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don't forget your colonoscopy

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Posted 1/28/2023 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
just had my second colonoscopy ever and both after prostate cancer treatment. i had my first colonoscopy in 2011 right after treatment. it was clean (no polyps) and the doctor said he'll see me in 10 years. also, no radiation damage was noted

i had my second colonoscopy last month and four small polyps were removed. three polyps were hyperplastic, benign growths with no potential to develop into cancer

the fourth polyp was adenomatous: "a benign, precancerous growth *NO cancer was found*"

the doctor recommended that i have my next colonoscopy in seven years
Posted 1/28/2023 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
Early diagnosis is key. Terry
Posted 1/28/2023 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
i forgot to mention. i also made $575. i got a call that went to message a couple of weeks before the procedure. i quickly read the script and it said something about paying me $575 so i ignored it as a scam. i got the call again so i called the doctor's office and was told the offer was legit

i called the number and i was told they would pay me $575 if i came in and answered a few questions and then send in a stool sample. i went in and i was told that 700 people participated and the study was ending the next day. easy money cha-ching smile
Posted 1/28/2023 10:40 PM (GMT 0)
Had my first colonoscopy in my mid thirties, due to bleeding. They found a precancerous polyp. Since then, i have them every 3 years or so, i tend to grow polyps, just how I'm built, so i do whatever i can to avoid a bigger problem
Posted 1/28/2023 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
I had my second colonoscopy several months ago. First, one was10 years ago they found nothing, this time they found one adenomatous polyp, so GI doctor said I should have another one in five years.

BTW, the GI doctor found ZERO evidence of radiation damage from my IMRT radiotherapy 7 years ago.

Now if they can just make a decent colonoscopy prep that isn't nasty or require drinking a swimming pool worth.
Posted 1/29/2023 12:05 AM (GMT 0)

lapilot said...
I had my second colonoscopy several months ago. First, one was10 years ago they found nothing, this time they found one adenomatous polyp, so GI doctor said I should have another one in five years.

BTW, the GI doctor found ZERO evidence of radiation damage from my IMRT radiotherapy 7 years ago.

Now if they can just make a decent colonoscopy prep that isn't nasty or require drinking a swimming pool worth.

do you know they have pills now? i was given the option for $40 but i didn't have a problem with the prep on my first colonoscopy. the two bottles of prep i was given this time seems like it was a lot less volume than the first time. not tasty but when diluted easily chugged down in two drinks
Posted 1/29/2023 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks I haven't had one in at least 17 years
I've finally scheduled one next month.
I'm a little bit scared because I have occasional blood but only when I strain.
I also have chronic constipation due to opioid medication use. It's controlled well with miralax
Anyway even being scared it's for the best.

Glen
Posted 1/29/2023 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
Am on the every five years schedule, have one this coming week, and hope it is my last one ever (age 73). We'll see.

The drink prep is one packet of mango flavored, followed by another of fruit punch flavored. And, I am reading the papers given me about the procedure right now, and there is a part that says "when you are awake, you will be given some tasty crackers and something to drink..." It does actually use the word "tasty", which I found unusual for the usual hospital boilerplate forms. Does not say if the crackers are saltine, graham, cheddar, or what. They want to surprise me, I suppose.

Anyway, with all this delectable cuisine, and despite the holter monitor the cardiologist has strapped on me for a week (unrelated), I feel like I got things going for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbwcrqpesws

Robert
Posted 1/29/2023 1:16 AM (GMT 0)

theswan said...
Thanks I haven't had one in at least 17 years
I've finally scheduled one next month.
I'm a little bit scared because I have occasional blood but only when I strain.
I also have chronic constipation due to opioid medication use. It's controlled well with miralax
Anyway even being scared it's for the best.

Glen

probably hemmies smile
Posted 1/29/2023 1:47 AM (GMT 0)

lapilot said...
...Now if they can just make a decent colonoscopy prep that isn't nasty or require drinking a swimming pool worth.

AMEN!
Posted 1/29/2023 7:56 AM (GMT 0)
The new pre-prep method of swallowing many pills was not so bad.... Just have to drink a ton of plain water.

My first colonoscopy doc put me on a three year schedule... which meant I waited 11 years... The second one that was last year put me on a five year schedule.... Since he too found a small number polyps I'll probably go again in five.
Posted 1/29/2023 10:55 AM (GMT 0)
I had my first (and only) colonoscopy at 50, 14 years ago. When I turned 60, it was right after Cologard came available, and because my first one was unremarkable, I went that route. I did another Cologard last week, I expect the results in a few days.
Posted 1/29/2023 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
Colon cancer killed my mother at age 72 about ten years ago. She lasted about 10 months from diagnosis. Surgery, chemo, radiation. And she was getting colonoscopies regularly. I’ve had 4 colonoscopies so far and I’m only 54, due to polyps being found on my first one and the subsequent death of my mother puts me at high risk. Yes, early detection is key, but even regular screenings are no guarantee.
Posted 1/29/2023 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
Then there's this, from the link below:

"Q. I just turned 76 and I’m due for a colonoscopy. Am I old enough to skip this screening test?

