When do you stop having colonoscopies?

[recycled sixtie]

Am 75 years old now. My last colonoscopy was about three years ago. Have never had any polyps before so is there really any point in going through the process again?

[rfuerst911sc]

Consult with your doctor , having said that I doubt I will have them after 75 .

[Chocaholic]

I had one at 50, clear...and 60, clear...will not bother at 70. At best, may have one of those ColoGuard poop tests.

Obviously speak with your doc, but as an internet expert on everything...I’d say not to bother.

[herr_oberst]

What, drinking a gallon of liquid that makes you want to gag and then 2 hours on the throne isn't on your list of fun things to do?

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by herr_oberst

What, drinking a gallon of liquid that makes you want to gag and then 2 hours on the throne isn't on your list of fun things to do?

My last colonoscopy I went to the doctors office and picked up his day of food in a box. It had some powdered dink mix, and oatmeal for breakfast, soup for lunch, and aa afternoon snack and lots more powered drink to just add water. Nothing bad tasting. Oh yea, a handful of pills to take to um get things moving.

The best part, when I wake up from the procedure he tells me the results, but I am so foggy I never remember what he says, except the part where he puts me under doctors orders to fart as often as I can. He never puts a time limit on that, so I am still under orders to let em rip!

[shadowjack1]

I have gone every 3 years for a long time. Last time in the DR. said come back when you hit 75 for your last one. He told me this when I was 70.

[stevej37]

Just do the yearly 'mail-in fecal exams'

[URY914]

Once the Doctor's boat is paid off he'll tell you you don't need to come back for another.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

I had one at 50, clear...and 60, clear...will not bother at 70. At best, may have one of those ColoGuard poop tests.

Obviously speak with your doc, but as an internet expert on everything...I’d say not to bother.

ColoGuard poop tests.

I've read that unless there is a reason to suspect issues then no need to get one done. This test is supposed to detect issues.

[flatbutt]

I've had a history of IBS that has gotten worse since that damned accident so I go every two years but have been considering pushing that to 3.

[3rd_gear_Ted]

When they quit sending me flowers.

[Evans, Marv]

My father died as a result of colon cancer. Kaiser still only says I need one every ten years. So I had my last two years ago at 77. In the back of my mind, I seem to remember seeing something indicating they wouldn't continue to give them after the age 85. I don't know what other policies at other doctors/medical providers are.

[bob deluke]

Had my last colonoscopy at 75. No polop’s. Doc said no need to have another. PSA was low as well. Wife did the cologard, and she talked to her PA, who said
60-70% of those tests were false positives. No results back yet. If it is positive she may see a urologists.

[pavulon]

Worked with a GI doc (was also a pastor) who would recommend colonoscopies every 6 months until you died. I'm pretty sure he would also have given one more at the funeral if he could submit a bill. Not even kidding. I wished they could have buried him with a worn out endoscope fully sunk.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

Am 75 years old now. My last colonoscopy was about three years ago.

75 years old. I feel sorry for the person who had to give you the colonoscopy.

[smadsen]

My dad developed colon cancer in his mid-90's. Lived his last 3-4 years wearing adult diapers. Died at age 98 in 2017. Living to age 70 or 75 doesn't give you immunity.

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by smadsen

My dad developed colon cancer in his mid-90's. Lived his last 3-4 years wearing adult diapers. Died at age 98 in 2017. Living to age 70 or 75 doesn't give you immunity.

No it doesn't but the colonoscopy has a small risk associated with it. Plus it takes me a couple of days to recover from it.

[JackDidley]

Originally Posted by pavulon

Worked with a GI doc (was also a pastor) who would recommend colonoscopies every 6 months until you died. I'm pretty sure he would also have given one more at the funeral if he could submit a bill. Not even kidding. I wished they could have buried him with a worn out endoscope fully sunk.

I have a friend who works in management at a hospital. She said they refer to the machine as the moneyscope.

[cstreit]

I'd say 5 years before you plan on dying anyway. It would take at least that long for soemthing they find to turn into anything nasty.....

[cmccuist]

(Rodney Dangerfield voice) I’m all right now, but last week I had a rough. My proctologist - he’s the only one I see eye to eye with. There’s a job, you start at the bottom and you stay there. (rim shot)