colonoscopy redo! Should I

#1 10-28-2007, 06:13 PM

An appeal for advice from a newbie to this group:

I had a colonoscopy 2 years ago and wasn't 100% cleaned out. The
powdered prep I took had minimal effect. Doctor said I had a very
resistant colon and also a long one which combined to cause the
problem. In any case he could see 95% of the colon and it was OK no
polyps etc, but he said to redo it in two years. So here I am two
years later at the age of 54 with no sign of colon problems and no
family history. I also have aortic stenosis so i'll need to take anti-
biotics my cardiologist said although he admits this is controversial.
Also I will need two days on liquids only and larger and more powerful
doses of laxatives. I am really wondering if i am not going overboard
and simply finding my self in the position of being yet one more
victim of medical defensiveness. IOW's the gastroenterologist is
covering his ass by ordering another colonoscopy when the one i had
was probably sufficient. So my question is simply this: Am I OVERDOING
THE TESTING? The colonoscopy is not without risk and with the aortic
valve problem becomes more riskier.

What would you do???

#2 10-28-2007, 06:53 PM

I would follow my doctor's advice, if you need a second opinion ask your
PCP.
Alex

#3 10-28-2007, 07:38 PM

"mike" <mcole8883@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1193589659.193447.33130@k79g2000hse.googlegro ups.com...
> An appeal for advice from a newbie to this group:
>
> I had a colonoscopy 2 years ago and wasn't 100% cleaned out. In any case
> he could see 95% of the colon and it was OK no
> polyps etc, but he said to redo it in two years. > What would you do???
Have it. My husband had one and was clear, not even any polyps. In 6 years
he had colon cancer with mets to both lungs and all the lymph nodes in the
trunk of his body. I just found out that the colon cancer is located in the
low part of the intestines on the left side so am sure the Dr. got a good
look at that area.

#4 10-29-2007, 02:09 AM

"mike" <mcole8883@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1193589659.193447.33130@k79g2000hse.googlegro ups.com...
> An appeal for advice from a newbie to this group:
>
> I had a colonoscopy 2 years ago and wasn't 100% cleaned out. The
> powdered prep I took had minimal effect. Doctor said I had a very
> resistant colon and also a long one which combined to cause the
> problem. In any case he could see 95% of the colon and it was OK no
> polyps etc, but he said to redo it in two years. So here I am two
> years later at the age of 54 with no sign of colon problems and no
> family history. I also have aortic stenosis so i'll need to take anti-
> biotics my cardiologist said although he admits this is controversial.
> Also I will need two days on liquids only and larger and more powerful
> doses of laxatives. I am really wondering if i am not going overboard
> and simply finding my self in the position of being yet one more
> victim of medical defensiveness. IOW's the gastroenterologist is
> covering his ass by ordering another colonoscopy when the one i had
> was probably sufficient. So my question is simply this: Am I OVERDOING
> THE TESTING? The colonoscopy is not without risk and with the aortic
> valve problem becomes more riskier.
>
> What would you do???
>

He's not covering HIS ass, but yours. If you go to a professional, take his
advice

#5 10-29-2007, 03:28 PM

"mike" <mcole8883@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1193589659.193447.33130@k79g2000hse.googlegro ups.com...
> An appeal for advice from a newbie to this group:
>
> I had a colonoscopy 2 years ago and wasn't 100% cleaned out. The
> powdered prep I took had minimal effect. Doctor said I had a very
> resistant colon and also a long one which combined to cause the
> problem. In any case he could see 95% of the colon and it was OK no
> polyps etc, but he said to redo it in two years. So here I am two
> years later at the age of 54 with no sign of colon problems and no
> family history. I also have aortic stenosis so i'll need to take anti-
> biotics my cardiologist said although he admits this is controversial.
> Also I will need two days on liquids only and larger and more powerful
> doses of laxatives. I am really wondering if i am not going overboard
> and simply finding my self in the position of being yet one more
> victim of medical defensiveness. IOW's the gastroenterologist is
> covering his ass by ordering another colonoscopy when the one i had
> was probably sufficient. So my question is simply this: Am I OVERDOING
> THE TESTING? The colonoscopy is not without risk and with the aortic
> valve problem becomes more riskier.
>
> What would you do???
>

I would have had it done last year if it were me? They recommend it.
Good luck.

