2nd Colonoscopy

[misanman]

Had mine this morning. In at 7:00AM for the 8:00AM procedure. Home by 9:00AM. Propofol worked great - quick recovery. Prep was 4L of Golytely, which did the job according to the doctor. One small polyp removed which will be sent to the lab. Based on lab results they will let me know whether I'm on a 5 year recall or a 10 year recall. Or maybe no recall at all since I will be 81 in ten years.

 

[Ian S]

The preps I've had have been really horrible sometimes. I found one that's cheap, effective, and not as bad as the Rx version.

http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/MPU/MiralaxGatoradePrep.pdf

My GI doc said "whatever works".

Does anyone else feel like their GI doc is simply a scope operator? I get the feeling that my guy makes the most money with the least effort by running this scope all day, so less interested in understanding food sensitivities, diets to keep things running smoothly, processes to better understand food and lifestyle choices and how they affect GI health.

This is exactly the prep my G.I. doc recommends for me and using the generic versions, costs less than $10. Works well and you can choose your flavor of Gatorade except for the red colored ones. My doc actually seems to care about the prep and I know he's been tweaking it over the years.

 

[Carpediem]

This is exactly the prep my G.I. doc recommends for me and using the generic versions, costs less than $10. Works well and you can choose your flavor of Gatorade except for the red colored ones. My doc actually seems to care about the prep and I know he's been tweaking it over the years.

Same for me too. I've had 3 procedures done and this same prep worked for 2 of the 3. The one that didn't work was due to me skipping the last step (magnesium citrate) because I thought it was overkill. Well, I guess I was wrong because they wrote on my report "incomplete prep".

 

[frayne]

Just as an update, got the path lab results back yesterday and all 18 of those little suckers were B9.

 

[Lsbcal]

Just as an update, got the path lab results back yesterday and all 18 of those little suckers were B9.

From your dancing guys, I am guessing that B9 is good news. Congrats!!!

 

[frayne]

From your dancing guys, I am guessing that B9 is good news. Congrats!!!

B9=Benign, kind of a play on werds !

 

[JoeWras]

Sorry, but I had a laugh over the above exchange.

It reminded me of an episode of "The Office" where Kevin's cancer test comes back "negative," but Michael doesn't understand what that means (as usual) and freaks out.

 

[powerplay]

Just as an update, got the path lab results back yesterday and all 18 of those little suckers were B9.

Good news! That is the kind of report we all like to hear.

 

[Lsbcal]

Now I get it.

 

[jimandthom]

I generally have a couple each time. First time in, the Gastro dude had to spend all the allotted time on 1 very large one to remove. Had to go back a couple of months later for him to finish the original review.

It took 4 years to finally have a clean report, so now on a 3 year rotation.

Prep really is not that big of a deal and the propofol(sp) what can you say. I see why Michael Jackson liked it. About 5 minutes after waking up, I'm ready to take on the rest of the day.

 

[O2Bfree]

I was partly conscious during my first colonoscopy, which was a good thing because the TV in the room was on, and I got to watch a really interesting documentary on spelunking. Must have been the National Geographic channel...

 

[Focus]

Bumping this thread to share an article from Next Avenue:

The Advantages of Sedation-Free Colonoscopy Screening

While I tried to be calm, I didn’t realize the extent of my anxiety until I entered the procedure room and my vital signs revealed a blood pressure 50 points above my usual.

But soon into the colonoscopy, I found reality didn’t justify the worry. My doctor was halfway through the colon before I felt my first significant sensation or movement of the scope in my abdomen. OK, I thought, I can handle this. My next set of vital signs were closer to normal levels.

 

[John Galt III]

How did you guys decide where to go for your colonoscopies? I suppose I would ask my GP for a reference. I am concerned about having it done with clean tools, and at a place that doesn't perforate the bowel. Ha ha. I've been googling for some reviews of local colonoscopy places / gastroenterologists and have found a limited amount of useful comments. Is it true that a plastic sheath is placed over the scope? That would be reassuring.

 

[MRG]

How did you guys decide where to go for your colonoscopies? I suppose I would ask my GP for a reference. I am concerned about having it done with clean tools, and at a place that doesn't perforate the bowel. Ha ha. I've been googling for some reviews of local colonoscopy places / gastroenterologists and have found a limited amount of useful comments. Is it true that a plastic sheath is placed over the scope? That would be reassuring.

I don't know. My first one they did an upper and lower at the same time. Doc said I needed to pay extra for cleaning in between.

I think there's a plastic thing around the instruments. I really didn't pay that much attention, more concerned about waking up.

A local provider advertised he's been done 1000 with zero perforations. I've always gone with my PCP's recommendations.

 

[braumeister]

How did you guys decide where to go for your colonoscopies? I suppose I would ask my GP for a reference. I am concerned about having it done with clean tools, and at a place that doesn't perforate the bowel. Ha ha. I've been googling for some reviews of local colonoscopy places / gastroenterologists and have found a limited amount of useful comments. Is it true that a plastic sheath is placed over the scope? That would be reassuring.

I get all my referrals to specialists from my PCP. He has never let me down -- always a top notch specialist who has been superb.

I believe they usually rinse that plastic sheath off between uses.
j/k

 

[Done]

Since I have a diagnosis, as opposed to just screening, it is no longer covered as a preventative procedure. The entire $1,600 was my responsibility. That's fine. Just letting you know the financial aspect of polyps.

