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Posted 8/20/2021 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
I was originally scheduled for my routine colonoscopy and endoscopy at our local hospital end of this month.

Well, I canceled the procedure yesterday for several reasons.

First off, the large hospital here shut down except for COVID patients, my procedure was moved to an outpatient surgical clinic that was 7 miles away from any hospital. I have no problems with this and my previous colonoscopy was at an outpatient surgical clinic (which was 2 blocks from a large hospital).

Secondary, I saw on the news that as of this past Wednesday there were only 5 empty ICU beds in the entire state of Alabama. And the emergency and trauma rooms were full and at many locations, they are not accepting patients.

Thirdly, the Delta variant is going rampant down here and I rather not increase my risks.

I talked to my care physician and he agreed that I should cancel the procedure and wait until things cool down around here. He said risks are low, but why tempt faith.
Posted 8/21/2021 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Interesting.
I had mine at an Endoscopy Center (misnamed, they do both), a few weeks ago. They required proof of vaccine or a test within 72 hours. Kept the waiting room sparse, and had those that were accompanying patients wait in their cars. I had my mask on until it was time for them to put me to sleep.

As a result of the endoscopy findings i have to have an endoscopic Ultrasound in October. This is being done at a major hospital (outpatient), and i am required to get tested at a satellite of the hospital, within 48 hours of procedure, whether or not vaccinated. They are being very careful

With that said, I'm in NY, and its not raging the way it is in the South and some other states.
Posted 8/21/2021 1:19 AM (GMT 0)
i'm due for a colonoscopy. i'll hold off for awhile
Posted 8/21/2021 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
I had a colonoscopy earlier this year. Everything came out ok. Everything.
Posted 8/21/2021 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
I would not participate in the Alabama health system at the current time if I had a choice. I would probably not drive to Houston seeking medical care either.

I always take the new reports with a grain of salt but there are some areas that are not doing very good right now which is sad. Just hope you don’t need any emergency care in the near future. Your decision makes eminent sense.
Posted 8/21/2021 1:41 AM (GMT 0)

Earlier this summer, I had my choline scan for Dr. Kwon at Mayo Clinic.

The scan found "increased uptake" in a particular spot in the sigmoid colon.

They recommended I follow up with a colonoscopy. I was "due" for one, anyway.

Sure enough, my gastroenterologist found some polyps in that exact area "red flagged" by the choline scan at Mayo. Those were excised and removed earlier this month during the procedure.

I was well taken care of during the procedure ---- including a private recovery room.

Hospitals in this area are reaching capacity now, as well, as corona cases increase.

Unfortunately, routine medical care and procedures will be put on hold.

Best to all ~~~
CYCLONE ••• # Iowa State University

Post Edited (Cyclone-ISU) : 8/21/2021 5:16:00 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/21/2021 7:01 AM (GMT 0)
I did my colonoscopy three weeks ago at a little outpatient surgical clinic.

The staff appeared to be overly cautious starting with meeting me outside to test my temp and view my vax card.

My friend that picked me up wasn't allowed in.... The only ruff spot was that the instruction sheet said I'd be there for four hours and was done in less than three... Was able to finally track down my friend to come and get me.

First Side Note - I'm in Florida with the crazy Gov who is worse than the Texas Gov I just moved away from. So FL has more than it's share of the virus.

Second Side Note: Spent $25 at the local BBQ joint and got their huge sampler plate with bake potato.
Posted 8/21/2021 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
I had a colonoscopy last month at an endoscopy center in the Chicago suburbs. I didn't need a COVID test, but I did need to show my COVID vaccination card upon arrival. My wife drove me to the site, and she was allowed to stay in the waiting area, where there was only one other person.
The whole event was handled very professionally. I wore a mask until I was given the anesthesia. They found 11 polyps, all benign, even though one or two were quite large.
I was really worried about the possible result. I had a positive Cologard test prior to this and I was really worried that I might have colon cancer. My Dad had a bout with colon cancer in his 60's, and it had been 20 years since my last colonoscopy.
So, I'm very lucky that I dodged a bullet and came out of the colonoscopy in good shape. I had to withhold two blood thinners for this procedure, and that's always worrisome, so I was glad to put it behind me and resume taking my meds.
Since then, COVID has been on the upswing here in greater Chicagoland, so procedures may be different now, but that's how it went a month ago.
If I had it to do over, I would never have waited so long between colonoscopies, that's for sure. Colon cancer is so avoidable if pre-cancerous lesions are found and removed.
Posted 8/21/2021 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Clocknut, ny Cardiologist would not let me stop daily aspirin therapy before the colonoscopy. My gastro was ok with it , removed one tiny polyp, no issues.
Posted 8/21/2021 2:43 PM (GMT 0)

Hello, Clocknut ---

When I had my procedure, I learned that colon polyps can contribute to ANEMIA, over time.

Something new I had never known -- or considered --- before.

Mine were benign --- but of the type that were heading towards the "worrisome" category, if left unchecked.

