Get a colonoscopy!!!

[Wombat of Doom]

Because of eosinophilic esophagitis and gi issues which are debatably true celiacs or a slight variation I am 38 and I am on the 5 year plan. My first was over 10 years ago. Let me tell you, waking up during a biopsy is not fun. This time around I was blissfully out the whole time. Also got a precancerous polyp.

 

[etrain16]

Had my first one last year. They found 5 polyps, one was precancerous, which we have a family history of. They removed them all, now I have to go back on a 3-year rotation. If I'm clear in 3 years, it will go out to 5 years.

I also had an endoscopy at the same time. I received a new diagnosis of Celiac last year and that was to confirm the diagnosis, which it did. They also found some esophageal erosion. Good news is, it was early stage, and with treatment, will heal. Unchecked, it could have eventually turned to cancer. The Celiac, untreated, can also turn to cancer.

It is very important to get checked. It's a bit unpleasant, but far, far preferable to a nasty diagnosis down the road.

 

[The Heretic]

Dining at Taco Bell could expedite things too. Could be a standard part of the procedure.

I don't know why people say that - I have no problems with their tacos - decent fast food. I don't bother with the rest - if I want real mex food I go to a real mex restaurant. Going to Taco Bell for real mex food is like going to McDonalds for real american food.

 

[CountryGent]

I don't know why people say that - I have no problems with their tacos - decent fast food. I don't bother with the rest - if I want real mex food I go to a real mex restaurant. Going to Taco Bell for real mex food is like going to McDonalds for real american food.

I gave up on fast food a while ago. In general, Taco Bell wasn't bad, though obviously not authentic. However, the one in The Dalles we would go to when we used to live way out the high plains would often make us sick. No idea what was up, but was one of many reasons we stopped doing the fast food thing.

 

[JohnnyMac]

Had mine at 50 and am on the 10 year plan. I felt like the actions of the day before was a good way to clean out the pipes so although it was a bit inconvenient, It wasn't bad. I did wake up mid way through and had some fairly intense gas type pains, but they put me back under within a few seconds and when I woke up my wife was sitting next to me tapping her watch like, "Let's go, I got things to do".... Pretty painless for the most part and I'd have no problem doing it again.

 

[The Heretic]

I gave up on fast food a while ago. In general, Taco Bell wasn't bad, though obviously not authentic.

Maybe every other week or so I stop on my way home to get a burger or sometimes the three supreme taco meal - I like the combo of the crunchy hard shell taco and the meat and lettuce and sour cream.

 

[CountryGent]

I like the combo of the crunchy hard shell taco and the meat and lettuce and sour cream.

mmm sounds delicious. It is late and I have most spirited discussion with my beloved. But a taco sounds good.

 

[GWS]

I need the name of your doctor!!!

Because of family history of cancer, I'm on the 5 year plan, have been since I was 35. And I agree the prep before is the worse part. Then a trip for a nice steak dinner with baked potato and beers afterwards. Reward for the misery of the prep.

I do agree, it's an easy way to help ensure your continued health.

Yes++ on the feast afterward

 

[po18guy]

A friend had one and they found colon cancer, but early Chemo cleared it up. Not fun but better than surgery and chemo.
I had one in October, 16 years since my last one and they found and removed 3 pre-cancerous polyps so I go back in 3 years.
I really appreciated that they put NO CANCER in caps in my results letter.
First thing I saw when I opened it. It was a big relief.
Yes its undignified and the prep is a drag but It beats the hell out of cancer. Order one of those bidet things for your toilet. It will save your bum a lot of irritation.
Make it happen, Cap'n!

Localized colon cancer is a nuisance. Metastasized colon cancer is deadly. So many are afraid. The procedure is nothing - you are out. The prep is not all that different from dining at a taco truck...

 

[The Heretic]

Yes++ on the feast afterward

I went to five guys - biggest burger, fries and shake

 

[Goosebrown]

Localized colon cancer is a nuisance. Metastasized colon cancer is deadly. So many are afraid. The procedure is nothing - you are out. The prep is not all that different from dining at a taco truck...

Exactly. Prep is a hassle but no worse than a bout of diarrhea. You're not suave that evening, but really if you're putting it off, don't.

 

[gmerkt]

I've still never met my personal doctor there.

That's not a good thing. My wife and I have had the same primary care doctor at GHC then Kaiser since 1992. It's only when she's on vacation that we can't get in timely to see her. Not counting specialists (which I've got one of in nearly every department except psychiatric), I've seen a few assorted PC docs in the absence of our regular and they haven't been bad. But for the sake of continuity I like to stick with the same. Which will be a problem unless I die within a couple of years. I found out our doc. is 60, wants to retire at 62. You live too long, you wind up out-living your doctors. I've outlived several dentists in my lifetime. But the primary dentist and periodontist that I have now are both young, they will be around after I'm gone.

