Gold Supporter
Bronze Supporter
- Messages
- 3,268
- Reactions
- 10,405
They still have a protocol for this, I think risk assessment has something to do with frequency/type of evaluation. We had Group Health here before Kaiser Wash. bought them out a few years ago. Nothing with regard to that schedule seems to have changed. I'm on the five year colonoscopy schedule. My wife does what she calls, "the poop test." They keep notes on my records that indicate when the exam is due.
What's the deal with anesthesia for colonoscopy? I've had the procedure several times, as I recall I've always been completely aware during it. The very first time I had this back in the 1970's was memorable. The instruments used have changed. At that time, I got a glance at the probe and it appeared to be about the diameter of a garden hose. It had a compressed air feature to dilate the colon so a good image could be gotten. Okay, they get me in "the little room," and I'm on my hands and knees with my Heinie raised up. The probe was just in and they were filling my bowel with air. Every so often, this air build-up would release itself in a big blast of clear flatulence. So about the time they start to get down to real business, the doctor says, "Oh, Mr. Merkt, you wouldn't mind having visiting student nurses look in on the procedure, would you?" Without waiting for any response from me, the doctor turns and says, "Okay girls, come on it." About five or six young women, maybe aged 17 to early 20's troop in. They were already tittering and giggling a bit, but when the next big blast of wind phart blew out, they really laughed. Although I couldn't see their faces nor they mine, it was somewhat humiliating. Not very professional, I would say, compared to subsequent similar procedures that I've had.
With Providence insurance, I had my first scope job at 50, and they wanted me to do it again at 60. By then I switched to Kaiser only because my Wife's insurance took over. So when I tried booking the scope job they just plain said no and offered me the popsicle stick smear once a year. Finally at 65 (I think), I got the scope again.
Anesthesia? It was explained to me I wouldn't be completely out, but I'd be so close I wouldn't know the difference. I was apparently awake enough one time to see the cave on TV while the camera was in high speed reverse.