Colonoscopy!

[Hugh R]

You may have read in another thread that I'm "prepping" today for a colonoscopy tomorrow. I've been on the can at least 40 times today with the prep tonic.

I had a colonoscopy at 50 (when you're supposed to) and the doc took out two polyps of the kind that "can turn cancerous" I had another one a year later and it was clear and the doc put me on the five year plan for re-check which is tomorrow. Today, I drank a gallon of "tonic" in four hours and was on the can about 30 times. I can't eat solid foods all day until it is done tomorrow.

Why is this important? I spoke with an MD friend of mine a few years ago and told him about the classification of polyps that he took out that "can" turn cancerous and he said those types often "do" turn cancerous and that there was a fair chance that they would have killed me in 10 years or so. Colon cancer is apparently a fairly slow growing tumor and a five year "check" apparently makes it virtually 100% survivable

It sucks during the prep, but get it done. Especially if you're over 50.

[vinny c]

At 68 and first time, had this twice last year and the worst part is drinking the gallon of fluid(add Crystal Lite Lemonade to mixture) that flushes and hitting the bathroom numerous times(think soft toilet paper). That is the worst part. The drugs used knock you out and when you wake up you're pretty much good to go. Believe me, if I can do this, so can you.

Vince

[Steve Carlton]

I highly recommend drinking the prep the morning of the "Inspection II." I was lucky and got a 10 year pass. Interesting experience...

[jyl]

My wife had one recently. I will have one in a couple years.

On another, geographically related note, when should our prostates be checked? A friend was recently diagnosed with an aggressive prostate cancer. It doesn't sound like a good thing.

[red-beard]

Vodka is an approved additive, or so I've heard

[artplumber]

Nothing like peeing out yer bottom to make ya feel like the end is near...

Get your DRE (that's digital rektal exam) when ur 50+

[Steve Carlton]

You mean all those earlier ones weren't necessary??

[RWebb]

the key thing is to walk home after it's over

[murphyjp]

Got my first last year at 38. Had to start early due to older brother having colon cancer. Got lucky with the prep. My doc only required Gatorade with Miralax, but alot. Much better than the green goo I've heard of. Still spent plenty of time on the throne though. Got the good to go for 5 years though. Love the sleepy drugs too.

[Rick Lee]

I got my first prostate exam a year ago. No fun. I have another 11 yrs. to go for the colonoscopy. Not looking forward to it, but I guess it's better than dying before I need to.

[Noah930]

I remember my colonoscopy prep well. I made the mistake of starting it on the way home to Boston from Watkins Glen. By the time we hit the tollbooths on the Pike outside of 495 (with a line 30 minutes long) I was about cross-eyed in the passenger seat. Fortunately we made it home in time.

Then, as I was on the can about 20 times that night, I distinctly remember getting out of bed at around 2 am. I came back 3 hours later. My wife (then-GF) asked me if I had taken a shower. She heard what she had thought was the shower running. I told her it wasn't the shower that she had heard.

[porsche4life]

Shouldn't you as a doctor, have known how bad of an idea that was.....

[livi]

Thats the end of my breakfast..

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by livi

Thats the end of my breakfast..

Terribly sorry.

[livi]

But seriously, breakfast or not, is colonoskopy recommended as a screening investigation with asymptomatic 50 years old?

[porsche4life]

Idk... Aren't you the doktor?

[livi]

Not routine in Sweden anyhow.

[URY914]

It's simple, Do it or you could die.

[azasadny]

I had my 1st scope done 2 years ago and the Dr removed 2-3 polyps and I'll have to do it again this coming May. I have a family history of colon cancer (paternal grandfather) so the Dr is cautious.

[Targa Me]

I'm 54 and need to have this exam (colonoscopy). I've had the DRE, it was uncomfortable but not unbearable.
Good luck to you Hugh.