Got my results today from the colonoscopy done last Tuesday. The five polyps that were removed proved to be cancer free, although I was told they were the type that could develop into cancer. I have to return in three years for another test. If all is clear at that point, I will be on an every five year basis.

Well aren't you glad you went? Better the to come back in 3 years than mine - yearly checks!

And I thought my 3 year schedule was bad

OK, all. Just came back from the GI doc, and the colonoscopy is scheduled for October 31! And my wife's 2 weeks prior. Thanks for all the reminders. This will be my first. I have had a sigmoidoscopy in the past, though.

My colonoscopy was bright and early this morning, and I got a clean bill of health: no polyps.

Overall, it was a very pleasant experience. I fell asleep listening to the beeps on the heart monitor and awoke in recovery as if nothing had happened.

Folks, if you haven't had one yet, get it done as soon as possible. If they find something, chances are good they can fix it. If they find nothing, you can walk away feeling good about that and not have to return for another 10 years.

My resting heart rate is so low now that while they were prepping me in the procedure room, my heart was "racing" at about 61 bpm. I said "I must be nervous because my heart rate is higher than normal." The doctor and nurse both said "HIGHER!?!" and said something about it being much lower than most, under the circumstances. That's the last thing I heard before I was out like a light...........

A pleasant experience? You're a better man that I, Yen. I always found the actual test tolerable, with the prep unpleasant at best. Of course, it's the result that counts and the knowledge that colon cancer is not in your immediate future. You are correct about the meds - the anesthesia is good and the side effects are minimal. Now our job is to spread the word to all your friends and your friends friends, and maybe we can take a few small steps toward ending colon cancer

That's because I'm a WOman!
By "pleasant", I don't mean it's at the top of my list of fun things to do. I mean that the nurses and doctor were friendly, conversational, courteous and professional, the environment was attractive and clean, the process was efficient, I didn't feel a thing, and I was treated with dignity and professionalism. Under the circumstances, I couldn't have asked for more.

The prep was somewhat unpleasant but not nearly as bad as I thought it would be.

I'll help you spread the word. So who's next in the 50+ group?

I had my third this year - been on a five year schedule. Here is my story though, my best friend, a man so good that too many bad things in life happened to him died of colon cancer in his 40s. He had a strong family history of colon cancer but his doc never signed him up for early screening (I had a better doc). He fought like hell but it got him. My first two screens were clear, my last one came up with a benign polyp. So far my luck is holding.

I always do mine in the summer - I drink the liquid cold, only way I can stand it but towards the end I get the chills. This last time I would get into the sauna to warm up.

Spread the word - I do whenever I get a chance.

Yen -

Oops. Sorry. That helmet threw me off. I'm new around here. The sun was in my eyes.

That's OK!

September 17, 7:30 am, with general anasthesia, to help with the "pleasantness" of the experience. Beats the living hell out of the prospect of undiscovered colon cancer growing in me.

My experience was very similar to yours. I'm good until 2016, unless symptoms show up that indicate I need a repeat procedure. But yeah, it wasn't as bad as it's been cracked (hee) up to be.

So, you slackers, just do it!

Even though I was told everything was ok, no worries. I did get a letter from the VA/colonoscopy center that I do have diverticulotis in the sigmoid colon area.. Makes sense as I have passed blood on more than one occasion, {reason for the colonoscopy, and twin brotherhad polyps removed}
So I am now using more fiber and will probably be eating a blander diet than I do now

That's the exact same thing that happened to me, the nurse kept checking the connection to see if the HRM was working ok.

I had both ends done at the same time, clean upper and lower..

just relax and and ask the nurse to pull your thumb...

To anyone else deciding to go ahead with the procedure because of my colon cancer - I had to have 2 colonscopies and then surgery in a 2 month period.

The first time the prep sucked but by the second time I got the hang of it. Some advice. Say your test is on a Monday. That means you prep Sunday. Saturday, start eating lighter. No heavy meals. Just light snacks all day. Plenty of fluids. No big meat meals in fact veggie stuff all day. Sunday or prep day, start earlier than prescribed. Start by at least noon. If using Prospher soda don't mix it with anything else. Just drink half the bottle straight. You should only need one bottle. Drink the second half approximately 4 - 5 hours after the first. For breakfast have chicken broth. Drink plenty of water and during the day after you start stay with the water. I know you can eat all you want of popiscles, jello etc but all that sugar or sweetness makes you nauseated. Just stay with water, tea and/or broth. This makes the elimination period fairly painless. I look at it as a spa treatment - you know an inexpensive colonic! Usually by the evening I feel wonderful. Squeaky clean! And since I started early can get to bed and have a nice evening's sleep without having to worry about nightime elimination.

The third time was a piece of cake. Of course that was the prep for surgery and doctor made me stop eating solid foods 2 days before! That hurted. But the elimination process was easy, I had the routine down. Some recommendations - keep some TUCKS handy for cleanup.

