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Cologuard Test...

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IGBT said:
They gave me pill laxatives...two bottles of the fuggers. And now I'm told they didn't work and weren't able to complete the colonoscopy ...so I get to do this all over this time with a liquid laxative..and shite and shite all over again. This happen to anybody else??
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Yes, it happened to me. Said I wasn't clean enough, reschedule and do it all over again. The procedure is a breeze IMO compared to getting your intestinal tract clean enough to have a good look with a colonoscopy. Done it ~ 1/2 dozen times I guess. Not fun, but there are easier and worse ways to do it. It's well worth researching it.
 
BoomerD said:
Damn...just saw the bill submitted to my insurance for the colonoscopy. A skosh over $12,500...for about 30-45 minutes work. Happily, it looks like it will be zero $$ copay. (so far)
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WTF! 😳

I had mine done last January and it was all told $5,078.and change. Also zero co-pay / zero deductible.
 
igor_kavinski said:
How much coffee do you drink? I read that the more you drink coffee, the lower your chances of anything cancerous in the colon. Makes sense too since coffee reduces the chances of a cancer cell living long. Another thing you can do is to consume at least a tablespoon of vinegar in your meals. It helps to improve longevity of normal cells while keeping cancer cells at bay. Vinegar + coffee or chocolate AND/OR Moderate wine consumption + coffee or chocolate are the key to a longer, healthier life.
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As I’ve gotten older…and no longer work, my coffee consumption has dropped from 3-4 pots per day to 2-2.5 cups per day. I don’t really care for anything “vinegary.” Wine gives me the shits…so I avoid it.
 
Torn Mind said:
You guys are lucky, both in the docs themselves and not having to require chemo.

The docs that dealt with my mother. Well, there will always be a degree of unresolved uncertainty whether she actually needed it or not. The gastroenterologist in not taking a picture of the particular polyp said to have late stage cells leaves open the door of whether another's sample was swapped instead of the actual sample my mother had.

Chemotherapy, one with a recovery is not a full recovery.
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My mom died of/ from/with colon cancer. She also had lung and liver cancer. It was presumed that it started as lung cancer and metastasized to her liver and colon. Because of that history, I was concerned when I started having issues in my lower abdomen. Turned out to be diverticulitis…but that really put the pressure on for a colonoscopy.
 
Muse said:
Yes, it happened to me. Said I wasn't clean enough, reschedule and do it all over again. The procedure is a breeze IMO compared to getting your intestinal tract clean enough to have a good look with a colonoscopy. Done it ~ 1/2 dozen times I guess. Not fun, but there are easier and worse ways to do it. It's well worth researching it.
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The doc’s report said my “prep was poor.” I don’t know what else I could hve done. Low fiber diet for a week, took Miralax 2x daily for a week, took the DucoLax as prescribed, no food of any kind for 2 days…and drank all of their prep liquid. By the time I had the procedure, I could have squirted through the eye of a needle at 50 yards…
 
BoomerD said:
The doc’s report said my “prep was poor.” I don’t know what else I could hve done. Low fiber diet for a week, took Miralax 2x daily for a week, took the DucoLax as prescribed, no food of any kind for 2 days…and drank all of their prep liquid. By the time I had the procedure, I could have squirted through the eye of a needle at 50 yards…
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Yeah, I didn't know what I'd done wrong. Was long time ago now, maybe 10 years. I decided to start earlier than they recommended and be more stringent than recommended for the follow up.
 
VA doc had been bugging me to get tested, and I finally did. Showed blood in the stool. Gee, taking 800 mg Ibuprofen, 2x a day, might have something to do with that (YES, I'm aware of the problems associated with that, so please take any preaching you have about IB elsewhere). Went to my non-VA doc, and asked for a Cologuard, and it came back with the same thing. So I went ahead and did the colonoscopy. My first one ever, at the age of 61 (with ZERO family history).

