Colonoscopy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Propofol is the best!

Not for me. I was so disappointed. Guess I am low risk of dying like Michael Jackson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having only left the toilet for a minute or two here and there since around 8:45 last night, thought I would see if anybody else had this horrible a experience with the prep. I knew there would be quite a bit of time in the bathroom, but I did not anticipate staying up literally all night. This is the most miserable experience I have ever had and I will never do it again. I guess I didn't low residue enough? I have been going almost non-stop for almost 9 hours. Appointment is at 8. I'm not even sure I'll be able to get to the office if this doesn't stop. Is this how it is for everyone?

I just had one this week with Suprep. Took first dose at 4pm and was done going to the bathroom by 8pm. Took second does at 3:30am (procedure was at 9:30am) and was done going to the bathroom by 7am.

[Anonymous]

Best nap of my life. The dr found some pre-cancerous polyps. I need to back in 3 years. Prep was not bad. I did the special diet a week before. It was easy.

[Anonymous]

Its really hard for me to understand why pummeling your system with synthetic chemical drink and not eating and then using dangerous drugs to force you into an unconscious state is a good thing to be doing, let alone frequently as you age??? I truly don’t get it. I’m supposed to start these next year and am terrified and feel like the dr will bully me into doing it. I understand if there is a family history of cancer but otherwise this seems reckless and like a ploy for insurance companies to make money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its really hard for me to understand why pummeling your system with synthetic chemical drink and not eating and then using dangerous drugs to force you into an unconscious state is a good thing to be doing, let alone frequently as you age??? I truly don’t get it. I’m supposed to start these next year and am terrified and feel like the dr will bully me into doing it. I understand if there is a family history of cancer but otherwise this seems reckless and like a ploy for insurance companies to make money.

I agree with you. Seems invasive if not necessary. I won’t do it unless I get two wonky cologuard results. Until then, it’s cologuard once every few years for me.

[Anonymous]

Colon cancer is a horrible way to go. MIL got it. Didn't get colonoscopy. No family history. By the time symptoms occurred she was stage 4. Went to her liver. Horrible end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its really hard for me to understand why pummeling your system with synthetic chemical drink and not eating and then using dangerous drugs to force you into an unconscious state is a good thing to be doing, let alone frequently as you age??? I truly don’t get it. I’m supposed to start these next year and am terrified and feel like the dr will bully me into doing it. I understand if there is a family history of cancer but otherwise this seems reckless and like a ploy for insurance companies to make money.

I agree with you. Seems invasive if not necessary. I won’t do it unless I get two wonky cologuard results. Until then, it’s cologuard once every few years for me.

This is very misguided. It’s a simple, important procedure. Trust me, the minimal discomfort is better than colon cancer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its really hard for me to understand why pummeling your system with synthetic chemical drink and not eating and then using dangerous drugs to force you into an unconscious state is a good thing to be doing, let alone frequently as you age??? I truly don’t get it. I’m supposed to start these next year and am terrified and feel like the dr will bully me into doing it. I understand if there is a family history of cancer but otherwise this seems reckless and like a ploy for insurance companies to make money.

Well there's people like me. Asymptomatic, no family history and colorectal cancer was found at first routine colonoscopy. Enter chemo, radiation and multiple surgeries to get rid of the cancer. Biggest regret of my life was not having the colonoscopy the day I was eligible (I was 2 years overdue). You'll likely be same as most people and get the "all clear good for 10 years" and you won't have to wonder.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having only left the toilet for a minute or two here and there since around 8:45 last night, thought I would see if anybody else had this horrible a experience with the prep. I knew there would be quite a bit of time in the bathroom, but I did not anticipate staying up literally all night. This is the most miserable experience I have ever had and I will never do it again. I guess I didn't low residue enough? I have been going almost non-stop for almost 9 hours. Appointment is at 8. I'm not even sure I'll be able to get to the office if this doesn't stop. Is this how it is for everyone?