BetsyB

#6 10-29-2007, 08:05 PM

On Oct 28, 10:40 am, mike <mcole8...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> An appeal for advice from a newbie to this group:
>
> I had a colonoscopy 2 years ago and wasn't 100% cleaned out. The
> powdered prep I took had minimal effect. Doctor said I had a very
> resistant colon and also a long one which combined to cause the
> problem. In any case he could see 95% of the colon and it was OK no
> polyps etc, but he said to redo it in two years. So here I am two
> years later at the age of 54 with no sign of colon problems and no
> family history. I also have aortic stenosis so i'll need to take anti-
> biotics my cardiologist said although he admits this is controversial.
> Also I will need two days on liquids only and larger and more powerful
> doses of laxatives. I am really wondering if i am not going overboard
> and simply finding my self in the position of being yet one more
> victim of medical defensiveness. IOW's the gastroenterologist is
> covering his ass by ordering another colonoscopy when the one i had
> was probably sufficient. So my question is simply this: Am I OVERDOING
> THE TESTING? The colonoscopy is not without risk and with the aortic
> valve problem becomes more riskier.
>
> What would you do???

I'd have it. If get an "all clear", then go out and celebrate (and
please let us know). If it finds polyps or early-stage cancer,
celebrate that you caught it early (and let us know that). The risk
of skipping the test could be much higher than the risk of having it.
Then again, I wouldn't be swayed by opinions and advice from the
'Net---I'd trust to professional advice.

---
CSM

#7 11-01-2007, 05:03 PM

On Oct 29, 2:50 pm, csm7...@hotmail.com wrote:
> On Oct 28, 10:40 am, mike <mcole8...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > An appeal for advice from a newbie to this group:
>
> > I had a colonoscopy 2 years ago and wasn't 100% cleaned out. The
> > powdered prep I took had minimal effect. Doctor said I had a very
> > resistant colon and also a long one which combined to cause the
> > problem. In any case he could see 95% of the colon and it was OK no
> > polyps etc, but he said to redo it in two years. So here I am two
> > years later at the age of 54 with no sign of colon problems and no
> > family history. I also have aortic stenosis so i'll need to take anti-
> > biotics my cardiologist said although he admits this is controversial.
> > Also I will need two days on liquids only and larger and more powerful
> > doses of laxatives. I am really wondering if i am not going overboard
> > and simply finding my self in the position of being yet one more
> > victim of medical defensiveness. IOW's the gastroenterologist is
> > covering his ass by ordering another colonoscopy when the one i had
> > was probably sufficient. So my question is simply this: Am I OVERDOING
> > THE TESTING? The colonoscopy is not without risk and with the aortic
> > valve problem becomes more riskier.
>
> > What would you do???
>
> I'd have it. If get an "all clear", then go out and celebrate (and
> please let us know). If it finds polyps or early-stage cancer,
> celebrate that you caught it early (and let us know that). The risk
> of skipping the test could be much higher than the risk of having it.
> Then again, I wouldn't be swayed by opinions and advice from the
> 'Net---I'd trust to professional advice.
>
> ---
> CSM- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Got it done this morning. All was OK except for some internal-external
hemmoroids. I took the advice which was unanamous. BTW, I declined
anesthetic and took only sedation that left me fully conscious. The
doc was wary but agreed to it. It was total cake. Very slight
discomfort. Cannot say this would work for others but i was surprised
how damn painless it all was. Thanks to all who replied and encouraged
me to get it done.

