Hepatitis C: Tips to Survive an Endoscopy and Colonoscopy

There is nothing easy about having a tube slid down your throat. It is double the insult when they want to put one in your bottom. When you have a liver ailment, they always want to take a peek. Here is the down low on my tips to survive an endoscopy and colonoscopy with hepatitis C.

Getting appointment-ready for an endoscopy or colonoscopy

Go to the store and stock up on popsicles, jello, oatmeal, yogurt and other soft foods. This is really important if you end up having a varices banding.

There will be paperwork. Yeah - that kind. Buy some of those sensitive skin diaper wipes and keep them in the bathroom. So much nicer than toilet paper. Soft and cool on your bottom. If you have hemorrhoids, gather the items needed to take care of your tush.

Try to trick someone into staying with you during the prep. Tell them you will order dinner and their favorite movie. They get the hard job of hearing your groans from behind the bathroom door and walking you back to bed. You may be dizzy, so it’s best not to be alone.

Eat like a pig in the days before by getting healthy protein and veggies to help you through the cleanse. Your blood sugar may drop when you begin the prep. Have your nausea fighting arsenal help close at hand. Ginger drinks, lime pop, or ginger chews are a tasty way to help after the procedure.

With an endoscopy, have a stick of lip balm handy. If you begin to sound like Lurch from the Addams Family, that means your throat is just too dry. You can gargle cool water, swish it around, and then spit it out.

Preparing your house

Change the sheets on your bed or have fresh blankies on the couch. It will be your hang out for a couple of days. Stick a box of tissues by your nest, along with the television remote. Also have your phone or computer. I like extra pillows fluffed up. After some repeated bandings, they were handy to punch and can also muffle a yell or pitiful sob. Use any pain meds you’re given to reduce above mentioned emotional outbursts.

Enjoy the hangover. For several hours, or even overnight, you may have a sluggish brain. If you experience brain fog or fatigue from hepatitis C, the endoscopy and colonoscopy after-effects will make this more intensive than usual. With luck, you will be chilling like a villain. Be nice to your friends and relatives. You’re going to need them before, during, and after. Make your driver promise not to stop and buy you a cheeseburger on the way home no matter how much you threaten them. I have a nasty story about that one.

Other tips

Shower and shave before you begin the prep. Wash real good “down there” just before you leave for the hospital. Refrigerate the prep. It really does help to have it ice cold. I like to do a warrior tribal yell after each dose. Act like a fighter in the ring. Shake those shoulders loose and holla!

Have a list of your medications with you and also the dosages. There will be that kind of paperwork at the hospital. Leave valuables, jewelry, wallet, and personal stuff at home. Take only your drivers license, proof of insurance, and a debit card or check for your co-pay.

You will go to sleep naked and wake up with your clothes on. Wear loose fitting pants and shirt. Also wear shoes that can be slid off and on easily. No belts or tight fitting underwear. This makes it easier on the nurses who dress you. If you are the dainty type, get ready. You are about to lose all your inhibitions. These are my best tips to survive a endoscopy and colonoscopy with hepatitis C. 48 hours later, and it’s nothing but a distant memory... til next time.