Colonoscopy

MsGebby
MsGebby Member Posts: 659
edited November 2012 in Breast Cancer #1
Really??? I went for a check up with my PC 2 about weeks ago. She INSISTED that I see a gastroenterologist. I usually say no .. as a matter of fact, I've said no 3 times to her about going to see this specialist. She wants me to go because of breast cancer.

Have you all been told this same thing? Do you feel it's necessary? I do have this "procedure" scheduled for Nov 12th and the more time I have to think about it, the more I just want to cancel this appointment.

UGH

Mary

Comments

  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    I have had about 5 or 6
    I have had about 5 or 6 colonoscopies. What is so important about the procedure is that it is not just diagnostic, it is also preventive. If there is a polyp or something that could become cancerous in the future, it is removed. And there can be a breast/colon connection for some of us. My father and uncle had colon cancer. My great aunt (paternal) had breast cancer, but died from colon cancer.

    You can request to be knocked out for the procedure (I do). The prep is a bother, but then it is all over and what a relief it is when it is. :-). BTW, my physician did find a polyp which he removed and so far, so good!
  • sea60
    sea60 Member Posts: 2,613
    I would if I were you.
    I too have had at least 6 (Dad had colon cancer). I've heard there could be a link between the 2. It's ALWAYS better to be safe. The procedure is nothing. In fact, what I insist they do is a endoscopy as well. If I'm going to be "under", they might as well check the stomach. The only thing that's a pain is the prep.

    Praying all will be clear!


    Hugs,

    Sylvia
  • lintx
    lintx Member Posts: 697

    I have had about 5 or 6
    I have had about 5 or 6 colonoscopies. What is so important about the procedure is that it is not just diagnostic, it is also preventive. If there is a polyp or something that could become cancerous in the future, it is removed. And there can be a breast/colon connection for some of us. My father and uncle had colon cancer. My great aunt (paternal) had breast cancer, but died from colon cancer.

    You can request to be knocked out for the procedure (I do). The prep is a bother, but then it is all over and what a relief it is when it is. :-). BTW, my physician did find a polyp which he removed and so far, so good!

    I had one
    after all of my other scans were completed. It had been nine yrs since my last, and the oncologist insisted. I do think it's important, and the hardest part is the prep. I've done mine without sedation, so I could drive myself home! There really isn't any pain, just some pressure. Mine was all clear and a relief that it is behind me for another five yrs. Go for it, Mary! Linda
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    My PA wanted me to have one
    To get a baseline because BC likes to go to colon.. I had one (or the Dr tried to do it) and I will not have another one - he told me not to.

    Not to try to scare you - it isn't bad for most but for me it was the worst procedure I've had. Thankfully, I was totally knocked out. But the amount of drugs that it took to keep me out really played Hades with me as I'm very hard to keep out and was out for about 4 times the normal time it takes to do it.

    Not a really scientific explaination but seems that there is a 'jumble' (his word) that he could not get past no matter how much air he used he could not get past it. I left looking like I was about 10 months PG and hurting bad. He thinks that it's probably from my last c-section. Everything he was able to see looked healthy. He told me to never have another one, do a barium enema if there was a reason.

    Knowing what I know about ME now I will not do another one but then I'm 'weird' not the 'norm'. From all I've seen/read/heard - it is a great tool and makes sense to do one.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan
  • mom62
    mom62 Member Posts: 604 Member
    My 2 cents
    Mary,

    My husband has had one and he didn't have any problems. They give you drugs so you are half awake. I would assume if your PC wants you too, you should. The prep is the worst part as everyone says, but it's still your decision. It's your body. I'm waiting for mine to tell me I need one....just turned 50 this year.

    Terry
  • AngieD
    AngieD Member Posts: 493
    mom62 said:

    My 2 cents
    Mary,

    My husband has had one and he didn't have any problems. They give you drugs so you are half awake. I would assume if your PC wants you too, you should. The prep is the worst part as everyone says, but it's still your decision. It's your body. I'm waiting for mine to tell me I need one....just turned 50 this year.

    Terry

    Mary, I really urge you to
    Mary, I really urge you to do it and, as someone else suggested, insist that they do an endoscopy at the same time. You are there and out anyway. I just had both done Oct 2 and she did find and remove a polyp. The prep is liquids the day before and laxatives the evening before and morning of. The procedure itself, for me, was nothing. They started an IV and the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room. You need someone to drive you home. I slept most of the afternoon. No after effects. These 2 procedures can catch things in the early stages when, if found, there are simple fixes for. Find them later, not simple to fix. Find nothing--great! My husband was diagnosed with Stage IV esophageal cancer with an endoscopy. But he did not have one until he started having difficulty swallowing when it is way past the easy fix stage. So, he has been on and off chemo for 1 1/2 yrs now. And EC is the fastest growing cancer in this country. Hopefully, endoscopies will someday become standard like mammograms and colonoscopies after 50, or if otherwise indicated. Of course, it is your decision, but I feel so strongly about this, I don't think I'd be a good friend if I did not urge you to do it. Hope you don't mind.
    Angie
  • eihtak
    eihtak Member Posts: 1,473 Member
    Colonoscopy......
    PLEASE!!!!!! Do not cancel this appointment. I am about 7months post treatment for BC, but just one year prior was diagnosed with Stage3B Anal cancer. Tho this cancer is highly treatable, the treatment is brutal and in my case it was caught late and I am left with a colostomy. I live a full active life but have to make daily adjustments for my "new" lifestyle. There are a couple different preps now, some less harsh than others. I prefer the Miralax routine. I also get put out for the procedure and when wake up feel just fine! I have this done yearly for now, and know first hand how very important it is.
  • MsGebby
    MsGebby Member Posts: 659
    sea60 said:

    I would if I were you.
    I too have had at least 6 (Dad had colon cancer). I've heard there could be a link between the 2. It's ALWAYS better to be safe. The procedure is nothing. In fact, what I insist they do is a endoscopy as well. If I'm going to be "under", they might as well check the stomach. The only thing that's a pain is the prep.

