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Post by SweetieBugs on Sept 6, 2015 22:31:17 GMT
So, in great celebration of my 50th year, I have the pleasure of a colonoscopy coming up in 5 days on Friday. This has been scheduled for 2 months and was already rescheduled once before that. My cycles are irregular (anywhere from 19 to 28 days and it didn't become evident that it could come the same week as my colonoscopy until last week when I counted out the days). Essentially, the 28th day is Thursday. I imagine they are just going to say to use a tampon but wondering what other experiences were? I haven't used a tampon in at least 3 to 4 years or more and never wore them routinely so that isn't a great option for me either. So on top of stressing over the actual prep and procedure, I'm completely on edge about my period coming.
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,107
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Sept 6, 2015 22:35:00 GMT
Call and ask. Must happen quite often with peri menopause and colonoscopies.
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Post by shanniebananie on Sept 6, 2015 22:35:52 GMT
I had my period when I had a colonoscopy and I wore a tampon. I too rarely wear them but I did that day. It is really your only choice since you can't wear underwear.
eta: I actually googled it before I had mine, and it is a very common question.
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scrappinmama
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,672
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on Sept 6, 2015 23:23:10 GMT
I had surgery during my period. They suggested that I put a pad there, even though I had no underwear. I think it was more for my own peace of mind.
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Post by gryroagain on Sept 6, 2015 23:24:54 GMT
Not a colonoscopy, but I was told tampons were a no for general anesthetic.
I had a leg surgery and my period, and they made me remove it. No undies either as they were operating at the top of my legs/groin area in addition to other places. I was very upset by that, but the nurse looked at me like I was insane and pointed out it's a surgery, I'd be covered in draping and there would be a lot of blood all over- no one would even notice my period. Which is probably correct, but still-! The worst was the ride down to the or sans panties in just a gown undone in back and a blanket, I worried the whole way, but the Valium or whatever kicked in and when I woke up in recovery someone had put hospital panties with a pad in them on me.
This was the only surgery I've ever had on my period, so I have no idea if it's common or my surgery center was weird, but they made it sound like tampons were a big no no if you are under general, like jewelry would be.
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alyson
Shy Member
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Post by alyson on Sept 6, 2015 23:29:50 GMT
DH is a gastroenterologist and I asked him this question.
He said, "I would suggest a tampon and tell the nurses before it begins." I asked why someone should tell that they're on their period and he said, "For two reasons, in an emergency, someone will know to remove the tampon and avoid Toxic Shock Syndrome. And also, one time a patient failed to tell me she was on her period and I thought she was hemorrhaging due to the procedure."
He said there should be no reason to avoid tampon use during general anesthesia as long as you alert them to it, first.
One thing I've learned being married to a doctor for 12 years, they are far less shy about these topics than we think they are. It's a human body function and they're not swayed one bit by it.
Good luck! I hope all goes smoothly and you have as pleasant an experience as possible!
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Post by SweetieBugs on Sept 6, 2015 23:29:54 GMT
gyroagain--I am having anesthesia and I think that given the close proximity to my "problem" and the area that will be "worked" on it will be very evident that I am on my period. This sucks!!!
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Post by SweetieBugs on Sept 6, 2015 23:31:59 GMT
DH is a gastroenterologist and I asked him this question. He said, "I would suggest a tampon and tell the nurses before it begins." I asked why someone should tell that they're on their period and he said, "For two reasons, in an emergency, someone will know to remove the tampon and avoid Toxic Shock Syndrome. And also, one time a patient failed to tell me she was on her period and I thought she was hemorrhaging due to the procedure." He said there should be no reason to avoid tampon use during general anesthesia as long as you alert them to it, first. One thing I've learned being married to a doctor for 12 years, they are far less shy about these topics than we think they are. It's a human body function and they're not swayed one bit by it. Good luck! I hope all goes smoothly and you have as pleasant an experience as possible! |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 19:59:02 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2015 23:38:36 GMT
I'm saying this with kindness and not snark.
Please use a tampon, alert the medical team that you're on your period and are using a tampon.
Please DO NOT postpone the procedure. Too often, people will postpone for something minimal, and then either never get around to scheduling it again, or allowing something else "minimal" to again cause them to postpone. If you're always going to look for excuses to postpone something important, you're never going to get it done. There will always be something.
Suck it up...get it done...and be done with it. It's extremely important. |
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Post by gryroagain on Sept 6, 2015 23:42:15 GMT
It must differ at different surgery centers or hospitals, then? My oldest had sinus surgery at the same place 2 years ago and the literature was the same, and no underwear just gown. She was annoyed since it was sinus surgery after all, and the presence of underwear should be moot, but thems the rules. I believe her exact words were "Wait- they know its the sinuses in my HEAD right?!" when they told her to take her undies off, lol.
