[Geeto-Tiger]

Getting your first colonoscopy at age 50 and being in a lower risk pool with a good family history didn't help me. I had a good family history and was diagnosed in my late 40's at stage IIIB. I suggest getting scoped at age 45. It is a silent killer as they say. Don't wait for bleeding as I did not have any. I reluctantly told my doctor that I had occasional stomach cramps but I assured him that it was from overeating. He didn't believe me and ordered the test. He saved my life.

If you are diagnosed with it, I suggest the following:
1. for surgery, get 3 opinions. I was amazed at the various levels of opinions and experience that is out there. Not all surgeons/hospitals are created equal. Go to the best even if it is out of state. My insurance allowed me to go anywhere I wanted, which helped.
2. get your blood tested (CEA) quarterly. If your oncologist suggests every 6 months or longer, find a new onc. Early detection is key.
3. Change your life style. Cancer can exist in almost anyone's body without it being known or detected as long as you have a healthy immune system which prevents it from growing. If your life style compromises your immune system, you give cancer an opportunity to grow. Compromise is caused by a poor diet (fatty foods, sugar, etc), lack of sleep and stress. Cancer actually feeds off of suger.
4. Pray without ceasing. We have a merciful God. I have had multiple recurrences over the past 14 years with a few close calls. Needless to say, life becomes a little more precious and enjoyable after each successful surgery.
Gary

[2002Z4CSS]

I just had my colonoscopy done about a month ago. No pollups but I have diverticlitis (sp) so I can't eat anything with seeds or nuts in it.

[66bonne]

Great advice. Had mine done a couple of months ago.

Jim

[Greg Reid]

I'm 55 and I've been having a regularly scheduled colonoscopy for the last 15 years....which for me only amounts to three actual procedures. Like I said in the other thread, if you have insurance, there's no excuse not to do it. It's EASY. Get that prostate checked too...

[brians]

With a house restoration going on and twin 4 year olds, this has really had me thinking last few weeks.

Made an appointment for April 24th for a complete physical and I am going to talk to him about getting scoped. I am only 46, but lost my mother and grandfather to cancer when they were both 61. Was not colon, but it does show cancer likes my mother’s side of the family

[David Holmberg]

At times like this I really wish we still had the like button.
Good luck Brian.

[63Banshee]

I'm in my 40s and am ready for Dr Jelly Finger. I'm one of those guys who hasn't seen a doctor for 20 years, but it's time for a full diagnostic --

[yahooskidoo]

Mine is on 4-21-14.

[Stuckinda60s]

I would suggest that you have it done by a d.octor who does it in a hospital. The last one I had, 5 or 6-years-ago, was negative My three previous ones were clear, with the exception of the first one, which had two small polyps. The last one was done in an outpatient facility the doctor had started with another doctor, who did my last scope. When they were done and I was awake, they kept telling me to pass the air but, try as I might, I couldn't move much of it. They finally sent me to get dressed. I had some cramps in the waiting room, but not real bad, and had them throughout the night. Less than a week later, I had some cramps, localized pain and a fever. I went to my family doctor and his partner probed around and told me I had appendicitis, which I questioned because I had some pain when he pressed, but not on rebound. He sent me for an MRI and the doctor who read it said that I had a small diverticuli. They gave me some antibiotics and it cleared up. I really wonder about the diagnosis because the doctor never told me to avoid nuts or seeds or anything. I haven't avoided anything like them and haven't have a twinge, since.

When my scope was done, nothing was said about a diverticuli. My feeling was that the doctor doing it had scraped the colon and that perhaps that had ballooned. I believe I was spasmed and that was why I couldn't pass the air. In any case, I think I had an infection which they read as a diverticuli, The following year, my mother had problem after undergoing a scope at the same facility. Two months later, a friend had a scope done at the same facility, had problems the next week and three-days later was dead of peritonitis. I feel as I had been very lucky, considering what could have happened.

That last one I had done was like an assembly line with at least 6 patients stretched out for processing. I think that the doctor doing it was in a hurry and dangerously sloppy.

Ask your family doctor for a recommendation, those guys know who to watch out for and can steer you in the right direction.

All that being said, I'm going to a doctor my family guy told me does his and get one, I am overdue.

[The Boss]

I have a Barium swallow scheduled for tomorrow morning due to dysphagia & my Endoscopy & Colonoscopy are scheduled for next Thursday. Dermatologist appointment is April 28th.

[goatmanmitch]

I'm ready for another check, my Dad had prostate cancer about eight years before he died from a T-cell lymphoma.

[OZZIEVILLE 67 2 door]

I am 55, 15 years ago I was bleeding out the A$$,not long after having a rib removed due to a tumour formation on that rib that was broken and did not heal..

I am on the table every 2 years now burning them polyps,..

I remember giving my 1st surgeon the best bottle of whiskey money could buy and thanking him for saving my life,what he said to me I will never forget..

"Son I did not save you ,science did..and thanks for the whiskey you are the 1st person to to gift me like this.."

So get checked out guys ,science is there to help.
John L.

[David Holmberg]

Rich, this was my second colonoscopy, the first went without a hitch just the prep.

