Colonoscopy post treatment...

Carmelle

Just had a colonoscopy yesterday due to chronic diahrea that has been here most of the time since treatment. I was so impressed with how efficient and quickly it was done. It was like everybody was having it. I was semi awake and it was absolutely fine.

No down time after.

Anyhow they took out a polyp and biopsied a few areas. She said it looked healthy but even if not then it was just early and all that would be recommended were more frequent screenings.

I recommend everybody should have this done as preventative.

Especially higher risk...people with family history of polyps or cancer. It was so easy and could do so much good.

Michelle

Sierra

Hi Carmelle:



Absolutely

Important test to be done!



My Father had colon CA

then Lung, did not fare

too well



I waited a few years after

DX.. for my colonoscopy

A polyp was found



Actually, several sisters

here encouraged me a few

years back





Enjoy your holiday season,

as it fast approaches.





Hugs

Calico

My sister is going through surgery for colon cancer as we speak.

Even though I had a colonoscopy last year (I slept with Versed), I'll have one again due to her dx and internal hemorroids that I didn't know of.

Mine is on Wednesday!

I agree that it is a fairly easy screening (minus the cleansing day - wink)

God Bless

Sierra

Lots of healing for your sister

sorry to hear this



Very positive white light

being sent





Hugs

wallan

I completely agree. We should all have it done.

  I just hate tests....

WEndy a

JapanLynn

Great advice, Michelle!

I had my first colonoscopy last month, right before finishing rads.  The prep was not fun, but the test itself was truly no big deal.  I learned that I have a "tortuous" colon, or redundant bowel...very long and twisty.  Ah, so that's why I've been constipated on and off for years. ;-)  Now with a high fiber diet and psyllium (sp?) husk caps every day, I'm back on track.

One small benign polyp, and an invitation back in three years because of the BC.  Ack.

Amazing that there's absolutely no after effects from what seems to be a relatively invasive procedure.  Do it, ladies, if you haven't already...peace of mind will result!

Lynn

snowyday

Went to see a gasterinterologist on Thurs. last week.  After feeling aroung my belly and abdomin they've booked me for an ednoscopy an colonoscopy.  I just wrote on another link that I've been having verps, that's what I call it.  It's awful right out of no where without heaving vomit comes flying out I have no idication it's going to happen and it's awful. I didn't get it during chemo so I don't know why it's happening now. I can only eat small amounts and get full right away. Has anyone else ever had this happen it worries me and damn it I'm getting depressed, between my legs hurting all the time and now this what next.  At least the eye tearing as slowed down alot it happens a bit now not constant, but these verps are bad. Pearl

Calico

Sierra,

Thank you.

Pearl,

I am so sorry. I hope they find what's wrong and that you get relief...maybe a gall stone?

My sis had her successful surgery, the cancer was completely gone, they still gave her a colostomy bag for 3 months and than put it back. She might need only "light' chemo to use afterwards. We are happy about that.

Don't let fear prevent you from taking this test.

God Bless

sunshine2003

Wow Carmelle

Good for you to go after this and get it figured out.

I'm sure all is fine.

Janet 

ADK

Snowyday,

Last summer I was having problems with stomach pain and vomiting similar to what you described.  I was miserable - I had to get up during dinner and run to the ladies room to vomit.  I have Crohn's disease as well, but this was different.  Long & short of it, my vomiting and pains were being caused by heartburn.  The gastro put me on prylosec and I have not had a problem since.  I hope it is easy for them to figure out your problem and treat it.

Good Luck.

Pauline3837

Hi Carmelle,

Good for you.   My cancer clinic booked mine back in 2005.  A good thing....they found 3 polpys (2 small and 1 large).  I'm due for a second one next year.   The actual test is a breeze but the prep sucks.  

Hope everything else in your life is good.   Can you believe next year marks year 5     Wow, time does fly.

Carmelle

Pauline,

Good to see you again. 5 years March.

Hard to believe but the past years have been a great gift!

Hope you're doing really well.

Michelle

snowyday

Thanks ADK I will ask for prilosek and see if it helps, anything but the verps.  And your all right getting coloned is a lousy test but necessary. I did tell the Dr. he had better knock me out for the endoscopy because that one really freaks me out.  Sierra and Calico I will send a prayer for your sisters.  All the best. There is a cancer show on a Detroit station I want to catch now looks good Channel 7 if anyone gets it.

Calico

Hi ladies,

I am checking back in from my colonoscopy and endoscopy.

The doc found a lesion, a angiodysplastic lesion to be exact.

Appearantly this is nothing serious from what he told us, just a weak spot in the colon where vessels do a funny thing.

It can result in bleeding, sometimes severe bleeding and anemia (I don't have either, sofar so good). Normally only older people get this, ha!!

