Colonoscopy-Yes Or No?

[The Mystery Machine]

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.

I know you can, I just do not agree with the recommendation. I have had "digestive issues" all my life and with the "50 recommendation" I had to pressure my gastro to do it. Since my insurance covered a routine screening she went ahead with it. I was already going under for an endoscopy so why not get both done, you know?

The look on her face after the fact was priceless and she said I was so lucky to insist. Thank goodness she was a good gastro and went with my "gut". Otherwise I might be sitting here typing with colon cancer setting up in my intestines and not even know it. I am 45 now and have 2 colonoscopies already.

 

[Minnesota!]

My dad died at age 51 from colon cancer. No family history, no complications until about 1 month before he was diagnosed. Then it was too late. Had he been screened at 50, it would have been caught and there is a good chance that my dad would still have been here to walk me down the aisle, meet his 5 grandkids, and so on. Colon cancer robbed my dad of life at a very young age.

Get screened.

I got screened for the first time this year at the age of 32 (did it as a birthday present to myself). Since it is in my history now, I am being as proactive as I can. I do not want my kids to go through what I have gone through - the anger of my dad missing out on so much when a simple test could have saved him.

It's an easy test. No pain. The worst part was the IV in my hand in case I wanted something to relax me.

Get it done.

 

[Dan Murphy]

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.

It is my understanding that the 'shortcut' preps are no longer allowed, or at least not used any more, due to the renal failure risks. I think all are now done with the high volume, Nulytely/Tri-Lyte, or similar.

 

[MomRN]

I haven't read all the pages, I'm going to the dr. in 45 minutes for a follow-up... for my colonscopy and fistula repair.

I've had vague abdominal pain for awhile. Enought to know something is wrong, not enough to send me to the ER. While talking about the fistula repair the surgeon said, let's do a colonoscopy also. The prep was the same for the fistula repair, I'd already be out, and it would help rule out or diagnose my abdominal pain.

He took out 8 polyps. One was quite large and nasty looking. All of them were sent to biopsy.

I'm 31... imagine had I waited until 50.

The only time I don't suggest screening tests is if you wouldn't do anything about it anyway. Does a 90 year old woman need a colonscopy if she wouldn't undergo treatment for colon cancer anyway? Probably not. If you found out you had "x" disease and would choose to do something about it... then you should have the screening.

Just my opinion...

eta: Your fears are rational. There are issues such as perforation that can occur. It's normal to be worried about any procedure. Drawing labs can cause an infection. I'd still recommend the test be done.

 

[crazymama]

I concur... go for it. I just had my 2nd screening colonoscopy due to family history (I'm 47) and they found a precancerous polyp that I need to have removed. I see the GI doc tomorrow for a referral to a surgeon. This kind of polyp cannot be removed during the colonoscopy without risk of bowel perforation so I need to have a piece of colon removed. Hey... small price to pay for cancer prevention. I, too, was going to defer the test because I had too much to do and expected it to show nothing. Get the test!!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

It is my understanding that the 'shortcut' preps are no longer allowed, or at least not used any more, due to the renal failure risks. I think all are now done with the high volume, Nulytely/Tri-Lyte, or similar.

I did the Miralax prep recently.

 

[perdidobay]

My DH had a colonoscopy done at age 51, after me nagging him. They were able to remove a strawberry sized polyp that was precancerous. The doc said if he had waited just 6 more months, it would have taken surgery to remove what would have most likely been cancerous at that point.

Any discomfort from the prep or procedure is well worth it in the long run.
I had it done at age 50.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

It is my understanding that the 'shortcut' preps are no longer allowed, or at least not used any more, due to the renal failure risks. I think all are now done with the high volume, Nulytely/Tri-Lyte, or similar.

Some GI doctors follow this procedure: The day before the procedure, you will be on a clear liquid diet, and you will need four Dulcolax tablets and Nulytely or Tri-lyte from the pharmacy.

As others have said, just do the colonoscopy.

 

[dejr_8]

Some GI doctors follow this procedure: The day before the procedure, you will be on a clear liquid diet, and you will need four Dulcolax tablets and Nulytely or Tri-lyte from the pharmacy.

As others have said, just do the colonoscopy.

All the fear and concerns associated with the procedure are mental. There is more discomfort involved with getting your teeth cleaned.

 

[cruisnfamily]

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/

Thanks for the link! That was interesting.

I put it off for a year after I hit 50. My doctor suggested it again when I went for my annual physical at 51. I'm glad he did as they found I had Stage 3 colon cancer. I've had surgery and chemo and have been clean for a year now. I no longer complain about having to have that colonoscopy and wish I had gone in that first year.

YOu had no symptoms at all?

 

[MomRN]

I haven't read all the pages, I'm going to the dr. in 45 minutes for a follow-up... for my colonscopy and fistula repair.

I've had vague abdominal pain for awhile. Enought to know something is wrong, not enough to send me to the ER. While talking about the fistula repair the surgeon said, let's do a colonoscopy also. The prep was the same for the fistula repair, I'd already be out, and it would help rule out or diagnose my abdominal pain.

He took out 8 polyps. One was quite large and nasty looking. All of them were sent to biopsy.

I'm 31... imagine had I waited until 50.

The only time I don't suggest screening tests is if you wouldn't do anything about it anyway. Does a 90 year old woman need a colonscopy if she wouldn't undergo treatment for colon cancer anyway? Probably not. If you found out you had "x" disease and would choose to do something about it... then you should have the screening.

Just my opinion...

eta: Your fears are rational. There are issues such as perforation that can occur. It's normal to be worried about any procedure. Drawing labs can cause an infection. I'd still recommend the test be done.

