Get the colonscopy and my vent.

Dennis McKim said:
I've had two and didn't find that either of them was painful (nor even uncomfortable) in any way. YMMV.
I do know that some people experience discomfort from the prep but I didn't think it was any worse than a mild case of diarrhea. <shrug>
I have a 5-year follow up exam due later this spring and certainly am not apprehensive about it.
Click to expand...

My mother had colon cancer so I go every 5 years too. First time I was clean, second and third times they removed benigh polyps. No problems recovering at all. Some say the worst is the preparation (laxative) but it's not bad at all. You drink the stuff a few times the night before and poop a lot. :yesnod:

They knock you out and when you wake you go home, about an hour or so at the Doc's.

The thing about it is, colon cancer is preventable IF YOU HAVE THE PROCEDURE. No other cancer is preventable. Do it especially if your family has a history of it. :yes:

Godspeed.
 
Last edited:
My sympathies.

I had my first colonoscopy last year. Just a couple of benign polyps but that fact alone made me realize even more than I already did that you just don't know what might be going on inside without testing. I plan on periodic ones from here on out.
 
saracelica said:
He's not in pain. Hospice has him on good drugs. I have so far avoided seeing him doing. I want the healthy father in law in my head. Saw grandfather die... Take his last breathes 3.5 years ago and promised myself I wouldn't do that again. Last time my husband went to see him I got scheduled to work.
Click to expand...

Death is part of life, unfortunately. I know my uncles were happy to see me, even at the end when they couldn't speak any more they would respond to my voice, sometimes with just a twitch, but I get your point, it's a difficult time. I can't say enough about hospice workers and their compassion.
 
Went and saw him tonight. Hubby wanted to bring dinner for his mom. Saw him and c was like yup this is what I wanted to avoid. But made him happy and the others. Took a bit for me to not to cry... Mil doesn't need to see my tears.

Glad this posting didn't get derailed to much this is good therapy. No one at work really knows except for my immediate two bosses. My parents are aging and not that close to my in laws. So it's difficult but typing about it is good.
 
Hang in there. It's difficult. Just pray and spend the time.
 
saracelica said:
Went and saw him tonight. Hubby wanted to bring dinner for his mom. Saw him and c was like yup this is what I wanted to avoid. But made him happy and the others. Took a bit for me to not to cry... Mil doesn't need to see my tears.

Glad this posting didn't get derailed to much this is good therapy. No one at work really knows except for my immediate two bosses. My parents are aging and not that close to my in laws. So it's difficult but typing about it is good.
Click to expand...

It's ok to cry and it's ok to cry when you are visiting them. It's a crappy situation, don't worry about doing the wrong thing, there isn't much wrong you can do. Stiff upper lip is BS. I think you will feel better knowing you were there when he needed you. Just remember, the person is still there even though the body is failing.
 
saracelica said:
For those interested he's now actively dying. He took himself off the nutrition bag. Lot has happened in the year since I posted about it. He was responding to the chemo. To be honest I think the hernia he got was the beginning of the end. They stopped the chemo to fix that problem which is fixed. But while off chemo his cancer spread that much faster. In the year since his diagnosis they went to their timeshare and on a cruise to Alaska. He started complaining of stomach pain lo and behold cancer tumor is in small intestine blocking the exit for the stomach. The Dr wanted to put a stint in to help food pass but that wouldve meant off chemo again. He had enough. Christmas he was okay but on a food hydration bag. We anticipate funeral later this week. Not looking for sympathy just an outlet. Sucks but he had a good year since diagnosis.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry to hear this. Prayers and sympathy for you and your family.
 
Sorry to hear that your FIL is not going to make it, Sara. That said, glad he has hospice care. They were WONDERFUL with my MIL, and made that process so much easier for her and us.

Also, your post now has popped this to the top of my thread list, and I missed it the first time around. I'm turning 47 this month, haven't had one done yet. Will talk to my doctor about it.

I'm wondering if this option is widely available now?

And... how'd we get this far into the thread without somebody posting this?

