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Didn't read this whole thread------but I have a genetic mutation----have to have colonoscopies every 1-2 years and have to take some nausea producing crap that makes anomalies more easily visualized in the colon. Have had about 5 so far (lost count) but the type of cancer caused is very aggressive-------my kids see it as looking for trouble, I see it as nipping trouble in the bud. Already survived one bad cancer (8 1/2 years)
Angelina Jolie had both of her breasts removed because of her bad/awful genes. Compared to what she did - colonoscopy is a piece of cake. Good luck to you! Robyn
My brother was 68 years old when diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer that had spread to his liver. That was about 2 years ago. He died about a year later. None of us except for my Father had ever had a colonoscopy. My brother pulled me aside a few months before he died and told me he did not want to preach but be sure to get a colonoscopy.
I stalled for over a year and finally went to a GP for a physical and blood work. I'm 57 years old and had not had a physical since I was around 20 years old! I know that's really crazy. Cutting through some details, I was in pretty good shape considering and the DR told me to schedule a colonscopy. So I did and had the procedure about 4 weeks later. Everything was negative. I was told that because of my family history (brother) to have one every 5 years.
I guess I was always scared to go to the DR s office but glad I finally did go. Better late than never I guess. Recommend that if anyone has not had annual psychical in a while start going. Its not really that bad. If you have anxiety bring a family member or friend along for support.
Thank you for your story - and I'm sorry about the loss of your brother. With medical care/detection tests - it's the devil you know versus the devil you don't know. There's always some anxiety involved in both IMO. Robyn
When I was 21 years old I had one with no anesthesia. Now they insist on a general anesthesia. I refuse to have general anesthesia for a medical test of any kind. I'm not against a colonoscopy. I'm against having general anesthesia for a test. Do a local, I said. They said they don't do that. I said, "See ya."
Unfortunately, you have to be able to drink the stuff without throwing up in order for the rest of the process to proceed.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robyn55
OTOH - it's a great way to "quick start" a diet . Robyn
I weighed about 105 pounds when I had my first colonoscopy and about 98 pounds when I had my second. The first time I was not completely cleaned out (drank pulpless orange juice ) and the second time I simply avoided eating for several days before the procedure. Unfortunately, I did not drink enough fluids to avoid hypovolemia and felt like s***. (The "Just kill me NOW" kind of s***.) I currently weigh about 107 lbs; perhaps I can get the doc to reduce the dosage of the dulcolax? (I mean, WTF, I don't weigh enough to donate blood because of the risk of hypovolemia, what's the diff? Fluid is fluid.)
The rest of the story: My brother was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis about a year after returning from Nam. He underwent annual colonoscopies from the age of 22 and at the age of 52 was diagnosed with colon cancer. He had his colon removed, pouch constructed, etc. He's now 64 years old.
The docs recommended I undergo a colonoscopy every 3 or 4 years because of my brother's early cancer diagnosis. Their reasoning is that even though he had ulcerative colitis which placed him at high risk for colon ca, it is not certain that the u.c. actually caused his cancer.
Anyway, my plan is to have another colonoscopy (it's been about 7 years) but NOT yet.
When I was 21 years old I had one with no anesthesia. Now they insist on a general anesthesia. I refuse to have general anesthesia for a medical test of any kind. I'm not against a colonoscopy. I'm against having general anesthesia for a test. Do a local, I said. They said they don't do that. I said, "See ya."
Who is "they?" There is no medical standard that says that general anesthesia is required or even generally recommended for colonoscopies. The vast majority of my colonoscopies were performed while I was in what is commonly referred to as twilight sleep. It (usually versed) is given by IV by the GI.
If your MD is requiring you to have general anesthesia and you don't want it, simply find under MD to perform the colonoscopy. Better to find another doc than to forego the procedure and risk colon cancer simply because you don't want to be put under deep sedation.
Who is "they?" There is no medical standard that says that general anesthesia is required or even generally recommended for colonoscopies. The vast majority of my colonoscopies were performed while I was in what is commonly referred to as twilight sleep. It (usually versed) is given by IV by the GI.
If your MD is requiring you to have general anesthesia and you don't want it, simply find under MD to perform the colonoscopy. Better to find another doc than to forego the procedure and risk colon cancer simply because you don't want to be put under deep sedation.
Agreed. Twilight sleep, an amnesiac and much more delicate instrument than in bygone days when they used nothing makes it easy. So, too, does a one day cleansing rather than the old, very unpleasant two or three.
Agreed. Twilight sleep, an amnesiac and much more delicate instrument than in bygone days when they used nothing makes it easy. So, too, does a one day cleansing rather than the old, very unpleasant two or three.
I don't know what those who are against a general anesthetic are complaining about. I've had a colonoscopy done with one and one without. The one done with a general was far quicker and I was completely out while it was going on. Than, when it was over, I was conscious in a remarkably short period of time. They used "propofol" (of Michael Jackson fame), but there in an outpatient surgical center with careful monitoring.
I've had five or six colonoscopies, none with any sedation whatsoever; they didn't even insert an IV. It was not a problem at all. All you have to do is convince the doc not to sedate you. I guess I was lucky with the docs I had. The great advantage is you can drive yourself home.
I've had five or six colonoscopies, none with any sedation whatsoever; they didn't even insert an IV. It was not a problem at all. All you have to do is convince the doc not to sedate you. I guess I was lucky with the docs I had. The great advantage is you can drive yourself home.
Well, thankfully I have a chauffer. But I wouldn't refer to her that way to her face!
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It ain't upchucking ya gotta be concerned about.
. Robyn
) and the second time I simply avoided eating for several days before the procedure. Unfortunately, I did not drink enough fluids to avoid hypovolemia and felt like s***. (The "Just kill me NOW" kind of s***.) I currently weigh about 107 lbs; perhaps I can get the doc to reduce the dosage of the dulcolax? (I mean, WTF, I don't weigh enough to donate blood because of the risk of hypovolemia, what's the diff? Fluid is fluid.)
