Colonoscopy and risks??

[Ihurt]

Question about colonoscopy and prep depleting gut of essential flora???

Hi everyone,

I am likely going to have to undergo a colonoscopy due to all the gut issues I have been having this past 2 years. I have other health issues as some of you already know(IC bladder, chronic UTI's, fibro, etc..). I have been reading up on the whole colonoscopy procedure. My regular docotr and GI did not feel it would be good for me to do a colonoscopy due to it's nature and risks. I have been on low dose antibiotics for 5 years now. I also take probitoics, but still, I can assure you my gut flora is messed up! According to some of the research I have read, it says even for the healthiest person the prep for the colonoscopy can cause serious damage due to depleted Gut flora.

I am a bit concerned to say the least about this. I mean on one hand, I feel something is not right, and I am in pan ALL the time and need to find out what the hell is going on. But I am scared of getting the colonoscopy( not so much the test itself, but the consequences of all the bowel prep). It really did not help that my own regular doctor AND my GI both said that colonoscopy preps can really mess a person up but good. You can come out of the prodecure worse than before you did it.. This is what scares me, as it is true.

I have been on low dose antibitoics for 5 years to prevent the severe UTI's and for my Interstitial cystitis. The low dose antibitoics were the ONLY thing that helps me. I was on keflex for 4 years and now Augmentin low dose for the last 4 months. I am sure the antibiotic is not helping issues and maybe the cause of my gut issues. I am tyring to figure out what to do first, should I just ask the gastro to do a colonoscopy and risk the after effects, or should I just stop the antibiotic and see if Iget better?? However, I am certain my bladder will get worse again, but it may be a risk I have to take. I mean bad thing would be if my intestines did not get ANY better and then my bladder got worse, well then I am up Shit creek basically and have 2 problems to deal with. I am not sure what to do. I mean I guess only a person who has suffered IC bladder real bad and had chronic UTI's can understand the pain ( I am talking the worst pain you can imagine, suicidal pain) when it comes to my bladder. This is why I am scared to stop the antibiotic as well. I feel I am caught between a rock and a hard place here and do not know which way to go. I even asked my husband what he thinks and he is just as lost.. If the antibiotics are the cause of my intestinal pain, would stopping them even heal my inntestines , or is it too late, kind of like shutting the barn door after all the animals got out???

Please, any opinons would be appreciated. I understand that this is a tough one, and I do understand it is not possible for you to tell me what to do, I just want your opinions is all, I mean what would you do if you were in my situation???

What are the chances of getting C-diff after a colonoscopy( I know a couple on here did) and what are chances of messing my colon up even worse from the scope( especially with me havig been on low dose antibiotics for so long)???? I am scared and dont know what to do.

Sorry for the lengthy post, thanks for taking the time to read...

 

[Jennifer]

First thing that comes to mind is to not eat a few days before the scope (go on a liquid diet) and then only drink a small amount of prep (Suprep is a really easy prep but strong so you likely wont even need one full dose if you went on a liquid diet for a few days). Then while you're making your frequent bathroom trips is it possible for you to create a barrier so you don't have any drips or splash back go near your urethra or vagina by using a couple wet wipes over them while you're having a bowel movement (if you have to urinate leave some room for that to pass and then cover it up again while wearing gloves)? It may sound crazy but if the pain is that bad then for me I could see myself trying something like this to keep it from happening again.

Also I've never been worse off after a colonoscopy. Just from reading on the forum it seems that very few people have more issues after a scope.

 

[2thFairy]

Also I've never been worse off after a colonoscopy. Just from reading on the forum it seems that very few people have more issues after a scope.

In fact, there is a known percentage of people who feel better for a few days up to a week after colonoscopy.

 

[Ihurt]

Thanks ladies for the replies..

Jennifer: Yes, I definitely will hold a paper towel or wet wipe over the vaginal area for sure. I always do that if and when I get the big D. Thanks for the suggestion though. I guess my worry about the colonoscopy is more so because I have been on low dose antibiotics for 5 years, where most other people usually have not been on them like that while going through a colonoscopy. I mean my flora is already likley a mess, wouldn't a colonoscopy make things way worse in terms of messing up my gut flora even more?? I know in my heart I need to have this test, but I am so worried about the whole after effects. I cry all the time because I feel I am in such a bad position. It is so hard..

2thfairy: thanks for the reply. I can only pray I am on of those that feel better after the test! That would be great.

 

[exit4]

I agree with 2thfairy – I feel better after colonoscopy! I actually like the way I feel after the prep – light and empty.
Doing a liquid diet few days prior is a good idea. Keep paper towels handy and do not be afraid of colonoscopy – in my opinion (I have been on antibiotics for long periods of time also) just one prep is not going to make things worse.
If you were doing preps once a week for months, then I would say yes, you may have disrupted your flora, but just once you should be fine.
You need to know what is going on inside, there maybe inflammation, polyps, lesions, etc.

 

[Ihurt]

Thanks exit4, I apprciate the advice. I know you are right, I need to see what is going on here. Something is going on for sure... I also feel the chills a lot of the time and slightly elevated temp (98.7) which is know is not really a fever, but for me my normal temp is 97.9 so I am just not feeling good...

Thanks for the advice... I guess I can only pray all goes ok when I have to do the colonoscopy...

 

[Jennifer]

If you do decide to do it make sure they take biopsies otherwise you'll have worked so hard for nothing.

 

[Grouchy]

I don't really have anything to add, but I do understand the anxiety your going through and the stress it puts on you. Hang in there. Hopefully this colonoscopy gets you some answers that your looking for. I wish you well.

For what its worth, I just had one in January and as others have said, my gut actually felt better after. GI did confirm I have Crohns-Colitis.