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redduck · 07-13-2016, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plsprius

... for screening, annual fecal blood testing is as good as colonoscopy (and it's a lot cheaper/easier/safer)....

I guess you've never seen me attempt my annual fecal blood test. It may be cheaper. But, easier and safer?--not the way I do it. However, I must admit, it is an awful lot of fun. And, it allows me to be creative. I never do it the same way twice.

(I know, I know...this post is worthless without photos).

**MichaelB** · 07-13-2016, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redduck

(I know, I know...this post is worthless without photos).

Uh, no, not this time ..

Nemo2 · 07-13-2016, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redduck

..it is an awful lot of fun.

I know this one....riding a unicycle while balancing a seal on your nose, right? I love that!

medved · 07-13-2016, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braumeister

Like a prostate biopsy.

My first two were without anesthesia, and I would rate them as the most uncomfortable experiences I have ever had (although not especially painful).
The next two were with anesthesia, and a piece of cake.

I never understood why urologists (at least in the US) tend to do prostate bx without sedation. I guess it takes longer and increases costs. But most patients would certainly prefer sedation!

redduck · 07-13-2016, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelB

Uh, no, not this time ..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemo2

I know this one....riding a unicycle while balancing a seal on your nose, right? I love that!

bingybear · 07-13-2016, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by athena53

I lucked out. This was my 3rd, history of polyps but new insurer. I was asked to pay up front for the doc and the facility, which totaled about $1,000. I later got notices that the insurance paid in full. I don't know why but I'm not complaining. The doc and facility fees were refunded to me.

mine was new insurer, same PCP and different colonoscopy doc and facility.

I think you just lucked out with the ordering doctor coding is as routine instead of diagnostic.

**Walt34** · 07-13-2016, 04:53 PM

I'm also on the five-year plan but about a year+ overdue because I'm on an anti-coagulant drug for the afib. I'll find out tomorrow if I can go off it (hopefully!) because I haven't had any events of afib since the cardiac ablation last March.

Like others, the prep is the worst part, the procedure is taking a nap and the rest of the day off.

audreyh1 · 07-13-2016, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by athena53

I lucked out. This was my 3rd, history of polyps but new insurer. I was asked to pay up front for the doc and the facility, which totaled about $1,000. I later got notices that the insurance paid in full. I don't know why but I'm not complaining. The doc and facility fees were refunded to me.

Same thing happened to us. New insurer. Even though the colonoscopy (DH) was ordered based on some symptoms and it had only been 7 years with the prior one, we paid up a downpayment up front for the facility telling them we would pay the balance when we got the EOB from the insurance company. But the insurance company paid in full even though it was obviously diagnostic, and told DH he owed the facility nothing, so we got our "downpayment" back from the facility.

I think it was only the facility fees that were covered completely. We got a different notice regarding the doctor's fee.

Next time he's due he'll be on Medicare.

Meadbh · 07-13-2016, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big_Hitter

I play golf occasionally with a digestive doctor.

I've heard of digestive biscuits, but never a digestive doctor, until now!

Teacher Terry · 07-14-2016, 04:14 PM

I had one about 7 years ago and no polyps. I would do the fetal test but I have hemorrhoids that sometimes bleed so not sure if that is even worth doing. As we age our lining thins so it is more likely to puncture. A friend of mine just had her last one at 70.

Meadbh · 07-14-2016, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teacher Terry

I had one about 7 years ago and no polyps. I would do the fetal test but I have hemorrhoids that sometimes bleed so not sure if that is even worth doing. As we age our lining thins so it is more likely to puncture. A friend of mine just had her last one at 70.

I didn't know you were pregnant!

Teacher Terry · 07-14-2016, 04:36 PM

Yeah that would be a miracle at 62

) I would be rich!!!

**braumeister** · 07-14-2016, 04:41 PM

The fetal test is a newly developed procedure, still in its embryonic stage.

Teacher Terry · 07-14-2016, 04:50 PM

Too funny!!

redduck · 07-14-2016, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braumeister

The fetal test is a newly developed procedure, still in its embryonic stage.

euro · 07-15-2016, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palomalou

You lucky dogs! I've been on the annual plan for over 20 years. Sigh...

Me too! 25, actually. Back then, I had an old-school doc who did them without sedation. Then they switched to a heavy sedative, then, more recently, they hired an anesthesiologist and now they basically put you under. Needless to say, the cost of the procedure has skyrocketed!
All in all, while somewhat unpleasant, I did prefer the old way - at least you walked out of there without a buzz, headache, or urge to throw up from the medication....

athena53 · 07-15-2016, 09:56 AM

There are still doc's who will do them without sedation. I had two without, but switched doc's when I couldn't get a good estimate of total cost from previous doc. New doc was willing but made it clear he felt it was safer if I went under because he could do whatever was necessary without worrying about making me uncomfortable. I could see that, so agreed. As noted earlier, insurance ended up paying 100% anyway.