Colonoscopy While Still On Chemo

Unknown
Unknown
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hi Guys and Gals! From what I've been reading, glad to see most of you are all doing fine. Bud, hang in there. I know you've been having a rough time, but I think it has been worth it considering some nodules in your lungs are gone and others are shrinking. Judith, about the same time as you, Bert's 5fu/leuc starting producing the same symptoms...not so much depression but severe diarrhea, fatigue, etc. That was when he had to complete his regime, which was actually only four months, at a reduced dosage. Since January, he has now been of 5fu/leuc/oxil and thus far has been doing very well, but he's starting to get more and more tired, to be expected. We still don't know exactly how long the doctor plans on keeping him on...he's actually been on chemo for about 8 months now. Anyone got any comments about that? Along with that question comes my other one. Bert is scheduled to have a colonoscopy tomorrow....reason being that although his last PET showed NED, his onc had more evaluation done on the scans and they "think" they see something in the sigmoid colon (Bert's cancer was removed from the cecum colon) hence the colonoscopy. Onc explained to us right away that this is more of another "rather safe than sorry" procedure but I also recall a previous conversation where colonoscopy was brought up and both surgeon and onc said not until after chemo.

So I guess my bottom line question here is has anyone else had a colonoscopy while still on chemo? And if so, if you've been plaqued by diarrhea in the past, does this "clean out" procedure trigger bouts with it again?" We've been so lucky since January but I don't mind saying I'm scared this will trigger ongoing diarrhea for Bert again since he's still on chemo, the culprit responsible for all his previous bouts. Any info will be greatly appreciated. As always, you guys are in my prayers every single day and I know we are in yours.

Hugs,
Monika & Bert, who are dreading the clean-out day today....yikes!

Comments

  • schoolgirl
    schoolgirl Member Posts: 29
    #2
    Yes, we are also scared, I can relate to that, guess we all can. Yes, Hunt is going to have a colonoscopy very soon. Has not been scheduled, but onc. said in about two weeks, and he has been on chemo for 1 year now, with a few holiday breaks as she calls them. They had not seen any thing in his colon, but want to do this for cautious purposes, so we agreed. Hopefully you will have a clear colon, does not seem possible that tumors can form while on chemo, but they sure do. Lets just think positive and pray for a cure. All you you are in my prayers. Loving thoughts and prayers. Yvonne
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #3
    Monika: I am scheduled for a colonoscopy 16 April;
    the Onc didn't recommend it, but ordered it on my insistence, stating that "it's OK now that you have been on Chemo for a while now.." I'm not sure what she meant by that, but in any case we are going fwd with the colonoscopy. I made the mistake of telling the GI Dr. that my last scopy was a little "dirty" with some fecal matter, and
    he ordered a 3 DAY liquids only diet and fleet prep.. I can only have light colored juice and coffee..tell bert to keep his mouth shut at the Dr's office, orhe may get hung by his tounge.. Bud
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #4
    nanuk said:

    Monika: I am scheduled for a colonoscopy 16 April;
    the Onc didn't recommend it, but ordered it on my insistence, stating that "it's OK now that you have been on Chemo for a while now.." I'm not sure what she meant by that, but in any case we are going fwd with the colonoscopy. I made the mistake of telling the GI Dr. that my last scopy was a little "dirty" with some fecal matter, and
    he ordered a 3 DAY liquids only diet and fleet prep.. I can only have light colored juice and coffee..tell bert to keep his mouth shut at the Dr's office, orhe may get hung by his tounge.. Bud

    Bud, the 3-day liquids only diet is the one Bert was on for his first colonoscopy last year. I was on a one day clear liquids only with phosphate soda and laxatives. This time around, Bert has to take 20 perscription horse pills (laxatives between 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and 20 more between 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. They can kick in anytime between 1/2 hour after taking up to 3 hours...last report, nothing yet! mmmmmmmm, I hope this "procedure works." He's starving and I'm cracking up cause he's such a baby when it comes to food...loves to eat and yet, never ever has had a weight problem. God blessed him that way (and in many other ways too), that's for sure.

    Monika who is waiting for action in L.A. HAHAHAHAHAHAH :o)
  • nanuk
    nanuk Member Posts: 1,358 Member
    #5
    unknown said:

    Bud, the 3-day liquids only diet is the one Bert was on for his first colonoscopy last year. I was on a one day clear liquids only with phosphate soda and laxatives. This time around, Bert has to take 20 perscription horse pills (laxatives between 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. and 20 more between 5:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. They can kick in anytime between 1/2 hour after taking up to 3 hours...last report, nothing yet! mmmmmmmm, I hope this "procedure works." He's starving and I'm cracking up cause he's such a baby when it comes to food...loves to eat and yet, never ever has had a weight problem. God blessed him that way (and in many other ways too), that's for sure.

    Monika who is waiting for action in L.A. HAHAHAHAHAHAH :o)

    I'll be monitoring the emergency channels for any
    flooding in your area.. Bud

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