A. The answer is likely yes, unless your doctor thinks you should continue for some reason. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends routine colorectal cancer screening, such as colonoscopy, for everyone from age 45 to 75. Some people may be advised to start screening earlier if they have a family history of colon cancer, if certain genetic conditions run in their family, or if they have an inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease. The USPSTF says that most people can stop screening at age 75, but people should ask their doctor if they might need to continue screening between ages 76 and 85. Some people may benefit from screening beyond that age based on their individual risk factors and overall health."

Of course an approach sort of similar to the USPSTF guidelines re prostate testing. (And I'm not taking sides here, BTW, just reporting the above view that's out there).

So, Is this also going to be a USPSTF-style controversy as well, or is the colorectal situation different?

I did a little searching, and I don't see a lot of really strong pushback on this, anyone claiming that it's a really bad idea to stop testing post age 75. Maybe the experts are trustworthy this time?

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/can-i-skip-colonoscopies-after-age-75
Posted 1/29/2023 4:27 PM (GMT 0)

halbert said...
I had my first (and only) colonoscopy at 50, 14 years ago. When I turned 60, it was right after Cologard came available, and because my first one was unremarkable, I went that route. I did another Cologard last week, I expect the results in a few days.

i requested a cologard test about four years ago and it was unremarkable, but i still got my scheduled colonoscopy though i was a year or so late. that study i participated in that paid me $575 was for a company working on another cologard-type test
Posted 1/29/2023 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
Yesterday I saw an article in USA TODAY about a rich guy, I think named Johnson that was trying to slow down his aging. Bezos is supposedly doing it also, it must be the new way to throw money away. Anyway these doctors had Johnson taking Metformin to ward off colon cancer. Not advocating this it's just something I read.
Posted 1/29/2023 5:25 PM (GMT 0)

duke48 said...
Yesterday I saw an article in USA TODAY about a rich guy, I think named Johnson that was trying to slow down his aging. Bezos is supposedly doing it also.

I find this stuff very humorous. These guys suddenly realize that the preposterous wealth will not save them, and they will die like everyone else. So they make desperate attempts to stave it off. Or Job's arrogance leading him to believe that he didn't need to address his health issue. I have a sense that Musk may belong to this group as well. Bill Gates, I think, is more stable.

I guess I'm hijacking the thread.

I have taken the Cologuard test a couple times. There's nothing like sending a turd through the mail.
Posted 1/29/2023 6:00 PM (GMT 0)

mattam said...

duke48 said...
Yesterday I saw an article in USA TODAY about a rich guy, I think named Johnson that was trying to slow down his aging. Bezos is supposedly doing it also.

I find this stuff very humorous. These guys suddenly realize that the preposterous wealth will not save them, and they will die like everyone else. So they make desperate attempts to stave it off. Or Job's arrogance leading him to believe that he didn't need to address his health issue. I have a sense that Musk may belong to this group as well. Bill Gates, I think, is more stable.

I guess I'm hijacking the thread.

I have taken the Cologuard test a couple times. There's nothing like sending a turd through the mail.

#######

or believing an elevated status in a cult will save you (kirstie alley, kelly preston)
Posted 1/29/2023 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
To F8
Yes most likely hemorrhoid. " When you hear hoofbeats think horses not zebras"
I have hemorrhoids so yep it's probably that.
Still need to get the colonoscopy

Glen
Posted 1/29/2023 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
[quote] I have taken the Cologuard test a couple times. There's nothing like sending a turd through the mail.

There is that.....pooping in a box is not quite how it works...but I've heard that description.
Posted 1/29/2023 9:37 PM (GMT 0)

halbert said...
[quote]
There is that.....pooping in a box is not quite how it works...but I've heard that description.

The first test I took it was just a poop swab they wanted. A few years later for the second test they still wanted a swab, but the kit also included a mini toilet bowl to poop into. It sat on on your regular bowl. Then you cut a good sized (as shown in a diagram) turd chuck and place it into a bottle of buffer solution. I found the whole thing to be rather comical.

So yes, literally shipping out poop. 🙂
Posted 1/29/2023 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
If you are due for a colonoscopy, I encourage you to make that appointment.

The preparation medications HAVE improved, and become more "tolerable."

I have had two colonoscopies in recent years. Both times, I had a few polyps removed.

Because of that, I am on a 3-year plan for my follow-up.

Hey, it takes what it takes & they're looking after me!

Getting 'r done ~ peace of mind!

It's good to encourage each other to "take care of business."

Best to each & all ~

CYCLONE ~ # Iowa State University
Posted 1/30/2023 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
Yep, we need to pay attention to all of our regular health maintenance checks as we age!

I had a "tubular adenoma" polyp at my previous colonoscopy, thus had a 5 year interval. So this time, about 3 weeks ago, I had 3 polyps, all adenomas. Now, I'm on a 3 year follow up to the next one.

I thought that was kind of a bummer, since I really don't like the "prep". Then I spoke with someone else who's had annual colonoscopies for many years. He was pleased that his doc suggested he may lengthen his interval to 3 years! It's all a matter of perspective, isn't it?
Posted 1/30/2023 12:40 PM (GMT 0)
I have had 3. Next one in two years.

Funny prep video

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zlkucmkvqvm
Posted 1/30/2023 3:13 PM (GMT 0)

mattam said...
So yes, literally shipping out poop. 🙂

When sending a package from the post office they ask if it contains anything hazardous. I’m not sure how I would answer that this case.
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