My Dad passed of colon cancer so I had to start colonoscopies at age 35. (Sorry for breaking your record, nash031.) They removed a small benign polyp but the next two tests were clear. These were during the years when I had good employer insurance so I paid next to nothing.

Now on a HD plan, I called to schedule another screening but they told me I’d have to pay in full because of my history. She let me know that if I delay by 6 months, I will have been clear for 10 years so the procedure would be considered preventative instead of a follow-up. Free colonoscopy, woohoo! Hoping nothing important will develop in those 6 months or I’ll feel like an idiot.

 

[braumeister]

Free colonoscopy, woohoo! Hoping nothing important will develop in those 6 months or I’ll feel like an idiot.

And who knows? Maybe by then they'll have an easy, tasty prep you can use!

 

[rayinpenn]

+2 Well said.
Prep isn't like that. You drink the preparation, and then feel the urge and go in 1/2 hour. No big deal. No fever, no weakness, none of that. Just go. To me the worst part of prep is not eating and having a liquid diet only.

The Mrs just had the procedure after her sister was diagnosed with colon cancer. It’s odd she had to drink a huge amount of the concoction she mixed up. Never got it all down the second day.

Me I’ve been a few times and all i did was drink one tiny bottle the day before and the day of.. doc said i was well prepared..

Agree no big deal, your out now which is great.

 

[athena53]

...if I delay by 6 months, I will have been clear for 10 years so the procedure would be considered preventative instead of a follow-up. Free colonoscopy, woohoo! Hoping nothing important will develop in those 6 months or I’ll feel like an idiot.

You might also try a fecal occult blood test or the newer one that tests specifically for cancer DNA; in both cases you collect the sample at home and send it in. It would give you an indication of whether or not you need to do the colonoscopy earlier.

Caveat: I am not a doctor!

 

[H2ODude]

Timely thread as I watch football, trying to avoid pizza ads while I fast in prep for my 2nd tomorrow, courtesy of Medicare.

DW went to pick up the prep last week and pharmacist tells her $89. We're on a cheapo Medicare D plan but $89 for heavy duty laxative? Pharmacist tells her the Dr. can describe something cheaper or would have a coupon. I called, really nice nurse says "Wow, $89? I think we have a free sample here you can have if you can pick it up." I'm certainly not complaining, but damn, if she'd just rolled her eyes and paid the $89 like I guess most do we'd have just been out the $89.

 

[braumeister]

Pharmacist tells her the Dr. can describe something cheaper or would have a coupon.

At my last one, back in April, the doc's office told me they recommended a particular prep, but if I thought it was too expensive, then another one would be OK. The difference was in the quantity of liquid you had to drink (huge versus ginormous). When I went to the pharmacy, the "expensive" one was just $24 so I went with that. $89 sounds like a ripoff.

 

[Breedlove]

Funny story on my last one . So I go in early get it over with come home NO PROBLEM.
About 3:00 AM in the morning I am having the worse pain I have ever experienced in my life. It is so bad I am throwing up . DW tells me it is gas from the procedure BS . I am going to the hospital . I go into the hospital they do scans , call the doctor that did the colonoscopy . By now I am on an IV feelin pretty good , ready to go home !
Next thing they want is some kind of test , they hook me on a machine . About 10 minutes into the test a young Indian doctor introduces himself to me and at the same time is scheduling a surgery . They take me off the test wheel me into a prep room . A guy asks me about the Astros . I wake up without a Gall Bladder feeling like a million dollars . Started at 3:00 Am in the morning . I went home at 9:30 PM same day.

 

[H2ODude]

Funny story on my last one . So I go in early get it over with come home NO PROBLEM.
About 3:00 AM in the morning I am having the worse pain I have ever experienced in my life. It is so bad I am throwing up . DW tells me it is gas from the procedure BS . I am going to the hospital . I go into the hospital they do scans , call the doctor that did the colonoscopy . By now I am on an IV feelin pretty good , ready to go home !
Next thing they want is some kind of test , they hook me on a machine . About 10 minutes into the test a young Indian doctor introduces himself to me and at the same time is scheduling a surgery . They take me off the test wheel me into a prep room . A guy asks me about the Astros . I wake up without a Gall Bladder feeling like a million dollars . Started at 3:00 Am in the morning . I went home at 9:30 PM same day.

So did you feel better than you had before the prep? As in had the gallbladder been causing symptoms you didn't recognize? I sort of thought it caused low grade problems with chronic issues. In any case, glad you caught it all better now!

 

[Dawg52]

One thing that's a stumbling block for some people, sadly, is the need for a driver. I once saw a Letter to the Editor from a woman who needed some procedure (if not this, it could have been) and she had to have a driver because she'd be sedated. I know the facilities I've used have specifically said no taxi or Uber types- they probably want someone who will get you safely into the house and to bed if necessary. She didn't know anyone who could help, and a private service called "Seniors Helping seniors" wanted $22/hour. Fortunately, I know people who could do this for me (and vice versa) now that I'm widowed, and could pay for the help in a pinch, but it's sad that would hold some people back.

I have my 2nd one scheduled on 1/17 and the letter with prescription indicates they do not want any taxi drivers or Uber as you state. Not only that, they expect a person to stay the entire time while I'm there. That is asking a lot as I was told expect to be there 2 hours. Last time(10 years ago) I simply had someone drop me off and I called them when I was ready. I've got someone setup to stay but I can see how this requirement would put some people off.

 

[Breedlove]

Yes , I felt better once the Gall Bladder was gone . Prior I would sometime feel sick in the stomach , nothing terrible . But once it was gone I felt good. That was the easiest surgery ever.