This means you didn’t go low-residue enough. Please don’t let this discourage you from getting colonoscopies in the future. I’ve been getting them for over 20 years, every 5 years, starting at age 18 (have a chronic illness that requires them). 20 years ago there were no special diet suggestions and the prep was Fleet, which is very powerful. I’d literally be in the bathroom for 12 hours before and would also be vomiting. It was awful. But now, it’s a completely different experience. If you are super strict with the low residue diet, that combined with the gentler prep is amazing. I had my last one two years ago and was convinced I wasn’t cheated out enough because I barely went to the bathroom. It was all due to the low-residue diet. Stick to that strictly for 5 days before and next time will be much better!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its really hard for me to understand why pummeling your system with synthetic chemical drink and not eating and then using dangerous drugs to force you into an unconscious state is a good thing to be doing, let alone frequently as you age??? I truly don’t get it. I’m supposed to start these next year and am terrified and feel like the dr will bully me into doing it. I understand if there is a family history of cancer but otherwise this seems reckless and like a ploy for insurance companies to make money.

Frequently? It's every 10 years unless they find something concerning. And removing polyps prevents cancers from developing.

Personally, I'd like to get knocked out for more procedures. Like, if I'm out for the colonoscopy anyway, could I also get an IUD replaced and a cavity filled at the same time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its really hard for me to understand why pummeling your system with synthetic chemical drink and not eating and then using dangerous drugs to force you into an unconscious state is a good thing to be doing, let alone frequently as you age??? I truly don’t get it. I’m supposed to start these next year and am terrified and feel like the dr will bully me into doing it. I understand if there is a family history of cancer but otherwise this seems reckless and like a ploy for insurance companies to make money.

Frequently? It's every 10 years unless they find something concerning. And removing polyps prevents cancers from developing.

Personally, I'd like to get knocked out for more procedures. Like, if I'm out for the colonoscopy anyway, could I also get an IUD replaced and a cavity filled at the same time.

Yes, please. Knock me out and bring in every doctor that needs to see me for the year. Take off my skin caner, take out my abnormal breast cancer cells and cure me of my abnormal pap. It's been a terrible a year for me. You should be so lucky to be healthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its really hard for me to understand why pummeling your system with synthetic chemical drink and not eating and then using dangerous drugs to force you into an unconscious state is a good thing to be doing, let alone frequently as you age??? I truly don’t get it. I’m supposed to start these next year and am terrified and feel like the dr will bully me into doing it. I understand if there is a family history of cancer but otherwise this seems reckless and like a ploy for insurance companies to make money.

On the other hand, I have no family history of cancer, did cologuard three years ago, totally clean, and then when I had a colonoscopy this year, they found a 4 cm cancerous growth which, if left unremoved, would certainly have been a major problem. Happy to have paid for this particular ploy in my case.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its really hard for me to understand why pummeling your system with synthetic chemical drink and not eating and then using dangerous drugs to force you into an unconscious state is a good thing to be doing, let alone frequently as you age??? I truly don’t get it. I’m supposed to start these next year and am terrified and feel like the dr will bully me into doing it. I understand if there is a family history of cancer but otherwise this seems reckless and like a ploy for insurance companies to make money.

Well there's people like me. Asymptomatic, no family history and colorectal cancer was found at first routine colonoscopy. Enter chemo, radiation and multiple surgeries to get rid of the cancer. Biggest regret of my life was not having the colonoscopy the day I was eligible (I was 2 years overdue). You'll likely be same as most people and get the "all clear good for 10 years" and you won't have to wonder.

so it's not just me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its really hard for me to understand why pummeling your system with synthetic chemical drink and not eating and then using dangerous drugs to force you into an unconscious state is a good thing to be doing, let alone frequently as you age??? I truly don’t get it. I’m supposed to start these next year and am terrified and feel like the dr will bully me into doing it. I understand if there is a family history of cancer but otherwise this seems reckless and like a ploy for insurance companies to make money.

My 45 year old neighbor was just diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. In all likelihood, she’s not going to see her kids graduate high school. No family history.

No one is going to bully you into anything. Make your own choices. But to be “terrified” of the procedure? It’s not that scary.

[Anonymous]

Do it for your loved ones.