My Crohnstipated Life

Ah, the infamous colonoscopy. If you have Crohn’s, you’ve likely had more of these than you can count. The first time I heard the words “colonoscopy prep,” I had no idea what I was in for. If only I had known.

Let’s start with the prep—arguably worse than the actual procedure. Imagine drinking the saltiest, most disgusting concoction known to man, and then spending the entire night within sprinting distance of the bathroom.

The actual procedure? A breeze in comparison. They sedate you, you take a nice nap, and you wake up groggy but blissfully unaware of what just happened. It’s the before and after that get you.

One time, I woke up mid-procedure (don’t worry—I didn’t feel anything). I groggily asked the doctor, “Hey, am I doing okay?” He chuckled and said, “You’re doing great, but we’re the ones doing all the work.”

All jokes aside, colonoscopies save lives. They help us catch inflammation early, detect complications, and ensure our guts are on the right track. So as much as I dread them, I know they are necessary. If you’ve got one coming up, just know—you’ll survive, and you might even have a funny story to tell after.

Stay Strong!