Wake up after the colonoscopy, and the doc says everything looked good. One polyp they took biopsy from (negative)....but I have a 2" long tumor in my rectum. Said it didn't appear to be cancerous, but would need to be removed anyways, before it had the chance to become so. Was all ready to have the VA do the surgery, when my company lets me know that they need me to move from NY (Buffalo) to MS (Vicksburg), so I postponed. Got with the VA when I got down here, went through many of the same checks done in Buffalo (because the VA's records system STILL hasn't been digitized, and transferring records sucks), and finally went in 2 weeks ago, and had the surgery.

Due to go in next week, to see the surgeon, see what's going on with the removal/repair job she did, and see about getting my temporary ileostomy reversed, and normal flow restored. FUN TIMES. Not a huge pain in the butt (pun intended), but I have all the respect in the world for people who find themselves having to live with this for an extended period of time, or forever. Definitely has taken some time to get my dietary stuff straightened out, for a good stoma flow!

For those putting off that first colonoscopy, my advice is, DON'T. It's been 13 days since my surgery, and I'm certain that if "my little friend" had been found cancerous after the removal, I would have heard about it by now. I got VERY lucky, and I'm sure I'll be on a 2 year cycle, until my docs see that everything is A-OK, and no recurrences going on. Take care of yourself BEFORE you get this far, is my advice.
 
marvdmartian said:
VA doc had been bugging me to get tested, and I finally did. Showed blood in the stool. Gee, taking 800 mg Ibuprofen, 2x a day, might have something to do with that (YES, I'm aware of the problems associated with that, so please take any preaching you have about IB elsewhere). Went to my non-VA doc, and asked for a Cologuard, and it came back with the same thing. So I went ahead and did the colonoscopy. My first one ever, at the age of 61 (with ZERO family history).

Wake up after the colonoscopy, and the doc says everything looked good. One polyp they took biopsy from (negative)....but I have a 2" long tumor in my rectum. Said it didn't appear to be cancerous, but would need to be removed anyways, before it had the chance to become so. Was all ready to have the VA do the surgery, when my company lets me know that they need me to move from NY (Buffalo) to MS (Vicksburg), so I postponed. Got with the VA when I got down here, went through many of the same checks done in Buffalo (because the VA's records system STILL hasn't been digitized, and transferring records sucks), and finally went in 2 weeks ago, and had the surgery.

Due to go in next week, to see the surgeon, see what's going on with the removal/repair job she did, and see about getting my temporary ileostomy reversed, and normal flow restored. FUN TIMES. Not a huge pain in the butt (pun intended), but I have all the respect in the world for people who find themselves having to live with this for an extended period of time, or forever. Definitely has taken some time to get my dietary stuff straightened out, for a good stoma flow!

For those putting off that first colonoscopy, my advice is, DON'T. It's been 13 days since my surgery, and I'm certain that if "my little friend" had been found cancerous after the removal, I would have heard about it by now. I got VERY lucky, and I'm sure I'll be on a 2 year cycle, until my docs see that everything is A-OK, and no recurrences going on. Take care of yourself BEFORE you get this far, is my advice.
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Colonoscopy was recommended after age 50, I think may now be recommended sooner IIRC.
 
Muse said:
Colonoscopy was recommended after age 50, I think may now be recommended sooner IIRC.
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My “butt doc” told me that they’re now recommending colonoscopies at age 45…or earlier, depending on medical or family history.
 
Honestly, I would recommend that you get one as early as recommended by your doctor. And don't be afraid to discuss it with them.....and eventually, to discuss everything with the GE doc who will perform the "up periscope". Ask them what they do when they have certain findings, and WHY.
Believe it or not, it's okay to ask questions, and have a real understanding of what's going on with your body, and what the docs are doing, or NOT doing, about it. As guys, we have a really bad habit of thinking, "I feel fine! What could possibly be wrong with me??" That sort of thinking led me to walk into a new primary care doctor's office at age 39, with blood pressure of 170/110 (potentially fatal), and a buddy of mine to ignore his until it bit him in the ass at age 56, with a stroke, after retiring from the military after 22 years.
I'm posting here to say, I got lucky. YOU might not. DON'T be "that guy", who ignores his body, then has it bite him (quite literally) in the ass, later on. Ignorance may be described as blissful, but it CAN lead to a whole lot worse in your future. Ask yourself this: do you want to be "that guy", who's my age (or younger), living with a full time ileostomy or colostomy?
 
