Fifty Plus (50+) - Colonoscopy

Hey guys, I have to go in for a colonoscopy and am wondering how many of you had it done? I am not looking forward to it. How uncomfortable is the procedure? I got a whole pamphlet from my doctor about eating lighter 2 - 3 days before and the day before only clear liquids and the medicine Miralax mixed with diet snapple and then at night Dulcolax.

Any info about your experiences would be great. Thanks

Didn't we just talk about this?
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=326995

I had one last year and there is nothing to it. I drank the stuff the afternoon and evening before to clean me out. That may have been the worst part of it. The next day, took me into the procedure room, they doped me up, the nurse said that she'd be by my side the entire time as they may have to move me around a bit, and the next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery and asking my sister, who was my driver for the day, how did I get here? I have absolutely no memory of anything during the procedure.

Like you, I too had been dreading it, but I think people's fears and concerns are way overblown.

The procedure is a non event. The stuff you drink the day before is horrific. I could not get it all to stay down.......Mine is scheduled for a few weeks from now.

Been there, done that. Recently. The most annoying thing was waiting 2 hours until my wife could get there and drive me home. The sedation anesthesia worked like a charm. I received 3 largish pics of the innards, suitable for desk top framing. Clean bill of health.

I had it done earlier this year. The procedure itself was a non-event. No pain, no discomfort. The prep is the worst part, but it goes by fast. Great that you're getting this done.

Other than the preparation the day before, the test itself was nothing. In fact I did a 25 mile ride on the clear liquids only day. Dr said there was no problem with my energy / elecrolyte drinks. In fact the directions for the laxitive powder said to mix it into a gallon of gatorade. I loved the anesthetic. You might be afraid to sneeze for a few days afterwards. :-)

Had mine Monday. I'd rather have a colonoscopy than a root canal. Procedures vary, but like the others say, the prep to clean the bowel is the most gruesome thing. My regimen was to eat low fiber for 2 days, then clear liquids for a day, then take 2 batches of their super laxative (Moviprep) in the evening before. My stuff was two, 1 liter batches of the salty-sweet goopy lemony fluid, each followed by 16 oz chasers of clear fluids. A lot of crap to drink, and I COULD NOT finish the last 16 oz. It turned out to be plenty, tho. People differ, but the intent seems to be to give you super diarrhea at least twice to remove all solids until you are passing only fairly clean liquid. The magic stuff has salts in it to keep your body electrolytes normal in spite of your passing a lot of fluid. The prep affects everyone differently, and I also got 2 nausea pills if needed. Then you can't take anything but clear fluids until the procedure, so you might get hungry, etc.

Now, the procedure itself was a breeze, anticlimactic. My clinic gives an IV drip, and promises mild sedation plus pain opiate, where you may get drowsy and forgetful, but not unconscious. They said you can ask the doctor to increase the drip anytime. In my case, I think they gave me the usual, and I stayed up chatting with the doc about cycling (my knee was bandaged from falling over)! Absolutely no pain, but I could feel a little pressure where the scope wiggles around your corners. I watched the screen, chatted, and he was done (found nothing wrong). Asked for copies of the pix. I felt fine, but they give you about 30 mins. under watch to let you come down. The fellow after me was mumbling "where am I?..." as they told him they were already done and wheeling him out! I guess he asked for the full monty.

Oh, a couple things. Someone needs to drive you home, and I don't recommend making any plans for the rest of the day, especially riding. The stuff they give you to sedate or knock you out for the procedure take some time to leave your system. I felt a bit wiped out that day, but back to work the next day.

Yes, we did already talk about this, but it probably merits another discussion. I'll be scheduling mine in another month. I've been told the same as everyone else: The procedure is no problem, as you are put on some pretty good numbing stuff. The prep the day before is a little scary though, and concerns me, of course. And yes, you cannot drive yourself at all. I've been told that the place where this will take place, (BU Medical) will not discharge you, unless you are with someone, even if you have come in a cab.

The good news is that doctors can tell a lot from a good colonscopy. Colon cancer has become one of the most common types of cancer in this country. If they can spot it, and head it off with this procedure, I guess it's a good thing.

Oh, a couple things. Someone needs to drive you home, and I don't recommend making any plans for the rest of the day, especially riding. The stuff they give you to sedate or knock you out for the procedure take some time to leave your system. I felt a bit wiped out that day, but back to work the next day.


