Community Forum

I'm beginning the process of having my 11 year old son tested for IBD and am wondering how your kids have fared with upper endoscopy and colonoscopy.  I was surprised to hear that less invasive tests were not recommended. Having him undergo these diagnostic procedures scares me. 

What's the difference between sedation and general anesthesia? Is one preferred over the other?  Is there anything I can do to help prepare him for the tests? 

 Reply posted for sjbkbekb2002.

My 9 yo daughter just had this testing on June 3rd and the prep was the worst part for her, as well as us. Hers was different that the other's decribed. She had to stop eating on Monday at noon for a 7AM procedure on Wednesday. She had to take 17mg of Miralax 3 times for 2 days as well as have 2 exlax tablets on Monday night and Tuesday night. Since she is on a limited drink diet already she was really hungry and by Tuesday night was ready for it to be over.

The hospital staff gave her a mask with scented lip gloss on it and I was even allowed to go back into the room and hold her until she was asleep, then they gave her the IV.

She handled the procedure well and we were out of the hospital about 90 minutes after. She was tired and achy the remainder of the day and slept most of it, and was still a bit groggy the following day, but there weren't any problems.

I think it's always harder on parents. Just be upbeat, positive and explain to him what he wants to know. I showed my daughter images of the equipment online and we talked about it as she wanted. We only had 6 days from our initial appt. until the actual procedure, so there wasn't a lot of time to think about it.

 Reply posted for Jenny.

Hi Jenny - colonoscopy is a normal for testing for UC and or Crohns.  And sigmoidoscopy or an endooscopy is a further test to make sure they dont miss anything. 

Hope all is well and you baby does well.  This community is great with infor so keep in touch.

 Reply posted for nccs.

I am so appreciative of your replies.  I've worked myself into quite a state of worry so to hear from people who have really been there is very comforting. We'll be doing the endoscopies some time in August.  As he at sleepaway camp now I have time to emotionally prepare and learn about IBD.  

 Reply posted for Jenny.

Jenny,

I am 38 and have Crohn's.  I was diagnosed 16 years ago.  My son is 12 and just had his endoscopy and colonoscopy on Monday July 6th. He has Crohn's as well.  Procedure is nothing to be worried about.  The preparations the night before are worse than the procedure. Whenever I have had to prep, and now when I prepped my son, I made sure the magnesium citrate was ice cold (makes it easier to drink).  I mixed it with lemonade.  Use Balmex before he starts and reapply after he's relieved his bowels a few times.  A warm oatmeal bath helped too.  My son was so anxious about the endoscopy and the colonoscopy.  when he finished and woke up, he didn't remember any of it and said it wasn't bad at all!

 Reply posted for Jenny.

Hello.  I am very sorry to hear that your son and your family has to go through this.  My son is 8 and has Crohns.  He was diagnosed in October of 2008 at the age of 7.  I am not sure what prep the doctor wants your son to use but my son took Magnesium Citrate and we were allowed to mix it with vernors to make it taste better.  He drank it although even with the vernors it wasn't the best of experiences.  He had one hour to drink it.  I sat next to him as he drank and we watched a movie.  I gave him an ounce at a time mixed with one ounce of vernors until he was finished with the Mag citrate.  Later that night he had to have some Miralax and a dulcolax suppository. The next morning my husband administered a fleet enema an hour before we had to leave.  Like other parents, I would agree that the worst part for us was the prep.  My son was put completely to sleep for the actually endoscopy and colonoscopy and did not even know what happened to him.  He felt fine afterwards.  The nurses were very compassionate and so was his doctor.  I know it is scary to watch your child go through this but it is needed to give you answers that will hopefully make him feel better.  I hope I have helped ease your anxiety and fear.  Children are very resiliant and he will be okay.  My son got an early Christmas present for being such a good sport through everything.  Take care and keep us updated.  Oh.....and make sure he stays hydrated the day of the prep.  Let him drink alot of fluids.  Dehydration is a big issue with these preps.  Also my husband and I both stayed home the day of the prep and kept him distracted by playing video games with him and watching movies and stuff.  Good luck. I will keep him in my thoughts.

 Reply posted for Jenny.

I'm so sorry your son has to go through this.  My son was 14 when he went through the testing.  It's not fun at any age, but being a teenager worried me.  We had a friend (18 at the time) who had UC come over and talk to him about the procedure and how he did the prep.  He told him all the details, including how he would have gas after the procedure and how noisy you can get!  He helped him with the prep by telling him just to down it in one drink.  He said he mixed it the first time with gatorade and now he can't drink gatorade anymore.  They talked for a long time (without parents in the room) and I think he was ready and knew exactly what to expect from the procedures.  The sedation is medication where you are still conscious and can talk, but you don't remember the procedure or feel any pain.   The general anesthesia is where you are asleep.  My son had general anesthesia and I would recommend that.  I think they are more relaxed and less anxious.  My son would tell you that the worst part is the prep, and that wasn't too bad for him.  Good Luck to You!

 Reply posted for Jenny.

Our son was just diagnosed in May with UC and he's just 31/2. It is my understanding that those tests are the only way to positively diagnosis IBD. I totally understand your your fear. We were mortified that our baby had to have such a test. But it is so important to get a definitive diagnosis and begin treatment ASAP. Hang in there! I know we learned that our little boy is much tougher than we gave him credit for.

 Reply posted for Jenny.

My little boy is 6 years old right now. He was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in August of 2008. He was only five years old when he had his colonoscopy and endoscopy. I was dreading it so much for him between the prep he had to take and then the actual test. He was a trooper and all went so well. Prep wasn't so bad other than running to the bathroom and cramping (and we were already used to that). They brought him an oxygen mask out to the prep area and put bubble gum scent in it. They asked him to play breathing in it. They took him back without us even going with him. They administered anesthesia through the mask to put him to sleep and then did the IV and everything. I know it is scarry to have done on your child but was the only way we got a concrete answer to what was going on. I hope all goes well with the actual procedure.