recovery from colonoscopy?

[Jannine]

I had my first full colonoscopy a week ago (after the one that got no further than my sigmoid tumor, a year ago). The results were good but I am taking a while to recover from the procedure. It included a split prep and about 6 hours of antibiotics including Metronidazole. All of that did a number on my taste buds -- coffee tasted utterly disgusting for days -- but my stools were gradually getting less weird each day. But today I've had to sit on the toilet 7 times and each time the stool has been looser and looser. I'm drinking a bunch of water now, and going to go to bed and try to rest, because I feel exhausted. I was outside in 90 degree heat at a baseball game this evening, which probably didn't help any. We went home early since I was spending as much time in the bathroom as I was watching the game. >.<

Has anybody else had this sort of reaction a week or more after a colonoscopy? I'm not having any pain, just some slight cramping from all the activity in my gut.

Hrr, I did have a caffeinated soda at lunchtime today, which I don't usually do. Maybe it's just that I overcaffeinated? Normally I just have a one-ounce espresso every morning and that's all the caffeine I have all day. But normally having a soft drink wouldn't do this to me.

If it's not better in the morning I'll call my surgeon; she's the one who did the colonoscopy. I know nobody here can tell me if it's serious; just wondering if others have had similar reactions this long after a colonoscopy.

[Tdubz]

I can only speak for myself, but I have now had 3 colonoscopies and I’m pretty much back to normal the same day of the procedure, but my prep was much more simple than yours, just a few ducolax tablets and some miralax mixed with Gatorade. I’d be concerned if I was still experiencing issues a week later, however antibiotics are known to cause stomach issues so it could be related to that. I’d probably follow up with the doc if you are still having issues.

[Jannine]

Well, after calling my surgeon's nurse on Thursday at 8am and not getting a response from her until 4pm, I ended up taking Immodium on the surgeon's direction, which didn't help a bit. Ended up in the ER yesterday and I have c diff (fortunately not the hypervirulent strain), so Immodium was totally the wrong thing to take.

I think in 3 years I will just go with a GI specialist for my colonoscopy. I want my contact for problems afterwards to look at the big picture and not just a particular procedure. The nurse and surgeon thought that since my symptoms hadn't shown up until a week after my colonoscopy, it wasn't likely to be c diff. But I think my system was compromised by the high-dose metronidazole she had me take in combination with the colonoscopy prep. So I probably picked it up more easily than I would have otherwise.

At any rate, I now have both antibiotics and probiotics and am armed with stuff to sterilize the bathroom. And I was finally able to eat a full meal this morning for the first time in days. I just hope my symptoms clear up soon.

I was going to go to a 3-day conference this weekend (which was conveniently located just 5 minutes from my house), and I suspect I would have gotten to attend at least some of it if I'd gotten a quick and useful response from my surgeon. She is an excellent surgeon but I think I need something more than that for my colonoscopies in the future.

One low point was when I pooped my pants on Thursday and then fell down the stairs in my rush to get to the bathroom. I had the phone in one hand and note-taking material in the other because I was waiting for a call back from the nurse, so I didn't use my hands to try to stop my fall. Fortunately it was just a half-flight of stairs and I only have bruises. My neck hurt the next day but is fine now. I would give falling down the stairs with poop filled pants a 0/10. Do not recommend.

The other low point was Friday night when I woke up every 20-40 minutes needing to go, all night long. I have newfound empathy for those with rectal reconnection challenges. I thought I was going to lose my mind from just one night like that.

[boxhill]

One low point was when I pooped my pants on Thursday and then fell down the stairs in my rush to get to the bathroom. I had the phone in one hand and note-taking material in the other because I was waiting for a call back from the nurse, so I didn't use my hands to try to stop my fall. Fortunately it was just a half-flight of stairs and I only have bruises. My neck hurt the next day but is fine now. I would give falling down the stairs with poop filled pants a 0/10. Do not recommend.

I've had more than a few pants-pooping episodes myself, but this takes the cake.

I think you win some kind of a prize!

[Jannine]

haha thanks. It makes a good story after the fact, but I would've been happy to skip having the experience completely!

Things are definitely improving; I slept through the night and am now able to pass gas without having to sit on the toilet "just in case." I'm hoping I can go back to work tomorrow. Haven't had a solid bowel movement yet, though.

Fortunately my husband hasn't been taking any antibiotics, so he shouldn't catch it from me.

[CRguy]

Glad you are feeling better

c diff is nothing to laugh at ....BUTT
if you can keep your sense of humor
THAT goes a long way

Cheers and best wishes
CRguy