Colonoscopy

[bendted]

Who's had one? Dr. said I should get one soley due to my age (52). So, what's it like? Any pain? I've heard that the worst part is drinking the concoction which they administer. The whole thing makes my skin crawl, but it's got to be done I suppose. Anything medically related causes my mind to go into overdrive, so, is there anything (rational) that should be a cause of concern?

 

[birddog7]

They're not so bad. There are far worse things, for sure.

 

[KaraBulut]

You will be so medicated during the procedure, you probably won't remember any of it.

Unfortunately, you will remember the "bowel evacuation" cocktail you will have to take the night before. But it's no worse than the stomach upset the night after a bad bender.

 

[racer2438]

My honey had one done not long ago, and there is no pain, just a full colon of air they put in to expand and get good view. The worst is the drink stuff to flush you out, but drink with 7up/ginger ale and drink fast.

Stay by the bathroom. After it's done you will be passing gas to get ruid of air and then your good. But you should get it done.

 

[conrad]

It's no joking matter; it can be literally a matter of life or death.

Twenty-seven years ago I noticed blood on the toilet paper. I made an appointment with the doctor that afternoon and ten days latere I was relieved of about a foot of my large intestine where the cancer had started.

I have a standing appointment for a colonoscopy once every three years. Sel dom does the doctor find anything suspicious but he can actually get rid of a polyp that may be starting to grow; it could turn cancerous.

Pain? Not with the doctors I see. For many years they have done the whole procedure without any anesthetic, which is a tribute to their artistry in this area. I get the tour of my large intestine in living color on the screen the doctor also sees.

Yes, the preparation is a bit of a bore and time-consuming, but it pays to be safe.

Colon cancer is preventable and curable if it is gotten in time. Don't let a little possible discomfort deter you.

 

[ozguy]

I've had the procedure done twice now. On both occasions I was sedated so I didn't feel a thing and the "all clear, see you again in a couple of year's time" message afterwards is always very reassuring! The 'shit shifter' you have to drink the day before is the worst part ... just make sure you take the day off work and don't stray too far from the toilet! The stuff I've had to drink is lemon flavoured and mixed with water so it's not too bad ... but you do have to drink quite a lot of it (2 or 3 litres I think) over a few hours. I always add some lemon cordial just to make it more palatable.

A few statistics for you that might help you realize the importance of having the procedure done, now that you're over 50 ...

Bowel cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in people over 50 and the second most common cause of cancer death.

The incidence of bowel cancer worldwide has increased by 20% in the last 20 years.

World-wide about 1,023,000 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer each year - 9% of all cancers! Of those diagnosed, about 528,978 people die each year.

The good news is that the survival rate for bowel cancer is very high (around 90%) if the disease is found and treated in its very early stages ... and a colonoscopy is a pretty reliable method of early detection.

 

[seven2go]

I SHOULD have one done as well (don't start with the "what's your life worth") but at well over $2000 around here and a $2500 deductible........it's damn hard to come up the money.......
For the record everything said is in line with what my Mom said about hers.......it's not the IT......it's the preparation FOR IT .......

On the other hand there is a fairly new cheaper procedure called a virtual colonoscopy the downside of which if the scan shows an abnormality you have to get a conventional colonoscopy anyway so any polyps can be removed.
They get you coming and GOING........

 

[KaraBulut]

I SHOULD have one done as well (don't start with the "what's your life worth") but at well over $2000 around here and a $2500 deductible........it's damn hard to come up the money.......

An aside for those in the US: one overlooked feature of healthcare reform is that new insurance plans must now cover preventative screening at 100%. Colonoscopies are a recommended preventative screening for those over 50, so they would be covered at 100%.

Medicare will also cover colonoscopies with no copay or deductible.

