It’s TMI – so no one tells you directly (something of use)

No one talks about peri-menopause. No one talks about colonoscopies.
For both topics, there are “hints” and “innuendo” – interspersed with potty humor (colonoscopy) or the suggestion of mental instability (perimenopause).

dievca is looking at both topics straight in the eye. One came to the attention of the other this week….

The colonoscopy prep is tedious. Here are some things of use to help one get through it:

• Chill your prep solution as long as you can before drinking
• Don’t sniff the prep solution
• Don’t swish the solution in your mouth because you are pondering swallowing
• Use a straw to keep the texture and salty and sweet taste away from your tongue
• Take small to medium sips
• Swallow as fast as you can to limit the taste in the mouth
• Take a small sip of water/clear fluid to dilute and rinse the taste from your mouth
• If you feel nauseous, take longer pauses between sips – even if you go beyond the time limit for drinking the prep
• If you feel like you need something more substantial in your stomach than liquids, suck on hard clear candies, eat light-colored Jello, apple sauce, and Italian ice. No red or purple colors.
• Keep a cream available for a sore bum
• If everything coming out stays neon yellow – don’t panic. As long as its clear, you are ok.
• Finish the prep as best you can, but know that if you throw some up – it is not a problem as long as emissions are clear
• Your blood pressure is going to be high due to dehydration, don’t panic
• Schedule the procedure in the morning, so you don’t have to wait if someone before you has a problem and you can get to your caffeine as soon as possible after the surgery.

For the Ladies:

Perimenopause?
When dievca checked in for the procedure – they insisted on her taking a pregnancy test (!)…..on the hint that she still gets periods. That’s where perimenopause rears its head.  How old are the people getting their 1st colonoscopy? In their 50’s – when does perimenopause start? late 40’s early 50’s on the average.  The question, “Do you still get your period?”, can be a loaded question and awkward to answer~ Be aware. It’s tough to pee in a cup when you are dehydrated.

The procedure itself is quite simple and your a** does not hang out for everyone to see.

A side note: A close friend’s sister died at 40 from colon cancer. dievca’s friend was constantly on people to get a colonoscopy ASAP. Sadly, that friend was the one who beat gallbladder cancer only to die from pancreatic cancer at 50. dievca finally honored her promise to her friend, she knows her friend was watching. All clear.