Colonoscopy - Page 4

software · ‎06-08-2016

Just do it, don't think about it.

If the doctor doesn't suggest it, go on a liquid diet a day or 2 before, the prep won't be so bad when you are mostly passing liquids.

Best of luck.

@LBird wrote:
Good Afternoon, I putting this post out there because I don't know what to do. I'm in my earlier 50 and my doctor has said it's time for me to get a colonoscopy I'm really not sure for some reason it scares me. I have no problem no conserns with my bottom but should I ? I think why miss with something that is working fine or should I wait till summer or in a couple of years. Would anyone be able to give me advise on the pro's and cons. No one in my family has ever had cancer or the pollips when they get their done. Please give advise on if you think I should now or wait
thanks

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

The benefit of this test far outweighs the risks. I urge you to have the test and not second guess the doctors suggestion. Your life is all that's on the line the entire time you knock this around in your mind. And do you really want to be the first person in your family to be diagnosed with cancerous polyps or colon cancer that has spread thru your body?

Colon cancer is a sensitive topic with me; my dad was diagnosed at 54 years old. Early stage II cancer; he coded on the operating table while the surgeon was removing 18 inches of intestine, survived, and lived another 20 years that he never expected to see. Twenty years later, to the day, he was back in the hospital learning the cancer came back and was Stage IV with liver metastasis. Dad never came out of the hospital. He survived a big surgery, but had complications from a simple staph infection that shut down his kidneys 4 weeks later.

Knowing we are at direct risk for colon cancer, my brothers and I have our colonoscopies without complaint. I am 61, and have had 3 already; no polyps yet, but I'm determined to save myself from the level of suffering I saw my dad go thru. My doctor says I can wait 5 years between tests, but since he treated my dad, he fully understands my desire to stay healthy. If I wanted to have the test yearly, he would not oppose my decision.

There is no benefit whatsoever to waiting; just do it!

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

@LBird My husband and I both had ours this past year. No big deal. YOU JUST DO IT. You do not wait for problems to arise and then do it.......that will be too late! Colon cancer is not a pretty death. My husband with no colon cancer in his family had 12 polyps removed! What if he has waited......a death sentence. I had one large polyp removed. Highly recommend you follow through with Drs orders.

Shelbelle · ‎03-09-2010

I would never trust Cologuard for complete accuracy, only colonoscopy is the gold standard. I dont think Cologuard can diagnose a polyp which is the major cause of colon cancer.

maggishops · ‎06-30-2010

I have a mild form of crohns Colitis. I have an increased risk of getting colon cancer, so it is recommended that I get a colonoscopy every 2 years. I just want to get them over with! My Dr. lets me pick my favorite prep so I have had so many. Yes, the prep is the worst part of it all. But I have peace of mind when I get these done, just like mammograms, etc.

please do do it for your own sake.

Zhills · ‎11-15-2011

@LBird I felt the same way about one. It is a true fear. I've had 3 babies, not modesty, just fear. Fear of unknown origin, but real!

The fear was worse than the colonoscopy, but I truly understand your feeling. Do you have any anti-anxiety meds to help? Hang in there, it will be over before you know it. (I still feel the fear) and I hope you will be fine (they fine nothing!).

Just realize that it is a normal feeling and TRY to relax! The best to you!

Annabellethecat66 · ‎03-12-2010

I had my first one done a few months ago. I recently turned 70 and my daughters were worried because I'd had diverticulitis and was in the hospital for 5 days.

I followed what the Dr said and it was fine. Just don't get all worked up, you'll be fine.

sueinsf · ‎03-13-2010

I had my first colonoscopy a few weeks ago and it wasn't bad at all -- even the prep (minus the magnesium citrate) wasn't that bad! I think the worst part was reading everyone's negative comments online about it.

I will say though, that my doctor told me some time ago that if I chose to do the FIT test (similar to Cologuard I think) as my form of colon cancer screening, than it had to be done yearly. The colonoscopy would be every 10 years, assuming nothing is found and you have no family history of colon cancer.

I was a nervous wreck before hand, but there was no reason to be. It was fine and I'm very happy to have the piece of mind.

granny me · ‎09-05-2014

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.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@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)