At Kaiser, doctors have assigned "panels" of patient load. Popular, long-standing physicians have high number panels, while newbie staff doctors don't. Kaiser tries to smooth out this workload by "inviting" patients to change over to docs with lighter panels but they can't force it.

I know I'm very grateful for Kaiser though. We have been very lucky to have them.

I agree. I guess I have gotten used to institutional style medicine. Some people aren't happy unless they have their own coterie of professionals in private practice. Which I basically have the equivalent of at Kaiser, as described above. The big difference, Kaiser is a unitary system and takes care of all the details for me. A big HMO like Kaiser, in our area formerly Group Health Cooperative, doesn't have any financial incentive to over-treat you; they also have a distinct incentive (malpractice exposure) to not under-treat you. Every system has flaws but I find these two concepts to be generally in good balance at Kaiser. In my experience, anyway.

Once in a while, I do get assigned a private practice provider by Kaiser outside of their system. Typically a specialist. I have a foot surgery coming up and a private podiatrist will be doing the work. Kaiser picks up the tab as if they were doing it.

Decades ago when I was working in California, I had Kaiser medical coverage there and was happy with it. Kaiser Wash. is administered as a separate arm of the organization.

I also had an endoscopy

This one I've had and they definitely put me under for it. Otherwise there's no way they could do this without a lot of gagging and thrashing around.

General anesthetic. I've had a number of surgeries in my lifetime and have some experience of it. They drift you off asleep, next thing you know it's all over and you're waking up in the recovery room. In the cocktail of anesthesia that they give you, one ingredient is a drug that suppresses the dream feature so the time you're under, it's all totally blank. These days. When I was a kid, I had a surgery and was put under with ether. I came out of that with strong memories of weird, colorful dreams.

 

[Pandaz3]

I had my eighth Butt-O-Scope last month along with my fourth Throat-O-Scope, Up to eight Dick-O-Scopes too. I'm Special!
I did have Bladder Cancer, but gone for now.
Things I have heard while in that part way anesthesia, that I really did not hear, are
"Gee that one looks interesting" and "That is the biggest polyp I have seen in eight years working the Lab"

 

[po18guy]

Because of eosinophilic esophagitis and gi issues which are debatably true celiacs or a slight variation I am 38 and I am on the 5 year plan. My first was over 10 years ago. Let me tell you, waking up during a biopsy is not fun. This time around I was blissfully out the whole time. Also got a precancerous polyp.

Good that you are treating the "celiac", as there is a really nasty T-Cell Lymphoma associated with untreated celiac.

 

[NW Backpacker]

These pill cameras sound interesting:

Capsule endoscopy - Mayo Clinic

www.mayoclinic.org

Prep for colonoscopy is not the most pleasant, but not that horrible either. Every time I've had one they put me out with an injected drug - was a nice sleep.

 

[Ops]

need something to grab them

 

[2A2Dend]

10 oz of this,
Equate Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Lemon Flavor

24 hours before your appointment worked to my expectations

 

[STEELE]

Jokes aside...my good friend had a colonoscopy which he had avoided because he hates the needles for the anesthesia and fears doctors. They found "problems" and now he's scheduled for the removal of about 10 inches of his bowel. He might have to wear the dreaded "poop bag" afterwards. His father had same problem, so genetics is probably the cause along with avoiding periodic checks. Diverticulitis was the initial diagnosis. Bite the "bullet" and get yours checked!!!!

 

[Goosebrown]

Jokes aside...my good friend had a colonoscopy which he had avoided because he hates the needles for the anesthesia and fears doctors. They found "problems" and now he's scheduled for the removal of about 10 inches of his bowel. He might have to wear the dreaded "poop bag" afterwards. His father had same problem, so genetics is probably the cause along with avoiding periodic checks. Diverticulitis was the initial diagnosis. Bite the "bullet" and get yours checked!!!!

Thank you.

I want all you(r) a** holes to be here for a long time

 

[2A2Dend]

Jokes aside...my good friend had a colonoscopy which he had avoided because he hates the needles for the anesthesia and fears doctors. They found "problems" and now he's scheduled for the removal of about 10 inches of his bowel. He might have to wear the dreaded "poop bag" afterwards. His father had same problem, so genetics is probably the cause along with avoiding periodic checks. Diverticulitis was the initial diagnosis. Bite the "bullet" and get yours checked!!!!

I've had several back door inspections over the years, and no, the whole prep to procedure experience does (did) make me nervous.
The first time, I'll never forget. I was given a gallon jug of what appeared to be clear liquid. My thought, No problem, I can drink that.
I like to about gag at the taste, then managed to get a 16oz glass of it down. At the verge of tossing. It was horrible, and given that, my experience was not as expected. Then I was told by the pharmacist to try what I posted in my previous post. FAR cheaper, better tasting, thankfully a lesser amount.
Put it in the refrigerator, add ice, it's like drinking Lemonade.
After that, the procedure was a piece of cake.