I was having all the symptoms of CRC:

-Lower belly bloating
-Bowel changes
-I was seeing blood
-constipation
-feeling pressure and like something was “off” around my tailbone
-abdominal pain

All my blood work was normal. I put myself in the ER over the weekend due to half pain/anxiety. I saw my GI yesterday, he scheduled me for a colonoscopy immediately today.

Not even a polyp removed let alone anything to report than some “mild” colitis in my rectum/sigmoid.

The prep was nothing. Suprep, 2 doses, I pooped liquid for 2 hours max after each dose and that was it.

Nothing can beat peace of mind regardless of age. Be well, and check your health!

My prep instructions say I "must" use Gatorade with the prep and then drink TWO cups of 16 oz of Gatorade after. Each 12-oz bottle is 21 grams of sugar. I so prefer water. Do I really have to do it like this?

First colonoscopy completed today!! I have been insanely anxious, panic attacks for weeks! Yet Torn between the terror and committed to this important health screening.
Leaned a lot on the awesome posts and info from the great peeps posting here and this community - thank you all!!!
I prepped for appointment 12 days ago, was at the clinic waiting to be called back - got a call on my phone of a serious family emergency. I had to leave!!😩
I was pleased with the prep then (MiraLAX/gatorade) and felt More confident repeating the process.
Appointment 2.0 today-
still Terrified of the procedure, stressed just going to it, nervous wreck, hands trembling at check in.
The medical team was exceptional in genuine empathy, patience, honoring my directives
and top quality care. I don’t think the platform
Rules allow naming the health care location.
It was a much better experience than I would have ever believed from Any post.
Great results, so grateful, and encourage anyone who is struggling with this - you can
Do it !! You Got This 🤍🙏 wishing and praying for the same for all.

Just took the first 12 SuTab pills. Anyone who has taken those can you tell me how long it took to start working? I know everyone’s different but just would like to hear other people’s experience with it.

I should have thought about it more before a week of the procedure, but I just don't understand.

So around 27-28 I started to have constipation issues. It got worse over time and now I just have chronic constipation.

I have to take all kinds of stuff to just go.

I've never seen a GI specialist.

I finally got my PCP to try to get me to a GI, but I was told I had to get a colonoscopy first. Also that they are so backed up it could be a year before I get seen. Yet I have my colonoscopy sooner.

I don't have any serious symptoms besides the constipation.

I think because I'm so close to it I'm starting to have more doubts.

I've never had a stool sample tested. I've never had anything tested. I've just been told to take more stuff. So I eat dried prunes, laxatives, etc.

But why a colonoscopy. Colon cancer doesn't run in the family either.

It's going to be expensive too.

So I'm considering calling them and really talking to them about this.

Ant advice?

I want to thank this sub for all the advice which helped me prep for my colonoscopy today. I scrolled through the posts and comments for hours as I had sooo many questions.

Here's how I managed a relatively easy prep + process.

I started my liquid diet after 6 pm on the Monday and my colonoscopy was Wednesday (today) at 2 pm. That was an extra long time without eating (42 hours), but I felt like it helped the prep go faster. I started with 2 bisacodyl pills at noon Tuesday and split my 2x 150 ml cranberry Pico solution (surprisingly neutral taste!) on Tuesday at 4 pm and then Wednesday at 6 am. The Gatorade tip was a great one and helped me through the hours, so did the bidet tip. I also drank loads of hot tea and honey because one of the side affects of Pico is feeling cold.

The actual time spent on the toilet was not as bad as I thought it would be. I truly expected to be up the entire night but I managed to get 5 hours of sleep. I put a towel on the bed in case of an accident, but nothing happened. I was also worried because I had homemade strawberry jam with seeds on Sunday morning and salad, (I hadn't realized that we were not supposed to eat either at least 7 days ahead!). By the end of the second prep, only clear yellow came out.

When I got to the hospital, I became increasingly nervous, especially when the nurse explained that I was going to feel buzzed but not be put under completely. As I waited in my hospital bed along all the other patients who were going to be rolled in the op room, there was a young lady next to me who had tears streaming down her face. We were all understandably nervous.

The actual process flew by. I was awake the entire time but felt the effects of the sedative almost immediately. It was as if I had drunk two glasses of wine in very quick succession on a very empty stomach. I did feel the discomfort of the camera making its way through my intestine but at the same time, had no panicky feelings about what was going on. If I had not been sedated I would have bolted from the bed! When they rolled me back into the resting area I fell asleep for a good 15 minutes.

They ended up finding a small polyp: 3 mm which they're sending to be tested. If it's benign, I don't have to think about this entire thing for another 10 years.

