I Need A 2nd Colonoscopy

deneenb
deneenb Member Posts: 130
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
Hello,

My Dad was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer in June 2004 at age 59. It was recommended that my sister and I have early colonoscopies because of his age. Well I had one in October 2004, 1 day after my 40th birthday, and they removed one polyp and said everything looked fine.

For a few months now I have been noticing small spots of blood in my stool so I made another appointment with the gastro. They had me do stool samples for 3 days and all samples showed blood. They have set me up for a 2nd colonoscopy (in less than 2 years)next Tuesday. The Dr. said she wanted it done sooner than later.

My first question is - what can possibly have happened in less than 2 years that she is so concerned about? Is it likely that something minor is causing the blood?

My second concern is the procedure itself. I felt everything during the last colonoscopy. They kept giving me paid meds but got to the point where they said they couldn't give me anymore for my size. The amount they did give me dropped my already low blood pressure way down and it took all day for it to come back up before they would release me. I had fentanyl and versad for pain and sedation. Any other suggestions?

Thanks So Much,
Deneen

Comments

  • tkd3g
    tkd3g Member Posts: 767
    #2
    Hi Deneen.

    I just had a sigmoidoscopy about an hour ago. Afterwards I sat in his office while we talked ( another amazing doctor!!) I asked when my children should get their first scopes. 25, was his answer. I was diagnosed with stage 3 Rectal CA when I was 42.

    I also told him that I can't even get my husband to do a scope. We talked about the fact that he just performed surgery on three people in their early 40's with colon or rectal cancer. The fact of the matter is, we should all be scoped. I think 30 or 35 should be the new "50". So the drink sucks. This test could save your life.

    Now with that said, yes you should have another scope. Why? Information. God forbid there is something there, you can deal with it. Wouldn't you rather deal with it than push it under the rug?

    Of course, it could be nothing. The big H ( hemorroids) could be the cause. Best to check it out.

    I would speak with the docs about your meds though. Do you get the twilight sleep? I can't remember the name of my doc's meds, but I have never felt ( or seen:) ) anything.

    Best of luck to you. Let us know how you make out.

    Barb
  • Betsydoglover
    Betsydoglover Member Posts: 1,248 Member
    #3
    Deneen -

    I am sorry you have to go through this. However, you should feel NOTHING during the procedure if the correct meds are used.

    The anesthesiologists my gastro uses give Propofol as the "anesthetic" of choice - so called conscious sedation (but believe me you are not conscious unless they TRY and make you so.) It's IV, very quick - you go down almost instantly - and very quick recovery (almost none of that post-anesthesia grogginess). It is a common drug used in induction of anesthesia for surgery (before they place the tube and put you on gas) but it is also effective alone for short procedures. You have no sensation of the procedure taking place. I always "wake up" just about the time I am being put back into the "Recovery cubicle" And Propofol is a very safe drug for most people.

    So, if your doc is not using this or something which works equally well, please question him/her and realize that there is no reason to feel discomfort during this procedure. (For me the placement of the IV is by far the worst part - and of course the prep, but that is a different issue.)

    Betsy
  • drmrgirl47
    drmrgirl47 Member Posts: 129
    #4
    tkd3g said:

    Hi Deneen.

    I just had a sigmoidoscopy about an hour ago. Afterwards I sat in his office while we talked ( another amazing doctor!!) I asked when my children should get their first scopes. 25, was his answer. I was diagnosed with stage 3 Rectal CA when I was 42.

    I also told him that I can't even get my husband to do a scope. We talked about the fact that he just performed surgery on three people in their early 40's with colon or rectal cancer. The fact of the matter is, we should all be scoped. I think 30 or 35 should be the new "50". So the drink sucks. This test could save your life.

    Now with that said, yes you should have another scope. Why? Information. God forbid there is something there, you can deal with it. Wouldn't you rather deal with it than push it under the rug?

    Of course, it could be nothing. The big H ( hemorroids) could be the cause. Best to check it out.

    I would speak with the docs about your meds though. Do you get the twilight sleep? I can't remember the name of my doc's meds, but I have never felt ( or seen:) ) anything.

    Best of luck to you. Let us know how you make out.

    Barb

    Hi,
    I totally agree with Betsydoglover. I never feel anything and I always awake fine. Very hungry as a matter of fact! For my 2 cents, go for the colonoscopy...early detection is sometimes prevention. Hopefully the blood in your stool will not be serious. Perhaps it is something minor. It is best to find out sooner than later. I wish I would have known that when I was diagnosed. My tumor was growing 5 years. Had I gone the 1st, 2nd, or even 3rd. year, I would not have gone through the hell I did. Good luck and keep us posted. Love and peace, Annette
  • spongebob
    spongebob Member Posts: 2,565 Member
    #5
    Ahoy, Deneen -

    It could be something - I had a scope that was clear and then they found several bleeding polyps in a subsequent scope 9 months later. Since I have HNPCC I am on an annual scope regime (actually I just do it because I like the taste of the prep). Better safe than sorry!