+500000. The cocktail they give you is deceptive. You're knocked out for the procedure, and when you wake up, you won't remember it, and you won't be puking your guts out like with general anesthesia. You'll think you're fully cognitive, but trust me (and all of us in here who've had it), you won't be "right" until the next morning, when you'll wake up feeling like a million bucks.

Whatever you do, don't: drive, ride your bike, use any kind of machinery or power tools, get up on ladders, do your taxes, or anything else that could take any amount of motor or cognitive skill. You'll think you're OK, but won't be. It's a great night for popcorn, snugglin' with yer honey, and a good game or a movie on TV.

I drank the stuff, pooped my innards out, went in and knew nothing once they gave me the anasthetic. Not a prob!

+500000. The cocktail they give you is deceptive. You're knocked out for the procedure, and when you wake up, you won't remember it, and you won't be puking your guts out like with general anesthesia. You'll think you're fully cognitive, but trust me (and all of us in here who've had it), you won't be "right" until the next morning, when you'll wake up feeling like a million bucks.

Plus, if they tell you anything that you are supposed to remember, ask them to write it down because you won't remember what they tell you once you leave.

You will have the best nap you have had in a long time. Good luck. And just remember, this too, shall pass.

Actually I asked about this months ago in this thread........

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=308313


The procedure is a snap...you are usually asleep. The prep, at least in my case, was pretty disgusting but doable. The literature said I could only drink 'clear' liquids but I was allowed to drink Pepsi which I can live on, so even the day before wasn't too bad.

For me it is uncomfortable to wait for the doctors report, which takes a few days but that is natural. We all probably tend to worry while waiting for very serious news.

The important thing is that colon cancer is supposedly largely preventable if people don't put off getting checked.

Good luck and let us know the results.

Great that you're getting this done.


Yea I hope everything is okay. I am actually only 20 years old but I figured you guys would have the most experience :) I have a ride home and wont be riding my bike at all. I have been off it for like 2 months already trying to figure out whats going on here.

And thanks for the replies. I did a search but only got a chance to read some of the replies. I have heard mixed things about whether your awake or out but it seems like it should be no big deal. I am not worried about the diet part and clear liquids. Mostly concerned about the actual procedure.



Another question. If I don't eat I usually get very dizzy and lightheaded. I am worried about if I dont eat all day and then have to go under anestesia if I will feel alright. I guess I will check with the doctor.

I have a 21 y.o. nephew who also got examined as he might have a touch of Crohn's.

Apparently procedures and people vary. Some people are out like a light, and some people watch the whole thing and chat with the doc. Sometimes you have a choice and you just tell the doc.

Some people probably have trouble with not eating solid food for a day. My directions for the last 24 hours were for clear fluids up til 3 hours before the procedure. They gave a whole list of approved clear fluids, including broths, fruit juices, Gatorade, bear & wine, coffee, tea, jello, hard candies etc. so long as they did not have artificial red/purple food dye. Check your instructions or call them up.

I was supposed to have a colonoscopy about a month ago. I went in for the preliminary chat with the doc. Was so unimpressed by the guy that I decided to skip it for another year. In the area where I live, physician's jobs seem to be going begging. The doc I spoke to was Chinese, raised in the Philippines. Didn't say where he'd gone to med. school but I think he would have if it had been in the U.S. The local gastroenterology clinic has about a dozen physicians working for it. They're in a new building. I was in one of their rooms, a box, where I could hear *every word* of the conversation between the doctor and the patient in the next room. The doc left after talking with me. Fifteen minutes later the nurse came in to ask if I wanted to watch a video of a colonoscopy while she got my paperwork ready. I told her to fuggedaboutit. I wasn't going to do the procedure. She gave me a quizzical look. The other day, got the bill for the visit: $208 for a ten-minute chat. Today on the radio I heard a Hollywood celebrity saying how everyone over 50 needs to get a colono-rectal exam. Yeah, it's a good idea, but it also must be a moneymaker for the beleaguered healthcare industry.

