Wellness

[PINKdogWOOD]

@jjb  Bless you Ms J!  And SING your praises afterwards too.  Be sure to jump on board here afterwards and let us know how everything went for your experience.  You WILL be amazed!

And then, take your experience to the next level and talk it up with your family and friends.  Let the first timers know just how easy peasy this test is.  Encourage them to get'er done for themselves too.  This is one of the BEST things we all can do for ourselves.

[NickNack]

I just had my second colonoscopy last week.  My first one was ten years ago.  At my annual exam my doctor told me I was due for a colonoscopy.  I told her I didn't want to do it, and she told me I could take a Cologuard test instead and mail it back to the company for exam.  Two weeks later my doctor's office called and told me that my Cologuard test was positive and I had to have a colonoscopy.  I couldn't get it scheduled for almost a month, so had that time to worry about what was wrong.

My colonoscopy turned out fine with no polyps, so the Cologuard test was probably a false positive.  I have to have an upper endoscopy next week to make sure the bleeding the test found wasn't there.  I will never have the test instead of the colonoscopy again and would definitinitely not recommend it to anyone.  A colonoscoppy can save your life.

The prep is not fun.  My doctor prescribed something for me to take in two parts.  It was two bottles of prep to mix with water.  I drank one bottle at 5 p.m. the day before and the second bottle four hours before my test.  It didn't taste good but was definitely worth the assurance that nothing was wrong.  I don't have to have another colonoscopy for another ten years.  Sorry this was so long.  I just wanted to tell you that I wouldn't recommend having the test instead of the colonoscopy.

[qbetzforreal]

The prep is the worst part.

[bakergirl]

Still have to log in twice, I see... anyway too important a subject........my dad passed away at almost 64 back in 1986, lived 6 years out of sheer determination - colon and prostate cancer. So I am one of the ones who has to have colonoscopies regularly. I have had no polyps at all at any of them.

The prep is the worst part but........do it and my hubby had an idea that we have been doing = between glasses of liquid prep - have fresh lemon quarters ready and eat some lemon . Takes away the prep taste - it is not a great taste but not worth not doing when you MD says all is clear!!! or you had some polyps and we removed them  - many kinds of polyps - most are benign.......

To me I would rather do this prep, than have my annual mammogram(very painful for me) but I do them both.........better to be safe than sorry.....

Sedation, can be light to fast asleep - many MD's like to have you out, mine likes very light sedation so you can see where he is going, if you wish......

[jackthebear]

you should make an appt with the Gastroenterologist and ask him all the questions you have 

[gracie2014]

@jjb You are so very welcome. My neighbor's son did not have any family history of colon cancer...so it was quite a shocker for everyone...the guidelines for when to do a baseline colonoscopy in my opinion need to be changed...he was African-American and this if I understand his mom correctly....this is the biggest killer within that community/of the cancers. 

With the endometriosis...my first surgery was at the age of 18..Halloween weekend..had plans to go out with this hunk of a guy...I was a freshman in college.....instead.had a police escorted ambulance to the hospital..my parents were called for emergency permission to do the surgery...there were way too many surgeries to follow..adhesions all over the place..was so happy to have the hysterectomy...I was only 28. 

[software]

The odds of having a problem usually comes with age, such as the elderly or very petite people.   Otherwise it's very safe & more fun than cancer.

Just do it.

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@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.

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[sidsmom]

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@jjb wrote:
I just turned 50 and my doc wants me to get my screening colonoscopy. Just curious is this really a safe test? 

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There are many different...and less invasive...options.

Unless you have a family history, 50 seems very young.

Other options:

Virtual colonoscopy
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
Contrast barium enema
Fecal immunochemical tests
Fecal occult blood tests

Your doctor should be understanding...and willing...to discuss these other options than the full-blown colonoscopy.  Also...at 50, your diet & lifestyle has an important impact on colorectal health.  

"Serious complications occur in about 1 in every 350 colonoscopies: everything from perforations and bleeding to death."

Many will say 'I've never known anyone with complications'....and other people will say 'I've never known anyone with colon cancer.'   Unfortunately, if you fall within the complication group, there's a good chance it's not discussed at a dinner party, whereas cancer...it's more socially acceptable to talk about in a group, much like breast/prostate cancer. 

[Trinity11]

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@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.

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My cousin told me I was crazy having the test at 50 and she had an alternative test. 4 years later she was told the alternative test had missed "something." She was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer and had a very difficult year. Sadly, she didn't make it. 

[jjb]

The center my family doctor refers to is a gastrotology center with 6 gastroenterologist. They have a good reputation and they always have a consultation with you to ask questions and go over any health issues. Then they call you the day before and confirm medications and just check everything. I also read you need a driver because of sedation. Sounds like a good place, I hope. I feel your pain gracie2014.. felt so much better after hysterectomy but I'm sorry you had the go through that at such a young age. I can't thank you all enough how relieved you have made me feel, I'm so glad I posted this question to all of you! I will keep you posted😊