POLL - I post this with all respect to LaserPat, his friends and family

[..]

I'm an option 1

Had one 10 years ago and the push in the back was all I needed to get the latest one done.

[mrprez]

I had my first one 5 years ago.  They found a polyp that they couldn't remove during the procedure,  so I had to have surgery.  They ended up removing 1/3 of the colon and my appendix just because of that one polyp.  Further testing showed pre-cancer.  Colon cancer is a deadly killer.  It can go undetected with no outward symptoms for years.  I am now on a 5 year plan and had a good report on my last one that I had last fall.

There is no pain before or after.  The worst part is the prep for the procedure.  If you are over 50 and have not had one, I highly recommend that you get one soon.

[Serk]

How about "I'm not old enough yet, but I'll have it done once I've reached the recommended age"...

[solo1]

I've had three, the last one 2 years ago.  All negative, no polyps.  The gastroenterologist said that another one wouldn't be needed at my age since all three were negative.

As everyone said, the worst thing is the prep.  Most anesthesiologists in this area use VERSED, you go to sleep, don't feel a thing,  and wake up with no side effects.

[RTaz]

Got one and glad I did, 2 weeks later had surgery to fix what they found. Doing good now.

[bigguy]

I'd like to suggest another option. Those who have or will have one regardless of Laserpat. Had mine a couple of years ago and will have the next one in about three more years.

[..]

I'd like to suggest another option. Those who have or will have one regardless of Laserpat. Had mine a couple of years ago and will have the next one in about three more years.

Appreciate that.

I was hoping to ascertain what impact Pat's untimely death has had on us of the colonoscopy age.

[John Schmidt]

I have them every 3-4 yrs. since they seem to find a polyp or two every time. I had to chuckle a couple months back at something in the mail. I always get a reminder from the eye dr. about "it's time for your annual eye exam." And get one from my cardiologist and a reminder from my urologist and also my primary care doctor. But a couple months ago I got a reminder in the mail from the "tail gunner" that "it's time for your colonoscopy."  He's good, very efficient, and laughs when I call him Captain Kirk. A couple nurses still don't get it and he has yet to tell them after nearly 15 yrs. of my exams. 

[T.P.]

HEY BRITMAN !   THANKS !      T.P.

[hotglue #43]

I am scheduled for next week.  Due to Pat.  Also went and had a physical.... 1st in 7 years...

I have ALWAYS been able to find some reason not to do it.....  can think of LOTS of things I'd rather do..... Butt......

[Red Diamond]

I've been getting them every 4 years for the last 12 years, coming up on number 4 pretty soon. I've had good Doctors who have kept me informed of these type tests. It is unfortunate that a lot of people don't have the insurance to pay for necessary Colonoscopy, Prostate, Heart, Kidney, you name it. Some of are very fortunate to have good insurance, but still campaign against health care for the unfortunate (Obama Care).
      I consider it a blessing to have met and rode with Laser Pat and Tx Deb, his passing should have nothing to do with whether one gets a colonoscopy or PSA screening or any other test. If you have a Doctor worth salt, he will inform you. If you have insurance to pay for the test and can pay there unnecessary deductible, you have the test. If you don't have the money, you won't get it because no one is going to give it to you free. It is and will always be about "MONEY".

[Skinhead]

I had mine scheduled when I heard about Pat.  I still can't believe it took him so quickly.  Other than the prep, it really is a non-event, I can't imagine why anyone would not have it done ( other than no insurance) and even then if you are of the right age and can afford it, DO IT!

[f6gal]

Prevaricating?  Is that really what you meant or did you mean procrastinating?

Not sure why anyone would prevaricate about the procedure. 
And if they did, why would they then admit the prevarication?

[john]

'' Prevaricating? ''                    ???                               
really    ?             

[Michael K (Az.)]

Had my 2nd one sched. and in the hopper when I heard about Pat.

[X Ring]

I had one about 10 years ago or so.  During the cleanout procedure I ended up with a blood clot in a hemorrhoid.  Because it was an external hemorrhoid, the gastroenterologist was not allowed to lance it.  What a crock of shiite.  Got a call from the center that afternoon saying my surgery would be in two weeks.  Told them I could not wait that long.  Felt like I had the spiky ball from a flail up my butt.  Couldn't sit down and NO pain meds.  Got a call from from my family Dr a couple of years later wanting me to get another one.  Didn't tell them no, told them HELL NO!!  Before I have another one the Dr better have some pretty damning evidence.  My Dr at the VA has me do fecal occult test.  

Btw, this was my second scheduled colonoscopy.  I walked out on the first one because the administrative staff were lying to the patients.  They would tell incoming patients that they were running 20 minutes behind.  The waiting room was full at 5:30 a.m. when I arrived and no one had been taken back by the time I left three hours later.  

The cleanout procedure alone is enough for me to tell them to stick it.

Marty

[..]