Everyone over 40 should have a colonscopy. It's as simple as that. Insurance pays when you're over 50 - if you're over 40 and under 50 I suggest inventing symptoms so your doctor will prescribe one, then insurance will pay. I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer at 47, and if I'd had a colonscopy at 45 it would have saved me a world of grief. I'm 51 now, having survived (so far) colon cancer that spread to my liver (that makes it stage 4, with a 5-year survival rate of 30%). While others ride thier bike for fun and enjoyment, I ride out of fear of death and knowing that if the bast**d come back again, I'll be ready to fight it. The colonoscopy experience is nothing compared to the peace of mind it can, and should, bring you.

Today on the radio I heard a Hollywood celebrity saying how everyone over 50 needs to get a colono-rectal exam. Yeah, it's a good idea, but it also must be a moneymaker for the beleaguered healthcare industry.

How I wish, how I wish.......

I'll add. Just go do it. It's nothing compared with the possible consequences of not being proactive.

Due to family history of colon cancer I've been having the procedure for a number of years on a regular basis.

It really is a non event and I can even manage the prep. The colon-lytely they use here is a bit like gatorade but not so nice after the first litre or so. Still if you drink a little and often it's not that bad.

Good advice already given here on not driving etc. Take that to heart as you will be slowed down.

Good luck

Think about it. You take a very powerful laxative and then somebody shoves a three foot long flashlight up your butt. Why would that ever be a problem?


Actually, I just had my second one last Monday. Mildly unpleasant but nothing compared to colon cancer, which you basically eliminate from consideration via this procedure.

- the actual procedure was great fun... 'cleaning out' was the most time-consuming and not so fun...

- anyway, here's a repeat of my 'scopy:

- i found mine to be a delightful experience... my doctor is a Sikh, replete w/turban, beard and mustache...

- went for my procedure, got prepped, then wheeled into the exam room... i find the doc munching on a Happy Meal™ and reading the sports page of the local paper ... the two nurses are pinching each other, giggling, and playing grab-a**...

- one of the nurses looks at me w/the surgical cap and squeals, "Ooh! He looks like a Frenchie! Let's take his picture!" ... she grabs the business end of the scope, waggles it in front of my nose, and takes my picture...

- i don't remember a thing after that... except when waking up in the recovery room... my doc leans over, gives me a big smile, and says [in a very India-Brit accent], "Dood. You need to eat more fiber."

:-)

Think about it. You take a very powerful laxative and then somebody shoves a three foot long flashlight up your butt. Why would that ever be a problem?

Actually, I just had my second one last Monday. Mildly unpleasant but nothing compared to colon cancer, which you basically eliminate from consideration via this procedure.

They told me it's more like 5 feet. Makes you wonder - who was the first guy to be talked into trying this procedure....?

I thought I'd bring this thread back up to give you a link to this articlehttp://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071004/ap_on_he_me/virtual_colonoscopy_7;_ylt=AkPpXh6aKh1gJ7xrSvxyWVME1vAI. Anyone who remains fearful of the colonscopy will soon have nothing to fear.

Just do it! It's not bad, really.

I was supposed to have a colonoscopy about a month ago. I went in for the preliminary chat with the doc. Was so unimpressed by the guy that I decided to skip it for another year. In the area where I live, physician's jobs seem to be going begging. The doc I spoke to was Chinese, raised in the Philippines. Didn't say where he'd gone to med. school but I think he would have if it had been in the U.S. The local gastroenterology clinic has about a dozen physicians working for it. They're in a new building. I was in one of their rooms, a box, where I could hear *every word* of the conversation between the doctor and the patient in the next room. The doc left after talking with me. Fifteen minutes later the nurse came in to ask if I wanted to watch a video of a colonoscopy while she got my paperwork ready. I told her to fuggedaboutit. I wasn't going to do the procedure. She gave me a quizzical look. The other day, got the bill for the visit: $208 for a ten-minute chat. Today on the radio I heard a Hollywood celebrity saying how everyone over 50 needs to get a colono-rectal exam. Yeah, it's a good idea, but it also must be a moneymaker for the beleaguered healthcare industry.



Regardless of what you think of the doctor or their facility the important thing is to get the procedure done.

Tell everyone what city you live in and someone might know of a different doctor, or facility where you can get checked.

