Wish me luck. Getting my screening colonoscopy tomorrow. Supposed to be starting the prep today

[Walleye]

I hate the procedure and I’m scared of the test results of course. I get a colonoscopy every five years because my mom died of colon cancer. That was 30 years ago and they didn’t have the technology they have now. The prep is just the worst and I can usually get a hemorrhoid flareup. They say I should eat breakfast today I never eat breakfast, I’ll have a couple of eggs later. Any helpful tips or moral support would be appreciated, thank you.

[Irish_Dem]

1. A colonoscopy saved my aunt's life.

Small cancer tumor was found and easily treated.
That was 10 years ago and she is fine.

As much as I don't like colonoscopies, I hate the alternative more.

[Walleye]

11. You're absolutely right. If they had this procedure back in the day my mom might've been OK.

She was a wonderful person and she went through such a horrible time with this

[Irish_Dem]

14. Usually most problems caught early are treatable.

Detection and treatment are more advanced now.

So you are doing the right thing.

[viva la]

2. I have to say, the anesthesia

Drug is great. It's like 8 hours sleep in 30 minutes.

Otherwise, best of luck. It'll be over soon, and you'll be done for another 5 years.

[Walleye]

9. Thank you. I'll be glad when it's over. I think

[multigraincracker]

3. The test are easier for some.

I have no problem, however my older brother can’t take it. He pays $3k out of pocket to have a scan instead. Problem with that is, they still have to go in if they find anything.
When they give me the shot, the next thing I know, they’re telling me they are all done. The last one I had, they snipped a few growths and they were not cancer. Being over 70, doc said I don’t need to ever have it done again. I think I should get it done again.
Best of luck with the results.

[Walleye]

8. Thank you, it helps to have moral support

[Croney]

10. An alternative to getting it done again is to do what I just did,

a mail-in ColoGuard test. I'm older than you, and would like to never have another colonoscopy, but my half-sister died of colon cancer. My doctor was fine with my choice. It's very easy. I know there can be false positives and negatives, but I'm accepting my negative result and hoping that's the end of it forever!

[Walleye]

12. That sounds like a good alternative

[70sEraVet]

22. My doctor does not recommend the 'mail-in' as an acceptable alternative

He says that it can only show a result when the cancer is already at a stage that is difficult to treat.
The easy way is rarely the best way. I hate the prep stuff, too.

[Croney]

33. My doctor was more concerned about false positives, but I know opinions vary.

Previous colonoscopies were fine. I guess if I weren't about to turn 80, I would be more cautious.

[Joinfortmill]

38. I took the cologuard 3 years ago

Result came back with blood in stool. PCP scheduled colonoscopy, which insurance paid. They found 5 polyps. 3 were precancerous. Having next colonoscopy soon. BTY. Doc said not to have cologuard test again because insurance wouldn't cover colonoscopy, so check with your insurance Co before using it.

[femmedem]

32. Especially because of your family history, I wouldn't recommend ColoGuard.

It has a 15% false positive rate, and if you do get a positive result, you still need a Colonoscopy--except now it's categorized as diagnostic instead of screening so you end up paying much more out of pocket.

I hope this goes more easily than your previous colonoscopies. I've only had one, and it was much easier than I was anticipating. Regardless of the result, the test is great: you either get the relief of knowing you don't have colon cancer or you get the best shot at catching something while it's treatable.

Good luck!

[doc03]

29. I think I know as many people that died as

a result of a colonoscopy as died from colon cancer. I am not a doctor.

[piddyprints]

59. No!!!!

I got one of those several years ago. It came out positive so I still had to get a colonoscopy… only now I had a co-pay because they had already paid for the cologuard test. They did find pre-cancerous polyps. And I got a very stern lecture from my doc telling me how lucky I was because he sees far too many cases of false negatives from that test where the patient then comes to him too late. IMO, they should take cologuard off the market. I consider that a I risked my life doing that and would never ever recommend it to anyone. Again, I was lucky to get a positive instead of false negative test, but my doc really put the fear of god in me about it. Don’t trust it.

[Phoenix61]

19. That is really, really bad advice from your doctor.

They told my Dad the same thing and he died at 86 of colon cancer. The “no longer needed” is based on you dying sooner than undetected colon cancer would kill you.

[samnsara]

24. thats why my doc said I graduated from pap smear school

...also breast screenings.


I still go in for the mammys tho as they are cake

[Redleg]

4. Good luck

The prep is not pleasant and seems to change every time I get one done. I too have a family history so my doctor wants me to get one every three years. It's not something I look forward to but I know how important early detection is.

