No doubt due to my international fame as the author of ColonoscopyBlog (snicker), I recently got the opportunity to beta test an upcoming release of the iOS application. I enjoyed it and, with their permission, thought I'd pass it along. (You can find 22otters by searching for "22otters" in the AppStore on your iOS device, that will give you the current version, but the new version with speech recognition should be out soon.)

22otters is an app which helps you get through the process of getting through a colonoscopy.

I think one of the key features of 22otters is the calendar. One of the things I remember most from my last colonoscopy (perhaps second only to the GoLyte experience) was keeping track of the detailed schedule of what I could and couldn't eat or take each of the five days before the procedure--the rules for nearly every day were different. Having an interface that makes it easy to figure out whether I can take that aspirin or have slice of pizza on a particular day without having to do the math would have kept things a lot simpler. The calendar isn't just limited to the dietary restrictions, but contains a number of reminders of things you'll want to do in the days leading up to your procedure.

I also liked the dedicated timer for the dreaded "prep fluid" drinking.

Finally, I was impressed by some of the ways the app uses technology to create a usable and friendly experience. The app's instructions were provided both in voice and displayed text. The version I tested also includes some surprisingly accurate speech recognition--when it asked me what medications I was taking, well, let's just say that I would doubt Siri would have gotten the names of my meds right on the first try.

I'm told that the new version (with speech) should be in the AppStore soon, I'd grab the app now, and enjoy the update and speech stuff when the update comes in.

Win a Free Colonoscopy!

Because Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, and CBS, care. Wait, what? Yes, indeedy, CBS is actually holding a "win-a-colonoscopy" sweepstakes! Good luck!

Dave Berry on Colonoscopy Prep, etc.

MoviPrep is a nuclear laxative. I don't want to be too graphic, here, but: have you ever seen a space-shuttle launch? This is pretty much the MoviPrep experience, with you as the shuttle. There are times when you wish the commode had a seat belt.

More Berry goodness through the link.

Another reason to get your colonoscopy

Another friend with colon cancer, over at the Sexual Embodiment blog. Amy doesn't overstate the case, but provides a direct sort of explanation of the consequences of colon cancer, which I hope you will compare and contrast with the "discomfort" that many people have with colonoscopies.... and then go get your colonoscopy! If you want to try and manage it without conscious sedation like Versed, I'm all for you having that choice as an informed choice (as I've made clear here), but in either case colonoscopies are far less of a hassle than colon cancer.

Go get yours!

Medicare Declines to Cover Virtual Colonoscopies

AP coverage of the decision

Seems logical to me, as much as I dislike colonoscopies the evidence isn't quite there (from what I've seen) that virtual colonoscopies are as effective, and they don't address what you do when you find something (polyps and such can be removed during the same procedure with a colonoscopy.)

FDA bowel prep guidelines

FDA medical recommendations for bowel prep for colonoscopies.

It's dry and technical reading, but if you want to understand the different bowel preps that get recommended these days and why, this is a starting point.

Another first-person colonoscopy story

Another great, and this time hilarious, description of the Colonoscopy process. Check it out over at "I laugh, therefore I am."

WSJ talks about a "push" for conscious-sedation-free colon exams

According to this WSJ article, more and more doctors are suggesting the "nearly secret option" of colonoscopies without sedation.

Do you want conscious sedation?

US News and World Report has a story from a few days back asking whether or not you want to be out for your colonoscopy, using Versed or other forms of conscious sedation.

Kudos to Charles Barkley

As part of a cancer awareness effort, Charles Barkley is going to go one step further than this blog and have his colonoscopy televised. Folks, I realize that these procedures aren't the happiest moments of one's life, but they are not nearly as bad as you fear, and they're a lot less nasty than colon cancer or living with a colostomy bag for the rest of your life. If it's time for your colonoscopy, sure, go in with open eyes, make sure you understand the issues with the sedation you may be given, but don't miss out on something that may very well save your life.

A little colonoscopy humor...

Top 10 thirteen colonoscopy comments, over at McDaddy of Scrap.

Colonoscopy Reminder Cards

Over at Out of Character, there's a new idea in getting people to bite the bullet and go get a colonoscopy, a very cute colonoscopy card. Go take a look!