Turnss out you may not have to have the "old fashioned" scope. See this article. Radiology plows new ground. :D http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071004/ap_on_he_me/virtual_colonoscopy;_ylt=Au1ysFBYkQGSNDCVKJYlc0Os0NUE

I was supposed to have a colonoscopy about a month ago. I went in for the preliminary chat with the doc. Was so unimpressed by the guy that I decided to skip it for another year. In the area where I live, physician's jobs seem to be going begging. The doc I spoke to was Chinese, raised in the Philippines. Didn't say where he'd gone to med. school but I think he would have if it had been in the U.S. The local gastroenterology clinic has about a dozen physicians working for it. They're in a new building. I was in one of their rooms, a box, where I could hear *every word* of the conversation between the doctor and the patient in the next room. The doc left after talking with me. Fifteen minutes later the nurse came in to ask if I wanted to watch a video of a colonoscopy while she got my paperwork ready. I told her to fuggedaboutit. I wasn't going to do the procedure. She gave me a quizzical look. The other day, got the bill for the visit: $208 for a ten-minute chat. Today on the radio I heard a Hollywood celebrity saying how everyone over 50 needs to get a colono-rectal exam. Yeah, it's a good idea, but it also must be a moneymaker for the beleaguered healthcare industry.

My goodness! That makes the place where mine was done sound like a Beverly Hills palace. My personal doc (an internist with an excellent reputation) referred me to a gastroenterologist who does the colonoscopies in an outpatient facility in a nice medical building. Fortunately, I had already used up my insurance deductable earlier in the year, and the final bill was much less than I expected.

Can you ask your regular doc for a referral? Certainly there's got to be a better place for you to go......

Just can't reinforce what others are saying about getting this done, especially if you have a family history of colon cancer. I've had several colonoscopies and it has probably already saved my life.......numerous polyps have been removed that easily could have developed into the C........

My post above was actually serious. Has anyone had one of the new "scopeless" procedures?

My post above was actually serious. Has anyone had one of the new "scopeless" procedures?

I'm not sure it's available to the general public. The article seemed to indicate it was still in the test phase.

If you're covered with insurance, call the company and ask if that procedure (radiology) is now a covered alternative to the more expensive colonoscopy done by gastro doctors.

Everyone over 40 should have a colonscopy. It's as simple as that. Insurance pays when you're over 50 - if you're over 40 and under 50 I suggest inventing symptoms so your doctor will prescribe one, then insurance will pay. I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer at 47, and if I'd had a colonscopy at 45 it would have saved me a world of grief. I'm 51 now, having survived (so far) colon cancer that spread to my liver (that makes it stage 4, with a 5-year survival rate of 30%). While others ride thier bike for fun and enjoyment, I ride out of fear of death and knowing that if the bast**d come back again, I'll be ready to fight it. The colonoscopy experience is nothing compared to the peace of mind it can, and should, bring you.

Same here. Stage 4 dx at 49 yo. I would be dead if I waited until 50. Colon resection followed by chemo, liver resection, more chemo and I'm still kicking. I had one yesterday and they removed 2 polyps which he insisted were benign. I'll wait for the lab report before I celebrate. The instructions they gave me afterward said "don't sign any important papers"!! I didn't.

As most have said the prep is awful and the procedure is no big deal. Just do it.

I've had this done. free on the NHS. banded some internal piles while he was in there and gave me a thumbs up while I was in recovery. Glad i had it done. Only problem that nobody seems to have mentioned. I suffered with terrible wind whilst in recovery and just had to let it go. Nurse laughed and said everybody does it, just let it go. Evidently they blow you up with air while you are out to get a better look.

Jim

My post above was actually serious. Has anyone had one of the new "scopeless" procedures?

They've been available for several years. There was a big advertising campaign for them just a few years ago. It's a good idea in theory but in practice they're not very good. You still have to get a colon purge. The colon has to be distended in order to visualize the walls accurately. Translation: they stick a tube up your butt and pump you full of air, and you are not sedated for it. If it shows something then you have to go through the same thing all over again for biopsy or removal. If they interpret an adherant piece of stool as a polyp you go through the whole thing again for a normal exam.

A couple of local internists had very unpleasant experiences with virtual colonoscopy, and their tales of woe dampered the enthusiasm for these studies.

HOWEVER, any test for colon cancer is better than no test at all.

Because of the number of lawyers in this country who are eager to sue someone for something, I'm obliged to point out that this does not constitute medical advice, it is for general information only. Always consult your physician for a specific concern.

Thanks for the reply. That air thing is not so comfy. I had that done without sedation for a sigmoidoscopy (courtesy of the U.S. military).