[Walleye]

7. Right. It's better to find out then to find out too late

[MiHale]

5. I view it as a colon cleansing...

Like a reset for the gut. I usually try to get some good bacteria in there afterwards. Used a good yogurt, organic, no added sugars can’t remember the brand. Good gut health is very important.

You’ll be good!

[Walleye]

6. Thanks good tip. Just hoping to get through it OK now

[Joinfortmill]

40. Chobani is excellent. About a $1 than most.

[Croney]

13. Good luck, you're doing that "adulting" that can be a nuisance,

but in this case will give you peace of mind about your health, and you're a good example for everybody.

[Walleye]

17. Yes, thank you, my usual response to things is avoidance, but I am really scared of this cancer

[Dave in VA]

15. Annual Exam

My wife has Crohn's Disease and has to have a colonoscopy every year. Both my grandfathers died of colon cancer in their 80s. I was getting exams every two years, but my most recent one the gastro doc said that I could wait and do it in five. I'm now in my 70s.

Good luck. The worst part is the prep. My doc calls the IV meds "milk of amnesia."

[Walleye]

16. That's funny, I could use a little bit of that "milk" sometimes

My maternal grandmother who died long before I was born, also died of colon cancer before they even knew what it really was.

[Lefta Dissenter]

18. Cinnamon gum!

The first time I had one done, the nurse recommended chewing little bits of cinnamon gum in between the glasses of prep. I’m not usually a gum chewer, but took her advice anyway.

It turned out to be a huge flavor treat and did help get the yucky flavor of the prep out of my mouth. I just nibbled tiny little pieces to get the flavor and then spit it out. Just don’t swallow it! It would look like little polyps working through your system!

All the best to you! I have one coming up, too.

[Walleye]

20. Thank you, I will try that. Gotta go to the store and get some jugs of spring water anyway

[lastlib]

21. Go online and find Dave Barry's story about his colonoscopy!

It's HYSTERICALLY funny--guaranteed to give your spirits a lift, and assuage any fears you might have. Well worth the read. It has good advice too---like get seated on the toilet BEFORE you drink the juice!

Here's a link to it: https://www.miamiherald.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/dave-barry/article1928847.html

[Walleye]

45. Thank you

[samnsara]

23. im lucky enuff to be so low risk I can do the at home test...

..its still icky



I drank white wine all during the prep for the one and only office test i had

[Scrivener7]

25. I have to do it every 3 years, so now it's no big deal for me.

Use Gatorade (not red!) as the fluid in the prep. It will keep you from feeling sick and depleted once you're emptied out.

Vaseline prevents any burning irritation.

Eat a lemon or orange wedge after each glass. It takes away the taste, so if you hold your nose as it goes down and then eat the lemon, you never actually taste the stuff.

There's no need anymore to be scared of the results. It takes well over 5 years for a polyp to turn into cancer, so as long as you stay on top of it and have the screenings, they might find polyps but not cancer. And polyps just need to be clipped out.

You'll be fine. And frankly, for people like you and me, colonoscopies are a literal lifesaver.

[Bumbles]

39. As one who can't stomach Gatorade . . .

. . . I found coconut water to be much more palatable.

[Walleye]

46. Thank you for the reassurance. I have some lemon and tea with sugar

[lark]

26. My husband and I have a little ritual around colonoscopies.

After we're done, we go straight to Jason's Deli which is close to the hospital. This is the only time we go there, so it's our special little treat for getting through the procedure safely. It doesn't make the prep any easier, that's just awful by the end, but this treat makes the recovery nicer.

I need a colonoscopy but my GI doc won't approve me until my Cardiologist signs off that it's safe. I have new insurance and my old heart docs aren't included. New heart doc can't see me until the end of April and then who knows what tests I have to go through and how long those will take, all to just have approval for a colonoscopy. I guess it could be worse, I could actually be having GI problems, but I'm not. It's just that my mom had colon cancer at age 87 and my younger sister already has polyps.

Everything is more difficult when you get old. Sigh.

[2naSalit]

27. ...