marvdmartian said:
Honestly, I would recommend that you get one as early as recommended by your doctor. And don't be afraid to discuss it with them.....and eventually, to discuss everything with the GE doc who will perform the "up periscope". Ask them what they do when they have certain findings, and WHY.
Believe it or not, it's okay to ask questions, and have a real understanding of what's going on with your body, and what the docs are doing, or NOT doing, about it. As guys, we have a really bad habit of thinking, "I feel fine! What could possibly be wrong with me??" That sort of thinking led me to walk into a new primary care doctor's office at age 39, with blood pressure of 170/110 (potentially fatal), and a buddy of mine to ignore his until it bit him in the ass at age 56, with a stroke, after retiring from the military after 22 years.
I'm posting here to say, I got lucky. YOU might not. DON'T be "that guy", who ignores his body, then has it bite him (quite literally) in the ass, later on. Ignorance may be described as blissful, but it CAN lead to a whole lot worse in your future. Ask yourself this: do you want to be "that guy", who's my age (or younger), living with a full time ileostomy or colostomy?
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It also pays to start early because finding a doctor willing to provide meaningful and correct diagnoses can take considerable time and effort, and going through a few doctors. The younger the patient, the more likely a misdiagnosis or non-diagnosis will occur, with plenty of gaslighting in the process.
 
marvdmartian said:
Honestly, I would recommend that you get one as early as recommended by your doctor. And don't be afraid to discuss it with them.....and eventually, to discuss everything with the GE doc who will perform the "up periscope". Ask them what they do when they have certain findings, and WHY.
Believe it or not, it's okay to ask questions, and have a real understanding of what's going on with your body, and what the docs are doing, or NOT doing, about it. As guys, we have a really bad habit of thinking, "I feel fine! What could possibly be wrong with me??" That sort of thinking led me to walk into a new primary care doctor's office at age 39, with blood pressure of 170/110 (potentially fatal), and a buddy of mine to ignore his until it bit him in the ass at age 56, with a stroke, after retiring from the military after 22 years.
I'm posting here to say, I got lucky. YOU might not. DON'T be "that guy", who ignores his body, then has it bite him (quite literally) in the ass, later on. Ignorance may be described as blissful, but it CAN lead to a whole lot worse in your future. Ask yourself this: do you want to be "that guy", who's my age (or younger), living with a full time ileostomy or colostomy?
Click to expand...
After I got hurt at work and the docs had me sitting at home…I was no longer working a high stress job, no longer commuting ~100 miles each way in/out of the SF Bay area, and I quit smoking…lo and behold, my blood pressure started spiking…and kept going up. My doc kept trying to put me on BP meds…I refused…until it got to around 200/100 and he told me, “Dammit, you’re going to have a stroke or blow a vessel in your brain. (aneurism) So…I relented. Took a few different med trials to find one that worked for me without side effects, (one gave me “Mickey Mouse” hands in just a few days.😱
Nowadays, about 125/70…
One of the reasons I refused a colonoscopy for so long is that one of the cancers that killed my mom was colon cancer. (also lung and liver) “Fuck it…it I have it, I don’t want to know.”
 
Turned 50 last month, and just got mine in the mail a few days ago. Was free thru insurance.

Had a colonoscopy scheduled in Nov, did all the pre stuff, eating the right things and taking the flushing liquid. Showed up for my 9a appointment at 830. After waiting till 10, which wasn't fun, I was told there were still 7 people ahead of me. So I just left. I was starving and not enjoying sitting there waiting with my stomach all jacked up. I will go to a different one and try again soonish.
 
Ackmed said:
Turned 50 last month, and just got mine in the mail a few days ago. Was free thru insurance.

