<p>I just had my first colonoscopy in November. The doctor removed two polyps. Because of the polyps, and the fact that my father had them too, I will have to have my next colonoscopy in 3-5 years instead of 10 years.</p>
<p>I was like you, dreading the prep and procedure, but really, it wasnt that bad.</p>
<p>My prep was 3 bottles of Magnesium Citrate taken at 4 pm, 8 pm and 4 hours before I left for the hospital the next morning. Each bottle of Magnesium Citrate is 10 ozs and can easily be downed in 3 big gulps. I bought lemon flavored and chilled the bottles. The taste wasnt great, its kind of fizzy and calling it lemon is a stretch, but by taking a sip of ginger ale between gulps, I was able to tolerate it. I then had to drink 3 8 oz glasses of an approved beverage from the doctors list. I found plain water to be the easiest thing to get down.</p>
<p>Yes, you will live in the bathroom, particularly after the first round. Bring a magazine, your laptop and anything else you can think of to pass the time. And make sure you buy some wet wipes, youll be glad you did.</p>
<p>At the hospital, my nurse promised me that I would have a wonderful nap when I returned home. I poo pooed the idea, because the only time Ive ever napped was when I was sick. But she was right. After a bite to eat, it seemed like a good idea to rest my eyes for a little while. Well, 6 hours later I woke up.</p>
<p>Knowing that I will have another best nap of my life when I have to go in again in 3-5 years will certainly make my next prep more tolerable.</p>
<p>My D is in med school and is on my case weekly to get this done. I have had a chronic health issue and really don’t want to go to any dr. or procedure unless absolutely necessary, but I think I’ll have to do this or she’ll never shut up.</p>
<p>My H is over 60 and hasn’t had one, and in her words, he is “playing with fire.”</p>
<p>I haven’t read the whole thread. I’ve had 2 colonoscopies. I cannot drink liquids. I can take any size pill, but I cannot drink anything remotely medicinal in liquid form. The biggest fear for me was having to down all that stuff. My dr offered me pills. You have to take a whole lot of them at 15 mn intervals with 8 oz. of liquid each time. It was a lot easier once I figured out I had the whole 15 mn to drink the liquids. It could be any clear liquid–I used water, apple juice, and broth. I highly recommend this method.</p>
<p>Another suggestion I read online that I believe was helpful to me-- in addition to the clear liquid diet the day you do the prep, eat lightly and easily digestible foods the day before.</p>
<p>I had one last spring. The stuff I drank at 6 o’clock didn’t work so at 10 at night I had to drink a bottle of magnesium stuff whick instantly gave me a fever. I couldn’t get all of it down. Everything started working at 1:30 in the morning and my appointment was for 7:30 so I had no sleep. The person who was before me passed out while filling out paperwork in the hospital so I took their place. They almost didn’t want to do the colonoscopy because I had a fever from dehydration. I couldn’t sit without hurting for days. Two non-cancerous polyps. I told my doctor I refuse to have another one in 3 years.</p>
<p>I lost my father and brother-in-law to colon cancer. Each of them was perfectly healthy until his diagnosis. Colon cancer grows slowly and can be cured if it is detected early enough. Everyone over 50 should have a colonosopy. I started having one every 5 years in my 40’s. It’s unpleasant, but it’s a huge relief to know that you’re okay. Please get this life saving test.</p>
<p>I’m the person who made that comment. It may have been done wrong, yes. But I have irritable bowel syndrome, which was at its worst at the time when the test was done. So maybe that, rather than an inept doctor, was the explanation.</p>
<p>In any case, I much prefer a colonoscopy because the sedative works just great for me. No pain at all. And since I now have a history of having a polyp, I’m not likely to get any grief from my insurance company about having the more expensive test every five years. The prep is a nuisance, yes, and so is finding someone to drive me to and from the clinic, but that’s nothing compared to the horror of ever having a sigmoid again.</p>
<p>Just in case the last few posts are scaring anyone, I’ve had two colonoscopies and two sigmoidoscopies in the past 15 months (and another sig to look forward to next week). Like everyone, I disliked the prep but the procedures themselves have been fine. I’m dealing with a persistent polyp and during the last sig in October, I had it removed again without sedation. Not fun, but a walk in the park compared to childbirth!</p>