I'm still feeling the effects of the Pico solution, still pooping clear yellow but no other cramps or gas. I'm going to bed extra early, exhausted but happy to have successfully gone through the exam.

Thank you to everyone for helping each other in answering questions and calming fears!

I'm absolutely terrified

• schedule early AM (mine was 830am)
• do the 4 liter prep from pharmacy* (mixed and put in fridge night before)
• mix with propel (they don't have colors), i used raspbery lemonade
• used 3 regular plastic straws (works like a large straw)
• stick it as far back as you can to avoid most taste
• chased it down with a little ginger ale if needed
• start drinking around 3pm
• break from 5pm to 7pm
• start drinking again at 7pm
• used baby wipes, but i always do
• finish drinking at 9pm (finish the whole 4 liter), finish clearing out by 11:30pm, get some sleep
• Edit-also took a gas x before bed
• had the zofran ready to go, didn't need. prepping this way felt relatively smooth.

night before prep day, ate a huge ribeye steak (feel like this let me not be as hungry); mostly avoided nuts/veggies for another day before that; morning of prep day, took a big old #2; prep day, ate pineapple jello (yellow) and broth, but didn't drink too much before i started drinking the prep, just a little hot tea without sugar/milk

I feel like I had a pretty easy prep. i got the sense the pharmacy prep is more dependable than others. for example, my dad did the pill one, followed it to a T and got denied. my partner did the gatorade prep, and hers seemed like a lot more trouble (i don't think she slept but that's because she was in the bathroom since she didn't schedule hers early morning). i barely started thinking about my prep until the day before. and i didn't follow my written instructions that told me to start at 5pm, then get up at 2am and start the drinking and clearing again, which sounded too oppressive.

after: started eating slowly, didn't want to overdo it

good luck everyone!

I have my colonoscopy appointment at 7:30 am.  Prep is with miralax and dulcolax. They said to drink the second half (32 oz) six hours before.  Does that mean I need to start drinking at 1:30 am?  Drinking takes time; it needs to be done in intervals, and it will push me to the restroom again and again, and I will not have any sleep, being already starved and nauseous.

Has any of you had a similar morning appointment?  Please advise and share what you did.  Many thanks.

Anyone's insurance initially deny Sutab pill colonoscopy preparation and then subsequently get it approved.

I flunked my preparation using low volume liquid Clenpiq due to vomiting. I have always had difficulty with liquid preps, flunking once before also, with a different liquid preparation.

Clenpiq was not covered by my insurance either so I payed out of pocket for it.

Sutab is going to cost over $200 out of pocket again.

If you were able to get your insyrance to cover it, how did you go about it.

Started prep for real at 3pm cdt by taking 4 dulcolax. I’ve used Plenvu before but didn’t have anything else.

Not sure if extra stuff because of constipation issues or not. I did low residue diet starting Sunday (and less residue in the days before).

I have been pre loading electrolytes for a few days and I drink a lot of water, usually 80 oz a day and even more yesterday. I’m hoping to have an easy “go” of it as I did last time, but not sure what the 4 dulcolax will do.

My procedure is in an hour. I started feeling quite nauseous on the way over here. The nausea didn't kick in until then. I feel like garbage. Idk if they can give me zofran but I'll definitely ask. Also not sure if I'm past the point of zofran doing anything for me. Help.

So grateful for this community! As a lurker the encouragement, tips and what to expect was amazing. I did the Suflave prep. First bottle took a few hours to get moving and I was uncomfortable with the amount of liquid in my stomach. Started working about 45 minutes before my second dose.

I’d recommend a large straw (like for boba tea) to help on the second dose.

Fortunate to have had a clean scan and hope to pay the encouragement forward. It’s scary and a big deal but so necessary. Proud of everyone here who has done this and thankful for the support!

I am a 33 year old female who has struggles with hemorrhoids for YEARS. The moment I sit on the toilet I drip blood soooo anyways after being to scared to deal with this forever I am finally doing it. November 2nd I have a colonoscopy booked with hemorrhoid banding. I have level 3 internal hemorrhoids and will be put to sleep for this. Before my apt I have to take dulcolax & pico-salax cranberry flavour…. Tell me how bad is this going to be?! How much pain am I going to be in when I wake up… I’ve literally never had surgery or anything more than a single stitch in my life so I am terrified lol.

My colonoscopy found a large, fragile tumor (25-30 cm) in my sigmoid colon, causing significant narrowing. My doctor estimates a 90% chance it’s cancer. No biopsy was taken because they plan to remove the affected section and reconnect the colon next week.