Had a colonoscopy scheduled in Nov, did all the pre stuff, eating the right things and taking the flushing liquid. Showed up for my 9a appointment at 830. After waiting till 10, which wasn't fun, I was told there were still 7 people ahead of me. So I just left. I was starving and not enjoying sitting there waiting with my stomach all jacked up. I will go to a different one and try again soonish.
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The colon prep is the worst part of it. Starving yourself on a clear liquid diet for 2-3 days, laxatives, drinking the horrid colon prep "kool-aid," not knowing if you're gonna shit yourself when you walk...(Depends are your friends) The actual procedure wasn't bad. Because I vape, I had to undergo a "breathing treatment" before they'd put me under...then, the nurse inserted an IV, gave me a blast of Propofol...count backwards from 100...99...98...97...........time to wake up now...we're all done.
First stop was the crapper...again, then off to a restaurant for food. My 20 year old grandson was proud...grandpa let him drive his truck. He's the only one who has ever driven my truck except me and my wife who can't drive since she had her stroke a year ago. (I was desperate...I had to have a driver or they wouldn't do the procedure)
 
BoomerD said:
The colon prep is the worst part of it. Starving yourself on a clear liquid diet for 2-3 days, laxatives, drinking the horrid colon prep "kool-aid," not knowing if you're gonna shit yourself when you walk...(Depends are your friends) The actual procedure wasn't bad. Because I vape, I had to undergo a "breathing treatment" before they'd put me under...then, the nurse inserted an IV, gave me a blast of Propofol...count backwards from 100...99...98...97...........time to wake up now...we're all done.
First stop was the crapper...again, then off to a restaurant for food. My 20 year old grandson was proud...grandpa let him drive his truck. He's the only one who has ever driven my truck except me and my wife who can't drive since she had her stroke a year ago. (I was desperate...I had to have a driver or they wouldn't do the procedure)
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I had my first colonoscopy in my 30's, because I was bleeding from my butt. I had to have one done every 3 years, until the doc changed it to every 5 last year. He changed my prep last year, to some med that started with an S. It was more expensive than the old stuff, but it tasted so much better! Gatorade is my liquid diet drink, but I only have one liquid diet day, and that's the day before the procedure. Getting someone to take me home is always the worst part for me. The wife had to take a day off work last time, and she still is pissed about it.
 
BoomerD said:
The colon prep is the worst part of it. Starving yourself on a clear liquid diet for 2-3 days, laxatives, drinking the horrid colon prep "kool-aid," not knowing if you're gonna shit yourself when you walk...(Depends are your friends) The actual procedure wasn't bad. Because I vape, I had to undergo a "breathing treatment" before they'd put me under...then, the nurse inserted an IV, gave me a blast of Propofol...count backwards from 100...99...98...97...........time to wake up now...we're all done.
First stop was the crapper...again, then off to a restaurant for food. My 20 year old grandson was proud...grandpa let him drive his truck. He's the only one who has ever driven my truck except me and my wife who can't drive since she had her stroke a year ago. (I was desperate...I had to have a driver or they wouldn't do the procedure)
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Yep, I'm 45 so my doc recommended I get one so I did. By far the worst part was that nasty prep drink. I didn't even mind the the liquid diet or the constant crapping out liquid but the taste of that prep was the hardest part for me.
 
I don't know about you guys (trying to eat after the procedure) but when I do water fast and break the fast, my gut tends to revolt with the sudden influx of food. Found out by accident that if I take about a palmful of honey, my gut stays calm, even after eating to my fill.
 
Much of my medical care is through the VA, and they sent me that jug with the prep powder in it, ONCE. Told them to do whatever it takes, put a note in my record, whatever, but NEVER EVER SEND ME THAT STUFF AGAIN.

WAY too salty, for one. Didn't matter if you tried to water it down, just made a larger volume of horribleness!

