I don't come to this site very often, but one thing I've never seen discussed (or mentioned for that matter) are colonoscopies. Let me begin by saying I'm a firm believer in having one. However unpleasant one may think of the procedure, it's really not all that bad. I always tell anyone that the worst part is the prep the day before. No solid foods, certain liquids are OK and then the cleansing part. You begin that by drinking 8 ounces of some indescribable liquid every 15 minutes until you finish off the gallon. By the time you've reached the half gallon mark, it's already beginning to work its magic. By the next morning, you're afraid to fart for fear you'll soil your shorts. The day of the procedure, still no eating or drinking. Get the appointment as early in the morning as possible, unless being hungry doesn't bother you. The procedure itself is simple. They hook you up to an IV, the drug puts you into dreamland and about 30 minutes later, you're waking up in another room with no after effects.

So, why am I writing this? My dad died in 1979 at age 59 from colon cancer. My sister died at 57, also from colon cancer. Each of my siblings that have had colonoscopies have had polyps, which is the first stage of cancer. I've had three since 1994 and the last two came back with polyps. Most people should have the procedure upon reaching age 50. If one person that reads this and gets tested, I'll feel I've done something worthwhile.

Talk to your Doctor they have three little pills you can take instead of that gallon of Go-lightly you mention, ask if it's an option for you. As a nurse I used to assist with colonoscopies and the pre-prep is extremely important. We could always tell who didn't prep correctly. You want that colon real clean so the Doc can detect any polyps/abnormalities easily. Folks who didn't follow prep instructions closely were pretty much wasting their time. Colon looked like a dirty sewer pipe, hard to get good visuals. My two cents.

Worthwhile post, if not the most appealing subject matter. My best friend, John was diagnosed and it prompted me to get my first procedure at age 54. Some polyps found and removed and the doctor told me that all men over age 50 should have the procedure every 5 years, but if polyps were found to have it done every 3 years. John died December 14, 2008.

Have had three of them starting at 50. Other than that god-awful liquid you have to consume it is a simple procedure. Never heard the snap of the rubber glove. It's about the only time you can fart to your hearts content and get away with it. It's comical in recovery with everyone trying not to snicker as the different musical notes are heard behind the curtains.

YES, GET THEM DONE.

Just git 'er done!! When you are eligible for Medicare, they advise you to get one as part of your physical ( must be done within 6 months of your eligibility). Drinking that cramp is the only discomfort. After you think you're cleaned out, think again. I thought I was OK, felt like passing gas, ran to the throne, and almost made it. If you get the urge, don't hesitate. I don't know what drug they gave me, but I was out of it. To this day, I don't remember going home from the procedure although my wife said I was coherent.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CDRTed,

I had mine done last year at age 65. There was one polyp found. They told me I should have on eevery 5 years. I told them it took 65 years to grow the first polyp, so I'd be back in another 65 years.

As for the prep, I did it all by the book but apparently for some folks that still doesn't give you that sparkly clean look.

I never had one, was retired 35 years 1 July,don't want to mess up a good thing.

I too have had friends that have died because of colon cancer.. the procedure is a piece of cake.. HOWEVER.. the prep is by far the worst part.. and the "Fleet Phospho-Soda Solution" I have had to take on all three procedures is BY FAR, the WORST tasting stuff I have had in my entire life...

If you are going to have one, schedule it for Monday morning.. Sunday will be your day to stay at home, very close to the toilet.As was said above, the only thing you get that day besides your special cocktail are 'clear' liquids.

Once you have one they will tell you how far apart to schecdule them.. After my first one it was 3 years, then 5... I can only pray I get pills to take next time.. I'd gladly take 20 of them.

This is one of those things you need to be "pro active" about... After all, don't you want to collect as many of those "check of the month club" checks as possible.. I sure do.

Be smart... do it!

Wray...

I too had one done but this was in Miami back around 1991 maybe when I was around 27 yrs old. For whatever reason, they never gave me anything to knock me out.

I'll go along with the crowd here in agreement that drinking that God awful liquid was probably the worst part. Then again, the drive from Islamorada to Miami the next morning for the procedure wasn't exactly fun either.

For me, the tests were checking for problems which turned out to be a case of Lactose Intollerance.

Don

Some advise that you should start at 50. It pays off in the end.

A must do for all hands over 40. I had my first one in 2007 As everyone has said, the worst part is preparing for the test. My results were, nothing found. However since my test I have learned when a colonoscopie is conducted the Dr. is only able to see no further than 10 feet into the colon. The general opinion is if nothing suspicious is found the remaining unexplored tract is OK. There is a blood test that is available that checks for mutated plasma cells, multiple myoloma within the entire tract.

Just make sure they knock you out first. As I said, they didn't back in 1991.

During the procedure, I kept picturing myself standing on scaffolding over a submarine and could have sworn I heard the doc say, "Up periscope."

Don

quote:

I don't know what drug they gave me, but I was out of it. To this day, I don't remember going home from the procedure although my wife said I was coherent.

Seems the drug of choice these days is Versed and it wipes your memory clean of the event. Both my wife and I had it and neither of us remembered a word the doctor or nurse said to us after the procedure. My wife would ask a question, than ask the same question two minutes later. According to her I did the same.

One great over-the-counter product is Colon-Cleanse. It either comes flavorless like cardboard or in orange. Never tried the orange, but the normal kind works so well. You drink about two a day for about three days, then by the third day, wow!!!!

It gives new meaning to the term "it's all pink on the inside".

Had my first one done last year at age 57. The procedure itself was nothing, but drinking that gallon of "stuff" the day before was nasty. My drugist gave me a useful hint. The liquid comes with three different flavor packets, cherry, lemon-lime, and orange. He suggested drinking whatever flavor I never wanted to taste again.

He was right, can't drink anything lemon-lime flavored till this day.

Probiotics help fight off the things those scans find.

Dave Berry detailed the procedure in a rather humorous essay. I'd post a link if they were allowed.

I'm still a bit traumatized from being treated like a hand puppet during my retirement physical. But, I guess its a little less embarassing than having a plastic bag full of $hite taped to your side being filled from the intestine that now comes out of your side.

Ask for the pills. Much much much better. Even Ft. Belvoir Medical Center in VA issues them now. The liquid is old stuff that no one should endure having to take. And yes, the procedure is nothing. No one should find out too late about having issues such as colon cancer because they thought a colonoscopy was bad.

This Dave Barry article?

quote:

http://www.miamiherald.com/283/story/427603.html

Cut and paste the link and you can have a laugh.

Back to the serious side.. I got this a few days ago....

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Hey Mates, the old EO got diagnosed with prostate cancer. I had the prostate removed using a robotic procedure with the da Vinci method.

Surgery went well. I got the cath out today and had bladder control on the first urination. That is a big accomplishment, thanks to the Doc.

Looks like the cancer may have spread outside the prostate but I will not know until my next PSA Aug 5.

Here is the kicker. Most Docs use a PSA of 4 as a base line. Mine was 3.1. The urologist is more aggressive, using 2, and ordered a biopsy which showed the cancer.

My spirits are high and I am going to beat this monster.

So guys if you are 50 or over 50 and have not done the PSA, get it done.

Garth, I do not have CDR Hay's email address. Please pass this on.

Later on

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Nothing to ignore... I've had 3 already... The ONLY bad part to the whole thing is the "prep"...

Wray...