 
Kate, there are worse things by far. Mama Steingar got moved out of the secure facility a couple weeks ago because she isn't a flight risk. She really doesn't love that much anymore. Doesn't talk. Doesn't recognize little old me. I'd much rather get eaten up by some nasty cancer than suffer that.
 
Last edited:
Sorry to hear this Sara. At least he had a reasonable last year where it seemed he got to do some of the things he wanted to do. Watching someone die is not easy, even if it is expected.
 
TangoWhiskey said:
Sorry to hear that your FIL is not going to make it, Sara. That said, glad he has hospice care. They were WONDERFUL with my MIL, and made that process so much easier for her and us.

Also, your post now has popped this to the top of my thread list, and I missed it the first time around. I'm turning 47 this month, haven't had one done yet. Will talk to my doctor about it.

I'm wondering if this option is widely available now?

And... how'd we get this far into the thread without somebody posting this?

Click to expand...
Thanks Troy. You don't realize the timing of that.... I almost posted a "make me laugh" posting. Then I saw your comment. That was funny. I don't look forward to it in 8 years but I'll do it.
 
I think with the PillCam you're still going to have to do the prep work which by far is the WORST part of the procedure. Once you're on the table, the Cameron Diaz is easy.
 
flyingron said:
I think with the PillCam you're still going to have to do the prep work which by far is the WORST part of the procedure. Once you're on the table, the Cameron Diaz is easy.
Click to expand...

This is very true. I had the procedure done without sedation, and it still wasn't anywhere near as bad as the prep was. It was no worse than a bad case of gas.

Rich
 
steingar said:
Kate, there are worse things by far. Mama Steingar got moved out of the secure facility a couple weeks ago because she isn't a flight risk. She really doesn't love that much anymore. Doesn't talk. Doesn't recognize little old me. I'd much rather get eaten up by some nasty cancer than suffer that.
Click to expand...

Steingar sorry to hear this. I've seen this a few times now in relatives and I pray that I don't live a few days beyond the day I can't take care of myself for good, or I get disabled from dementia.
 
OTOH, once you reach your 70's, you don't need to get scoped anymore. After my last, Doc said "If you want to come back in 10 years, ok but it's not necessary". I told him if I'm still alive and mobile, I might but don't hold a place for me.

After two times, it was no big deal for the third and final.

Cheers
 
X3 Skier said:
OTOH, once you reach your 70's, you don't need to get scoped anymore. After my last, Doc said "If you want to come back in 10 years, ok but it's not necessary". I told him if I'm still alive and mobile, I might but don't hold a place for me.

After two times, it was no big deal for the third and final.

Cheers
Click to expand...

Some of us are on the 5 year plan, nothing to it.
 
RJM62 said:
This is very true. I had the procedure done without sedation, and it still wasn't anywhere near as bad as the prep was. It was no worse than a bad case of gas.

Rich
Click to expand...

Is the prep solution "by prescription only", or is it available over the counter if you feel the need to purge your system?

DISREGARD...

Found it.
 
TangoWhiskey said:
Is the prep solution "by prescription only", or is it available over the counter if you feel the need to purge your system?

DISREGARD...

Found it.
Click to expand...

3 times I've had it done was by prescription.

I'm sure there's something over the counter stuff if you want a 'cleansing'....:D
 
I like to know why with outpatient procedures they require someone to drive you home, must be a legal thing.
 
TangoWhiskey said:
Is the prep solution "by prescription only", or is it available over the counter
Click to expand...

Mine was prescription only...MovieTime...or MoviePrep...or somesuch.

I never had issues with the prep being "hell". Sure I spent a lot of time on the toilet but, well, that's part of it.
 
Last edited:
The last time I used something called SUPREP. Previously we got something that had the somewhat ironic name of "GOLYTELY"
 
teejayevans said:
I like to know why with outpatient procedures they require someone to drive you home, must be a legal thing.
Click to expand...