Mike

#8 11-01-2007, 05:03 PM

"mike" <mcole8883@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1193932095.440326.201870@50g2000hsm.googlegro ups.com...
> On Oct 29, 2:50 pm, csm7...@hotmail.com wrote:
>> On Oct 28, 10:40 am, mike <mcole8...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > An appeal for advice from a newbie to this group:
>>
>> > I had a colonoscopy 2 years ago and wasn't 100% cleaned out. The
>> > powdered prep I took had minimal effect. Doctor said I had a very
>> > resistant colon and also a long one which combined to cause the
>> > problem. In any case he could see 95% of the colon and it was OK no
>> > polyps etc, but he said to redo it in two years. So here I am two
>> > years later at the age of 54 with no sign of colon problems and no
>> > family history. I also have aortic stenosis so i'll need to take
>> > anti-
>> > biotics my cardiologist said although he admits this is
>> > controversial.
>> > Also I will need two days on liquids only and larger and more
>> > powerful
>> > doses of laxatives. I am really wondering if i am not going
>> > overboard
>> > and simply finding my self in the position of being yet one more
>> > victim of medical defensiveness. IOW's the gastroenterologist is
>> > covering his ass by ordering another colonoscopy when the one i had
>> > was probably sufficient. So my question is simply this: Am I
>> > OVERDOING
>> > THE TESTING? The colonoscopy is not without risk and with the
>> > aortic
>> > valve problem becomes more riskier.
>>
>> > What would you do???
>>
>> I'd have it. If get an "all clear", then go out and celebrate (and
>> please let us know). If it finds polyps or early-stage cancer,
>> celebrate that you caught it early (and let us know that). The risk
>> of skipping the test could be much higher than the risk of having it.
>> Then again, I wouldn't be swayed by opinions and advice from the
>> 'Net---I'd trust to professional advice.
>>
>> ---
>> CSM- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> Got it done this morning. All was OK except for some internal-external
> hemmoroids. I took the advice which was unanamous. BTW, I declined
> anesthetic and took only sedation that left me fully conscious. The
> doc was wary but agreed to it. It was total cake. Very slight
> discomfort. Cannot say this would work for others but i was surprised
> how damn painless it all was. Thanks to all who replied and encouraged
> me to get it done.
>
> Mike
>

Good on ya! Now don't you feel better? Common sense wins again. Don't
you hate the prep day? I was sure I was gonna starve to death.

Betsy

#9 11-01-2007, 10:57 PM

Mike wrote :

"Got it done this morning. All was OK except for some internal-external
hemmoroids. I took the advice which was unanamous. BTW, I declined
anesthetic and took only sedation that left me fully conscious. The
doc was wary but agreed to it. It was total cake. Very slight
discomfort. Cannot say this would work for others but i was surprised
how damn painless it all was. Thanks to all who replied and encouraged
me to get it done."

Great news, Mike. Congratulations !

best, Uncle Sally

#10 11-02-2007, 04:12 PM

On Nov 1, 9:48 am, mike <mcole8...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Oct 29, 2:50 pm, csm7...@hotmail.com wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Oct 28, 10:40 am, mike <mcole8...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > > An appeal for advice from a newbie to this group:
>
> > > I had a colonoscopy 2 years ago and wasn't 100% cleaned out. The
> > > powdered prep I took had minimal effect. Doctor said I had a very
> > > resistant colon and also a long one which combined to cause the
> > > problem. In any case he could see 95% of the colon and it was OK no
> > > polyps etc, but he said to redo it in two years. So here I am two
> > > years later at the age of 54 with no sign of colon problems and no
> > > family history. I also have aortic stenosis so i'll need to take anti-
> > > biotics my cardiologist said although he admits this is controversial.
> > > Also I will need two days on liquids only and larger and more powerful
> > > doses of laxatives. I am really wondering if i am not going overboard
> > > and simply finding my self in the position of being yet one more
> > > victim of medical defensiveness. IOW's the gastroenterologist is
> > > covering his ass by ordering another colonoscopy when the one i had
> > > was probably sufficient. So my question is simply this: Am I OVERDOING
> > > THE TESTING? The colonoscopy is not without risk and with the aortic
> > > valve problem becomes more riskier.
>
> > > What would you do???
>
> > I'd have it. If get an "all clear", then go out and celebrate (and
> > please let us know). If it finds polyps or early-stage cancer,
> > celebrate that you caught it early (and let us know that). The risk
> > of skipping the test could be much higher than the risk of having it.
> > Then again, I wouldn't be swayed by opinions and advice from the
> > 'Net---I'd trust to professional advice.
>
> > ---
> > CSM- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Got it done this morning. All was OK except for some internal-external
> hemmoroids. I took the advice which was unanamous. BTW, I declined
> anesthetic and took only sedation that left me fully conscious. The
> doc was wary but agreed to it. It was total cake. Very slight
> discomfort. Cannot say this would work for others but i was surprised
> how damn painless it all was. Thanks to all who replied and encouraged
> me to get it done.

