PSA: for those over 45 years

[cwbullet]

Guys,

If you are over 45 or have a family history of colon cancer, consider getting a colonoscopy. I recently had my first one at 55. Forty percent of the time, they find precancerous polyps, and 40 out of 10K will have colon cancer. It is worth the time to protect yourself.

Mine was pain free and was scoped from the top and bottom.

 

[H_Rocket]

And it’s the best nap you will ever take.

 

[cwbullet]

And it’s the best nap you will ever take.

And the prep is very en-"lightening."

 

[David Schwantz]

I've had 2, what nap???

 

[cwbullet]

I've had 2, what nap???

It depends on what they give you and your medical history. I received versed, and fentanyl and I do not remember anything but the final 2-3 minutes.

Either way, I think any experience in a Colonoscopy is better than Chemo or Radiation.

 

[tsmith1315]

Guys,

If you are over 45 or have a family history of colon cancer, consider getting a colonoscopy. I recently had my first one at 55. Forty percent of the time, they find precancerous polyps, and 40 out of 10K will have colon cancer. It is worth the time to protect yourself.

Mine was pain free and was scoped from the top and bottom.

Everyone, please don’t put this off. Not even a year.

Talk to your doctor. If you don’t ever go to a doctor because you don’t have issues, please go to a doctor for this. I’ve been on the bad side of this situation, you don’t want to be there if you can help it.

My annual scoping is scheduled for next Tuesday. I’m happy to do it.

 

[David Schwantz]

I watched them both

 

[Marc_G]

And the prep is very en-"lightening."

Last time, I got the Super Prep I think it was called. Two doses, one early evening before, and one early morning day of procedure.

My god, I was like a fire hose.

 

[shawn_rocket]

I've had 2, what nap???

Ask them for Propofol. You will feel like you've slept for days.

 

[loopy]

Ask them for Propofol. You will feel like you've slept for days.

Yup...my most recent one, they gave me propofol...felt like I just got the best nights sleep I'd ever had...it was AMAZING!

 

[loopy]

LOVE this post! My oldest brother had colon cancer at age 40, which meant I had my first scan at 32. Found two pre-cancerous polyps, and two more three years later. I've had a couple of clear scans now, so I've moved up to the 5 year plan, which makes me happy. But you're exactly right - no big deal to have it done. Just make sure you have GOOD toilet paper, and a clear view of a television from the bathroom...

 

[cls]

Seems unnecessary to jump in with that as primary when cheaper unintrusive tests like FIT are available.

Some of us (me) do not ever want any anaesthesia again, already had too much.

 

[T-Rex]

I had my second one this past October. (My first was 19 years ago.) Positive Cologuard test showed the urgency to my employer. 9 polyps, all benign. Put me on the yearly plan for the next couple.

Last time, I got the Super Prep I think it was called. Two doses, one early evening before, and one early morning day of procedure.

My god, I was like a fire hose.

I get to look forward to that on this next one.....

Oldest brother passed away from colon cancer shortly after his 43rd birthday.

 

[cwbullet]

Seems unnecessary to jump in with that as primary when cheaper unintrusive tests like FIT are available.

Some of us (me) do not ever want any anaesthesia again, already had too much.

That is ok, but as a physician, I have to want folks to know that FIT and Cologuard do miss cancers. If you think they are perfect alternatives, you are fooling yourself. They miss a significant amount of colon cancer.

I had Cologuard and FIT for my first screening three years ago, Mine was normal. I have zero family members with a history of colon cancer, so I figured I am low risk so that I would go the easier and less invasive route. My Colo screening was not normal. I would not share that, but this is an opportune time to mention it. I do not have colon cancer, but I must get more regular screening because of the abnormalities.

Discuss it with a clinician and consider a Colonoscopy.

I bought off on the poop bucket screening (FIT or

 

[KenECoyote]

Great message! Even more important now when there are pandemics that can risk lessening your chances if you find out too late.

One of my cousins felt something wrong at age 49, so he got a colonoscopy and they found that he had rectal cancer.

It had also progressed and initially they didn't give him more than a year, but he stayed with us for 5 years and then it's possible a family birthday party infected him with Covid (that family didn't want to talk about it and I don't blame them).

Enjoy every day above ground and "get your butt over to be checked!"

 

[Joekeyo]

And it’s the best nap you will ever take.

Only the 1st time

 

[cwbullet]

Great message! Even more important now when there are pandemics that can risk lessening your chances if you find out too late.

One of my cousins felt something wrong at age 49, so he got a colonoscopy and they found that he had rectal cancer.

It had also progressed and initially they didn't give him more than a year, but he stayed with us for 5 years and then it's possible a family birthday party infected him with Covid (that family didn't want to talk about it and I don't blame them).

Enjoy every day above ground and "get your butt over to be checked!"

As a man of a certain age and clinician, I felt I had to share. For some reason, I always thought it would not happen to me.