<p>The other thing I want to say is that after I finish the procedure, I always have an enormous sense of relief and gratitude that I’ve just done something to save my life. I feel pretty optimistic that as long as I keep tabs on this thing, I’m not going to get colon cancer. If I hadn’t had that first colonoscopy at age 52, I almost certainly would have had cancer within a few years. Phew.</p>
<p>My husband had one last spring also and he got through his very easy. His prep worked withing 15 minutes of drinking it! I have gone through many tests on my stomach over the years and I think it is more food allergies that bother me.</p>
<p>shyanne, Maybe you could try the pills tango14 referred to. I am in the middle of dealing with my father’s serious health issues which were greatly exacerbated by his refusal to see a doctor and follow prescribed treatment. I personally am having migraines, digestive problems and planning to see a therapist to deal with the anger I am feeling about all he has put our family through. Don’t do that to your family; I’m sure they love you and want you to take care of yourself.</p>
<p>My doctor checked to see if my liver and stuff was still working after that, which it is, and then said she thinks I could go for 10 years before another colonoscopy. I am more worried about liver disease since I have had 4 relatives with it.</p>
<p>H, I & a good friend have all had our colonoscopies in the past few years. The thing that helps us is going to a great restaurant after we are released from the out-patient portion of the hospital, following the procedure. We have gone to the same excellent Japanese restaurant and it helps you remember the meal and company rather than what proceeded it.</p>
<p>One tip–if you’re going to have it done, please don’t have your dear spouse make one of your favorite very spicy dishes for the entire family when you are restricted to clear liquids–we felt my BIL was very insensitive for making garlic shrimp for everyone but sis on her night before.</p>
<p>My brother wants to have a colonoscopy because he’s been having problems with pain and I think bleeding (he didn’t want to go into the details with me). Because he’s only 47, his insurance won’t authorize it unless there is a family history of colon cancer–even though his doctor says he should have a colonoscopy now. I don’t know what his insurance company is, but I think it’s an HMO.</p>
<p>Our dad had bladder and prostate cancer, but not colon. Our grandfather died of cancer–I always thought it was colon, but it might have been stomach. He died 35 years ago, so who’s going to check? My brother is pretty stubborn and says he won’t lie about the family history (I would in a heartbeat, considering the symptoms and what’s at stake). I hope he tells the insurance company that his grandfather died of colon cancer. Period. Not even mention there is a chance that it was something else. Will they expect him to provide proof?</p>
<p>Who the hell would volunteer to have a colonoscopy before 50 if there wasn’t a very good reason? Does the insurance company think people do this for fun?</p>
<p>It seems to me that my insurance company (Anthem Blue Cross) was going out of their way to try to get people to do the colonoscopies and provided brochures, educational help lines, etc. I don’t know if they have a restriction for before 50 since I waited longer than I should have to have my first one done.</p>
<p>Regardless, if your brother’s experiencing any kinds of symptoms he should get the advice of his doctor as to what’s going on whether it’s related to the colon or not. Despite the age restriction the insurance company may have, if his personal physician orders a colonoscopy due to some symptoms it seems that they’d cover it. Has he tried this route? He needs to figure out what’s going on to cause whatever symptoms he’s having.</p>
<p>Stevensmama, his doctor should be fighting tooth and nail with the insurance company on his behalf. I’ve had doctors do this both for meds and procedures when insurance companies balked. He needs to get his doctor’s office to fight for him ASAP. And if it’s an HMO, his primary care provider should be fighting as well.</p>
<p>Even if ultimately his insurance company doesn’t cover it, if his doctor thinks he should have one based on symptoms, then he should get it done anyway and see how he can perhaps get a reduced cost from the colonoscopy doc due to not having the insurance company cover it. If he actually has cancer it may be the only thing that would save his life and if he doesn’t (and there are lots of things that can cause bleeding and pain that aren’t cancer) then he’ll have some peace of mind as well as helping to get to the root of the problem.</p>
<p>Symptomatic patients should be getting colonoscopies. He should get the rules for the healthplan, and then file an appeal according to the rules. His state department of insurance may also be of help. If it were me, I would go ahead and get the colonoscopy NOW and deal with the payment/reimbursement issues later.</p>