Prevaricating?  Is that really what you meant or did you mean procrastinating?

Not sure why anyone would prevaricate about the procedure.  
And if they did, why would they then admit the prevarication?

Some lie to themselves and will not admit they do.

Aren't polls on here anonymous?

[fudgie]

  Most anesthesiologists in this area use VERSED, you go to sleep, don't feel a thing,  and wake up with no side effects.

Versed's motto a few yrs ago was, "When you need to forget, Versed."

[fudgie]

I will when the time comes. G-pa had colon CA.

[Jack]

My paternal grandfather and 2 uncles died of colon cancer.  My dad's was found in time and removed.  I have the procedure as recommended.

[G-Man]

Got one and glad I did, 2 weeks later had surgery to fix what they found. Doing good now.

 

[JimmyG]

My story started about 2 months ago. I started bleeding from the rectum, it lasted 3 days with on and off bloody stools to large amount of blood in the comode and blood clots as well.  I made an appointment and had my scope done.  Turns out I had a polyp they removed, diverticulosis, and a couple haemorrhoids. Polyp was benign. Doc says get a upper now, lets see where the blood came from. That was a scare for me, I've seen lots of patients with blood from rectum end up with large lesions in the colon. Doc says return in three years.

[old2soon]

Had mine last year-clean as a whistle. Go again in 2016-if i'm still sucking wind and not takin my dirt nap. I did however put it off till i was 66 years of age. Colon cancer or any cancer don't run in out family. We on the other hand have strokes that run on the males in this family. RIDE SAFE.

[Willow]

Prevaricating?  Is that really what you meant or did you mean procrastinating?

Not sure why anyone would prevaricate about the procedure. 
And if they did, why would they then admit the prevarication?

I not only prevaricated about the procedure, but the prevaricated about the prevarication.  In fact, I continue to prevaricate.    

[hubcapsc]

I had one ten years ago or so.

I need one now, because I am 55.

I believed I was going to get one after we began to discuss it here, but i haven't yet.

I mashed "dilly dally"

-Mike

[R J]

I didn't vote as there wasn't an entry to cover me.

Been getting regularly scheduled butt tours since I had bloody stools just before I retired from the CHP.     Turned out I had a bleeding external hemorrhoid.

Naw, the firkin Dr couldn't just lance it and get rid of the yuck, I had to go have it done on the operating table as a scheduled surgery.

I still think it was because the firkin Hospital/Dr's wanted the insurance $$$$ for a hospital stay and surgery room procedure.

I just looked on my calendar and my next one is a day before my birthday in Sept.

[Chrisj CMA]

I has one a year and a half (or so) ago and my Dr said see you again in ten years.  So when Im 60 Ill get my next one......think by 70 I may just take my chances

[..]

I has one a year and a half (or so) ago and my Dr said see you again in ten years.  So when Im 60 Ill get my next one......think by 70 I may just take my chances

Yep, I'm coming up to 60 so that's my last one.

[czuch]

Had one two weeks ago. They must have used the longer thicker one. No problems before or after.
Just ate alot of salad and such to ease the process.  5 years from now I'll ride the pipe again.

[Paxton]

I never pass on an opportunity to monitor my health. 

Had the first one 8 years ago. Perfect health. Had one last year. Perfect health. The doctor said, you're good to go. "See 'ya in 10 years." 

Guess am lucky.

[f6gal]

Prevaricating?  Is that really what you meant or did you mean procrastinating?

Not sure why anyone would prevaricate about the procedure.  
And if they did, why would they then admit the prevarication?

Some lie to themselves and will not admit they do.

Aren't polls on here anonymous?

No problem, just looked like you inadvertantly used the wrong word.  Particularly because the poll is anonymous, I didn't get why someone would lie about it.  But, if that's what you meant to ask, so be it.   

[f6gal]

Prevaricating?  Is that really what you meant or did you mean procrastinating?

Not sure why anyone would prevaricate about the procedure. 
And if they did, why would they then admit the prevarication?

I not only prevaricated about the procedure, but the prevaricated about the prevarication.  In fact, I continue to prevaricate.    

I believe yours was posted here, for all to see.  However, you may have prevaricated regarding your level of enjoyment of said event.

[Oss]

well now that I have switched health care providers I shall make the yearly appt and schedule one of them tests now that I will be 56 in a month.

I am however worried

You see I have been told that attorneys are really full of $hit and am concerned that the throne be able to handle the copious attorney load that may find its way to Valhalla.

That combined with the certainty that I am full of hot air lead me to believe I will be in for a
memorable experience.

