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Pre-Surgery Colonoscopy

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Posted 3/5/2016 6:04 PM (GMT -8)
My surgeon asked me to undergo a colonoscopy, on top of the diagnostic endoscopy, manometry and ph probe, prior to my hernia repair and full fundoplication this Friday. He wanted to rule out any possible chance of my severe anemia being caused by anything GI-related. He was fairly certain that the anemia is related to the giant paraesophageal hernia, but wanted to check. Colonoscopy was clear and good, which is great to hear given that I have a family history of colon cancer but am still a bit young for regular colonoscopies (I'm 45). Now, we'll have to wait and see if the anemia will be alleviated by the upcoming surgery.

Still, I wanted to share here, for any of you who are asked to do a colonoscopy, that the process is not as bad and horrible and embarrassing as many folks make it out to be. The prep drink is nothing you'd want to order as a refreshment, but I learned many tips and tricks from another board here to help ease and improve the whole process. When it's ordered again in the future, I won't have any problem doing it.

Bottoms up!
Posted 3/6/2016 3:42 PM (GMT -8)
Interesting diagnosis. Why does your surgeon feel that your hernia has anything to do with anemia?
Posted 3/6/2016 4:53 PM (GMT -8)
He said that a large number of his giant paraesophageal hernia patients also have anemia. I don't know if this is due to the stomach displacement, twisting of the stomach (volvulus) or long-term gastritis. He said that most of his patients see an elimination of anemia within about 6 months of the procedure, once the body has time to heal and the blood cells a chance to regenerate. I researched his comments online and found many medical articles regarding the prevalence of anemia in patients with paraesophageal hernias, like this one: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23515913

Interesting as I've struggled with anemia for several years and no one has been able to identify it's cause. I trust my surgeon as he's the chief of surgery and specializes in hernias and fundoplications. I'm hoping that all goes well and that this will be the end of years of issues. Fingers crossed!

added live link

Post Edited By Moderator (dencha) : 3/6/2016 6:19:23 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 3/6/2016 5:23 PM (GMT -8)
Hi CaliGal
Thanks for sharing your colonscopy experience! You are right that many people dread the procedure, and it is likely to offer someone real peace of mind to read your post.

Good luck with your surgery on Friday! We'll be thinking of you and sending healing thoughts!! Remember that your paraesophageal hernia is likely to make your recovery a little more difficult in the beginning, so don't worry! You'll heal and do just fine.

This surgery takes six months for most of the healing, and a year for the rest. The first two weeks are the most challenging, and often people panic, thinking they'll always experience the problems they're having post op. This isn't the case at all!

If you can surrender to your recovery and follow its lead, you'll find it much easier to deal with the symptoms. My surgeon warned me that my swallowing would get worse in the first two weeks, as swelling peaks at about the two week mark, then things start to improve, so don't panic! It will get better!!

I don't know if you've run across my early recovery journal, but here's the link, just in case you didn't:

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2183443

Very best wishes!
Denise
Posted 3/6/2016 6:09 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks, Denise. I've been reading and posting the past couple of weeks and have learned a LOT so far from the experiences of everyone here. So much helpful advice! I feel much more at ease now after finding this forum, knowing that so many people have shared incredible successes, despite the necessary and lengthy healing time. I now feel much better prepared for what lies ahead, all thanks to the folks here. I'll certainly continue my reading, learning and posting, and will also share my experiences for those who follow a similar path. I'll also read your early recovery journal... thanks for recommending it.

Thanks again to you as Moderator, as well as all those who post here. Your words, wisdom and advice are tremendously helpful to those of us about to embark upon this journey...
Posted 3/9/2016 1:21 PM (GMT -8)
Hi CaliGal,

Glad the forum has helped you. It made a big difference to me back in 2009 when I had my surgery. The members here provided tremendous support and helpful tips and information. That is the reason I stuck around to help others.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get on the forum much at all these days because of family commitments. We babysit three of our grandkids (5, 3, 3 months) 10 hours on Mondays, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays we babysit another little one (5 mo.) for 9 hours. Between those busy/exhausting days and other random days we help out/errands/etc. I just don't have much time to get on here and moderate!! My apologies to one and all!

I'll be thinking of you on Friday! I'm sure you'll do well.
Best wishes,
Denise
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