Colonoscopy anyone?

[cop414]

Originally Posted by Rootbeer

^That is brilliant. Have read back my earlier post in this thread but I had the flexi-sigmoidoscopy done with no anusthetic and watched it on the screen. The biopsies didn't hurt either. I'd highly recommend the procedure- there's nothing to be scared of in the procedure itself and it can only be beneficial for your health.

Men are notorious for not looking after themselves and dying needlessly from eminently treatable conditions.

If you are due a scan or check up - go.
If you have persistent symptoms- go.

I sadly watched a contractor of ours die over the course of a year from lung cancer - he had never smoked and chose to ignore the symptoms until he was terminal

. If you think having a pipe up you ass or getting your testicles out for your doctor is embarrassing (and I've done both), it is a whole lot more embarrassing to look your wife and kids in the eye as you see them suffer while you edge toward the end from something that could have been treated.

This x 1000, to those out these that are fearful of this I can tell you that I'd much rather have a colonoscopy than have a tooth filled, seriously it's not that bad and could very well save your life and prevent your loved ones having to grieve over something that could have been prevented.

[fmc000]

OK OK guys, you got me. I have rescheduled my exam.

[Moggo]

I've had it done and it's really no big deal. The worst part is the laxative a day or 2 before, now that works quick! Do not leave the house :)

I actually found the camaraderie of sitting with others waiting for your turn with one of those gowns on with your arse hanging out the back quite amusing :)


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[Mick P]

Originally Posted by JohnBaker3

No pics or video, then it didn't happen.....

Actually, save them for a rainy day and we'll take your word for it !!

If he sent in pics or videos he would be moaned at for being a purveyor of fetish porn.

Sometimes you just have to take someones word for it.

Regards

Mick

[Rock]

Had a Gastroscopy and Colonscopy earlier this week and wanted to add some comments to this important topic/thread whilst they were fresh in my mind.
Process began with my last meal, 43 hrs before (Chicken curry with vegetables)
Day Before:
Nothing to eat allowed today. Glass of water for breakfast followed by a further 1 3/4 litres of water during the day.
Thin Beef 'Cup-of-soup' 500ml (strained) at 4.00pm.
6pm - 7 pm - Drink 1 1/2 litres of "Colonlytely" Bowel Prep.
7.15pm - 10.15 pm - Evacuate Bowel Prep.
10.30pm - 4 am - Sleep. (only up once for further evacuation at midnight)
Day of Procedure:
4am - 5.30am - drink next 1 1/2 litres of Bowel Prep.
5.30am - 9.00am - Evacuate Bowel Prep.
9.30am - Check in to Hospital.
11.30am - Procedures under anesthetic.
12.30pm - Wake in Recovery room feeling comfortable and alert. No discomfort.

My only concerns related to the 43 hour fast (I am thin and weigh only 60 kgs and normally cannot miss a meal) and to my ability to drink the quantity of liquid required in the short timeframes, but neither turned out to be a problem.
My only concerns going in to this process were how all the timeframes were going to fit together. I now know that they work just fine. Hope this 'blow-by-blow' may help others.

[SDRider]

I had one back in June. It isn't bad at all. Not nearly as bad as it is made out to be.

The procedure itself is nothing. You get wheeled into a room, they administer your cocktail of sleepy medicine and the next thing you know you wake up and they're done. The hardest part is the fasting and the fluid you have to drink to clear out your colon but even that isn't too bad. I'm on the 5 year plan now.

My doctor told me that they removed a few polyps and one of them likely would have developed into cancer if left unchecked. I forget the medical terminology but 3 of them showed no signs of malignancy but one of them did.

Anyway, if you are over the age of 50 and haven't had this done I would highly recommend it. If I blew it off and waited they likely would be treating me for colon cancer at age 65.

The procedure itself is so easy.

[Headshrinker]

I started this post a long time ago, and I’m going in for my second colonoscopy next month.
I do not expect the same experience with the IV, so I am quite relaxed about the procedure, as it turned out to be fine. The waiting was the worst part...the procedure; cake.

[ltmgeller]

Just had my 2nd about a month ago. The prep is the worst part. Also had the endoscopy and capsule enteroscopy. So much fun.