A 6 mm polyp was also removed.

A CT scan is planned to check whether the tumour has spread. I don’t know the diagnosis or stage yet, and the waiting is terrifying.

Has anyone experienced something similar?

symptoms: narrow stool and occasional pain in the left side abdomen. That’s it.

Did you have surgery before a biopsy? Were you able to avoid a colostomy bag? How long did pathology results take, and what was recovery like?

I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences. ❤️

PREP: I was prescribed suprep I stopped eating 12 am Monday my colonoscopy was Tuesday at 6:30 am 1st dose at 5 pm Monday 2nd dose at 12:30 no liquids after 2:30 am. I was not able to finish my 2nd dose it doesn’t tast bad but it does make you kinda nauseous it’s like too much liquid at once I left about 1/4 of the dose I was still clean nenough for the colonoscopy. Th prep is not that bad guys u drink your first dose you poop a lot and then u kinda feel normal maybe some stomach cramping jello really helps with the hunger then you will be basically peeing from your buthole. 2nd dose is basically the Same I would say it’s just kinda hard to finish it. But tbh prep is not bad I did the colonoscopy the anesthesia makes u feel hot there was ringing in my ear and then I was off to sleep. When I woke up I felt wayyy more affected then when I did the endoscopy I was talking a lot crying and couldn’t ask good even when I got home. I find the anesthesia after math very annoying I felt short of breathe and when I went to sleep later that night I still felt affected I woke up cause I felt lik I couldn’t breathe it’s pretty scary n uncomfy the anesthesia is the worst part.

Hi guys I wanted to share my experience so it can help people! I did the prep i didnt actually drink all of it probably more than half! I took my first dose at 4pm previous day which kicked in 2 hours after, didnt have any interruptions sleeping which was nice and then took the next dose at 8am next day, my appointment was at 14.30, I didnt have cramps with the solution (plenvu) just a massive detox. Ill be honest Your bum even a little bit of the cheeks burn, i didnt buy the creams but I wish I did!!

I was told on the phone there would be the option for gas and air but unfortunately that wasn't the case when I arrived! I didnt choose sedation because its just me on my own and also I like to know what's going on because my anxiety was hitting the roof! The whole session took about 15 minutes, the pain is basicually severe wind pain, you feel sick and have brace at the corners but it was manageable! The weirdest thing is i had my hand on my stomache and felt the camera go around 🫪

The guy doing the procedure told me its very similar to labour! The nurses were in shock as im a 5ft 3 little lady who has never had children! but I bloody smashed it, do I recommend without sedation! Absolutely!! If i can do it and i have panic attacks over loud noises you can do it too!! 💪

Hi everyone,
I’m a 30-year-old woman, and I had surgery on September 24 for hemorrhoids and a chronic anal fissure. My procedure included laser hemorrhoidoplasty, sphincterotomy, fissurectomy, and skin tag excision.
I’m now almost 4 weeks post-op, and I’m still experiencing rectal bleeding with jelly-like blood clots. I’m getting increasingly worried and would really appreciate hearing from people who have been through something similar, especially colorectal surgeons or medical professionals.
Here’s what’s been happening:
Initially, I was passing very large blood clots, sometimes around the size of my hand.
The bleeding has reduced somewhat, and the clots are now smaller, but it hasn’t stopped completely.
I still experience fresh red blood and darker blood clots, particularly when passing stool or applying even slight pressure.
Sometimes, I notice a few drops of blood or a spray of blood when passing gas, even without a bowel movement.
My stools are generally soft, and I try to avoid straining.
I had a proctoscopy on October 10, and my doctor said the wound was healing normally and that there was no obvious problem at the surgical site.

My surgeon has reassured me that the bleeding could be due to the internal absorbable stitches dissolving or falling off and that it should eventually settle. I’ve also been advised to avoid strenuous activities.
I understand that some bleeding can occur during recovery, but I’m struggling to understand whether repeated bleeding with blood clots almost 4 weeks after surgery is actually normal, especially when it sometimes happens without a bowel movement.

I’d really appreciate answers to these questions:
Has anyone experienced recurrent bleeding with jelly-like blood clots 3–4 weeks after hemorrhoid surgery?
How long did the bleeding last, and when did it finally stop?
Did your surgeon explain what caused the clots? Did you need any further treatment?
If a proctoscopy shows normal healing, can there still be a source of bleeding that isn’t apparent during the examination?
Should I seek a second opinion from another colorectal surgeon, or is this a recognised part of recovery?

