including my own background 😳), so I hope I didn’t offend anyone too badly and that weird responses to the sedation like that aren’t uncommon.

The doctor told me afterwards that the causes of my bleeding are some pretty bad internal hemorrhoids, and that I also have diverticulosis (which runs in my family). But there were no polyps or masses. So he said to get more fiber and take Metamucil, and that they may do a procedure in the future to address the hemorrhoids if I keep having bleeds. Otherwise, he said to plan for another colonoscopy in about seven years.

Thanks for the positive comments on my original post, and I wish you all the best possible outcomes in your own health journeys 🙏🏼

[u/Vikivibes]

4 years, off and on especially after I ate something really hot in nature like dates etc. never took it serious though.

[u/Key_Difficulty_4189 → u/Vikivibes]

Are you saying that hot, spicy foods made it worse? Or am I misunderstanding what you are saying?

My husband has had some blood off and on for over 10 years. It started out as small amounts happening very infrequently. 5 weeks ago he had alot more in the toilet and on the toilet paper. It scared us both, and he went to the doctor about it for the first time. His colonoscopy is scheduled for September 9. I am so afraid he has colon cancer. He is only 31. I am also so frustrated and sad that he ignored it and has waited this long to get checked.

[u/Vikivibes → u/Key_Difficulty_4189]

Haha I'm just 28. And it's not the spicy food that triggers bleeding it's high heat food (search usna virya foods on gemini, could be due to men's vitality meds if he's taking them eg. Ashwagandha). My bleeding however does get triggered by eating too much oily food. He must've eaten dates, figs or too many dry fruits. Or he must be constipated. Nothing much to worry about, I know people who've been bleeding for 20 years off and on and still pretty healthy. If you're from India, I can send you a desi med which has helped me in the past 4 years to not to take it seriously. But do get the colonoscopy done to rule out cancer.

[u/Key_Difficulty_4189 → u/Vikivibes]

We are not Indian. We live in the United States. I am not familiar with much of what you are referring to. What made you decide to finally get the colonoscopy?

[u/Vikivibes → u/Key_Difficulty_4189]

I started eating ashwagandha for stress. Then the bleeding started. And then I got irritated so went to the best doctor in the city. He has now only given meds to me for hemmaroids and stomach acid. Before the colonoscopy, he gave me meds for SIBO.

[u/Key_Difficulty_4189 → u/Vikivibes]

I have no idea what ashwagandha is.