[TommyT53]

I just had one done on Wednesday. The prep is a pain but remember to have a 5 gallon bucket near you at all times if you are 15 steps away from the loo. I'm not joking about the pail...you will need it or soil your britches if you stray to far.

[Rock]

Yes, Tommy, I was impressed with how well the prep worked, when taken strictly according to the timeframes. You know what is going to happen and if you plan accordingly it all works out without any problems.
I was prepared for a "bad night" but it just never happened because I stuck to the "instructions". Left a good magazine in the loo and it was no trouble.

[josephvman]

I’m 52 and need to schedule one. I’m not looking forward to it, but I’ve had a cystoscopy. If you don’t know what that is just google it and keep in mind they don’t sedate you. Colonoscopy should be a piece of cake, I’m just dreading drinking that nasty prep.

[Langnam]

Originally Posted by josephvman

I’m 52 and need to schedule one. I’m not looking forward to it, but I’ve had a cystoscopy. If you don’t know what that is just google it and keep in mind they don’t sedate you. Colonoscopy should be a piece of cake, I’m just dreading drinking that nasty prep.

Colonoscopy is waaay easier. I’ve had a few cystoscopys for a kidney stone. Just the device alone is scary looking. Never mind the procedure!

Dang, here’s to NEVER again!



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[TheVTCGuy]

I had mine over five years ago, but, am going to get another. I was diagnosed with Diverticulitus about four months ago. It seems to be chronic, it gets better for a few days then comes back. Doc said if it didnt get better we wold have to “go in for a look” I’ll be making the appointment tomorrow. It sucks, but I’ll deal with it.

[Retired Bob]

wantonebad you are a bad dude

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by Retired Bob

wantonebad you are a bad dude

I tend to agree with you!

But I'm slightly worried about what context you might mean this?

[samson66]

Forgive me for the thread revive here but this is an important thread for all of us to read. A lot of 50+ y/o members on here, most of which are male including myself. I just had my first colonoscopy done yesterday.

Yes the prep is not a lot of fun and probably contributed to my slight delay in getting this done. But the procedure itself was a breeze and I was back to stuffing my face again in no time

Anyway take home message is don't delay, get it done! I had three pre-cancerous polyps removed. Obviously if I had waited a few more years they could have been past the "pre" part. So guys, take care of yourselves and get your colonoscopy.

I'm a big baby and if I can do it anyone can

[hbg1]

Originally Posted by samson66

Forgive me for the thread revive here but this is an important thread for all of us to read. A lot of 50+ y/o members on here, most of which are male including myself. I just had my first colonoscopy done yesterday.

Yes the prep is not a lot of fun and probably contributed to my slight delay in getting this done. But the procedure itself was a breeze and I was back to stuffing my face again in no time

Anyway take home message is don't delay, get it done! I had three pre-cancerous polyps removed. Obviously if I had waited a few more years they could have been past the "pre" part. So guys, take care of yourselves and get your colonoscopy.

I'm a big baby and if I can do it anyone can

Read a bit through this thread and wanted to add, colonoscopies can also be done when you're 40 if there's a history.
My family has the history there and I did mine a couple of years ago, as others mentioned it's not bad at all. I don't have to get one again now until I'm 50.

I honestly didn't even think the "prep" part of it was too bad.

Don't be scared, get it done and have the peace of mind!

[TNT009]

The prep is bad if you try to sip the grape flavored yak juice..... Treat it like a Budweiser and just down it, then you're on easy street! And ask to be put out, why you wanna look I have no clue!

[erhein]

I had my third one this past December and had my first polyp removed. The best part is the propofol. Every time I get a procedure and propofol is used, all I can think is that Michael Jackson was really onto something.

[JohnGingerwood]

Had one last year. The hardest part is the drink prep. Lol it is a humbling experience but one of the best things you can do for preventative maintenance.

[airchitect]

I used to volunteer in an OR suite during my college days and watched a ton of these. Back then there was no such thing as getting knocked out for this.....you just grinned and took it like a man Saw more guys who were a “mans man” reduced to withering puddles than I care to remember.


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[airchitect]

Originally Posted by erhein

I had my third one this past December and had my first polyp removed. The best part is the propofol. Every time I get a procedure and propofol is used, all I can think is that Michael Jackson was really onto something.

