Colonoscopy-Yes Or No?

[hemispheredancer]

I had my first scope when I was 38. I was having a lot of problems and could not get them resolved. The prep was the worst part. I was done being "cleaned out" by bedtime so I was not up all night! My scope was 1:30 the next afternoon. Big mistake...get it done first thing in the morning so you don't have to wait all day to eat real food. I could have clear pop, chicken broth, lemon or lime Jello, popsicles until 4 hrs before procedure. Got to hospital and had IV started. Was taken into procedure room and sent to Tahiti via propofol. Afterwards they have you drink juice and eat crackers. He took out a 10mm polyp. Had that been left in there the chances of that turning malignant were high. I am on a 3 year recall...which means I go on Nov 12 for another one. WOOHOO!! I am not hesitating to do it again simply because of what they found. Do not be afraid of the prep! Be sure to keep flushable baby wipes in the bathroom. Your fanny will not be feeling too good if you just use tp.

 

[IFLOSIRI]

have to get it done the alternative is worse

 

[Feralpeg]

Nope. Under the new health plan colonoscopies now have to be covered.

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2010/09/20/new-health-care-reform-rules-debut-sept/

Darn! DD just had an endoscopy and colonoscopy on Sept 7. We just got a bill for almost $4000.00. We won't have to pay it all, but we do have a $2500 deductible for her. Timing is everything!

 

[dejr_8]

Darn! DD just had an endoscopy and colonoscopy on Sept 7. We just got a bill for almost $4000.00. We won't have to pay it all, but we do have a $2500 deductible for her. Timing is everything!

OT

I don't know enough about the law but at first glance it looks like only preventative (i.e for those older than 50) colonoscopies would be free.

 

[manning]

Well, let me put it this way. I was 50 and had an urge to go bad. Had the runs...I thought...until I did the paperwork. yep all blood. Luckily I bled. Ended up with stage 3. A few more weeks would have been stage 4 and I woudn't be here writing this. That was 17 years ago.

What you don't know can kill you.

 

[Feralpeg]

OT

I don't know enough about the law but at first glance it looks like only preventative (i.e for those older than 50) colonoscopies would be free.

Well, that makes me feel a little better. Maybe, once I get done paying for her procedure, I'll look into the procedure for me. I had both done three years ago. They found two polyps in my stomach and one in my colon. I am due to have a repeat of both procedures. It will go down much easier if I don't have to meet my $5000.00 deductible!

 

[BillSears]

Get it done. Plus it is free now.

Nope. Under the new health plan colonoscopies now have to be covered.

Preventive services covered. Beginning Sept. 23, all new or renewed health insurance plans must cover preventive services such as vaccinations, mammograms, colonoscopies, and nutrition counseling for obese patients. These services must be free to the patient, with no applicable deductible, co-pay or co-insurance.

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2010/09/20/new-health-care-reform-rules-debut-sept/

Figures!!!! I had mine done on September 1rst. Paying about $700 out of pocket after insurance. Oh well the next one will be less.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I get them done often, I think they are a piece of cake. (I have Crohns)

It's amazing to me that such a simple test saves SO MANY lives. I can't understand why anyone would hesitate to have one (though my dad is one of those people!).

 

[The Mystery Machine]

that is horrible as polyps are slow growing so I have been told. Know that Insurance companies do not cover under 50 years old. My son in laws sister was 42 and she also died from colon cancer as no one would listen to her symptoms blamed on so many other things bloating and menopause etc and when they "finally" did the scope was stage 5. so sorry about your loss.

Not all insurances are like that. You really should check with what your coverage is. They covered mine at 41 however if they "found something" I would have to pay for the removal and biopsies.

Of course she found the precancerous polyps so we had to pay for the additional stuff but naturally it was well worth it.

I think it is crap that they have age "50" as the time to get them. I think you should be able to get one if you have digestive issues at any age. I am glad that the new health policy is changing because the current recommendation is killing people.