Don't delay your colonoscopy

Since I blogged my colonoscopy last year, even in reading articles on far different topics, I keep coming across reminders of how important early detection can be. I can't speak to the details of the health system and the question the post raises, my point is only to reemphasize the primary theme of this blog, which is "Colonoscopies aren't that bad, and can save your life."

Were you informed when you were given Versed?

I was quite well-informed in the two procedures I've had (a colonoscopy and an upper endoscopy), but I know that some sites out there describe the experiences of folks who have been given Versed during a procedure without having been told first. So, if you've had a colonoscopy before, were you given Versed (or any amnesic anesthesia) and, if you were, were you informed about it and it's side-effects beforehand?

TriLyte Taste Tips

Another correspondent went through the prep day for her own colonoscopy today, which leads me to the following two additional tips, both relating to the TriLyte solution.

First, the orange may in fact be slightly, slightly more palatable than the citrus-berry I had. Second, one of the nurses suggested to my spouse that she use a little powder from one of the unused flavor packets occasionally at the rim of the glass to give a little extra flavor. She notes that that does in fact help a little.

More information about colonoscopies and other screening procedures

Here's some Good To Know Info from the blog of the same name, about colon cancer and what you can do to avoid it. Dr. Razavi is a medical doctor at Google and her blog is well worth a read.

Biopsy Results

I am pleased to inform you that your colon polyp evaluation by our pathologist shows hyperplasia. This is a benign finding that menas the tissue is not a "true polyp" and you are at no increased risk for colon cancer.

I had gotten a pretty strong sense from the doctor that he wasn't too concerned by what he'd found during the colonoscopy, but I'm still glad to see the results on paper.

And to reiterate what I said early on, I still feel this test was appropriate, with a significant family history of colon cancer, it really did make sense to do the test, and that history will not weigh on me in the years to come between now and the next colonoscopy. That is a comfort indeed.

Three Days after the Colonoscopy

Still a few days before the polyp biopsies are back, yesterday I had my first elimination after the colonoscopy. There was no blood, which was nice, I'd been almost told to expect some, and given an indication that I should worry if I saw blood in quantities like "a half a cup at a time". I'd probably have been alarmed at much less than that, but at least so far, no blood at all. Hooray.

Several hours after the colonoscopy

I've been a bit sleepy but by all accounts am now functioning pretty normally now, I ate around noon, have no pain, discomfort, or even odd sensations other than having had a little more gas than usual. What a simple and basically pain-free procedure!

The Procedure

(This was written about 12:15.)

Arrived for the procedure about 8:20, where a nurse went through what would happen, double-checked I'd followed the critical prep instructions, got me undressed, in a gown, under a blanket, and a saline IV started.

I hadn't thought about that, but the saline IV makes sense, you don't want a dehydrated patient, and I was told to stop drinking fluids entirely starting at about 3 this morning, so the IV gives back a little of that fluid without getting in the way of the procedure. It also gets one cold, thank goodness for blankets. And socks, you're allowed to wear socks--why did I leave the colorful stripy socks at home today?

I was walked into the procedure room, nurse carrying the IV, got down on the exam table. There I met the doctor performing the procedure for the first time. He went through was going to happen--that they were going put both air and then water into me to open things up for the endoscope, etc., then they
moved me over onto my left side, and started the quote-good-drugs-unquote, Versed or something like it.

I don't have memories of most of the procedure, but I have a pretty clear memory (accurate or not) of seeing one polyp before and after removal, moreover, my memory roughly matches one of the Polaroids that they provided after the procedure. I remember being wheeled out of there, but I don't recall actually feeling any sensation of the endoscope in my anus at any time. Studies have shown that there can be some level of "false memories" during Versed, so ...dunno.

The doctor explained to me that they'd removed four things, two of which were likely polyps, the other two might have been or may not have even been up to that stage, all four were removed, the biopsies will be done in 7 days. I remember this from the procedure room and it matches what is written down on the paperwork I got from them. At this point they also provided me the aforementioned Polaroids.

Got wheeled back into another room where I rested, was eventually allowed to dress (in the adjoining bathroom). I have a bit of a memory of being walked out of the building, and a seemingly mostly coherent set of memories from the way home. I definitely feel spacey, a slight bit of balance, and I think I am still having bits of short-term memory drop-out, but all in all if anything this was a less strong dose of the amnesia, and a relatively pleasant procedure. I've already eaten, there's no nausea, no pain, definitely some gas but no cramping, so I'm in a very good space indeed.