Last upper scope I had I was so excited to count backward and fall asleep and then wake up tired and go home and sleep all day.... well whatever they used knocked me right out, and woke me right up, without any tired feeling. I was so disappointed. I never get to take naps.🥲


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[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by airchitect

Last upper scope I had I was so excited to count backward and fall asleep and then wake up tired and go home and sleep all day.... well whatever they used knocked me right out, and woke me right up, without any tired feeling. I was so disappointed. I never get to take naps.🥲


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That seems to be the new kind of anesthetic. It's amazing how fast you ease out of the sleep.
dP

[Gab27]

I have IBD, so I've been getting these on a pretty frequent basis since I was in high school. The prep sucks, but it's often overblown...especially considering how they can save your life. My father was deemed high risk for colorectal cancer and regular colonoscopies were used as a screening tool. They detected colon cancer in the early, localized stage. They were able to remove the cancer (without removing his entire colon), he completed chemo, and the cancer has been in remission for over a decade. Survival rates for colon cancer are great when caught in this early stage. Survival rates are terrible if colon cancer spreads.

Please don't put this off if your doctor recommends it! Putting up with a small amount of shit could mean many more years of good health to spend with your family.

[hdrazor251]

I swore I wasn’t going to get one. Then went with my wife for a consult for hers. Dr. said colon cancer is 100% preventable and that not every polyp becomes colon cancer but all colon cancer starts as a polyp. It resonated with me and 6 months later I had 3 polyps removed.

And yes Erhein, the propofol is amazing.

[Theelectricfox]

Worst part was always the prep.

When I had my first one in 2005, you had to drink a gallon of that Golytely drink. Holy shit that was godawful, even when you could chase it down with sprite. It was like drinking oil and the worst part was you had to drink a gallon of the stuff in an hour....sometimes while trying not to shit your pants.

Thankfully the new stuff is like two small 8oz bottles that you can drink in one go.

The anesthesia is the best part.

[hbg1]

Originally Posted by Theelectricfox

Worst part was always the prep.

When I had my first one in 2005, you had to drink a gallon of that Golytely drink. Holy shit that was godawful, even when you could chase it down with sprite. It was like drinking oil and the worst part was you had to drink a gallon of the stuff in an hour....sometimes while trying not to shit your pants.

Thankfully the new stuff is like two small 8oz bottles that you can drink in one go.

The anesthesia is the best part.

Golytely is still a thing sadly, my mom's doctor always prescribes it for her.

I was happy when I found out I didn't have to use that one, just bought over the counter miralax and mixed it with gatorade...not bad at all.

[Boothroyd]

Originally Posted by hbg1

Golytely is still a thing sadly, my mom's doctor always prescribes it for her.

I was happy when I found out I didn't have to use that one, just bought over the counter miralax and mixed it with gatorade...not bad at all.

That's what my doc has me do as well. That and a couple of tablets of Dulcolax to start and bottle of magnesium citrate to end the process. Seems like no big deal.

Don't know why anyone would recommend that Golytely. I can see why people would avoid the procedure based on that THAT prep.

[erhein]

Originally Posted by hdrazor251

And yes Erhein, the propofol is amazing.

Take it from someone who had ether twice as a child in the 1950's. Anesthetics have come a looooong way.

[Boopie]

I’m glad this old thread was revived.

Our doctor advised my husband and me to get it done at 50, so we both had one done. He did it first and I delayed a year because it’s not something I really wanted to jump into. We went to the same doctor.

One tip I got from a friend who’s had a few (due to family history) is to start your own prep a couple of days before e.g. have more liquids, avoid nuts and harder to digest foods, etc., then the real official prep is the day before. It wasn’t as bad as I’d feared. I was awake but sedated, and I wasn’t uncomfortable at all. I was able to watch the screen with the doctor, and it may sound weird but it was gratifying to see that the prep was so effective that the doctor was able to get a clear view.

I’d had a legal case involving a man who died of colon cancer, which of course is what a colonoscopy is designed to prevent. Without getting graphic, it was a horrible, horrible course of suffering and death. As much as you may dread getting a colonoscopy, it is absolutely nothing compared to actually having colon cancer.

It’s worth the time to research a good doctor, and just go for it, especially if you’re over 50. When you’re done, you’ll be glad that you did it, and will wonder what all of the fuss is about.