    Regarding the procedure, if you are very small anesthesia could be a problem. Talk it over with both your doc and your anesthesiologist (please don't count-off for spelling) - let them know you were awake and uncomfortable last procedure and let them know what meds you had. See if they can't try a different protocol for you.

    Guess it's time for me to schedule me annual drinking binge!

    Cheers

    - Spongebob
  • rthornton
    rthornton Member Posts: 346 Member
    #6
    tkd3g said:

    Hi Deneen.

    I just had a sigmoidoscopy about an hour ago. Afterwards I sat in his office while we talked ( another amazing doctor!!) I asked when my children should get their first scopes. 25, was his answer. I was diagnosed with stage 3 Rectal CA when I was 42.

    I also told him that I can't even get my husband to do a scope. We talked about the fact that he just performed surgery on three people in their early 40's with colon or rectal cancer. The fact of the matter is, we should all be scoped. I think 30 or 35 should be the new "50". So the drink sucks. This test could save your life.

    Now with that said, yes you should have another scope. Why? Information. God forbid there is something there, you can deal with it. Wouldn't you rather deal with it than push it under the rug?

    Of course, it could be nothing. The big H ( hemorroids) could be the cause. Best to check it out.

    I would speak with the docs about your meds though. Do you get the twilight sleep? I can't remember the name of my doc's meds, but I have never felt ( or seen:) ) anything.

    Best of luck to you. Let us know how you make out.

    Barb

    My mother was diagnosed with colon cancer at age 48 and died five years later. After that my father was diagnosed, but I don't remember how old he was (late 50s). My parents had the same doctor who encouraged my brother, my sister and me to all start getting scoped. The recommedation from that doctor was to wait until we were 10 years younger than my mother was when she was diagnosed, so 38 years old. Because I had symptoms last year I got a colonoscopy and was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer at age 35. If I'd waited three more years then I'd have probably been dead.

    If you were scoped two years ago then you might have polyps or something relatively easy to handle. Best to get it early than wait and the polyps grow up to be malignant tumors. Barb is right about the drink sucking, but the drugs that they give you are pretty fun. Really ... I have a flex sigmoid scheduled for next week (due to the stage four cancer I no longer have a colon so no more colonoscopies for me) and I requested sedation and I strangely look forward to it.

    My father once had a colonoscopy from a doctor that did not use sedation. Needless to say he will never use that doctor again!

    Good luck, and let us know if you have any other questions.

    Rodney
  • kangatoo
    kangatoo Member Posts: 2,105 Member
    #7
    spongebob said:

    Ahoy, Deneen -

    It could be something - I had a scope that was clear and then they found several bleeding polyps in a subsequent scope 9 months later. Since I have HNPCC I am on an annual scope regime (actually I just do it because I like the taste of the prep). Better safe than sorry!

    Regarding the procedure, if you are very small anesthesia could be a problem. Talk it over with both your doc and your anesthesiologist (please don't count-off for spelling) - let them know you were awake and uncomfortable last procedure and let them know what meds you had. See if they can't try a different protocol for you.

    Guess it's time for me to schedule me annual drinking binge!

    Cheers

    - Spongebob

    Hi Deneen. The explanation I got about the anaesthesia during a colonoscopy was;
    It will put you into a light sleep whereby you are still able to answer questions by the doctor doing the procedure but should not wake up nor feel any discomfort. I WAS told however that some people do remember becoming aware of "parts" of the procedure or may even remember watching it on the screen(in the position you are placed in sometimes the screen is viewable).
    I was told that normally after the procedure patients rarely remember any of it.
    I thought it really weird that we can "talk" to them while it is being done but not remember doing so.....it is kind of like awakening from a dream. You "may" remember some parts of it.
    I have had 4 colonoscopies and only once did I remember anything at all. I remembered seeing the tv screen and being asked if I was ok....but nothing else.It may be possible my sedation level was low and they upped it a tad during the procedure.
    At no time was I ever in pain or felt uncomfortable.
    As for your bleeding I agree that a "full" colonoscopy is needed but the bleeding could be anything from hemmaroids to anal fissure....and there are lots of other reasons. I hope that it is something minor.....but is also much in need of investigation to quell your fears.
    cheers, Ross and Jen
  • Btrcup
    Btrcup Member Posts: 286
    #8
    Deneen, my BIL (Scott's twin) just had his colonoscopy because he saw traces of blood in his stool. It was polyps. He had them removed and biopsied and everything was fine (thank God!)

    I remember when Scott had his colonoscopy, he was in "twilight sleep." When we were driving home, he said he remembered passing alot of gas on the table and he kept saying "sorry" to the doc. He did feel a bit uncomfortable, but I don't think he was in any major pain.

    Good luck! Hope all goes well.

    Linda

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