How can I get a colonoscopy if I don’t have a ride?

[Anonymous]

What would actually happen if a patient were to leave on foot? Could they sign a waiver? They can’t arrest or detain them.

[Anonymous]

OP, do you have a neighborhood listserv? If someone in my community posted this, I think a neighbor would offer to help. Hopefully your community is similar.

Also, can you ask the medical practice what people in your situation typically do? They must encounter this on a regular basis and may have suggestions for hiring someone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What would actually happen if a patient were to leave on foot? Could they sign a waiver? They can’t arrest or detain them.

In my experience, they ask before they perform the procedure and you have to provide the name and phone number of your driver.

[Anonymous]

OP, where are you located? There is a lovely woman who works in our N. Virginia neighborhood, part time as a nanny and then various ad hoc jobs including housekeeping, running errands, party help, etc. She - or someone similarly open to short-term jobs/special assignments might be perfect. This is a solve-able problem. Your health matters.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a friend over 50, thatyou could offer to take to get her/his exam?

[Anonymous]

I have wondered if the American Cancer Society offers this service. They should.

It is another way that society needs to catch up with the fact that it is not 1950, everyone is not married, etc.

[Anonymous]

Some doctors will provide colonoscopies without sedation - it's somewhat briefly painful at times, but not too bad. You must make clear arrangements ahead of time. Be prepared for them to possibly try and convince you to have sedation when you arrive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have wondered if the American Cancer Society offers this service. They should.

It is another way that society needs to catch up with the fact that it is not 1950, everyone is not married, etc.

Which is why there are services , friends, or you can hire someone. It's a liability issue. 99% of the people are fine to get home alone. They have to protect themselves against the 1%. Liability waivers only help so much. Just because it means that nothing will come of it. Family can still make claims that they were negligent even though the person took full responsibility. There isn't enough staff or space available to let people hang out until they are 100% in the clear.

We recently had a patient lie about having transportation home after a procedure. We paid for an uber to bring his friend to the hospital and then paid for an uber to bring them back home. We are at max capacity.

[Anonymous]

I did this when I moved to a new town and literally did not know anyone to ask. I used a paid nonemergency medical transport. It was expensive, but it was a good option. They do not allow Ubers or similar, and it was reassuring to know that my ride home was somebody who had done this kind of thing a million times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can also do Cologuard if you are low risk! Much simpler, and the overall outcomes (prevention of death from colon cancer) is the same.

i don’t think I’m low risk. Family history of polyps . Grandfather died of colon cancer

And my Dr said they have both false pos and neg results so they are useless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I turn 50 soon so I need to get this done. Will they really refuse me if I take an uber? It’s that or not getting one. I’d think their liability would be higher if I have cancer and they missed it over me not having a ride

They will. There are medical transport companies they can recommend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some doctors will provide colonoscopies without sedation - it's somewhat briefly painful at times, but not too bad. You must make clear arrangements ahead of time. Be prepared for them to possibly try and convince you to have sedation when you arrive.

My husband had an unsedated colonoscopy in his home country. I think that's why he's now stalling from having one here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a friend drive me and home

Some of us don’t have friends

[Anonymous]

It’s hard OP. I don’t think there are any legitimate ways around it. When I had my colonoscopy, I had asked if my 17 year-old could bring me and they said no.

They actually checked my husbands ID and got his info at checkin. He was working remotely and they gave him permission to go to his car to take a call, but asked him not to leave the premises.

Afterwards , the doctor called him personally and explained to him what they found and they wheeled me out to the curb and help place me in his car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Asked former coworker who now works in endoscopy. Options they allow other than someone driving you:

Medical transport
Friend accompanies you in an uber
Hire someone to accompany you in an uber.

I had a friend accompany me in an uber. She did it on her lunch break, and I bought her lunch or dinner to say thanks. It was an little awkward, but it was fine.