Re: Colonoscopy

GCR18 · ‎07-03-2013

The #1 reason to do it is by the time you have symptoms, you will likely have cancer. My BFF passed away of cancer over two years ago. She would keep after her husband to get physicals, tests, etc. Well, he apparently didn't change his ways since she passed. Short story is he has stage 3 colon cancer. Along with chemo, he has a ostomy bag. Once chemo is over, they plan to remove it and reconnect his colon. All because he skipped his colonoscopy.

I had a colonoscopy last week. I was actually given a choice. I had my 1st colonoscopy 2 years ago and had 2 of the polyps that could turn to cancer. The year after my colonoscopy, I had uterine cancer. Earlier this month, I had unknown bleeding. I took the option to know for sure. I went through chemo and radiation once, I'm not planning on doing it again. Nothing was found, glad I did it.

granny me · ‎09-05-2014

@hckynut wrote:
@granny me wrote:
I had two within six months for gastro problems. The prep is horrible there is no way around it. My husband had his last week, got the letter today that said he would not need another one for 10 years.

Personally, I will never have another one. Never.

@granny me

In November of 2015, I had my 15th Colonoscopy. In just a fews days over a month in the hospital in 2008, I had 6 of them. Added up and divided by weeks, that was having 2 of them in 1 of those week.

As of my aforementioned November colonoscopy, I did not include my 5 Double Balloon Enteroscopies. Same entry point for the much longer scope, and rather than an easy 15-20 minute colonoscopy, my first one was over 4 hours.

To this point I am now in the 20 Gallon Club, when it comes to the number of them I have downed, prior to each procedure. Those would be GoLytely or NuLytely, your choice.

While drinking these gallons is not the best thing, I found it far from horrible, and certainly not enough so for me to use the word "never", when it comes to my future.

While your having 2 of these procedures in 6 months is not the norm, it is not close to my experience of having 3, that were done in 10 days.

Glad you and your husband were/are clear concerning your colon, saying the word "never", is not something I have or say in my future. And many wonder why so many are beyond anxious when they hear the word Colonoscopy. They would do much better reading my experiences, than seeing some of the ones that add to their anxiety and fears.

hckynut(john)

I can appreciate your experience, and I my decision is not or was not meant to add to anyone fears. I was just stating how I feel, my opinion. I have my own thoughts on cancer, twice diagnosed and dying. So, please, if anyone takes what I say as to mean do not have a colonscopy that is not what I meant for YOU, it is strictly my decision for myself.

LBird · ‎04-16-2012

Well folks, I decided lastnight that yes I will make the appointment and go for the

colonoscopy. So this morning I called a place that my Mother went to and yes they take my insurane so I called back my primary doctor and the wheels are in motion. I'm just the kind of person that does not like the unnone if something is wrong.But I know I have to do this and I will I want a clean bill of health for the new year. If anyone reads this post and is a Believer in the mighty One above please pray for me. I will keep updates of when I go and the out come. I'm only exspecting the best.

thank you for all the advise and keep me in your thoughts and prayers GOD BLESS

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@LBird

You are making the SMART move. Without your health, you are missing a key element of life. While I understand your anxiety, I prefer getting thoughts and prayers, for things much more serious than a colonoscopy. After you had yours, you probably might feel the same.

Do let the ladies, and myself, a gent, know how things go for you. After having 20 of these types of procedures, for me it is just another day doing what is best for my body.

Best to you,

hckynut(john)

MalteseMomma · ‎03-09-2010

@Stray wrote:
@MalteseMomma wrote:
@LBird

I feel like you. I am 79 and will not get one unless I need it for some reason and then at my age who cares.

I THINK POKEING AROUND EVERYWHERE IS NOT A GOOD THING,BUT THAT IS MY OWN OPINION AND i'M STICKING TO IT!

I just had an argument with my daughter over this. She got hers and thats ok,she can do whaT SHE WANTs .sHE IS 60 (i THINK)

Everyone please excuse the caps and small letters. It was an accident,I must have pressed some key...........and I am in a hurry to feed my furbaby so I cannot retype this,,,,,thanks
@MalteseMomma- the guidelines state the colonoscopies should not be done after age 75 for screening purposes.

