Colonoscopy

MikeD

MikeD

Full time employment: Posting here.
Joined
Apr 15, 2003
Messages
904
Location
Leesburg, VA
I've been scheduled for a colonoscopy. I'm 51 and have a colorful medical history. Without getting too graphic, does anyone have any advice? I am dreading any pain associated with it. I hear they pump you up full of gas to a painful level. My Dr. told me that I would be out for the procedure but I wonder if that includes the gas part.

Mike D.
 
My wife recently went thru hers in 10 minutes with no sweat. (Actually she mostly slept thru it). Those I've had have been miserable experiences. It's going around the corners that kills me. They should give you a demerol drip. Have them turn it wide open!
 
My husband had one several months ago, the kind where they put you out.  The worst part was the prep, where you need to have an empty gut.  Because they put you under you will need someone to take you home. After it's over plan a feast immediately after discharge.

Others recommend waiting a while to eat... but my husband headed for the hospital chow line ASAP.
 
Brat said:
The worst part was the prep, where you need to have an empty gut.
Click to expand...

Both my wife and I have had ours and there is little to worry about in terms of pain.  Cleaning the gut is the worst part.  I had to drink  a gallon of solution when I had my mine but the wife got some pills she took with water.  I would ask for the pills and be sure you do not get more than 10 paces from the head.
You are better off getting than not getting.
The gas they pump in you will be excaping for awhile so be where the "music" will not embarrass anyone.

Good luck
Nwsteve
 
No big problem for me, I've had 4 of them. Discommfort but not real pain. The worst part is the soap/stuff you get to drink to clean out your system. I would suggest eating lightly afterward, easy your digestion back into its normal function.
 
My husband and I have both had them. There is no pain. The worst part is the prep, then you go to sleep, then you wake up feeling great, then you come home and sleep for the rest of the day.
 
nwsteve said:
You are better off getting than not getting.
Click to expand...
The Navy's nuclear power industry excels at looking for trouble where it could exist, but rarely does.  These extra inspections cost millions of taxpayer dollars and usually end up breaking the equipment that was being inspected.  If I had a nickel for every time I've heard "Well, we were taking *** apart for its quarterly inspection when Schmuckatelli here snapped off a bolt..."

So as fascinating as the subject of a colonoscopy may be, I'm skeptical.  Has any statistical/medical analysis proved that they're worth the risk of poking the probe through an intestinal wall?  Are they recommended for family cancer risks or just because HMOs will reimburse the expense?

I'm hoping that medical science will invent a CAT or PET scan in the next five years (if I remember my age/health guidelines correctly) that does this non-invasively.  Full-motion color and a take-home DVD would be an unexpected bonus.  But living with the current PSA & DRE regime doesn't fill me with optimism when colonoscopy time arrives...
 
Nords said:
I'm hoping that medical science will invent a CAT or PET scan in the next five years (if I remember my age/health guidelines correctly) that does this non-invasively.  Full-motion color and a take-home DVD would be an unexpected bonus.  
Click to expand...
Nords,
Family history will make a difference when you start and how often you get. You can get a scan now in some areas (MRI?) but the issue is that if they do see something (shadow) you still have to have the roto-rooter treatment. Apparently the reliability of the scan is just not comparable to the full-meal deal.
Since colon cancer is one of the major causes of fatality, general consensus is the colonscopy offers a pretty good risk reward return.
nwsteve
 
I had the procedure done 2 years ago.
I drank this gue to cleanout my guts as well. I did request that the anesthesiologist not knock me out fully. I think I fell asleep though he said I was awake the whole time. It was painless.
Although they advised against it, I rode my bicycle there. I figured if I was too groggy or uncomfortable to ride home, i'd take public transportation. I wasn't so I rode my bike home.
 
When I turned 50, I asked my doctor about and his response was that it wasn't as important as it's cracked up to be. He felt that it was a big deal about it because of Katie Couric. The downsides are that it is not without risk (though he said he's done thousands and had no punctures) and it's expensive.

Amazing that a doc wouldn't give more of a CYA response.

So, since I'm low on the risk factors I decided to wait until I'm 55.
 
My doc said he recommends all his patients get one when they turn 50. Said he had two patients in the last year in their late 50's both diagnosed with colon cancer. One was caught early and had a good prognosis. The other was caught late and... well, I scheduled mine for the following week.

Glad to have it behind me... ;)

REW
 
TromboneAl said:
When I turned 50, I asked my doctor about and his response was that it wasn't as important as it's cracked up to be.  He felt that it was a big deal about it because of Katie Couric.  The downsides are that it is not without risk (though he said he's done thousands and had no punctures) and it's expensive.

Amazing that a doc wouldn't give more of a CYA response.

So, since I'm low on the risk factors I decided to wait until I'm 55.
Click to expand...

