Colon Cancer, Understand Your Risk, Get Colonoscopy

[alkemyst]

So I've been having a lot of stomach issues lately which I'm going to the doctors tomorrow for. But what kind of stomach symptoms would lead to this test? Digestion issues or just regular stomach pains? I've been having a lot of digestion issues which leave me feeling full, bloated and getting heartburn 3-4 hours after a meal.

Colonoscopies become routine at a certain age.

If you are haven't problems they will do them as a procedure.

Usually for stomach issues you go see a GI doc and they just run a camera down and see what's going on.

I need to get that done, I am getting some weird gagging thing now for the last few months that seems tied to when I eat. I just deal with it, but I need to see what's causing it.

 

[alzan]

I fully endorse getting a colonoscopy done; relieves a stressor in your life and the anesthesia is heaven.

Hope nobody has my experience; after a day of Gatorade and Metamucil I was (according to my doctor) still too sludgy. Had to undergo a second day of Gatorade and Metamucil. But at the end (pun intended) no polyps or other issues. w00t!!

But I'll never be able to drink Gatorade again.

 

[Muse]

I fully endorse getting a colonoscopy done; relieves a stressor in your life and the anesthesia is heaven.

Hope nobody has my experience; after a day of Gatorade and Metamucil I was (according to my doctor) still too sludgy. Had to undergo a second day of Gatorade and Metamucil. But at the end (pun intended) no polyps or other issues. w00t!!

But I'll never be able to drink Gatorade again.

I don't think I've ever drank Gatorade. AFAIK there's no pleasant way to clear, but some seem better than others.

Here's notes I took over ten years ago from website:

Preparation

Your colon must be completely empty for the
colonoscopy to be thorough and safe. To prepare for
the procedure you may have to follow a liquid diet for
1 to 3 days beforehand. A liquid diet means fat-free
bouillon or broth, strained fruit juice, water, plain
coffee, plain tea, or diet soda. Gelatin or popsicles in
any color but red may also be eaten. You will also
take one of several types of laxatives the night before
the procedure. Also, you must arrange for someone to
take you home afterward--you will not be allowed to
drive because of the sedatives. Your physician may
give you other special instructions. Inform your
physician of any medical conditions or medications
that you take before the colonscopy.

This from: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/diagtest/colo.htm
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I encountered something online by a guy who due to his particular digestive problems had to have very frequent colonoscopies and he used clearing methodology that made it easier for him. It's a good idea to search for stuff like that. He used a beer bong, such as college students use to drink large amounts of beer really quickly. He said it made it easier to get the stuff down.

 

[Geekbabe]

My genetic testing shows defects in APC which means I really need to stick with colonoscopy schedule as my body is predisposed to producing Adeno polyps and tumors. A good thing to know and keep watch over. Get the screening, it could save your life.

 

[John Connor]

Last time I had one it cost me an arm and a leg. That was with Blue Cross and Trans America supplemental. Not only was my ass checked but they raped it! Eventually the bill went to a schmuck lawyer's office and I finally payed the bill off last April. Long story short it is VERY true that lawyers are pricks who just want money.

Now I'm a little reluctant to have another when I turn 40 or so in the next five years. Thing is my aunt died from colon cancer and she told use all get a colonoscopy!

 

[Thump553]

Last time I had one it cost me an arm and a leg. That was with Blue Cross and Trans America supplemental. Not only was my ass checked but they raped it! Eventually the bill went to a schmuck lawyer's office and I finally payed the bill off last April. Long story short it is VERY true that lawyers are pricks who just want money.

Now I'm a little reluctant to have another when I turn 40 or so in the next five years. Thing is my aunt died from colon cancer and she told use all get a colonoscopy!

Last time I had one it was fully covered by Obamacare-no out of pocket expenses at all except of the OTC prep fluid, and I have the middle level (silver) coverage. Even before Obamacare I don't recall my out of pocket expenses being significant-certainly no more than $100.

Each time I had it done it was a very minor, pretty trivial procedure. You're knocked out for 20 minutes or so, rest for 10 minutes or so after waking and then on your way. The worst part of the procedure by far was the prep.

Point is, no one should hold off on getting this done because of a concern about costs.

 

[Kaido]

So I've been having a lot of stomach issues lately which I'm going to the doctors tomorrow for. But what kind of stomach symptoms would lead to this test? Digestion issues or just regular stomach pains? I've been having a lot of digestion issues which leave me feeling full, bloated and getting heartburn 3-4 hours after a meal.

Could be a lot of things. I thought I had food allergies for the last ten years, but as it turns out I have SIBO, which mimics food allergies to a tee. Ate too many antibiotics as a kid & fried my small intestine. Fortunately they have meds for it, so I went on a 2-week course & have been eating dairy & gluten for the past couple of weeks with the goal of getting as fat as humanly possible :biggrin:

 

[SearchMaster]

Last time I had one it was fully covered by Obamacare-no out of pocket expenses at all except of the OTC prep fluid, and I have the middle level (silver) coverage. Even before Obamacare I don't recall my out of pocket expenses being significant-certainly no more than $100.

Each time I had it done it was a very minor, pretty trivial procedure. You're knocked out for 20 minutes or so, rest for 10 minutes or so after waking and then on your way. The worst part of the procedure by far was the prep.

Point is, no one should hold off on getting this done because of a concern about costs.

Yes, I'm pretty sure that regular screening is required to be covered by the ACA (in fact it was a rider that was added later if I'm not mistaken). I had my last colonoscopy before the ACA went live and back when I had excellent medical insurance and I don't think I paid anything more than a small deductible (if that), and when I was researching it a few months ago since I'm due for another one (and my current insurance sucks ass), I found that the ACA mandated the coverage. I know there was some confusion initially because the procedure itself was covered but not the removal of any polyps discovered, that was changed later.

http://nccrt.org/wp-content/uploads/NCCRT.pdf