I googled it and was surprised that treatment can include Estrogen!!!

So, does that mean that I got this from being post menopausal since surgery and on AI's?? My guess is as good as yours, and I am guessing yes. My last colonoscopy was in July last year, four months after starting Femara, 5 months after surgical menopause and nothing was there yet. Isn't it funny?

I see my doc in two months and ask more questions, assuming the biopsy doesn't show any surprises.

Go get yourself checked, the sedation was okay.

God Bless

essie

Hi ladies,

Should all of us have a colonoscopy or only those who had radiation or chemotherapy? I had a colonoscopy in 2006 and was told to have another one in 5 years. However this was prior to my diagnosis late 2006 and mastectomy in August 2007. I did not need radiation, chemotherapy or any other medication though. So I guess my real question is whether  there is a link between bc and colon cancer?

Ester

Jyber

^^^^ Yes, I was told that those with BC have higher odds of also getting colon cancer. (A freebie thrown in LOL!)

I was told this both by my oncologist and by the gastroenterologist. I am getting a colonoscopy this year following BC treatment. So far as I know it is recommended independent of which treatment you got for BC.

essie

Thanks Jyber, I'm going to follow upwith my doctor.

geebung

I had a colonoscopy towards the end of last year, a few months after having a mastectomy for DCIS. I had had bleeding from the colon and I was so worried. I think I had Picoprep which was only a small amount to drink and the after effects were not too bad at all. The colonoscopy was a breeze. I was asleep until the last few moments and woke up in time to see my insides on the screen and then they took the colonsoscope out - no pain at all. I felt fine afterwards. Turned out to be just a small fissure. It was so worth it for the peace of mind.

gb 

snowyday

Hi Ladies, haven't checked into this thread for awhile, I suppose I'm trying not to think about it.  But you all have encouraging words so thank you and while I'm doint the trots for my prep, I'll re-read your posts. Big hugs Pearl

candie1971

Hi

I just found this thread. I had a colonoscopy in early December. I finally did it after all my docs bugging me. I had an endoscopy done at the same time cause I was having alot of heartburn and acid reflux. Colon: had 3 polyps removed, one of them pre-cancer...thank goodness I had it done!!

Endo: found I have a hiatal hernia which was causing all the heartburn and reflux. Also, a wart (!!) which he removed. So, now I take 2 more pills per day to heal the hernia and the Dr  said to have it done again in 3 years. Was easy just the prep was yucky.

good luck to those who will be having it done...if not get it done especially if u are over 50. My Dr said colon cancer would almost be eradicated if everyone had it done.

Hugs and prayers,

Candie

Barb1953

Hello, Just found this thread !! I just had my colonoscopy yesterday---no polyps this time !!! I had one polyp removed 3 yrs. ago. Now I don't have to go through that again for 5 yrs.

snowyday

Jyber thanks for the information I hope the scopes go okay but didn't know there was a correlation between bc and colon cancer. So doing this test is so much more important now.  Information and checkups that the key to trying to beat this for as long as possible.  Candie it's amazing that a cancer could be totally irraticated just by doing the colonoscopy, amazing, wish they had the very same thing for all breast cancers, maybe one day. Pearl49

lewisfamily503

I have to do a sigmoidoscopy next year. Can anyone tell me what the difference is? I have heard that it is painful and I am not looking forward to it (sigh). Thanks! Anne

susan_CNY

I am so glad to hear that so many are being screened for colon cancer following bc dx. I had my checkup with Oncologist last week, has now been 5 years since surgery and treatment for stage 2 colon cancer and 4 years for stage 1 breast cancer , both found through screening. My oncologist ordered a CT scan to screen for lungs rather than just a chest x-ray, she told me colon cancer patients and smokers  benefit more by yearly CT according to new study and my insurance approved. Just another reminder here that the tests may be annoying and expensive but is so much better to find these cancers early for the benefit of survival.

MargaretB

After resisting for a few years and hubby wasn't going to let up on me, I had a colonoscopy late last year.  The prep is still awful but I was able to take the pills so at least I didn't have to drink the stuff.  My doctor does conscious sedation so I was awake and didn't feel a thing.  Got the all clear for 10 years but 10 years seems like a long time to go.

Anne, my hubby did the sigmoidoscopy and he says it's painful.  A sigmoidoscopy is for the lower colon and the colonoscopy is for the entire colon.  I think the prep is almost the same for both, at least the end result is the same, so if you can, I'd do the colonoscopy. 

carolbythecreek

Have done both colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy and would gladly pick the colonoscopy over the sigmoidoscopy any day. At least they put you out for the colonscopy. Prep is the same. I take myself away to my "happy place" when they do a sigmoidoscopy to cope with it. Good luck.