@Stray

You made my day.........thank you

aubnwa01 · ‎03-09-2010

@GCR18 wrote:
The #1 reason to do it is by the time you have symptoms, you will likely have cancer. My BFF passed away of cancer over two years ago. She would keep after her husband to get physicals, tests, etc. Well, he apparently didn't change his ways since she passed. Short story is he has stage 3 colon cancer. Along with chemo, he has a ostomy bag. Once chemo is over, they plan to remove it and reconnect his colon. All because he skipped his colonoscopy.

I had a colonoscopy last week. I was actually given a choice. I had my 1st colonoscopy 2 years ago and had 2 of the polyps that could turn to cancer. The year after my colonoscopy, I had uterine cancer. Earlier this month, I had unknown bleeding. I took the option to know for sure. I went through chemo and radiation once, I'm not planning on doing it again. Nothing was found, glad I did it.

I had a hysterectomy in 1993 at age 43 for very early stage uterine cancer. The hysterectomy got rid of the cancer, which hadn't penetrated beyond the lining of my uterus, so I needed no radiation of chemo & have had no further problems.

I had my 1st colonoscopy in 2001 at age 50, because my dr. at that time said it was part of my "well adult" stuff that I should do. During that test, the gastro dr. found & removed a polyp, so I needed a colonscopy every 5 years from then on. The 2nd colonoscopy that I had (by that time I'd moved to another state, so all new drs) was clean & then, at the 3rd colonoscopy, my gastro found & removed another polyp. I just had my most recent one done this past summer & it was clean again. Somewhere in all of this, my current internal medicine PCP told me that having had uterine cancer predisposes me to getting colon cancer, so I need to stay on top of getting my colonoscopies done.

Like everyone says, the prep is the worst part, but it's a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with knowing you're doing what you need to stay helathy.

OnlyShopsOnline · ‎03-09-2010

Because of family history of colon cancer, my doctor wanted me to have my first colonoscopy at 47. I waited until I was 51, because I was scared to death. What a waste of anxiety!

It's nothing more than an inconvenience. During my first colonoscopy, they found 2 hyperplastic polyps....no big deal. But, because of my family history, I was told to come back in three years. Second time, 1 small hyperplastic polyp. I was told to come back in three years and they would then reevaluate as to whether I needed to come back every three or five years.

Went a few months ago. I had 4 adenomas....the type that are possibly pre-cancerous.

So, I still go every three years. I'd go every year if they told me that I needed to.

"I've been here since October 2006. Wow!"

hondagirl · ‎07-07-2012

I did the Cologuard test this past year instead of a colonoscopy and my test came back positive. It detected something. Scheduled a colonoscopy and 4 polyps were found and removed. They were the type that turns into cancer so cologuard saved me....BTY I don't have colon cancer in my family - I am blessed...

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@Hondagirl wrote:
I did the Cologuard test this past year instead of a colonoscopy and my test came back positive. It detected something. Scheduled a colonoscopy and 4 polyps were found and removed. They were the type that turns into cancer so cologuard saved me....BTY I don't have colon cancer in my family - I am blessed...

@hondagirl

I am very happy to see your post and that you had, possibly a life saving procedure, a colonoscopy. It is always a pleasure for me to read stories such as yours. While cologuard was a tool, it was you that saved yourself, along with having the procedure so many needlessly dread.

My hope is that many others will read your post and take the necessary steps to possibly save themselves, and all their loved ones, from going through, what I view as a most unnecessary, complications of Colon Cancer.

My best to you and I want to thank you for posting your story, it just might save another person's life.

hckynut(john)

steiny3844 · ‎12-21-2012

I, too, did the home colon test in December. For the first time, they detected blood and I need to go for a colonoscopy. I have a March appointment to do the paperwork and schedule my test. Is it normal to have to wait this long to finally have a colonoscopy when blood is detected? I was hoping it could be done quickly. I guess I'll just have to be worried longer than I thought.