New Colonoscopy Test -- Available Now?

[TromboneAl]

When I had my first colonoscopy, it didn't go that well, and I said "I never want to do that again."

I also said: "... I'm glad I don't have to do it again for 10 years. I hope that by then there's some alternative."

http://www.early-retirement.org/foru...tml#post573976

I was giving up on that hope, until today:

New DNA test may provide non-invasive alternative for colon cancer screening - CBS News

It has a 10% false positive, but the only downside of that is a colonoscopy.

Does anyone know if that test is available now?

[zinger1457]

If the colonoscopy was that bad for you I would recommend finding another doctor. The colonoscopy I had wasn't a problem, no pain or discomfort at all, and I wouldn't want to risk what the new test might miss.

"The Cologuard is not as effective at catching polyps as the scope of a colonoscopy: It detected about 42 percent of advanced pre-cancerous polyps and 69 percent of polyps with abnormal cells, known as high-grade dysplasia."

[Mr._Graybeard]

My first colon exploratory procedure was a barium enema in the late 1970s. The prep included a 48-hour clear-liquid diet, followed by about half a cup of cod liver oil. Then, or course, came the enema. Modern colonoscopies I can take.

[SteveL]

The point with the colonoscopy is to find out if you have polyps and get them removed before you have cancer. The test itself is nothing, it is the prep that is a pain in the A__. I have had 5, several found polyps.

[Walt34]

Agreed the prep is the worst part, and that's just uncomfortable, not painful. The procedure itself - well, I was "out" so nothing to it. And they have found and removed polyps over the years.

[Corporateburnout]

I'll have my second next week. I was awake through the first one 10 years ago and it wasn't bad at all. Not sure if I want to be awake for this one though.

[MRG]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corporateburnout I'll have my second next week. I was awake through the first one 10 years ago and it wasn't bad at all. Not sure if I want to be awake for this one though.

Your DRs staff or facility can make a big difference. I'll be using a different DR. and facility next time. Why? They screwed up twice. Both my wife and I gave full disclosure of our meds.
My wife was supposed to have an Anesthesiologist present, someone 'forgot' to schedule them. She was fully awake during most of the Colenoscopy.
I don't know if I needed an anesthesiologist, but I asked 3 times if there was a conflict with any of my meds. Three different people said no. As soon as I'm in the room the gal that gives me the juice(not mikey's milk) says DR. this won't work, look at his meds. Mine was an upper G.I. I got relaxed, and they had something in there to help with the gag reflex, but it was not pleasent. I have vivid memories of gagging and choking.

I don't know what happens if you refuse the procedure, due to them not reading meds. or forgetting to schedule a specialist.

Next time were going somewhere else.
MRG

[razztazz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MRG Your DRs staff or facility can make a big difference. I'll be using a different DR. and facility next time. Why? They screwed up twice. Both my wife and I gave full disclosure of our meds. My wife was supposed to have an Anesthesiologist present, someone 'forgot' to schedule them. She was fully awake during most of the Colenoscopy. I don't know if I needed an anesthesiologist, but I asked 3 times if there was a conflict with any of my meds. Three different people said no. As soon as I'm in the room the gal that gives me the juice(not mikey's milk) says DR. this won't work, look at his meds. Mine was an upper G.I. I got relaxed, and they had something in there to help with the gag reflex, but it was not pleasent. I have vivid memories of gagging and choking. I don't know what happens if you refuse the procedure, due to them not reading meds. or forgetting to schedule a specialist. Next time were going somewhere else. MRG

This is why I haven'y had one done yet. I've had them scheduled but found out at the last minute that *I* had not had a complete briefing and *they* weren't really talking to each other. They were cookie-cuttering/rubber stamping everything in a one-size-fits-all manner. Wheel 'em in/wheel 'em out. Leave money. NEXT! Always different clinics and different doctors.

Get a different dr? Who? Where? Find a dr I can trust? How the hell does somebody do that? You can't tell till after the damage is done or, as in my case, you get lucky in the nick of time and find out what's behind The Green Door.

