topic Re: Colonoscopy question in Wellness

Colonoscopy question

jjb — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 04:18:57 GMT

I just turned 50 and my doc wants me to get my screening colonoscopy. Just curious is this really a safe test? I worry about complications like perforations but I'm told it's very rare that complications happen. I tend to over worry things but any advice would be helpful.

Re: Colonoscopy question

Kachina624 — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 04:25:56 GMT

Of course it's safe, a lot safer than not having it. Millions of people have it done every year. They do them like an assembly line. I've never heard of anyone having a complication.

Re: Colonoscopy question

SUHsE — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 04:29:36 GMT

@jjb wrote:
I just turned 50 and my doc wants me to get my screening colonoscopy. Just curious is this really a safe test? I worry about complications like perforations but I'm told it's very rare that complications happen. I tend to over worry things but any advice would be helpful.

______

Its a very safe test and an important one. It can easily save lives.

I'm sure everyone will tell you, the prep is the most unpleasant part, the test itself, is nothing. You have twilight sedation, feel nothing and don't remember much.

I had no problem with the prep. I made sure to refrigerate the liquid, so, it was good and cold, then added lemonade flavor Crystal Light, to it!

If you're at average risk, with no family history, there is at home test you can do, then mail back the sample. You might ask your Dr. How he feels about that.

Re: Colonoscopy question

jpie — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 04:31:47 GMT

@jjb

Most medical tests (while anesthesia are administered) have some degree of complication. I have had two colonoscopies. My father had colon cancer, so it was a procedure I got done at 50 y/o and then again a few years later.

I also harassed my best friend to get it done and there were some issues that could have been major if she had waited too much longer. She was so thankful that I encouraged her.

For me, the benefit of knowing you are in the clear far outweighs the possible issues. I do think you have to make up your own mind, but if your doctor asked you to get this done, I would have it done.

Re: Colonoscopy question

jjb — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 04:48:37 GMT

Thanks everyone..I have had 2 abdominal surgical procedures, one was a hysterectomy and I didn't know if the risk for complications went up with having surgery?

Re: Colonoscopy question

GCR18 — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 05:14:15 GMT

I've had two a couple years apart. Between the two, I had endometrial cancer and a hysterectomy. Made no difference for the procedure. It's always good idea to research things, but don't over think it. It's a common procedure.

My BFF passed away a three years ago and she kept after her husband to get checkups, etc. Since she passed, he didn't keep up with things. He has stage four colon cancer. He's had six months of chemo. It spread to his liver, so he had surgery to remove the cancer there. Plus he has a colostomy bag. He just finished chemo and they will remove the bag and hookup the colon in May. The colonoscopy takes a half hour. Do it.

Re: Colonoscopy question

aubnwa01 — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 05:47:15 GMT

I had my 1st colonoscopy at 50 & had a polyp, so that put me in the needing a colonoscopy every 5 years category. At the 2nd colonoscopy, I had no polyps, then at the 3rd, I had another polyp again. At my most recent test last summer, I had no polyps, so i'm good for another 5 years. The prep is no fun, but the peace of mind of doing what you need to stay healthy is priceless. My PCP told me that me having had a hysterectomy for uterine cancer at age 43 puts me at increased risk for colon cancer, so I try & be proactive.

Re: Colonoscopy question

jjb — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 05:48:42 GMT

Thank you GCR18...your post was very helpful and reassuring. Sorry about your BFF...I hope her husband does ok in May.

Re: Colonoscopy question

jjb — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 05:55:44 GMT

Thank you aubnwa01 for all your helpful info, it really does ease my fears about having this done. Glad your healthy and doing well.

Re: Colonoscopy question

sfnative — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 05:59:36 GMT

@jjb wrote:
Thanks everyone..I have had 2 abdominal surgical procedures, one was a hysterectomy and I didn't know if the risk for complications went up with having surgery?

@jjb

I hear your concern.

The thing to understand is that the reproductive system is not connected to the digestive system. Though you may have had incisions into your abdomen and your intestines moved about with large retainers, no incision has been made into the small or large intestines during your surgeries, unless the unmentioned second surgery was into a part of your gut.