Because if they let you drive yourself after they've sedated you the suit against them brought by the mothers of the children you inadvertently ran over will almost certainly be successful. They don't really require anything, they just won't give you the sedative if you don't have someone with you to drive. Then again, you can just tough it out like Rich. Remind me to never pi$$ that guy off.
 
TangoWhiskey said:
Is the prep solution "by prescription only", or is it available over the counter if you feel the need to purge your system?

DISREGARD...

Found it.
Click to expand...


One of the products they gave me was Dulcolax, which is OTC. The other was a powder whose active ingredient was some kind of plastic. I forget the name offhand. It was labeled as "prescription only," but I later noticed a powder laxative product with the same active ingredient in Dollar General. I suspect it's the same stuff in a smaller bottle.

Rich
 
steingar said:
Because if they let you drive yourself after they've sedated you the suit against them brought by the mothers of the children you inadvertently ran over will almost certainly be successful. They don't really require anything, they just won't give you the sedative if you don't have someone with you to drive. Then again, you can just tough it out like Rich. Remind me to never pi$$ that guy off.
Click to expand...

It's very subjective, Michael. To me, the minute or two of discomfort while they snaked the thing around the bends -- the rest of the procedure is actually pretty painless -- were less unpleasant to me than the after-effects of sedation. I hate feeling loopy. Pain I can deal with. Loopiness, not so much. I'd make a terrible drug addict.

I suppose some people might also find it embarrassing, especially because the doctor and both nurses were female in my case. But I really didn't care about that. I mean, really, what's the difference? They've all seen better asses than mine.

I had the procedure at a V.A. hospital because they were the nearest place that was willing to do it without sedation. When I asked about that option, they just said sure, no problem. Apparently a pretty high percentage of veterans decline the sedation.

The doctor and the two nurses were obviously experienced as a team. They pushed, prodded, and poked at me throughout the whole procedure to guide the scope along with very little discomfort. I was very impressed.

The lead nurse was from Russia, and she obviously was some kind of specialist in this sort of thing. She explained everything that was going on as I watched it on the monitor. It was pretty interesting, actually. I'd never had a guided tour of my colon before. The other nurse was Filipina and mainly just giggled a lot between pushing and prodding, but she also knew exactly where to push or prod to guide the scope along its way. They were real pros at what they did.

I'm not sure whether these procedures are almost always performed with sedation in the U.S. because Americans are just wimps in general, because hospitals want to pad the bill with a $900.00 charge for $18.00 worth of Propofol, or both. But I can tell you that having it done without the drugs was no big deal for me. Maybe it would be for others. Everyone's pain tolerance is different. But it sure was nice to be able to drive myself home and go about the rest of my day without drooling all over myself.

Rich
 
Last edited:
I didn't mind the drug high at all. Of course, it was also a new experience (being sedated) and I always like those. Heck, I slept most of it off later that day. That said, were I not happily married I might have to grin and bear it, quite literally.

Then again, my reaction to the thing was as unusual as it was spectacular. Wasn't able to eat for about a week. Lost a bunch of weight, interesting way to do it.
 
He passed yesterday morning peacefully.
 
Or to listen to your body. Your body tells you when it neeeds something.... Food,sleep,urinate and we're used to those cues. Pain in the side, allergy symptoms that go on for 6 months, major weight loss all cues to something else. Don't let bulges of your lymph nodes be the catalyst to see a doctor. Man up and see a doctor. Don't need to tell your friends youre going to the doctor do it for your life. Geez guess I'm frustrated more then I thought.
 
saracelica said:
Or to listen to your body. Your body tells you when it neeeds something.... Food,sleep,urinate and we're used to those cues. Pain in the side, allergy symptoms that go on for 6 months, major weight loss all cues to something else. Don't let bulges of your lymph nodes be the catalyst to see a doctor. Man up and see a doctor. Don't need to tell your friends youre going to the doctor do it for your life. Geez guess I'm frustrated more then I thought.
Click to expand...

:yeahthat:


Or let chips fall where they may.....

No one gets out of here alive...:no:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top