quote:

Originally posted by BBMW:
Anyone do Cologuard instead of the colonoscopy?

As I had no family history, my doctor recommended Cologuard. Much easier than what my wife has gone through with prep for a colonoscopy.

I am having one on January 12. My doc precribed me tablets this time so I don't have to worry about drinking the foul tasting stuff I had taken in the past for the prep a few times. For most people it is only recommedmed once a decade.

It is important to follow the instructions the doctor gives for prep very carefully otherwise it is possible the procedure will be for naught.

I am not a candidate for Cologuard but I asked my doc about it and he said the problem is "false negatives can kill people".

My last one was last Wednesday. They are no big deal. Even the prep has got easier over time (I've had 5).

No one looks forward to them, but they're sort of a necessary evil as one ages. I've had three, starting at age 42. As others have said, the prep is the worst part. The first one revealed mild colitis and a small benign polyp was found on the last. The PA mentioned Cologuard, but I opted for the colonoscopy as I've already had two types of cancer.

I was 47 when I was diagnosed with colon cancer, that was in 2005. There is a family history of it, but none of us had bothered to get a colonoscopy. I was scheduled for a minor surgical procedure for a completely unrelated issue, and a pre-admittance blood test came back as severely anemic. Investigation into that is what found the tumor. Other than the anemia, which I had NOT noticed on my own, I had no symptoms of cancer. If I hadn't been being treated for the other problem, I probably wouldn't be here now. If you meet ANY of the "high-risk" criteria, even if you're under 50, do it.

I had another colonoscopy a few months ago. The prep isn't nearly as bad now as it was in 2005. It still tastes kind of nasty, I mixed it with apple juice and it went down much easier.

Just DO IT.
You'll be asleep, you wont feel a thing. Even the prep wasnt that bad.

I turned 50, flunked the cologuard test, got a colonoscopy. Found out I have ass cancer. Looks early, just one spot. I have an appointment with an oncologist coming up.

The idea of having a colonoscopy is far worse than the experience. And it just might save your life.

Getting a root canal is much worse. Just do it and you won't have to go back for 5-10 years.

You have to drink some rank shit, then a guy from Pakistan is going to look in your ass while you're asleep.

Enjoy the meal you have afterwards. Get you some fried chicken, maybe some vanilla ice cream...

Be careful about farting after you wake up.

quote:

Originally posted by BBMW:
What were the results of the scope? Was it a false positive, or did you actually have something?

Is it better to have a non-invasive "pre-test" that likely comes back negative and not have to get scoped, or just suck it up and get scoped from the start?

quote:

Originally posted by MoreCowbell:

quote:

Originally posted by BBMW:
Anyone do Cologuard instead of the colonoscopy?

I did the cologuard and it came back positive I then had the colonoscopy cause of the cologuard results.

The cologuard results were not false so I had to get the colonoscopy. I forgot what kind of polyps were found but the result was that I had to have another colonoscopy in two years which I’m actually gonna make the appointment tomorrow. If everything is good this time then it’s every 5 years. If I had to do it again I would have just done the colonoscopy instead of doing cologuard. I will admit I was nervous after I got the cologuard results and had to wait about 4 months til I was able to have the procedure done.

Start eating light about a week before the procedure. No heavy red meat/pork etc. Your prep will go much better. At least it did for me.

This is way better than trying to drink a gallon.

https://suprepkit.com/

I had a few. My recommendation is that you buy Preparation H wipes before the prep. Keep hydrated two day prior as you get cleaned out VERY well withe the prep. Best of luck.

I concur with everyone else who has said it is no big deal. The procedure itself is painless and if you have a choice get the prep that you add to Gatorade and even that isn’t bad.

quote:

Originally posted by FishOn:
100% do it. You are foolish not to. Many lives are saved by colonoscopies. Soft tissue pre-cancerous polyps do not show up on X-rays.

And... this is important ... my Gastro doc said ALL polyps turn into cancer. I found that the perfect reason to get regular screenings.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
Do it.
The prep is awful.
The drugs during/after are great.

Yes, that's the best part, but it only lasts for 30 seconds, propofol. short and sweet. you'll wake up ready to eat whatever you want.

Just please do it !!! My mother passed away from colon cancer at the young age of 64. She was a nurse and we found out that she never got the recommended colonoscopy at age 50. The doctor said that if she did, they would have found the polyp, snipped it and she would be alive. Because she did not, for 10 years it grew to stage 4 cancer. She told me to spread the word to have people learn from her mistake. They are finding people as young as their mid 20's with colon cancer now. When I was 40 years old I got my first colonoscopy performed. They found a small polyp and snipped it. If I waited till I was 50 it would have already grown. I have had my 2nd one a few years ago and no polyps. Yeah the prep sucks but the procedure is painless and fast. Another tip, make sure you are one of the early patients to get the procedure done so you can eat as soon as the procedure is over with instead of waiting all day. I hope this helps. God Bless !!!

Go get it. They lowered the age from 50 to 45 recently. My 45 year old SIL is the healthiest person I know. She's mostly vegetarian, runs marathons, doesn't smoke or drink or do drugs, teaches fitness classes, etc. She's 5ft tall and maybe 110 lbs of strength and endurance. She did her colonoscopy and they found polyps that were cancerous and a mass in her colon. She had the mass removed. The cancer had already spread to lymph nodes. She started chemo last week.

Wife scheduled and had it done ASAP after her sister's results. Wife is fine. She was in and out in under 2 hours.

Both said the prep not fun but not the worst. There are options on the laxative. You can get the laxative that requires drinking gallons of fluid or the laxative that requires much less. There may be added expense depending on your insurance. Wife researched all beforehand.

I'm scheduling mine this week. I'm going for the laxative that requires the least amount of chugging nasty things.

Just do it.

No telling what you will say while sedated !

quote:

Originally posted by Sunset_Va:
No telling what you will say while sedated !

Don't try to impress the nurse with your sense of humor, they'll just mock you after you're out.