JBBOOKS

We all care about our health, it's part of why we ride.

When I was younger, I was invincible. Now I'm 50 and that's not the case. Colonoscopy, stress tests, medication, etc. have all come my way as I've gotten older. It's not something I would have understood in my 20s, but now that I'm older, it's all part of what I do to stay fit and healthy.

Kurt Erlenbach

Holy smokes - I thought I had trouble. Nine of them at age 50? I would hope you wouldn't need another for several years. Oh, it's a typo . . .

OldFencer

Dang Red, I'm a belt and suspenders guy might self, but that seems to be a bit of an overkill!

The Weak Link

Do not ride your bike and have a colonsocopy at the same time.

Do not ride your bike on the same day as your colonoscopy.

Think twice even about rdiing the day after. You might have a hangover.

And KY doesn't make very good chamois cream.

az_cyclist

I'll have my second one in Jan 2010. I think the last one was in Jan 2004.

HIPCHIP

you had nine (9) by age 50**********??

Kevin182

I had mine @ 52 and a follow-up 6 months later. They put me on the 5 year plan
Don't wait.

Red Rider

Ha-ha, good catch. Guess I better wear my reading glasses to catch my own errors.

Not 9, 1. Not "nine" but "mine."

cyclinfool

Yea - I guess if you had nine at age 50 you really would be a "Red" rider

overthere

bleh...had mine this year as my 50th bday gift. It was only the lower half of my colon, whatever that's called. I've got the 5 year plan.

DnvrFox

Sigmoidoscopy????

why not the whole thing?

HIPCHIP

That's what I figured, but thought I'd double check especially since your a local to me! Was hoping you weren't having "THAT MUCH FUN"

djnzlab1

HI,
I remember the Pre-op cocktail that 7 up stuff that really cleans the Skids .
wow that stuff works so I thought I'lld mention skip the ride the day of Prep, or you may need to
wash your pants for sure...
Doug

andydreisch

"...my resting heart rate was so low." I get this a lot, too. They all think I'm dying or something!! One time when I was nearly dying from a kidney stone they pumped some drug into me that lowered my HR even further. Buzzers were going off and my family was panicked.

My co-lo is in a few weeks. I had one a few years ago. I'm 48.

Kurt Erlenbach

Remember, other than preventing colon cancer, the main upside of a colonoscopy is that you get an official document certifying that your head is not up your as*. Useful for contradicting your spouse, boss, or passersby.

jimblairo

Sigmoidoscopy????

why not the whole thing?

I had a colonscopy and a malignant tumour was found in the sigmoid colon.

I was referred to a colo-rectal surgeon who did a sigmoidscopy. Nasty test as you kneel on a padded rail and stretch out over a bench and then the whole thing tilts up so as yer rear is at eye level.

The doc loosened me up with a couple of fingers and then inserted a rubber plug into which the scope fits. Then, they inflate the colon with air. Very uncomfortable.

I had a colon resection in March and started chemo in May and I'm able to ride 30-50km most days.

Red Rider

I had that option, too, but went with the Full Monty, so to speak, so I had a longer interval before having to repeat the experience.

Glad it's all behind you now.

thompsw

I had polyps the last time in (that was the first time in) and I'm due for another go at it. The procedure is easy ... the prep is a pain. I could not even finish the last of the electrolyte drink ... thought that I was going to throw it up !

Oh -- my wife and I had back-to-back scopes, well actually she went first. Only do that if you have two restrooms in your dwelling !

bikegeek57

not to mention your bike and seat...

Mojo Slim

With all the talk of the prep, I have to add that mine was pretty easy. The first time I had that awful tasting drink, too. This time, it was Osmoprep (or something like that). Big pills. I took 4 every 15 minutes from 6:00 to 7:00 pm with 8 oz of water each time (5 doses). That's lots of water. Then 4 more every 15 minutes at midnight (3 doses). Much better.

thompsw

This one belongs in its own forum ... we could get really creative in naming it ...

andydreisch

"I had nine at 50 and all was well." Wow!! Nine?

trackhub

Glad to hear everyone is doing so well with this. Had mine done in October of '07, and all is well.
For the prep, it seems that different doctors and different centers prescribe various things. I was lucky, the doctor prescribed "Half Lytely" for the prep. You only have to drink half the volume (2 liters) of of some of the other prep solutions, and it comes with several "flavor packs" Pick a flavor (I chose the orange) and drop it in when you mix the stuff up in the morning. It actually doesn't taste bad at all, and I had no problems with the prep.

And the place even had cute nurses.... Hey, it doesn't hurt.

flatlander_48

I was 60 as of last December and had my first procedure a couple of months ago. Fortunately the doctor didn't have to remove anything to check it out. Actually I slept through the whole thing.

PhilWinIL

I had the Roto-Rooter in March of last year, two months after the ol' 50. The doctor's office called it the "50 Thousand Mile checkup." It went well, and I'm good until 2018.

As far as the orange flavored stuff the day before, they can keep it! It does beat the old-time method though!

I took a 12 mile bike ride the next day; didn't hurt a bit.