This time, I had the same issue you describe, severe cramping even though I was passing the air. It was almost like contractions, every 30 seconds I'd have 5 seconds (felt like an hour) of severe cramp, then ok until the next. This went on for about three hours, then once an hour for the rest of the night. I think it was the different prep, this time I had the powder added to the gallon jug of water. Last time it was gatoraide and mix, much better tasting.

I can honestly say I know what it feels like to be in labor.

Since then I've been good, but after reading your post I'll pay more attention.

I doubt where you have it done matters as much as who performs the procedure. Unless of course just as you go under an Indian guy walks in with a borescope...

[Bob Dillon]

Originally Posted by stevep

Don't forget to have you PSA levels checked too. Mine has been rising and it is now 6 (which is not great) and I have a biopsy waiting for me very soon.

I had a prostate biopsy about 18 months ago. I would describe it as merely "uncomfortable" for a day or two, so don't sweat it. Git 'r done!

[Alvin]

Been there done that twice. After 1st time in the late '90s swore I'd never do it again due to the discomfort, etc.

FFW 2nd procedure couple yrs ago, easy cake walk, knocked me out, woke up with no side effects, two pollups removed, back to work, no problem.

Agree as to Gatoraide mix used 2nd time in gallon container was also MUCH better and not really a big deal.

If you are reading this and haven't had a colonoscopy, as per Nike, Just Do It soon! Think of the $$$'s you'll spend on a single Pontiac or project; isn't your life and living worth more?

[sdbob]

I've had at least 3 colonoscopy's done. Negative so far. My PSA has been rising. So had a biopsy done last year under sedation. OK But PSA is higher. Dr. is checking every quarter. He feels I may be one with high PSA.The sedation was great. You can have it done without. However the nurse said that under sedation if he sees something he can take his time and maybe take more samples. Any volunteers to clean the toilet? How much do you charge? The wife won't do it.

[Stuckinda60s]

Originally Posted by David Holmberg

Rich, this was my second colonoscopy, the first went without a hitch just the prep.

This time, I had the same issue you describe, severe cramping even though I was passing the air. It was almost like contractions, every 30 seconds I'd have 5 seconds (felt like an hour) of severe cramp, then ok until the next. This went on for about three hours, then once an hour for the rest of the night. I think it was the different prep, this time I had the powder added to the gallon jug of water. Last time it was gatoraide and mix, much better tasting.

I can honestly say I know what it feels like to be in labor.

Since then I've been good, but after reading your post I'll pay more attention.

I doubt where you have it done matters as much as who performs the procedure. Unless of course just as you go under an Indian guy walks in with a borescope...

My original scope was done by a Pakistani, no issues with any that he did. When he partnered up and went into the clinic, his partner, the doctor who did the scope was, I believe, an Indian-with a ponytail. Do you know something I don't?

I originally thought mine was an isolated incident, but after my mother-in-law and friend, you have to wonder just how many people were victims of his sloppiness. The three of us lived within 400-yards of each other and 30-miles away from the clinic. That's a tremendously high density of problems and no coincidence.

Oh, well, we'll have something to talk about at Keith's trailer, right?

Don't hesitate if you have any problems, at all, anytime in the next week or so.

[herdswoman]

Find a good gastroenterologist. Find a NURSE to give you a recommendation - we know who gives enough sedation, who doesn't, who has a good track record of completing procedures vs. "I couldn't get all the way around the colon" and sending the patient for a barium enema. With all the healthcare databases available today, no reason not to be informed.

Post-procedure: If you have trouble passing air, roll on your stomach. Body mass helps it move to the exit if it's near the exit. Lie on your left side.

Pre-procedure (aka "the night of a thousand waterfalls") a little Vaseline in the tender parts as a pre-emptive strike can prevent a whole lot of hurtin' later.

David H., you had to drink the gallon mixed with powder? Gawd. Go-Lytely. A misnomer even worse than military intelligence. Most docs haven't prepped with that stuff since the late 1980's.

How do I know these things? Worked 5 years in the GI Unit, diagnosed with ulcerative proctitis in the 80s, multiple polyp removals over multiple years. Now cruising on the 5 year plan. Could easily have ended up like Mike.

[60man]

Originally Posted by stevep

I'm 56 and I started getting them @ 49 and I get them every 5 years.

Don't forget to have you PSA levels checked too. Mine has been rising and it is now 6 (which is not great) and I have a biopsy waiting for me very soon.

My PSA levels weren't all that bad. But had bladder cancer that "hold a good hold on me"
When it showed on a unplanned CAT scan..
BUT...keep up with the PSA's..

When in doubt....check it out !!!!!

[David Holmberg]

Originally Posted by herdswoman

David H., you had to drink the gallon mixed with powder? Gawd. Go-Lytely. A misnomer even worse than military intelligence. Most docs haven't prepped with that stuff since the late 1980's.

Amy, yes Ma'am. In the same family, spelled slightly different. High in salt content. I had a 3pm appointment, then at 4pm the night before they called and asked if I wanted the 9am appointment, I said yes. This started the problems, I wasn't to start the drink until 6pm because of my start time. With the new updated time I had 4 hours to drink it all, man it was tough but I got it all down.

Next time I will use the gatoraide version, can't be any worse.

You've had a hard road since I saw you at Larry's funeral, you've been in my thoughts and prayers.