BTW after my surgery I was not allowed to eat for an additional 5 days. So I went 7 days with no solid foods, 3 days with no liquids (only IV fluids). After that giving food up for one day is easy.

BTW I have scheduled by yearly exam for next month. I am becoming a veteran!

I had mine on a Monday and they started me on Saturday, 48 hours ahead. Clear fluids, sport drinks, soda, water, broth, etc, no red or purple drinks. Also I was able to have Boost. They gave me 2 helpings of Dulcolax on Saturday, 2 on Sunday and a couple quick flushes on Monday and I was ready. To me it was easy, my wife has problems with the same procedure. I had the same problem with the HR, I was lying there with a 48. They kept checking the connections until I told they I was a bike rider.

My prep (Osmo Prep tablets) began at 3:00 (per their instructions).... next time I'll start earlier so I can sleep peacefully.

For the clear liquids, I chose apple juice and white grape juice (both without added sugar, and the apple juice has a decent percentage of potassium) and beef broth (Swanson's Organic in the carton). The beef broth has a little fat (which I think may be why I didn't feel like I was starving yesterday) and also a little protein. I had planned to include lime Jell-O but I work very hard to restrict sugar except on occasion so I decided to not spend an entire day consuming it along with the additives and artificial this and that to spare myself the guaranteed sugar withdrawal the following few days -- and I tend to be a little hypoglycemic after consuming sugar if I don't have other foods of substance with it.

I began drinking the clear liquids first thing in the morning and continued throughout the day. The instructions emphasized adequate hydration in big bold letters -- before, during, and after the preparation. With the juices and the broth and plain ol' water, I didn't feel very hungry and my blood sugar didn't bottom out. Actually, I felt good. I never felt any dizziness or nausea.

I'd do it again the same way, but begin the pills (or whatever prep prescribed) earlier, like around noon.

I think it's funny they check the connections, instead of checking YOU.

On the other hand, there may be a reason why the instructions said to begin taking the tablets at 3:00 PM. They were very detailed with big bold letters saying to take them with plenty of liquids. Perhaps beginning later in the day allows more time for the patient to hydrate before beginning the prep. It's not good to mess with hydration, as anyone who has bonked knows!

Actually I questioned the 3pm instruction as I wanted to start earlier and the doctor say that's the latest someone should start in order to be properly eliminated for the next day. It's assumed people will go to church, or ride a bike, or mow the lawn, get chores done etc., and then by 3 pm must be in the house and ready to go no where or do nothing. Doctor said there is no problem starting earlier if you don't mind giving up the day earlier. The elimination process is the same early or late. I told him so much better to be in the house and ready to go by noon and done by that evening then still going at 10 pm that evening and worrying about an urge during the night. Regardless it's important to take in liquids the day before and throughout the day.

What timing! I like the price too!

Well, I just sat here and read all 122 posts. Time to schedule this test, as well as do the follow-up cat scans and other stuff related to Sarcoidosis that I have not been taking seriously enough.

My father had colon cancer that went eventually to his liver and lungs. He was only 71 and I have vowed not to go down that road. I'm nearly 56 and have had my first colonoscopy a few years ago with a clean prognosis. I have really changed my eating habits and now take more nutritional supplements and antioxidants than most people take in a lifetime, but I'm healthy and never get sick. Neither does my husband.
I have a client who battled colon cancer in her early 40's 8 years ago and thought she had won the battle. Two years ago it came back in her lymph nodes and she went through a year of heavy duty chemo, radiation and surgery. By March she was looking forward to moving on with her life and then they found more in July and she is back to chemo. Now, that said, she is quite overweight, although she had lost a lot of weight, but I still suspect she does not eat as healthy as she should. But at least she is taking many supplements and bought a book by some doctors about fighting cancer naturally. She got it at Whole Foods. I would suggest drinking a lot of greens (many good ones on the market), a high quality 150% pure organic Aloe Vera Juice (miracle drink!) and understanding what antioxidants are best. Especially CoEnzyme Q-10. Of course, one should always discuss these with their doctors so that it works with the chemo and not against it. But one has to be pro-active about their health. Best wishes to you!

If colon cancer comes back, 80% of the time it comes back within 2 years of ending treatment. The first time mine came back, it had been 17 months after the last treatment, and it came back in my liver, whihc is very bad news. Surgery got it all, and I'm now 14 months post-chemo. If I make it to next July without a recurrance, I'll count myself as cured (though my doctor won't). If it comes back again, I'm likely toast.

Ending chemo is a strange thing. The medicine makes you terribly sick, but there is an odd comofrt in knowing you are taking strong action. When it ends, you feel like you're on your own. The doctors gave me no direction regarding continued preventative action, just continuted monitoring. I eat well (I have to, because lacking a substanital part of your colon makes things like fried food, red meat, fatty foods, etc. a luxury that results in hours in the bathroom), and phycially I am in the best shape of my life thanks to about 1000 miles last year and about 2600 miles this year on the bike. If I make it, it will be because my my bike.