Do I Really Need to Have a Colonoscopy?

Jane---absolutely go for the colonoscopy! I also have a strong family history of colon ca (grandmother died of it, mom has had it twice along with bc)--I went for my first one at 46, within 7 months of bc diagnosis, and GI doc said "with your family history, it's a good thing you're here". They removed one polyp which was benign. I had another one last year (5 years apart) which was clear. My one sister and I are very diligent about going every 5 years, but I haven't been able to convince my older sister and brother to go for one. Everyone should have one at age 50 anyway, but with family history, they suggest 45 or even some suggest as young as 40. If you've already had them in the past, you know they're really not a big deal, so bite the bullet and do it!

Anne

Oh, Jane, I hear you!  I don't have a strong family hx of colon cancer, and my PCP never mentioned that I ought to have one ... so I quietly ignored all the glaring headlines about starting colon-cancer screening when we're 50.

... Until my PCP started to turn the screws.  Right in the middle of my adventures with chemo, he asked me if I'd had a colonoscopy.  I said "no".  He asked if I'd ever had "bleeding", and I said yes, occasionally, from what I was certain were hemorrhoids.  "Good!", he said (as if hemorrhoids could be good??) -- "That means your insurance will cover the colonoscopy!  I'll have our receptionist schedule one for you."

Wait.  WAIT!!!  I'm right in the middle of chemo, I pointed out.  Couldn't we at least wait until this nasty business is finished and my mucous membranes have healed up?

Anyway, i did have my first-ever colonoscopy at the age of 56, 5 months after finishing chemo.  I was lucky in so many ways...  They gave me very good drugs, so I don't recall waking up mid-procedure, there was absolutely no pain or "discomfort", and all they found were ... hemorrhoids.  The prep was really nasty -- I threw up 20 minutes after taking the 2nd dose of the stuff.  But, I've read that they don't even use that prep (phospho-soda) anymore, because of the risk it poses to our kidneys if we can't chug (and keep down) enough water before, during, and after.

So, 15 months later, my recollection was that I was comfortably woozy-headed as my dh escorted me to the car afterward, and I slept the rest of that day.  Like I said, though, I'm lucky -- I won't need another one for 8-1/2 more years.  If I had risk factors, or if they'd found anything suspicious, I'd be back on the calendar again. 

You've got to do this.  A PET scan and tumor markers are not going to detect those little nubbins that can end up becoming colon cancer.  And, you don't want to have colon cancer, right?  A colonoscopy is way easier to tolerate than what they'll do if you end up with colon cancer (as you know).

Hugs, though... It just seems like this stuff never ends.

otter 

Well, I'm joining the rant here. Hate the process but need another one. My blood iron is so low that I have to take prescription iron pills. I was on multivitamins for years! Lot of good that did. Now the doc is wondering if I'm bleeding in my colon or somewhere else. it's not the process that's bad, it's the drugs for prepping!  I actually wrote a blog about the whole thing and let people who were going through the process have a preview. Wish I'd been warned...sigh. Just waiting for the appointment time now.

The first thing I wanted was a bacon-cheese-burger!

Sharon, were'nt you put out? I remember they did a scope down my throat too as I had stomach surgery when I was born and they started to intubate me while I was still too awake and I was choking! Horrid experience. They quickly put me out.

Barbe

They put me to sleep but other drs. don't... they just give you drugs to put you in a twilight kind of sleep..... so you are still awake...  my dr. put me OUT...

HARLEY

I found the colonosopy to be a piece of cake. I had one two years ago after I was done with treatment (yes, every 5 years according to my doctor). I was suprised that the prep was not that bad (I had a procedure done a number of years before when the prep WAS awful). My DH just had one a week ago, and now the prep is even easier. He had no cramps or discomfort at all, just went to the bathroom a couple extra times. So it's not bad; and as you really, really do not want to get colon cancer, it is well worth any hassle. Good Luck! Ruth

I had my last one between chemo and rads in October....  My dad died of colon cancer and his onocologist told all of kids to take atleast 400 mcg of Folic Acid daily.  I have too, every since 1998!  I figure just like my bc if they catch something early you have a fighting chance!!!  Let us know what you have decided Jane.... (((((((((((hugs))))))))))

When I went to my doctor last fall for my phys he said that since I was close to that certain age, I needed to consider getting one done. Haven't been back to see him or had it done it yet . I see him again next week, I will see what he says this time, I have no problems to indicate anything is wrong.

Sheila

the prep part is the worst.  i have moviprep.  sort of bad tasting but if you chill it and drink it with a straw there's no problem.  they biopsied a couple of areas but they were b9.  i was completely asleep and don't remember a thing.  GI doc wants me back in two years.  i have a grandmother who died of colon cancer but i don't know if my bio mother gets screened for it or not.  i'll have to ask her.

~M

I had both an upper endoscopy and a colonoscopy done one right after the other without any meds...believe I did the second time around...

OK I am dreading even asking, since I have not had one.  What is the "prep" you are all saying is awful? What do they do to you?

With what?

LOL Now I am motivated! HA HA HA

This may really sound stupid, but when I was dx with bc, I had never had a colonoscopy although at 54, it was time.  After the chemo and surgery were over, I figured I had a "window" of opportunity (i.e. had just had chemo!) to get a clean colonoscopy and Pap smear, so I scheduled those appointments without any of my doctors reminding or nagging me.  And, it worked out thank G-d. I don't think I would have been able to face another dx.