Originally Posted by
trackhub
My primary care doc is strongly recommending that I have one. (I am 50) Without being overbearing, he simply explained what has been talked about in this thread already. Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers in this country, and one of the most preventable.
He has described the er, "process". I'd like to hear from some folks who have gone through this though. Just how unpleasant is the "stuff" you're supposed to drink? He did mention that some people have a problem with it, but added that such cases were rare. I am told that once you get through that "day before", with the prep and trips to the bathroom, the actual procedure is not that bad.
Comments and advice? I now understand that it's important to have this done, but like most people, I'm not looking forward to it.
1. The half lytely prep (four pills and 2 liters of solution) is a lot easier to get down than a full gallon. Still, there is no way around it, it's nasty and leads to an unpleasant evening.
2. The next day is shot too, procedure itself is not a big thing, you're out like a light, but as others as have said, afterwards don't try to do anything complicated on your own, you'll probably get hurt or screw it up.
3. The first meal or two you eat after the procedure will be some of the best tasting food you've ever had.
4. As I have said, I'm very willing to trade a couple of days of relatively mild discomfort for being and knowing that I am for all intents and purposes, free from the risk of colon cancer. Ask anyone who has had it what they would trade not to have had it, and I suspect you will quickly come to the same conclusion.
5. My first one was at 50. 5 polyps removed, all benign thank God. My second one at age 55 was yesterday. One polyp removed, labs not due back for a week. Doc says things up there look good.
6. Be smart about this. Get yours scheduled and done sooner rather than later. It's not that big of a deal.