The at-home COLOGUARD test kits we all see featured on commercials, were tested by Mayo Clinic, just as a note of interest.

I felt the preparation medications for the night before had improved GREATLY since my last colonoscopy about 5 years ago.

Best to each & all ---
CYCLONE --- # Iowa State University
Posted 8/21/2021 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
My last colonoscopy prep did not go well for a Friday appointment and I had to do a double prep the following week for the rescheduled visit. A double prep is just like it sounds, start two days before the procedure and do the high volume flush each night while eating green jello and bullion for two days. To make things worse, my rescheduled appointment was not until after lunch and I was about half dead when I got there.

The preps do not not bother me at all since I have done a few now and have it down to a science. Not eating much for a couple of days then repeating for three days the next week is not a fun way to spend one's time.
Posted 8/22/2021 6:55 AM (GMT 0)
OMG Mumbo.... You're a better man than I am.

But you have motivated me to go look for a post on my local Nextdoor account... There is a post from an EX Gatro type of nurse that outlines how we can help the system... The whole theme of the post was about the clearer the colon, the better the test....

<<Stay Tuned>>
Posted 8/22/2021 11:47 AM (GMT 0)
SnD - to keep this in proper perspective, this colonoscopy was done a month before my prostate surgery. It was around the scheduled 5 year mark and my GI tract was not functioning right for the months after I received my increased PSA test result and follow up PCa diagnosis, wonder what the cause was? We decided to move it up a few months trying to clear physical causes which we did.

I follow all the guidelines and wind down the diet the week before the test hoping to get a another gold star for a clean colon which had never been a problem. It was not a problem after the double-prep either smile I think I got a platinum star! I am really hoping that next one goes better if they let me try a single prep again. I did learn to not schedule a colonoscopy on a Friday as many times they can get you in the next day if the prep fails as I was not the first person to have this issue or so they told me.

Otherwise, modern colonoscopies are no big deal. I was awake for my first one and now I blink my eyes and they are over, feeling great when I get home.
Posted 8/22/2021 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
I did have to have a COVID test 72 hours prior to the exam, even though I am fully vaccinated they didn't require any proof of it.

Covid is so bad down here in southern Alabama that they flew in a Federal COVID response team yesterday.

Pratoman, I take a baby aspirin daily since my father had several heart attacks starting at 58. Prior to my robotic prostatectomy, I told my urologist I will stop taking the baby aspirin 5 days prior to surgery. He told me that I don't need to, that blood loss is very small. After surgery, I asked him how much blood I lost and he said it was around 20 ml which is less than an ounce.

Post Edited (lapilot) : 8/28/2021 9:14:18 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/25/2021 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy last month in metro Atlanta. The outpatient center was attached to the practice which was located in the hospital campus. Required proof of vaccination or negative test prior. Obviously mask was required. My wife was required to wait in the car. A lot of space and it looked like I was the only patient in that time slot. A good experience.
Posted 8/25/2021 3:38 PM (GMT 0)

Pratoman said...
Clocknut, ny Cardiologist would not let me stop daily aspirin therapy before the colonoscopy. My gastro was ok with it , removed one tiny polyp, no issues.

My cardiologist told me to continue my daily 162 mg low dose aspirin.
Posted 8/25/2021 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
ejc61 said, "My cardiologist told me to continue my daily 162 mg low dose aspirin."
I can understand that, but I'm taking Eliquis and Plavix. Having had stents implanted last year, and two catheter ablations for atrial fibrillation, the possibility of stroke or other complications from blood clots is significant. So, withholding those two drugs, in this case for about a week in order to have the colonoscopy done and a lesion removed from the area of my eye, was kind of a big deal.
As with other people who are on these two medications, a cut, or even a scratch, results in blood running all over the place.
The bleeding that might have resulted from 11 polyps being removed could have been significant, but all went well.
Immediately after the stent procedure, I was temporarily taking the Eliquis, the Plavix, AND the low-dose aspirin. I actually bought a wrist-band that says "Blood Thinners" so that if I had an accident while driving the paramedics would be aware of my inability to clot.

Post Edited (clocknut) : 8/25/2021 8:22:30 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/25/2021 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
I had my last colonoscopy in April, which seemed like the start of brief golden period when I thought covid was going to be in the rear view mirror.
Posted 9/1/2021 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
I'm just about to undergo a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy to allow the Gastro doc to treat some remaining artifacts from my SBRT complications. I am one of that "single-digit percentage" of patients who have complications, which in my case took the form of radiation proctitis. We knew I was at risk, as I've had IBS since I was in grade school. The radiation proctitis just flared up the IBS.

The hospital's protocol is that I need to have a negative Covid test within 72 hours of the procedure. It will be done in one of the hospital's "across the street" buildings. Between that and a current vaccination card, they are good to go.

I take Xarelto for AFIB, but my Gastro doc is OK with that. He plans to either treat with a laser or a cautery, not a scalpel or scraper.
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