Those who have hemerroids are at some risk for slight bleeding as the instruments are removed, depending on how severe they are.

Also, a bit of information: The digestive systen is considered to be entirely on the OUTSIDE of the body. It begins with the mouth and ends where we void food waste.

I've had 2 colonoscopies and am now on an every 4 year protocol, as last time my doc found 4 pre-cancerous polyps. So, I'm on calendar for next month and pray that nothing nasty is found.

As another poster indicated, the worst part is the prep. Because you are sedated, you won't know what's going on while they're performing the procedure.

Re: Colonoscopy question

jjb — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 06:09:21 GMT

Thank you sfnative...my two surgical procedures were due to endometriosis and I know my gynecologist said it was back on my bowel and she didn't want to remove it because of damaging my bowel but my doctor who did my total hysterectomy said he removed all the endometriosis when he did my surgery. Wasn't sure if adhesions from multiple surgeries made a difference when doing a colonoscopy?

Re: Colonoscopy question

AuntG — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 10:47:13 GMT

@jjb wrote:

I worry about complications like perforations but I'm told it's very rare that complications happen.

--------While I think perforations are rare, they do happen and can be deadly. Due to a family history, I'm in my 50's and have already had three of them. My advice would to be to relax and schedule yours, but maybe an alternative test could be done, so discuss that with your doctor if you have deep concerns.

Re: Colonoscopy question

gracie2014 — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 10:57:57 GMT

@jjb Please do not put off having the colonoscopy, the hardest part is the prep...I have them every couple of years..polyps removed and I am done. My neighbor's son passed away from colon cancer last August, its a horrible disease..he was 25.

Re: Colonoscopy question

gracie2014 — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 11:07:58 GMT

@jjb I had at least 7 surgeries for endometriosis..finally a hysterectomy...all prior to my first colonoscopy....adhesions had been removed from my bowels as well..no problems with the procedure. Let us know when you have it scheduled and I will be praying for peace of mind..as well as a good report.

Re: Colonoscopy question

TaylorBrown — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 11:33:04 GMT

I had your same concerns when I had mine less than a month ago but it was totally fine. To me, the worst part was drinking the prep solution to get cleaned out.

Re: Colonoscopy question

jjb — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 11:59:50 GMT

Thank you auntg..I definitely will be asking.

Re: Colonoscopy question

jjb — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 12:07:10 GMT

Thank you so much gracie2014, I can't tell how much your post has put my mind at ease. So nice to talk to someone who has my exact concern. I see my family doctor in May and he already told me he will be referring me to the endoscopy center for the consultation. I will let you know when and thank you for all your prayers. So sorry about your neighbors son..25 is so young. Did he have a strong family history of colon cancer?

Re: Colonoscopy question

jjb — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 12:09:36 GMT

Thank you TaylorBrown. Glad to hear that..I hear that is the worst part.

Re: Colonoscopy question

PINKdogWOOD — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 12:19:54 GMT

@jjb, @SUHsE Is a colonoscopy a safe test? A resounding YES this is a very safe test. Your Dr will patiently take her/his time to check every inch of your color for anything that may be problematic, in fact to find any polyps they will remove immediately and you will never know it until the test is over. This test takes less an 30 minutes. You will awaken back in your private room and will get your full results immediately.

The prep - anybody can mix the 8.3oz Miralax into 2 32oz bottles of a light/clear gatorade. Shke vigorously to mix, drink. Tastes like gatorade and nothing else. You don't really need to take one or two ducalex tabs to get you going, Miralax is all you need.

Drink and poop, clean yourself out, a great somewhat gentle detox. Meet with your Dr the next day - done. Get your results immediately. This does NOT get any better.

And if you think I'm kidding about ANY of this info? Try the alternative when you told yourself that can't do this, I can't drink this stuff. Really? Trust me when I tell you you do not want your Dr to tell you that because you chose not to get yourself checked and s/he tells you that you have colon cancer. Chemo and radiation is much worse.

Re: Colonoscopy question

jjb — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 12:27:13 GMT

Your are so right PinkDogwood...I can do this and before everyone's comments I wasn't sure. Thank god we have a test like this that can actually remove possible precancerous polyps. These comments have eased my mind so much.. I will be having this done!!