Unfortunately, the bill did only imposes the requirement on new plans. Existing plans have a "grandfather" exemption.

http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/21/do-insurers-have-to-pay-for-colonoscopy-now/

 

[bendted]

What happens after the procedure? Is driving completely out of the question? I'll have no one to take me home, and, since I live in a rural area, a cab is out of the question. If I have to I'll stay in a local hotel (cab ride). I'm hoping they'll let me stay there at the clinic to come down from the 'high' and then I could drive home. I'm going to see my PCP at the end of October so I'll ask him then, but in the meantime, does anyone know?

 

[KaraBulut]

What happens after the procedure? Is driving completely out of the question? I'll have no one to take me home, and, since I live in a rural area, a cab is out of the question. If I have to I'll stay in a local hotel (cab ride). I'm hoping they'll let me stay there at the clinic to come down from the 'high' and then I could drive home. I'm going to see my PCP at the end of October so I'll ask him then, but in the meantime, does anyone know?

The procedure itself doesn't cause any issues with driving.

However, the sedation that they give you does cause impairment to the point that you should not drive afterward. The medication that the typically use is similar to Valium- it induces a state where you're not completely asleep but you won't remember the procedure.

What we usually recommend is that a friend or family member should drop you off at the procedure. They can stay or they can leave a phone number. Usually, you'll be ready to leave a couple hours after the procedure- a bit groggy but really really hungry. Your friend or family should drive you from the procedure and they should spend a couple of hours with you to make sure everything is okay.

 

[birddog7]

What happens after the procedure? Is driving completely out of the question? I'll have no one to take me home, and, since I live in a rural area, a cab is out of the question. If I have to I'll stay in a local hotel (cab ride). I'm hoping they'll let me stay there at the clinic to come down from the 'high' and then I could drive home. I'm going to see my PCP at the end of October so I'll ask him then, but in the meantime, does anyone know?

Driving is out of the question for at least a few hours after the procedure, due to the sedation. They will tell you not to drive for the rest of that day.

 

[justright25]

I am also in my twenties and have now had 2 colonoscopies. There is nothing painful about the procedure and you cannot remember it afterward. There may be some rectal bleeding but it is nothing to worry about unless it continues. There is no pain and the Moviprep is what sucks the most. This is the solution I was instructed to take the second time around, the first was with simple over the counter laxatives and laxative solutions. You should definitely not drive after the procedure.

 

[ozguy]

.... Usually, you'll be ready to leave a couple hours after the procedure .... really really hungry.

You can say that again!! After 24 hours of fasting and shitting through the eye of a needle, I was bloody starving!!!

 

[bendted]

Looks like I need to find a "friend" between now and when they do it.

 

[bendted]

I am also in my twenties and have now had 2 colonoscopies.

OMG, twice in your 20s? Is there a history of it in your family?

 

[justright25]

No fortunately there is not but it was due to ongoing health issues and since polyps were found the first time, it was suggested that a second one be completed 2 years after the first.

 

[Alistair]

I have one scheduled for next year. My primary physician said if you have a family history of colon cancer/polyps they like to start checking you 10 years before the age your family member was first diagnosed. My father is plagued with polyps so I'm going to take it serious too.

 

[shainski]

What happens after the procedure? Is driving completely out of the question? I'll have no one to take me home, and, since I live in a rural area, a cab is out of the question. If I have to I'll stay in a local hotel (cab ride). I'm hoping they'll let me stay there at the clinic to come down from the 'high' and then I could drive home. I'm going to see my PCP at the end of October so I'll ask him then, but in the meantime, does anyone know?

I had one in November. The procedure itself - i was given some kind of sedative - and the next thing i knew, it was waking up and it was over. No pain - i knew nothing of it - and no subsequent pain.

drinking the liquid the night before (and eating nothing) was by far the hardest part.

The hospital where i had it done said that they would not release me unless i had transportation home. the instructions clearly said that they would not release me if i were taking a cab or a bus - it had to be someone picking me up. And i think i wasn't to drive the rest of that day.

 

[Audio Tech]

I have never had one, and living in the US I cannot afford one. (No insurance )

On the plus side there is NO cancer of any kind in my family or family history. And..... I own my own scope. I kid you not. Though that's not why I have it, but it's always an interesting conversation starter.