Wellness

[hckynut]

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@Nataliesgramma wrote:

I got my kit in the mail today. Any tips or advice?

I plan on doing mine on Monday...

@Nataliesgramma 

My only tip!  If you are seriously concerned about Colorectal Cancer?  The only procedures close to 100% accurate are a Colonoscopy or a Double Balloon Enteroscopy. Anything else to me is a waste of time.

hckynut

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[SurferWife]

Our doctor, an internist, didn't recommend Cologuard.  She recommended a colonoscopy.

[LindaSal]

I agree with those stating a colonoscopy is the way to go for the most accurate results.

My gastro doctor who also treats my acid reflux stated that colon cancer is a fairly low percentage but if you fall into that percentage the chance of survival are also low

[NickNack]

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@Xivambala wrote:

@NickNack 

There are reasons one could get a positive stool test. I would not let this experience deter you from further testing. Sounds like your gastroenterologist had you go for a Virtual Colonoscopy with barium followed by a CT. It sounds like overkill to me to have all 3 exams, but I'm not a MD!

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@Xivambala   No one ever said virtual colonoscopy to me, so I'm not sure that's what it was.  

[Shelbelle]

I think when a doc has a patient that is so put off by colonoscopy, he can recommend Cologuard as a compromise, but a patient who is willing to go for the gold standard should not be told to do Cologuard. 

[Still Raining]

Everyone I have ever gone to refused to do Cologuard.

I was non risk at 50 when I had my first colonoscopy and they snipped polyps like there was no tomorrow.  

Cologuard does not spot non-cancerous polyps which is what you want out promptly.

[Xivambala]

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@NickNack wrote:

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@Xivambala wrote:

@NickNack 

There are reasons one could get a positive stool test. I would not let this experience deter you from further testing. Sounds like your gastroenterologist had you go for a Virtual Colonoscopy with barium followed by a CT. It sounds like overkill to me to have all 3 exams, but I'm not a MD!

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@Xivambala   No one ever said virtual colonoscopy to me, so I'm not sure that's what it was.  

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@NickNack:

I worked in Radiology for many years. The chalky substance was barium. It is used primarily for upper and lower GI's, small bowel exams, and CT procedures. If you were having your colon examined with barium (given barium was used), the only other way would be with a barium enema or lower GI. As a technologist, I always explained exams to my patients.

[NickNack]

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@Xivambala wrote:

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@NickNack wrote:

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@Xivambala wrote:

@NickNack 

There are reasons one could get a positive stool test. I would not let this experience deter you from further testing. Sounds like your gastroenterologist had you go for a Virtual Colonoscopy with barium followed by a CT. It sounds like overkill to me to have all 3 exams, but I'm not a MD!

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@Xivambala   No one ever said virtual colonoscopy to me, so I'm not sure that's what it was.  

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@NickNack:

I worked in Radiology for many years. The chalky substance was barium. It is used primarily for upper and lower GI's, small bowel exams, and CT procedures. If you were having your colon examined with barium (given barium was used), the only other way would be with a barium enema or lower GI. As a technologist, I always explained exams to my patients.

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@Xivambala   This was a while ago, and I don't remember what the technologist said.  The gastroenterologist said x-rays and didn't mention drinking the barium.  That was quite a surprise!  I thought it was overkill, too.  

[Azcowgirl]

Cologuard resulted in a false positive for me and a friend of mine. Both of us then had a colonoscopies that were clear, no polyps.

[hckynut]

@Shelbelle 

One of my good friends always said to me: "there ain't nobody going to stick anything up my ***"!  They eventually did, and much worse than a Colonoscopy.

He died 4 years ago of Colorectal Cancer.

hckynut