 

[Michelle and crew]

Absolutely. No family history here, and 9 years ago landed in the er with my mom, emergency surgery, and a year of chemo. It isn't that bad!

 

[MIGrandma]

DH and I each had them done a couple of years ago. The prep wasn't all that much fun, but it wasn't that bad either. I was more worried about getting the IV started than I was the actual colonoscopy. I got a great nurse though, and hardly felt the needle at all. Once the IV was in, I was just fine. I will not be so nervous the next time, and I would encourage anyone to have it done, it can save their life.

 

[luvmy3]

Absolutely get it done. My mother was diagnosed with colon cancer, she had no family history, she died at the age of 57.

 

[mjkacmom]

Not all insurances are like that. You really should check with what your coverage is. They covered mine at 41 however if they "found something" I would have to pay for the removal and biopsies.

Of course she found the precancerous polyps so we had to pay for the additional stuff but naturally it was well worth it.

I think it is crap that they have age "50" as the time to get them. I think you should be able to get one if you have digestive issues at any age. I am glad that the new health policy is changing because the current recommendation is killing people.

I had it done at 41, and paid a $45 co-pay. It really depends on your insurance.

 

[Michelle and crew]

Absolutely get it done. My mother was diagnosed with colon cancer, she had no family history, she died at the age of 57.

I am so sorry.

 

[MickeySP]

DO IT!!! Most of the risks they put on paper are for legal disclaimer, your odds of complications are very very very - did I say very - slim.

My DBF just had his done, the prep is not lovely but bareable, better than chemo or funeral planning.

The actual procedure, well he was asleep in about 3 seconds, woke up to juice and cookies. While he was there a couple hours to him it seemed like minutes.

He was sleepy after, so he got an afternoon of pampering couch and any food he wanted - maybe you can work this to you advantage LOL!!

He doesn't have to do it again for 5 years and he ha the peace of mind knowing that.

All that if you won't bear it for yourself, then do it for your SO, kids or loved ones - no shoulda done it but now too late.

 

[j's m]

Quote:
Preventive services covered. Beginning Sept. 23, all new or renewed health insurance plans must cover preventive services such as vaccinations, mammograms, colonoscopies, and nutrition counseling for obese patients. These services must be free to the patient, with no applicable deductible, co-pay or co-insurance.

Reading between the lines, "All new or renewed" means that your insurance will cover only after the renewal AFTER Sept 23. Since our insurance renewed Sept 1, we would have to wait a year. Our deductible now is $ 2500. So waiting a year will save all that, but my doctor is bugging me to get it done.

 

[eliza61]

Do it. The night before prep is worse than the test.

 

[tlbwriter]

I think it is crap that they have age "50" as the time to get them. I think you should be able to get one if you have digestive issues at any age.

You CAN get one at any age, if you have a reason to need one. The age 50 recommendation is simply for routine screening.

If you're counting on the new insurance laws, keep in mind that while the law took effect Sept 23, it doesn't apply to existing policies until your particular policy is renewed.

 

[AustinTink]

I have hit the big 50 and my Doctor is pushing hard for a Colonoscopy.I am having no problems and have no family history.

I have been reading about possible complications from the procedure.

I don't want to have it done,but know my Doctor is just trying to do the recommended thing at my age.

For those of you who elected to have it done at age 50,are you glad you did it or do you regret having it done?

Thanks!

Hey, OP. I guess I'll be the first and only person to say your fears are understandable. I'm assuming you are worried about the risks posed by the phosphate solution used to prep the patient. Yes, the risks are slim, but it does happen.

Two years ago my husbands grandma took the prep solution to prepare for her first colonoscopy. She never made it to the colonoscopy, and instead was hospitalized with renal failure. She was healthy. She had no history of kidney disease. This was two years ago. She never recovered. We buried her on Monday.

 

[AustinTink]

http://health.usnews.com/usnews/hea...scopy-prep-solution-may-pose-kidney-risks.htm