 

[K'Tesh]

One thing I found that helped deal with that nasty stuff that they make you drink to clean you out... Forget the Countrytime Lemonade crap... Get yourself some McDonalds sweet tea... take a swig of the colon blow, then chase it with the sweet tea. Neutralizes the flavor immediately

 

[K'Tesh]

Dave Barry's Colonoscopy Story... A must read...

https://www.miamiherald.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/dave-barry/article1928847.html

 

[loopy]

Seems unnecessary to jump in with that as primary when cheaper unintrusive tests like FIT are available.

Some of us (me) do not ever want any anaesthesia again, already had too much.

Not a viable alternative for those at high risk or with a family history.

 

[cls]

That is ok, but as a physician, I have to want folks to know that FIT and Cologuard do miss cancers. If you think they are perfect alternatives, you are fooling yourself. They miss a signific

True enough. I'm working with my GP and gastroenterologist, we know the probabilities and risks of the tests, my personal risk factors, and they understand my reasons for avoiding anaesthesia. Anyway, the probe camera isn't 100%, either.

 

[cwbullet]

True enough. I'm working with my GP and gastroenterologist, we know the probabilities and risks of the tests, my personal risk factors, and they understand my reasons for avoiding anaesthesia. Anyway, the probe camera isn't 100%, either.

True, but the scope is much closer to 100% than the alternatives alone or together, Especially if you choose a good GI doc.

 

[Buzzard]

I lost my Dad almost 25 years ago to Stage 4 Colon Cancer. He was a saleman on commission and I imagine he avoided bathroom breaks to make sales. My wife of 25 years had Stage 1 Colon Cancer about 8 years ago, had surgery, and is doing well with follow-up blood work. She was a speech pathologist in public schools and also minimize bathroom breaks. I feel there is a definate link.
I have had two colonoscopies with benign polyps found. Thanks cwbullet for bringing this topic up.

Chas

 

[Sandy H.]

I know someone who is going in for their first time and a question they had was should they choose Suprep or NuLytely for the prep side. Also, I assume in @cwbullet 's post #5 he meant propofol and not fentanyl, but not 100% sure.

Sandy.

 

[skaffgeorge2]

Guys,

If you are over 45 or have a family history of colon cancer, consider getting a colonoscopy. I recently had my first one at 55. Forty percent of the time, they find precancerous polyps, and 40 out of 10K will have colon cancer. It is worth the time to protect yourself.

Mine was pain free and was scoped from the top and bottom.

I would like to talk about an extremely deadly form of cancer that generally isn't expected or screened for, and that is stomach cancer.I lost my father to it 30 years ago, and it was the deadliest and most traumatic cancer I've had the experience to deal with.What I tell people is to Never,Never ignore stomach symptoms no matter what they might be.It can be very subtle and the symptoms can appear seemingly overnight.That's how it presented with Dad,one day he was alright but the next he was vomiting violently and losing weight rapidly.He passed on three months later , after quite a rapid decline.So take care and stay on top of this, because believe me when i tell you NO ONE wants to have to deal with this often silent and lethal killer.

 

[cwbullet]

I know someone who is going in for their first time and a question they had was should they choose Suprep or NuLytely for the prep side. Also, I assume in @cwbullet 's post #5 he meant propofol and not fentanyl, but not 100% sure.

Sandy.

No, I had versed and fentanyl. Fentanyl is a common anesthetic.

 

[cwbullet]

I would like to talk about an extremely deadly form of cancer that generally isn't expected or screened for, and that is stomach cancer.I lost my father to it 30 years ago, and it was the deadliest and most traumatic cancer I've had the experience to deal with.What I tell people is to Never,Never ignore stomach symptoms no matter what they might be.It can be very subtle and the symptoms can appear seemingly overnight.That's how it presented with Dad,one day he was alright but the next he was vomiting violently and losing weight rapidly.He passed on three months later , after quite a rapid decline.So take care and stay on top of this, because believe me when i tell you NO ONE wants to have to deal with this often silent and lethal killer.

That is why I had a upper Gi scope also. Unfortunately, insurance does not cover a scope for asymptomatic people with no family history of stomach cancer. That is for another discussion.

 

[skaffgeorge2]

That is why I had a upper Gi scope also.

My dad did also, when the weight loss and vicious vomiting started Mom got really scared and practically ordered him to see his doctor,and he ordered both an upper GI and endoscopic exam,and that's when a 5 cm tumor was found in the upper part of his stomach, which had already widely metastasized to his organs and skeleton.It was graded a Stage3 cancer, which in this case was terminal.It's a good thing you did what you did, because stomach cancer generally responds very poorly to treatment, even if it's caught early.It's good that you have the knowledge and training to recognize a potential problem.

 

[tsmith1315]

I know someone who is going in for their first time and a question they had was should they choose Suprep or NuLytely for the prep side.

Suprep is a 16oz shot followed by two? glasses of water. For me, this was much easier than the giant jug of GoLytely. The big jug is easier to tolerate if mixed with Lemon-Lime Gatorade and chilled.

 

[bobby_hamill]

when I got mine they gave me a nice 5x5 glossy as a thank you.
Needless to say the glossy stunk !!
Good thing they did not use a flash