I'm back. All is good in that area. Two of the polys were pre-cancerous, so now I'm on a 3 year schedule, but the dr said had I waited until I was 50 for my first colonoscopy it would have almost certainly been bad news.

I took the pill prep, and it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I'm back. All is good in that area. Two of the polys were pre-cancerous, so now I'm on a 3 year schedule, but the dr said had I waited until I was 50 for my first colonoscopy it would have almost certainly been bad news.

I took the pill prep, and it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

YEA!!!!!! I know how you feel. I would have been in the same boat.

Who made up this "50 recommedation" anyway. I think it is time to change it to 40.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

do it!

as some one who is much younger and has had many over the years, get it done!!! i've suffered from colitis- and as of july and scope number i dont know what my dx changed to crohns.

the scope itself is fine, in fact last year i had one done without any meds at all. it was only supposed to be a sigmoid scope- 5-6 inches. um yeah my gi doc said well since were here and you're not in pain, lets keep going. wahoo! great fun! lol

really the scope is nothing to worry about and it's actually cool to see your bowel on the screen. it's very clean and pink!!! a little uncofortable when the gas is being pumped into you, but you are encouraged to pass it afterwards- do it, it helps.

the prep on the other hand- that is the worst part of all. i drink colyte and it's like drinking clear thick gellatin, with "pineapple" flavour. um yeah rite. blech!!! i chug it and then have an apple juice chaser.

trust me in the end-pun intended! it is worth saving your life!!!

 

[WDWLVR]

Thanks for the link! That was interesting.

YOu had no symptoms at all?

No symptoms at all. It was for a routine exam.

 

[Bilberry]

Having had a GI condition, I've been through the scope procedure more times than i care. It's not all that bad. The laxative is atomic, and the drugs knock me out for the rest of the day, being pumped full of air isn't all that thrilling either, but overall it's not a horrible experience.

With that said, a friend of my mom had the lower scope recently, and her colon was ruptured. From what I hear she is in bad shape, also suffering a heart attack shortly later. Not good, so the procedure is not risk free.

I take vitamin D3 and fish oil to help prevent colon cancer. I've read that both are thought to help prevent that type of cancer. I was just reading a study this morning that the protein arginine helps inhibit colon cancer growth also.

"Evidence that arginine - found in high levels in meat - inhibits growth of colon cancer."

http://twitter.com/DrEades

 

[DVC-Don]

I'm 58 and have had it done 3 times. I had no problems, no family history of problems, but the doc found 3 polips on the first look that had to be removed and found I had diverticulitus. That later required removal of about 16" of my large bowel. Doing fine now 2+ years after that.

 

[DWCricket]

I haven't read all the replies and will preface my comments by saying I work in the cancer field, so I may be biased.

Definitely have it done. If caught in the early stages colon cancer has a very high (90-99%) long term survival. If caught went symptomatic? Not so good.

The current recommendations are to start at 50, if there is a familial history then at age 40 (some specific genetic causes recommend earlier screening, however you would likely know if this type of familial colon cancer was happening in your family).

The actual procedure is not that bad, the prep is the worst part. If you absolutely can not bring yourself to do the colonoscopy you should look into fecal testing- which is just coming available and has good results.

 

[Magix]

I had my first one done at 39. My mom died 6 years ago (at age 63) of colon cancer, with no previous family history. I did not hesitate to have my test done. The prep (Go-Lytly or some such ironic name) was the worst part. I laughed at the effect it had every time I was in the bathroom! I typically describe the stuff as being much like drinking Los Angeles Harbor in both quantity and quality, but it's totally worth it. I had no polyps or anything, but I'd rather know than worry. The test itself was actually pretty great. Just after getting into the exam room, I knocked out and woke up later in the recovery area. Was the best nap of my life. I mean, a real quality bit of sleep! I'm actually looking forward to that part of it next time. Due again in 2 years.

My Dad, on the other hand, won't go near the test, no matter what I say about it. He seems convinced there's a suppository involved (I believe he's thinking of the sigmoidoscopy), so he won't do it. How excessively lame is that? Lose your wife of 40+ years to colon cancer, watch all that suffering, then refuse to have the preventative tests done. I hope he doesn't expect much sympathy from me, if he does end up with colon cancer.

 

[tekoa]

Please DO it!!!!

 

[disneyfans95]

I had my first one done at 39. My mom died 6 years ago (at age 63) of colon cancer, with no previous family history. I did not hesitate to have my test done. The prep (Go-Lytly or some such ironic name) was the worst part. I laughed at the effect it had every time I was in the bathroom! I typically describe the stuff as being much like drinking Los Angeles Harbor in both quantity and quality, but it's totally worth it. I had no polyps or anything, but I'd rather know than worry. The test itself was actually pretty great. Just after getting into the exam room, I knocked out and woke up later in the recovery area. Was the best nap of my life. I mean, a real quality bit of sleep! I'm actually looking forward to that part of it next time. Due again in 2 years.

My Dad, on the other hand, won't go near the test, no matter what I say about it. He seems convinced there's a suppository involved (I believe he's thinking of the sigmoidoscopy), so he won't do it. How excessively lame is that? Lose your wife of 40+ years to colon cancer, watch all that suffering, then refuse to have the preventative tests done. I hope he doesn't expect much sympathy from me, if he does end up with colon cancer.

I feel really bad for your Father if that is how you treat him. Shame on you as his daughter for not being able to grasp how it is common for people to fear doctors..

More so for you males and dealing with prostates, colons etc... Don't judge the guy, help him.

You are sad.