[Walleye]

47. 🙏🏻

[yankee87]

28. Best of luck

Good luck

[Walleye]

48. 🙏🏻

[ChazInAz]

30. I've had two, thus far.

The first was memorable. The IV providing sleepy juice slipped out of my vein and I woke up halfway through. The medicos jumped when I commented that it felt as if I had to cut the fart to end all farts and that the damn needle hurt like hell. Things were readjusted and I went away again. With the second one, when they slipped the IV in and said "sleep tight", I had just enough time to say "OH, wow" when the rush hit. Then time stopped.
I had horrid memories of the previous prep...especially the hemorrhoid flare up. For the last one I had a bidet. One level of discomfort removed!

[Bumbles]

37. Too bad we can't have bidets covered by insurance.

Everyone should have one, especially during prep for colonoscopy.

[Arne]

31. I did not want to go in last time

Now I'm wearing an Ostomy bag.

[Joinfortmill]

41. So sorry

[Scrivener7]

42. I'm SOOO sorry. But I'm so glad you caught it before it went farther.

[DFW]

34. I've had six of them now. I had a polyp the first time.

So, my second one was three years after the first one.

One thing to be careful of. If you have heart and/or cholesterol issues (I do, big time, hereditary), do NOT go off your blood thinners more than five days before the colonoscopy NO MATTER WHAT THEY TELL YOU. I did that 13 years ago, went off them ten days before the colonoscopy and got my first and only genuine Grade A US certified heart attack. Ten days is exactly the time white blood cells need to regenerate in quantities sufficient to block arteries where you have stents. FIVE days, and no more!! Other that, I’ve had nothing, but both my parents and all their siblings had cancer, so I’m nothing if not vigilant. My dad got his fatal cancer (pancreatic) more than 40 years after being at an above-ground atomic bomb test in Nevada in 1957. Just to cautious, I haven’t attended any of those, either

[Joinfortmill]

35. I feel your pain. Mine will be scheduled..

Friday when l see my PCP.

[leighbythesea2]

62. Good luck, My first

Is tomorrow. Taking tablets instead of the liquid. Am hypoglycemic and am NOT happy right now. But this thread is really helpful.
Good luck Walleye!

[Bumbles]

36. I've had many over the years. I'm now 81 and counting,

My mother died due to colon cancer 22 years ago. I'm glad we have the procedure available to us. My son just had his first at 49. The prep is the worst part, as you know. You want to know the results, not hide from them, so be thankful. You get to take a delightful nap while the procedure is being done and will feel pretty normal by the next day. Be sure to follow the instructions. Good luck and take deep breaths.

[Walleye]

49. Thank you, trying to follow instructions

[XanaDUer2]

43. Best of luck

Tests are scary

[Walleye]

50. 🙏🏻

[Duncanpup]

44. Absolutely

Thinking of you Walleye

[Walleye]

51. Thanks so much.

[LoisB]

52. Wishing you a clear outcome. The preparation is worse than the test. nt

[Traildogbob]

53. Wish you best

The prep is the worst. The procedure is not so bad.
The VA has been using the Stool Sample kit results to determine if a scope is needed.
Best of luck with results.

[BlueKota]

54. Good luck.

The prep is definitely the hardest part. The last one I had done, I didn't even remember being wheeled out for the procedure and when I came too, it was all over. This time I was lucky and had only one non cancerous polyp. In past ones they found 2 precancerous one. It's better to know, so they can intervene as early as possible.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

55. The prep is awful, I know, but consider the alternative. Best wishes. NT

[Bayard]

56. You have my sympathy

Drinking that stuff makes me nauseous.

I'm overdue for one now, and my GP is riding me about it. Both my parents had colon cancer.

[Walleye]

64. Yes, I usually practice avoidance and procrastination. Watching my mom go through it made me afraid of the cancer

[keithbvadu2]

57. As you know, prep day is worse than procedure day.

While recuperating, I was farting my brains out. The nurses were laughing.
It was all that was left in me.

[Diamond_Dog]

58. Been there, too, three times. Here's hoping everything goes quickly. 🤞🏻

In case you’ve never read it before, here’s Dave Barry’s piece on colonoscopies. I always burst out laughing when I read it!

https://www.gastronj.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Dave-Barrys-Colonoscopy.pdf

[Walleye]

65. Thank you, I will definitely read it

[Easterncedar]

60. Make the bathroom comfortable

Music, a book, a soft light, whatever. Plan to set a while, rather than dashing back and forth from one room to another in emergency mode.

That was advice given to me last time, and it did make it not so annoying.

[Dale in Laurel MD]

61. A colonoscopy turned up a precancerous adenoma I had.

They were able to take it out successfully before it went malignant. (Counting that one, I've now beat cancer twice.)

[Walleye]

63. Good job!