Nervous about colonoscopy - Page 2

KingstonsMom · ‎03-09-2010

Don't worry, they use propofol as a sedative, you won't remember a thing.

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.

lavendar · ‎03-10-2010

The FIT test is 94% accurate. Stop worrying. My neighbor failed it and had a colonoscopy. Showed mild diverticulosis and a few hemmoroids.

I am high risk because I have Crohn's disease and family history. I have a colonoscopy every two years. Make sure you get very specific instructions for the prep.

The procedure itself is painless because you'll have conscious sedation which will knock you out.

It's normal to worry. I'm having some pulmonary tests next week and am anxious about it. But remember the FIT test is excellent.

Reever · ‎03-14-2010

They need to develop a better test, perhaps a CT scan that is not invasive and only use the proping tube with camera for those who have suspicious results. In the year 2020 we can and must do better. Our medical system is failing us. No test for pancreatic cancer. Stomach cancer is often found too late or misdiagnosed as IBS or GERD. I advocated for a full body CAT scan but my family doctor said it was not medically necessary.

KKJ · ‎03-11-2010

@Janey2 wrote:
There are pills to take instead of drinking the "stuff." Talk to your doctor about the pills.

Had mine a couple months ago and didn't know you could take just pills. I had to drink that awful stuff---Miralax in 2 big bottles of Gatorade. I hate the taste of Gatorade anyway so having to drink so much of it with the laxative was barf-inducing. I agree with others that the prep is the worst part. The procedure itself is no big deal and goes pretty fast.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@CBonifacio

The words "what if" belong in the same category as: if only I would have/coulda-woulda- shoulda. People that dwell on these words/phrases are making their own unnecessary stress. The "what if" can be applied to just about every decision a person makes in their life, more stress over every single decision.

I have had 15 Colonoscopies(takes 15-20 minutes) and 5 Double Balloon Enteroscopies(takes hours instead of minutes) so am quite familiar with those types of procedures. I always look optimistically at my many medical procedures. If I have something very serious? The sooner I find out(detected) the better.

Minds can and do wander and many wander to the "worst" outcomes. As for your Colonoscopy? Most, including myself, find the "prep" the worst part of this procedure. Very few remember much, if anything, about the actual procedure.

I have been through several near death experiences and my best friend? OPTIMISM

hckynut(john)

Shelbelle · ‎03-09-2010

@KKJ wrote:
@Janey2 wrote:
There are pills to take instead of drinking the "stuff." Talk to your doctor about the pills.
Had mine a couple months ago and didn't know you could take just pills. I had to drink that awful stuff---Miralax in 2 big bottles of Gatorade. I hate the taste of Gatorade anyway so having to drink so much of it with the laxative was barf-inducing. I agree with others that the prep is the worst part. The procedure itself is no big deal and goes pretty fast.

Yes, I took citrate magnesium pills, you have to take 30 of them , 3 every 15 minutes until they are gone, but so much easier than drinking that horrid stuff, I knew I could never get it down, so my gastro doc suggested the pills for me. Smart doc!!

Reever · ‎03-14-2010

@KKJ wrote:
@Janey2 wrote:
There are pills to take instead of drinking the "stuff." Talk to your doctor about the pills.
Had mine a couple months ago and didn't know you could take just pills. I had to drink that awful stuff---Miralax in 2 big bottles of Gatorade. I hate the taste of Gatorade anyway so having to drink so much of it with the laxative was barf-inducing. I agree with others that the prep is the worst part. The procedure itself is no big deal and goes pretty fast.

Talk to your doctors about mixing it with coconut water. It has electrolytes without the high sugar content of gatorade.

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

My dad had his first colon cancer diagnosis at 54, and his second at 74; he didn't come home from the hospital the last time.

My brothers and I carry a higher risk for this cancer, and we promised each other to be diligent with our screenings. I am 64, and just had my 4th screening 2 months ago; for me, there's nothing that compares to seeing my doctors smiling face telling me that everything was good, and he found nothing of concern. This Dr took care of my dad, still remembers him well, and he truly understands my concern. I started my tests at 50 and did the first 3 every 3 years. Since nothing was found, my Dr suggested every 5 yrs, and I did actually go that long between tests this last time.

I have prepped with magnesium citrate, and will never do again. 2nd prep was the prescription based 30 pills; hard to swallow all those huge salt based pills, that also dropped my BP substantially. My Dr does not prescribe these anymore, mainly due to the fact patients have said their insurance didn't cover this option, and out of pocket was $200+. I used Suprep the last 2x, mixed with ice cold ginger ale, sipped thru a straw, followed by a sweet tea chaser. I found it quite tolerable.

I send my best wishes for a good result, and urge you to think only positive thoughts!

Shelbelle · ‎03-09-2010

@RedTop wrote:
My dad had his first colon cancer diagnosis at 54, and his second at 74; he didn't come home from the hospital the last time.

My brothers and I carry a higher risk for this cancer, and we promised each other to be diligent with our screenings. I am 64, and just had my 4th screening 2 months ago; for me, there's nothing that compares to seeing my doctors smiling face telling me that everything was good, and he found nothing of concern. This Dr took care of my dad, still remembers him well, and he truly understands my concern. I started my tests at 50 and did the first 3 every 3 years. Since nothing was found, my Dr suggested every 5 yrs, and I did actually go that long between tests this last time.

I have prepped with magnesium citrate, and will never do again. 2nd prep was the prescription based 30 pills; hard to swallow all those huge salt based pills, that also dropped my BP substantially. My Dr does not prescribe these anymore, mainly due to the fact patients have said their insurance didn't cover this option, and out of pocket was $200+. I used Suprep the last 2x, mixed with ice cold ginger ale, sipped thru a straw, followed by a sweet tea chaser. I found it quite tolerable.

I send my best wishes for a good result, and urge you to think only positive thoughts!

Had no idea the pills were so costly, my gastro doc gave me the bottle of pills at no charge to me, unless he added it to my bill, but I didnt owe a dime for any of it, insurance paid 100%.

Catty2 · ‎09-06-2014

I had my first one about a year ago and was a total wreck thinking about it. The prep wasn't fun but not as bad as what I had been expecting. I was totally out for the procedure and next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery and it was all over with. You are smart to have this done. Someone I knew recently died of colon cancer at the age of 56 so these tests are important. You'll be fine.