Colonoscopy alternatives

[Hugh R]

I did my first 11 years ago, the Doc found several polyps that usually do turn cancerous. He said, I'd probably have died in 5-7 years. Git er done!

[JavaBrewer]

Had mine done a year ago. Come from a high risk family. Nada - see you in 10 years. Bonus was the morning of and after procedure - the drugs were incredible. Wife made me some scrambled eggs and butter bagel that I ate on the couch. Slept the best sleep in years till 3 pm. Wow was that awesome!

[GH85Carrera]

Hey, the best part is the doctor comes into the recovery room and puts you under doctors orders to fart as much as possible. Mine put no time limit so I just tell my wife I am still under doctors orders. She figures a couple of years is enough but I just want to be safe.

[wdfifteen]

Do it.
I watched a friend die of colon cancer. Strong proud guy wouldn't go to the doc. Ended up weighing 100 lbs and wearing Depends to catch the blood.
I've had cameras shoved in both ends, swallowed a camera, barium enemas, I'd do anything not to end up like him. Just do it.

[Charles Freeborn]

Originally Posted by Tobra

There is no substitute for visualization and biopsy of any sketchy looking spots.


John,

Please, make time. If not for yourself, for your loved ones.

Toby

This ^^^ I'm in very good health, athletic, no family history of cancer but I've had a polyp removed both times (@ 50 & 55). Both negative, but caught well in time. I'm on the 5 year plan at this point. The prep is only brutal for the last day and a half and the procedure is out-patient at a clinic and you're back in action that day, as long as you don't have adverse reactions to general anesthesia. You'll lose a couple of pounds too, should that be a bonus to you. Just do it, and be nice to the nurses.
-C

[wdfifteen]

A day and a half for prep? Your doc must do it differently.
In my experience - start the prep in the evening, have the inspection done the next morning (sedation, no anesthesia), and I'm back to normal the next evening with some nice pictures to share with the family.

[KevinTodd]

Well, after putting it off for 3 years, I have finally scheduled my initial procedure, and I'm a bit nervous, if only because I've never had it done.

Just short of my father's recent passing, he had visited his Dr. for one of his routine checkups, complained of some pain in his side, and was found to have colon cancer. That diagnosis was what caused my dad to flip the switch, so to speak. At least he didn't suffer through months or years of pain and therapy. Either way, now I'm getting it done sooner than later.

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

A day and a half for prep? Your doc must do it differently.
In my experience - start the prep in the evening, have the inspection done the next morning (sedation, no anesthesia), and I'm back to normal the next evening with some nice pictures to share with the family.

You can do the prep the morning of...

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I just had my second - I'm 41. Had my first at age 30. Both were "just making sure" scans as I have celiac disease and a generally unhappy GI tract.

I spent Sunday drinking clear liquids, eating Jell-o, and glaring daggers at my wife as she had salmon for dinner. Sunday night I drank the "prep" liquid which tasted like salty cough medicine. Pretty horrible. I spent the next 6 hours on the toilet. Got about 5-6 hours of sleep.

Monday morning, bright and early, I went into the endoscopy center. I got an IV, they wheeled me in, the nurse anesthetist pushed some liquid into my IV, and the next thing I knew I was awake and breaking wind in the recovery room as my wife was laughing.

I slept the rest of Monday.

It's not bad. Just get it done.

[Targa Me]

Sounds to me like you're finding every excuse to not get it done.

When I got my first colonoscopy done I was scared. Medical stuff scares me. But I did it anyways.
It turned out to be no big deal, my prep started thursday afternoon and the procedure was early friday, it was easy.

If you love your wife, kids, or yourself GET IT DONE NOW, not later. No more excuses.

[Charles Freeborn]

BTW - Not sure what your insurance is but The Oregon Clininc is where I've had mine both times. My wife too.
http://www.oregonclinic.com
Dr. James Regan MD was my doc both times. Great guy, terrific staff.
-C

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

You can do the prep the morning of...

Some do, some don't. The place I get it done only does procedures in the morning. Afternoons are consulting and intake.

[widebody911]

Digital Inspection Camera

[Steve Carlton]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Some do, some don't. The place I get it done only does procedures in the morning. Afternoons are consulting and intake.

I had the exam in the morning as well.

[dennis in se pa]

The prep is the worst part, and after you know what it is you get used to it. I have had 4 already, and now go every 3 years (64 YO). After you are 60 the ten year plan is BS. Had a buddy on the 10 year plan that just found out he has a serious cancerous polyp. Every 3 after 60 I say. And it only take 1 day. I am always fine later in the afternoon. I have alway been asleep during the procedure. DO NOT PUT IT OFF!

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by URY914

My colonoscopy saved my life so I kinda think it was worth my time. But if you have better things to do with your time your family I'm sure will understand. Maybe they will have time to come to your funeral. Unless they have better things to do too. It's your call.....

Yep, had my 1st at 47, was having problems with my gut, when I asked the doc I was seeing about a colonoscopy, he said, just wait until I turn 50.

My old doc reopened his practise after taking a few years off to sail around the world, so I went back to him, and he said, my symptoms looked to be colon related, so scheduled one. Turned out they found a bunch of polyps and had I listened to the other Dr, I may not have made 50.

I have them put me under, no way I want to be awake when someone sticking something up my bummhole.

Gerbils?

[NY65912]

Get it done! Doc must get eyes on. I get one every year due to the Crohns. No biggie. Plus I love the knock out juice.

[tadd]

Get the pills. WAY better than the liquid to get down.

Stay near a restroom. You will come clean inside :-).

[Moses]

Absolutely NO SUBSTITUTE for colonoscopy. But the cost cutting zealots will try to convince you otherwise.

[Rikao4]

this is a PPI you really should do..
it's not the Dr's stomach or life..

Sis & I rode shotgun during Mom's colon cancer treatments..
no fun..brutal is a good description..

given our family hx ..we pay attention..
just had 2 done about a month ago..
1st went easy ..or so I assumed...
got a call few days later..
get in here NOW..
back they went for more snip and cauter..
dreaded every phone ring //call until I got the all clear..

GO!

Rika