So here's what I do, is follow this routine. Start out with 2 Dulcolax pills. Now if you have a problem swallowing small pills (I do....they tend to get stuck, and not want to go down), go ahead and push them down with a piece of well chewed bread. Won't matter, as it's coming out the other end, right? Few hours later, mix up some Miralax powder (I actually get the Equate generic from Walmart, as it's the same stuff) in something that tastes GOOD (just make sure it's not red or purple, as that throws off the results of the colonoscopy). Drink LOTS of fluids, to prevent yourself from becoming dehydrated. Watered down Powerade or Gatorade works well. Propel fitness water does, too. Or just get some water enhancer packets with electrolytes, and utilize those.

I typically start 12-16 hours before my appointment, and I'm cleaned out in 4-6 hours. And it doesn't taste like salty ass! LOL

As far as the fasting goes, I'll usually eat breakfast that day. Skip lunch, and start the prep. You CAN have Jell-O, and chicken broth/bullion. The bullion will actually give your stomach a little bit of something to digest, but is still considered a clear liquid, so won't throw off the test results. Depending on the doctor/clinic, you may be told to NOT have coffee in the morning. I ignore that, because no one needs that negativity, and no one wants to be around me if I haven't had my morning coffee! Just make sure to NOT put any creamer in it.

Mostly, the process is mind over matter. Just takes a little discipline, and you'll be just fine.
 
Speaking of discipline....

So I had my post-op appointment with the surgeon who did my repair, and gave me the temporary ileostomy, last month. Evidently, I misheard her timeline for reversing the ileostomy, and returning the flow to normal (my GF says I heard what I wanted to hear....to which I replied, most folks do!). Whereas I thought the entire process, from surgery to return to work after 2nd surgery was going to be 6-8 weeks, in reality, the surgeon typically waits 6-8 weeks after the first, to perform the 2nd; and I'll need to do a CT scan with a contrast dye enema (fun times!!) at the 6 week point, to ensure everything looks good, and there's no leakage. 3 weeks later, I'm scheduled to go back to the OR, to reverse the ileostomy, with ~2 weeks recovery after that.

So I'm stuck with this thing, until February 21st. 38 days, and counting! **sigh**

After receiving the blessing from the surgeon, and a phone call to my supervisor, I've decided to go back to work, next week. Even with my physical limitations, I'm still okay to do so.....I'll just walk a little slower, and be more cognizant of the level in my bag. I got some larger than normal t-shirts for extra drape in the front, to help disguise the ileostomy appliance and bag (since who wants to look at a bag of shit, right?), and my client that I inspect for is willing to work with me, to make this happen. The CT scan is on my day off, so I won't have to take time off to do that, and I don't have to do any clean out prep before the surgery.....just stop eating, keep hydrated, and my body will do the rest.

Oh, and the best news of all, with the lab results of what was removed (~5 cm tumor in my rectum). Tested every which way they know how, it passed every test as being NON-cancerous. I got lucky, without a doubt. And that's why I encourage you guys that are sitting on the fence about getting the deed done with a colonoscopy, to get serious about your health, and do it. YOU may not be as lucky as I was.
 
marvdmartian said:
I ignore that, because no one needs that negativity, and no one wants to be around me if I haven't had my morning coffee!
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Coffee in general prevents cells from dividing too much and encourages them to kill themselves before they turn cancerous.

The enigmatic effects of caffeine in cell cycle and cancer - PMC

Caffeine may very well be the most frequently ingested neuroactive drug in the world. Mechanistically, caffeine has been reported to affect cell cycle function, induce programmed cell death or apoptosis and perturb key cell cycle regulatory ...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mechanistically, caffeine has been reported to affect cell cycle function, induce programmed cell death or apoptosis
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Update to my "adventure". This coming Friday, after 9 weeks with my ileostomy, I'll be going back on the table to have it reversed. Went on Jan 31st for the leak test, and results were that there were no leaks.

I'll be in the hospital for 2-5 days, and out of work for 2-3 weeks, short-term disability, to recover. Seriously can't wait to get my "normal" life back!
 
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