I’m not looking for a diagnosis from Reddit. I just want to understand other people’s experiences and whether I should push for further evaluation rather than continue waiting.
Thank you for reading. ❤️

I’m 19F, my great uncle passed away from bowel cancer.
I’ve been having chronic constipation for the past month. I have to strain so so much that A LOT of mucus comes out to. I also have back pain and lower abdominal pain , bloating, fatigue, anemia and have lost 3 kg in the past month. I’m a very healthy and active person , I am well hydrated, I haven’t had junk food/ ultra processed food for the past year, so I really can’t think of a reason I am constipated. I’m not stressed either and get 7-8 hours of sleep everyday. I’ve been dismissed by the GP receptionist to just take senna, but even senna isn’t working. I haven’t even been able to have a GP appointment because on the receptionist. My bottom is starting to go numb and I have frequent urination. I pass stool around 2x a week. And after reading a similar story about a girl who got diagnosed at 17 with the same symptoms as me but was dismissed by the NHS so much that she was diagnosed at stage 4 and died 4 months after her diagnosis, I’m really scared I have it. I know I’m very young and it is statistically very rare, I’m still worried as it is on the rise in younger people and I have a third degree relative who had it and died from it.
Idk what to do and how to not keep being dismissed

Do you all know if these are ok for the day prior prep?

Personally I was worried about whether I'd be able to get the prep down based on what I'd read. Surprisingly found both not bad.

Picoprep - fizzy, slightly salty orange taste. Reminded me of an effervescent tablet but a tad saltier.

Glycoprep - the one I was dreading. Similar to the Pico, bit of a sour and salty taste. Texture was mostly normal from what I could tell. Drank the litre in under an hour. Didn't even need the apple juice chaser I bought.

To anyone else who has to drink the Pico/Glyco combo, you'll be right!

I have been so nervous to do my colonoscopy. My dad had colon cancer. I had my first one 8 years ago, repeat every 5 years. At the 5 year mark, I was on medication that lowered my immune system for awhile so I put it off. I tried about a year and a half ago bit wasn't cleared out. Fast forward, I finally scheduled it for yesterday. I have very small veins but was encouraged that the place had one of those ultrasounds to find veins. Unfortunately, being so extremely dehydrated from the prep, they were unable to get a vein after so many failed tries. They gave me a couple options. One would be to reschedule it an do it later in the day so I could super hydrate before the time when you have to stop drinking. Two was to do it without sedation. I am a woman in my mid 50s. I never imagined doing this without sedation but even more I could not imagine going through this whole ordeal again anytime soon so I chose to get it done. They gave me a large dose of lorazapram and I went ahead with it. It was not the worst thing I have ever experienced medically. I have chronic migraines and those are much worse. But there were moments I questioned a lot of things on my life. Lol. I got through it, they only found one small polyp. I know my dad (who has passed) was cheering for me.

Never in my life did I expect to do something like this. I kind of feel like a Rockstar. And so grateful it is done. Just done. Repeat in 5 years.

Believe me, if I can do what I just went through, anyone can deal with the prep and the procedure.

I'm a minor and I have to get my first ever colonoscopy in about a week. I have semi-fresh cuts on my thighs and I'm super worried that they'll see them. My parents don't know about it (which I know isn't good). Will my thighs be revealed at all during this? I'm also an SA survivor and feel very uncomfortable with a lot of my body being shown in the first place, and having no insight on how much of me they'll be able to see.

Had a colonoscopy last week and a sample was taken from a donut shaped lesion. Meeting the consultant later today to discuss the results. A bit nervous so just looking for some positive vibes.

Hi! I’m 32F and have been experiencing intermittent bright red rectal bleeding for around 2 weeks. It started with episodes of mild diarrhea, but my stools are now more formed. Sometimes the blood seems to coat one side of my stool and the toilet becomes tinted. I have no anal pain or stomach pain..

I went to the ER because one time after pooping there were still blood staining my undies even when I just fart. They found no external hemorrhoids. My stool test was positive for blood. I took Hemostan and venoright as prescribed, and the bleeding stopped for a couple of days but eventually returned 1 day.
I’ve consulted two gastroenterologists. One wasn’t sure it was hemorrhoids, while the other said internal hemorrhoids are still possible even without visible external ones or pain. I’m taking my prescribed medication and was advised to consider a colonoscopy but my doc reassured me she doesnt think cancer she even ordered CEA bloodtest a tumor marker blood test that came back negative.

I’m anxious about colon cancer and wondering if it could also be internal hemorrhoids or proctitis.
Has anyone experienced something similar? What was your diagnosis? Can internal hemo bleed a lot even without hard poop?