    Praying all will be clear!


    Hugs,

    Sylvia

    I just looked at the
    paperwork sent home with me and the endoscopy is on there. I will be knocked out for this and I am so glad. If I wasn't knocked out, I would be red all over. With embarrassment. Seriously ... vanity does get in the way with this type of procedure. UGH UGH UGH

    Thank you however. I did not know about this connection. The gastro doc did say it should have been done years ago and now that I have a history with cancer, it is even more important. But, you know me, I want to get as far away from cancer as possible. I just want to put it all behind me. Oh well .... I just hope I don't fart. LOL
  • MsGebby
    MsGebby Member Posts: 659
    WOW OH WOW
    I knew I could count on my sisters to give me direction. WOW! I will go through with this. I will .... I think I can I think I can I think I can!

    I really don't want to but you all have pointed out the good reasons why one should have this done. OMG ... I love you guys ...

    xoxo
    Mary
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member
    eihtak said:

    Colonoscopy......
    PLEASE!!!!!! Do not cancel this appointment. I am about 7months post treatment for BC, but just one year prior was diagnosed with Stage3B Anal cancer. Tho this cancer is highly treatable, the treatment is brutal and in my case it was caught late and I am left with a colostomy. I live a full active life but have to make daily adjustments for my "new" lifestyle. There are a couple different preps now, some less harsh than others. I prefer the Miralax routine. I also get put out for the procedure and when wake up feel just fine! I have this done yearly for now, and know first hand how very important it is.

    Mary .. I know what a pain 'Colonoscopies'
    can be .. Please, Please go.

    My Oncologist suggested I have one after I finished my chemo due to my continuing
    consipation (sorry, ladies) issues I had during my infusions --

    I honestly wanted to wait, however, there was a legion found during my colonoscopy,
    which later had to be surgically removed. Left there, this legion would of
    turned in cancer. So, I had a cancerous tumor growing ..after all the chemo
    I had ... True Story, Mary.

    Vicki Sam
  • lynn1950
    lynn1950 Member Posts: 2,570
    MsGebby said:

    WOW OH WOW
    I knew I could count on my sisters to give me direction. WOW! I will go through with this. I will .... I think I can I think I can I think I can!

    I really don't want to but you all have pointed out the good reasons why one should have this done. OMG ... I love you guys ...

    xoxo
    Mary

    Mary, I am so glad that you
    Mary, I am so glad that you have decided to have a colonoscopy. It really isn't so bad. As others have said, you are given an IV and the next thing you know you are in recovery. The procedure is easy. You do need someone to drive you home. xoxoxo Lynn
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    I have had annual coloscopy
    I have had annual coloscopy for past 20 yrs...(I have ulcertive colitis) TEST IS not bad it's the prep...

    Denise
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    VickiSam said:

    Mary .. I know what a pain 'Colonoscopies'
    can be .. Please, Please go.

    My Oncologist suggested I have one after I finished my chemo due to my continuing
    consipation (sorry, ladies) issues I had during my infusions --

    I honestly wanted to wait, however, there was a legion found during my colonoscopy,
    which later had to be surgically removed. Left there, this legion would of
    turned in cancer. So, I had a cancerous tumor growing ..after all the chemo
    I had ... True Story, Mary.

    Vicki Sam

    Vicki Sam, I think you meant
    Vicki Sam, I think you meant to say lesion not legion-unless the French Foreign Legion was in your colon...lol. You know I love you!!
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    MsGebby said:

    I just looked at the
    paperwork sent home with me and the endoscopy is on there. I will be knocked out for this and I am so glad. If I wasn't knocked out, I would be red all over. With embarrassment. Seriously ... vanity does get in the way with this type of procedure. UGH UGH UGH

    Thank you however. I did not know about this connection. The gastro doc did say it should have been done years ago and now that I have a history with cancer, it is even more important. But, you know me, I want to get as far away from cancer as possible. I just want to put it all behind me. Oh well .... I just hope I don't fart. LOL

    Don't feel bad if you
    Don't feel bad if you fart-everyone does! Lol, once I woke up from the anesthesia and I could hear a symphony coming from myself and all of the other patients. The physician inflates your colon with air so that he/she can get a better look. All of that inflated air has to come out ;-).
  • VickiSam
    VickiSam Member Posts: 9,079 Member

    I have had annual coloscopy
    I have had annual coloscopy for past 20 yrs...(I have ulcertive colitis) TEST IS not bad it's the prep...

    Denise

    CC ... Yes, you are correct -- LOL
    Its a blond thing! My mind is thinking 1 thing, my fingers are typing another.

    What a roller coaster of a ride that was for me....



    Vicki Sam
  • carkris
    carkris Member Posts: 4,553 Member
    VickiSam said:

    CC ... Yes, you are correct -- LOL
    Its a blond thing! My mind is thinking 1 thing, my fingers are typing another.

    What a roller coaster of a ride that was for me....



    Vicki Sam

    Ihad one in september, the
    Ihad one in september, the clean out is not fun, plan to stay on the toilet, but otherwise it was fine. I didnt think BC likes to go to colon