Sweetie bugs, if it makes you feel better, what is going on with the colonoscopy is way grosser than any period! And they are totally used to every normal- and abnormal- bodily function there is. hopefully you will get a dr like Alysons dh and get to wear a tampon, but regardless it will be fine and it's good you are being proactive about your health.
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Post by baslp on Sept 6, 2015 23:50:03 GMT
I used a tampon and prayed it did not leak. I asked to sit on waterproof pad while I waited my turn.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Sept 6, 2015 23:52:50 GMT
Reminds me of when I was in my late 20's and had a cystoscope back in the days before they were done in doctor's offices. I was having my period, had a tampon in and didn't think to tell anyone. My best friend was the doctor's receptionist and when I told her about it later, saying how embarrassed I was that they had to remove it, she thought it was hilarious. She said she could just see him saying *get that damn thing out of there.*  Not as funny as when I saw said doctor at a cocktail party and told him I felt like I should remove my clothes so he'd know who I was. Yep, one too many glasses of wine. He was adorable and blushed. I always had a crush on him.  |
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Post by jemmls4 on Sept 7, 2015 0:27:34 GMT
I have had over 50 colonoscopies. Funnily enough, I never had gotten my period during it except once a few years ago. I called and asked (I had had surgery several years before that and had my period and they said no tampons and they'd deal with it during the procedure). I was told tampons during a colonoscopy would be fine.
Just call the center on your prep paperwork and ask.
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scrapaddie
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,090
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Post by scrapaddie on Sept 7, 2015 1:36:34 GMT
Reminds me of when I was in my late 20's and had a cystoscope back in the days before they were done in doctor's offices. I was having my period, had a tampon in and didn't think to tell anyone. My best friend was the doctor's receptionist and when I told her about it later, saying how embarrassed I was that they had to remove it, she thought it was hilarious. She said she could just see him saying *get that damn thing out of there.* Not as funny as when I saw said doctor at a cocktail party and told him I felt like I should remove my clothes so he'd know who I was. Yep, one too many glasses of wine. He was adorable and blushed. I always had a crush on him. I went to my gynecologist at the airport. I told my friends "he recognized me, and I had all my clothes on!" |
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Post by scrapmaven on Sept 7, 2015 1:39:57 GMT
Call your gi and double check, but they'll likely tell you to go ahead w/the procedure. You'll be on top of chucks(paper sheet)and they're going to make a mess during your colonoscopy anyway. Don't worry about it. They are used to this and won't bat an eye.
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Sept 7, 2015 1:43:35 GMT
Reminds me of when I was in my late 20's and had a cystoscope back in the days before they were done in doctor's offices. I was having my period, had a tampon in and didn't think to tell anyone. My best friend was the doctor's receptionist and when I told her about it later, saying how embarrassed I was that they had to remove it, she thought it was hilarious. She said she could just see him saying *get that damn thing out of there.* Not as funny as when I saw said doctor at a cocktail party and told him I felt like I should remove my clothes so he'd know who I was. Yep, one too many glasses of wine. He was adorable and blushed. I always had a crush on him. at the airport. I told my friends "he recognized me, and I had all my clothes on!" I hope you meant you ran into him at the airport.  Otherwise, what does TSA think about a speculum in carryon luggage? |
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melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
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Post by melissa on Sept 7, 2015 2:22:16 GMT
In all my years of performing surgery, with or without general, I have never heard this before. So, I researched it a bit. It's because of TSS. I suppose there is a theoretical concern that the tampon would be left in place for too long a period of time. It's a fairly antiquated recommendation without regard for individual situations. I would simply let the nursing staff know and not worry about it at all.
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Post by happymom on Sept 7, 2015 15:57:38 GMT
Ahhhh. They are different holes. No big deal. I had an anal-vaginal fistula and that area was examined all the time even during TOM. Also my colectomy and small bowel resection was done during my period.
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Post by littlemama on Sept 7, 2015 15:59:43 GMT
I would totally reschedule because I am so uncomfortable when on my period, that I wouldn't want anything happening make any of that more uncomfortable. (I would reschedule it, not cancel.it)
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Post by ten&rose on Sept 7, 2015 16:36:15 GMT
I float to our GI lab on occasion. Usually we just give patients the super sexy mesh undies and a pad. During the procedure they cut the undies off. After wards they put their own undies back on with a tampon or pad. During the whole time patients are on tons of chucks and a more commonly stool and fluid is leaking out of the anus so a little menstrual blood would be no big deal.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Sept 7, 2015 18:06:57 GMT
I agree with all the pp who said just to use a tampon and let the nurses, doctor, and staff know that you have your period.
Trust me, period blood is no big deal to doctors who are going to be inspecting your colon.
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I haven't used a tampon in at least 3 to 4 years or more and never wore them routinely so that isn't a great option for me either. So on top of stressing over the actual prep and procedure, I'm completely on edge about my period coming.
Otherwise, what does TSA think about a speculum in carryon luggage?
Refupea #402