[imoldernu]

No advice...
Just the experience. 25 years ago... Stool test indicated blood, so colonoscopy. That confirmed cancer, and a week later, an operation. Sigmoid resection. Because of the colonoscopy, the doctor knew where to go and what to do to "fix" it. BTW... since then resections have often been replaced with laproscopic colectomy, a far less intrusive procedure, often with only an overnight stay, or even as an outpatient... In my case, a 5 month recovery period... a month before I could walk stairs.
For the first 10 years after the operation, colonoscopies every 2 years. Agree that the golitely is awful, but the colonoscopies never a problem... I finally asked for minimum anaesthesia so I could watch the process on the TV, and talk to the doctor during the procedure. Not recommended for everyone.
The best news, after the first operation, cancer free.

also available now... the colonoscopy pill camera:
http://time.com/6494/pillcam-colon-c...-fda-approval/

[Alan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by imoldernu No advice... Just the experience. 25 years ago... Stool test indicated blood, so colonoscopy. That confirmed cancer, and a week later, an operation. Sigmoid resection. Because of the colonoscopy, the doctor knew where to go and what to do to "fix" it. BTW... since then resections have often been replaced with laproscopic colectomy, a far less intrusive procedure, often with only an overnight stay, or even as an outpatient... In my case, a 5 month recovery period... a month before I could walk stairs. For the first 10 years after the operation, colonoscopies every 2 years. Agree that the golitely is awful, but the colonoscopies never a problem... I finally asked for minimum anaesthesia so I could watch the process on the TV, and talk to the doctor during the procedure. Not recommended for evryone. The best news, after the first operation, cancer free.

Nice to hear a story with a happy ending on a thread like this.

Our Doc at work was a big fan of colonoscopies so I had my first one in my early 40's because of a false alarm, and recently had my 3rd at age 59. I hate the procedure itself.

Two of my work colleagues had similar experiences to you, with blood detected in the stool in the annual physical at work, then follow up colonoscopies. I don't know if they had resisted the urgings of the work Doc to have a colonoscopy as they were both in their 50's when they got colon cancer.

[MRG]

Quote:

Originally Posted by razztazz This is why I haven'y had one done yet. I've had them scheduled but found out at the last minute that *I* had not had a complete briefing and *they* weren't really talking to each other. They were cookie-cuttering/rubber stamping everything in a one-size-fits-all manner. Wheel 'em in/wheel 'em out. Leave money. NEXT! Always different clinics and different doctors. Get a different dr? Who? Where? Find a dr I can trust? How the hell does somebody do that? You can't tell till after the damage is done or, as in my case, you get lucky in the nick of time and find out what's behind The Green Door.

Excellent point, how do you know. My previous PCP was an id10t, I didn't know untill I really needed him. He seriously almost killed me.
I've used the same PCP for years, after that horrible experience. I found him through a personal reference. Really like and trust the guy. This is the first time he's referred us to someone we didn't have a good experience with.

I had a shock yesterday when I visited him, he started talking about retirement. I'm in a couple of dilemmas over this. One is I know he uses E.D. Jones, do I open my mouth and tell him how to retire earlier? He'd tell me if I was smoking, the risks and benefits. Other is how do I replace him? I asked yesterday, he didn't seem too optimistic about other's in the profession.

This is probably a good separate thead. 'How do you know your DR. is good for your health?'

Best wishes,
MRG

[Chuckanut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Nice to hear a story with a happy ending on a thread like this.

Very True! And what would we do without his widsom?

[TromboneAl]

Still no answer to the original question, guys. Available now?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Early Retirement Forum mobile app

[Dimsumkid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TromboneAl Still no answer to the original question, guys. Available now? Sent from my Nexus 7 using Early Retirement Forum mobile app

No. The answer was in the CBS article you linked and stated the FDA hasn't approved this test yet. Unless you're in some trial test for it, this won't be available to the general public.

[Alan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dimsumkid No. The answer was in the CBS article you linked and stated the FDA hasn't approved this test yet. Unless you're in some trial test for it, this won't be available to the general public.

Al,

It sounds like you'll have to try and sign up for the trial and report back to us. I think you can contact them through their agent, R. Sole

[Act2]

Al, I had one a few years ago. Piece of cake. Didn't love the prep drink flavor, but It wasn't awful. Choose a citrus flavor packet and prepare hours ahead so you can chill it. That was a suggestion from the pharmacist.

Friends who had them years ago say they are much easier now. One friend got pills instead of drink because she didn't think she could drink the prep. Speak up if that's your problem.

My suggestion is to ask around. Some of your local friends surely have a doc they had a good experience with.'