Congratulations, and thanks for giving us the news.

---
CSM

#11 11-03-2007, 02:53 PM

On Nov 1, 11:55 am, "betsyb" <betsy...@TRASHoptonline.net> wrote:
> "mike" <mcole8...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> news:1193932095.440326.201870@50g2000hsm.googlegro ups.com...
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Oct 29, 2:50 pm, csm7...@hotmail.com wrote:
> >> On Oct 28, 10:40 am, mike <mcole8...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> >> > An appeal for advice from a newbie to this group:
>
> >> > I had a colonoscopy 2 years ago and wasn't 100% cleaned out. The
> >> > powdered prep I took had minimal effect. Doctor said I had a very
> >> > resistant colon and also a long one which combined to cause the
> >> > problem. In any case he could see 95% of the colon and it was OK no
> >> > polyps etc, but he said to redo it in two years. So here I am two
> >> > years later at the age of 54 with no sign of colon problems and no
> >> > family history. I also have aortic stenosis so i'll need to take
> >> > anti-
> >> > biotics my cardiologist said although he admits this is
> >> > controversial.
> >> > Also I will need two days on liquids only and larger and more
> >> > powerful
> >> > doses of laxatives. I am really wondering if i am not going
> >> > overboard
> >> > and simply finding my self in the position of being yet one more
> >> > victim of medical defensiveness. IOW's the gastroenterologist is
> >> > covering his ass by ordering another colonoscopy when the one i had
> >> > was probably sufficient. So my question is simply this: Am I
> >> > OVERDOING
> >> > THE TESTING? The colonoscopy is not without risk and with the
> >> > aortic
> >> > valve problem becomes more riskier.
>
> >> > What would you do???
>
> >> I'd have it. If get an "all clear", then go out and celebrate (and
> >> please let us know). If it finds polyps or early-stage cancer,
> >> celebrate that you caught it early (and let us know that). The risk
> >> of skipping the test could be much higher than the risk of having it.
> >> Then again, I wouldn't be swayed by opinions and advice from the
> >> 'Net---I'd trust to professional advice.
>
> >> ---
> >> CSM- Hide quoted text -
>
> >> - Show quoted text -
>
> > Got it done this morning. All was OK except for some internal-external
> > hemmoroids. I took the advice which was unanamous. BTW, I declined
> > anesthetic and took only sedation that left me fully conscious. The
> > doc was wary but agreed to it. It was total cake. Very slight
> > discomfort. Cannot say this would work for others but i was surprised
> > how damn painless it all was. Thanks to all who replied and encouraged
> > me to get it done.
>
> > Mike
>
> Good on ya! Now don't you feel better? Common sense wins again. Don't
> you hate the prep day? I was sure I was gonna starve to death.
>
> Betsy- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Yes I hated the prep which was two full days for me due to my long
colon and the reason first one day prep did not work. My body was
screaming for food by the second night. I don't like fruit juice,
especially the clear kinds and had an upset stomach most of the time
due to the magnesium citrate I took the first day and the damn juice
so i did not drink much of it. It is true what almost everyone says
about colonoscopy the prep is much worse than the actual scoping. I
should mention the doc asked me during the scoping if i was a
vegetarian. I said no but that i eat an exemplary diet due to my heart
valve concerns. Mostly whole fruit, lots of vegetables, some whole
grain, low fat yogurt, fish, nuts and legumes. I asked him why he
thought i was a vegetarian and he said Veggies tend to have healthier
colons and that mine looked quite healthy comaparatively for a 54 year
old. Not trying to brag--just some food for thought.:-)

Mike