I'm 60 and I am waiting forever, i.e. I am not having any, not now, not ever.
I have better things to do than test and screen for every possible
affliction.  DW thinks I overdo it (tests) already and she has a point.   I'm
not afraid of dying.  It is kind of final though.

JG
 
smooch said:
My husband and I have both had them. There is no pain. The worst part is the prep, then you go to sleep, then you wake up feeling great, then you come home and sleep for the rest of the day.
Click to expand...

Sometimes I have a few beers while out fishing, "come home and sleep for the
rest of the day", and there is no prep involved. Well, I have to check the gas and
buy bait, but still............:)

JG
 
Nords said:
So as fascinating as the subject of a colonoscopy may be, I'm skeptical.  Has any statistical/medical analysis proved that they're worth the risk of poking the probe through an intestinal wall?  Are they recommended for family cancer risks or just because HMOs will reimburse the expense?
Click to expand...

You are right to be skeptical...at my local doctors office (group practice) they (the doctors) are instructed by management to "over-prescribe" colonscopies, for just about any ailment that might even remotely be in the same area...apparently it is a very lucrative procedure for the medical profession...my doctor (whom is also a friend), admitted this freely.

So if your doctor suggests you need one...perhaps a second opinion or some self-research on the 'net is in order to see if it is worth it; I've also heard (sketchy on the facts here I admit, but I am too young to have needed one myself :) ) that there are two types of colonscopies..one that goes in a little, is less uncomfortable and costs less (and therefore less profitable) and a more invasive version where they go waaaaay in...much more uncomfortable, and costs a lot more (and thus is more profitable for the docs)...and I've read there is no statistical evidence that the more invasive procedure is better (in terms of finding things)...so guess which procedure is used more? You guessed it, the more expensive, more invasive and more profitable procedure which is no better than the cheaper, easier alternative.....
 
REWahoo! said:
JG, you remind me of an old curmudgeon I knew growing up.  His motto was "Whatever it is, I'm agin' it!"  :)

REW
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have noticed that. I plead guilty. Not too sure why this is
as I am "for" lots of stuff. For some reason, I get the most worked up
(and respond accordingly) when I am opposed to something, and yes.........
it is a very long list.

JG
 
I've had two of them. First one, I was wide awake. I asked the doc to show me the tool after he was through. Bad idea. Very long and the idea of it was frightening. Best way to experience it is to be asleep. They put you down with the minimum drug needed, and you wake up with a little gas.

And whoever said the prep was the worse part of it is correct. Just to clean out your bowels. First time, I had to drink a gallon of the most awful stuff. Sit close to the toilet for your own safety and that of your family. Nowadays, you don't have to drink a gallon, but it's very potent.

BTW: The last time, the doc said I had some polyps and wanted to do it again in two years. Coming up on 3 now, and I guess this September, I get violated (inspected). Probably better than dying, though....

What would be the best line for this experience. "Did you find Osama Bin Laden while you were in there?" or "WMD"? I think I saw an internet joke with a bunch of punch lines for this...
 
I know a coworker that had his colon punctured. He was in the hospital for awhile. :-[ :'( :eek:
 
maddythebeagle said:
I know a coworker that had his colon punctured. He was in the hospital for awhile. :-[ :'( :eek:
Click to expand...

I thought that only happened in prison! :confused:

Geez, I'm really looking forward to my golden years after this thread! :p
 
I had one when I turned 50. I agree that the worst part was the prep. I thought it would be neat to watch the procedure and I can remember asking the doctor to wait just a minute two times and when I woke up everything was over. I guess he had enough of my wanting to wait!!! DH is 2 yrs older than me and he still has not had one. I guess I need to get him in for this, but I am sure he wants no part of it. I had a brother die of cancer at 45 years old and if I do get cancer I want it to be caught early for a better chance of recovery.

Dreamer
 
<<<I had a brother die of cancer at 45 years old and if I do get cancer I want it to be caught early for a better chance of recovery.>>>

Yea, I almost blew off the MRI for my hearing problem which turned up an unrelated brain aneurysm. Before that I had never had a serious health problem.

I must say though the term, "non invasive" is very appealing, especially when dealing with certain parts of the anatomy.

-helen
 
Helen said:
<<<I had a brother die of cancer at 45 years old and if I do get cancer I want it to be caught early for a better chance of recovery.>>>

Yea, I almost blew off the MRI for my hearing problem which turned up an unrelated brain aneurysm.  Before that I had never had a serious health problem.

I must say though the term, "non invasive" is very appealing, especially when dealing with certain parts of the anatomy.

-helen
Click to expand...

I have had lots of non-invasive tests and they are devloping more all
the time. I am not interested in the other more intensive (risky/expensive)
stuff. I am 60 now and have excellent genes, so I am rolling the dice
instead of having them biopsy all major organs looking for trouble.
After all, if you look long enough you will find a problem. In very many
cases it is just something else to woory about.

JG
 
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