I have had several...Prep on the last was really easy...last two found polyps, removed, done,,,,
OM had all kinds of that stuff and had a resectioned colon from cancer...Didnt kill him but made life very uncomfortable...
Its not a tough/uncomfortable procedure and if you have a problem will save untold grief....
Bud

It's really not that bad! Really! It was better than a root canal in many ways -- no pain, slept through it, woke up without remembering a thing, and I could eat afterward.

I'm not sure it's available to the general public. The article seemed to indicate it was still in the test phase.

The procedure reportedly tests out very well against the traditional scope exam and eliminates the very real risk of perforation. The big problem now is getting the insurance companies to cover it, even though it is cheaper and safer for their patients.

Well, I just had my third colonoscopy (very bad family history in this respect) and will wait to see what is recommended in four years.

I have my appointment for my first one (I'm 50) on the 29th of this month. Wish me luck. I've been given a prescription for HalfLytely. This consists of four time release laxitive pills, that I'm to take at 3 PM on the day before. (clear liquid diet that day) Then at 6 PM, I'm to begin consuming the halflytely solution. 2 liters, 8 ounces at a time, until it's gone. It's literally 1/2 the volume of other solutions. The friendly folks at BU medical told me that they have had very good results with this type of prep.

"and away we go!". (Reference to the old Jackie Gleason show, that the kiddies over at A&S surely wouldn't get..)

That's the prep I just used three weeks ago. It works. I started the regimen at noon the day before the procedure. Unless you naturally stay up late, you might want to move the 3:00 pm start time up a teensy bit, I was still pretty active until after 11:00 PM. Good luck.

I'm 54 and I've been putting off having a colonoscopy done for several years. Started the prep last evening by taking a series of Osmoprep tablets over the course of an hour. Finished up this morning by taking another 10 tablets over the period of half an hour. My wife drove me to the hospital for the procedure. Did some history stuff, signed off on some consent forms, they took my vital signs and plugged an IV line into my hand. 15 minutes later they wheeled me into the endoscopy lab, I talked briefly with the doctor and they sent be off to sleep. I woke up a half hour later and other than being a little unsteady on my feet I feel fine.

Oh yeah, they didn't find anything to be concerned about. And let me join the chorus of people who have said that the colonoscopy is a breeze - don't put it off!

Oh yeah, they didn't find anything to be concerned about. And let me join the chorus of people who have said that the colonoscopy is a breeze - don't put it off!

Glad to hear there were no problems. I lost a cousin to colon cancer earlier this year.....he was only 59 and one of those who just kept putting it off:(

Had one last year. And darnit, I have to wait for 12 years for the next one.

My wife on the other hand has had 3 in the last 6 years. She has all the luck.

Word of advice, follow the directions for the nighr before. Being clean as a whistle drastically improves the reading and keeps the doc in good humor. A friend couldn't handle the drink they make you ingest and blew it off. They sent him home.

I'm on the calendar for early Thursday morning. Am I going to feel like bicycling on Friday?

You might be able to ride Thursday afternoon!

I'm on the calendar for early Thursday morning. Am I going to feel like bicycling on Friday?If your experince mirrors mine and many others, it's the experience of purging your system the night before that is the most unpleasant. I have never tasted anything so foul as the stuff they gave me to clean me out. The procedure itself was kind f cool. I got to watch it on the screen. Snipped a few polyps for testing, and then he zapped the ones that were left. The dialog between the doc and the nurse assisting was funny.

"Oh, back up, ther's one. Up here on the left, yeah, that's it." - That kind of thing. He'd pull the trigger and the polyp would just kind of disappear.

Made me almost forget they had this deathray jammed up inside me and were aiming at what could be argued as my true soft under belly.

I'm on the calendar for early Thursday morning. Am I going to feel like bicycling on Friday?If you go under anesthesia, you'll feel groggy in the afternoon and evening of the colonoscopy. After a good night's sleep, you should be good to go riding on Friday.

I had one and it wasn't that bad but the guys I work with that had it done told me "you won't even remember it" BULL the stuff they give you to put you in la la land didn't work for me at all. I was totally awake the whole time and remember it all. the air they pump you up with is the biggest problem and it wasn't that bad and besides I got to fart and not get funny looks from my wife :) do it and then forget about it all should be well.