I will follow up on the aloe charmin advice thanks

 

[f6gal]

This may be a repost, but relevant (and hilarious) anyway.
From newshound Dave Barry's colonoscopy journal (could be much worse for Oss):
 
I called my friend Andy Sable, a gastroenterologist, to make an appointment for a colonoscopy. A few days later, in his office, Andy showed me a color diagram of the colon, a lengthy organ that appears to go all over the place, at one point passing briefly through Minneapolis.  Then Andy explained the colonoscopy procedure to me in a thorough, reassuring and patient manner.  I nodded thoughtfully, but I didn't really hear anything he said, because my brain was shrieking, quote, 'HE'S GOING TO STICK A TUBE 17,000 FEET UP YOUR BEHIND!'

I left Andy's office with some written instructions, and a prescription for a product called 'MoviPrep,' which comes in a box large enough to hold a microwave oven. I will discuss MoviPrep in detail later; for now suffice it to say that we must never allow it to fall into the hands of America 's enemies.
 
I spent the next several days productively sitting around being nervous.  Then, on the day before my colonoscopy, I began my preparation. In accordance with my instructions, I didn't eat any solid food that day; all I had was chicken broth, which is basically water, only with less flavor.  Then, in the evening, I took the MoviPrep. You mix two packets of powder together in a one-liter plastic jug, then you fill it with lukewarm water.  (For those unfamiliar with the metric system, a liter is about 32 gallons.) Then you have to drink the whole jug. This takes about an hour, because MoviPrep tastes - and here I am being kind - like a mixture of goat spit and urinal cleanser, with just a hint of lemon.

The instructions for MoviPrep, clearly written by somebody with a great sense of humor, state that after you drink it, 'a loose, watery bowel movement may result.' This is kind of like saying that after you jump off your roof, you may experience contact with the ground.

MoviPrep is a nuclear laxative. I don't want to be too graphic, here, but: Have you ever seen a space-shuttle launch? This is pretty much the MoviPrep experience, with you as the shuttle. There are times when you wish the commode had a seat belt. You spend several hours pretty much confined to the bathroom, spurting violently. You eliminate everything. And then, when you figure you must be totally empty, you have to drink another liter of MoviPrep, at which point, as far as I can tell, your bowels travel into the future and start eliminating food that you have not even eaten yet.

After an action-packed evening, I finally got to sleep. The next morning my wife drove me to the clinic. I was very nervous. Not only was I worried about the procedure, but I had been experiencing occasional return bouts of MoviPrep spurtage. I was thinking, 'What if I spurt on Andy?' How do you apologize to a friend for something like that? Flowers would not be enough.

At the clinic I had to sign many forms acknowledging that I understood and totally agreed with whatever the heck the forms said. Then they led me to a room full of other colonoscopy people, where I went inside a little curtained space and took off my clothes and put on one of those hospital garments designed by sadist perverts, the kind that, when you put it on, makes you feel even more naked than when you are actually naked.

Then a nurse named Eddie put a little needle in a vein in my left hand.  Ordinarily I would have fainted, but Eddie was very good, and I was already lying down. Eddie also told me that some people put vodka in their MoviPrep. At first I was ticked off that I hadn't thought of this is, but then I pondered what would happen if you got yourself too tipsy to make it to the bathroom, so you were staggering around in full Fire Hose Mode. You would have no choice but to burn your house.

When everything was ready, Eddie wheeled me into the procedure room, where Andy was waiting with a nurse and an anesthesiologist. I did not see the 17,000-foot tube, but I knew Andy had it hidden around there somewhere. I was seriously nervous at this point. Andy had me roll over on my left side, and the anesthesiologist began hooking something up to the needle in my hand. There was music playing in the room, and I realized that the song was 'Dancing Queen' by ABBA. I remarked to Andy that, of all the songs that could be playing during this particular procedure, 'Dancing Queen' had to be the least appropriate.

'You want me to turn it up?' said Andy, from somewhere behind me. 'Ha ha,' I said. And then it was time, the moment I had been dreading for more than a decade. If you are squeamish, prepare yourself, because I am going to tell you, in explicit detail, exactly what it was like.

I have no idea. Really. I slept through it. One moment, ABBA was yelling 'Dancing Queen, feel the beat of the tambourine,' and the next moment, I was back in the other room, waking up in a very mellow mood.  Andy was looking down at me and asking me how I felt. I felt excellent. I felt even more excellent when Andy told me that it was all over, and that my colon had passed with flying colors. I have never been prouder of an internal organ.

[mrprez]

OMG, that's hilarious!  One thing you forgot to mention about the MoviPrep is why does is cost $495???

[Willow]

This may be a repost, but relevant (and hilarious) anyway.

Most recently just this morning.     http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,41712.msg395379.html#msg395379

[f6gal]

This may be a repost, but relevant (and hilarious) anyway.

Most recently just this morning.    http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,41712.msg395379.html#msg395379

Hey!  Don't roll your eyes at me!!
I'd tell you to stick it where the sun don't shine... but, that's pretty much the main subject of both threads anyway.

[john]

        ''  waking up in a very mellow mood  ''            
they have some  real good     medicine                    

              R I P           laserpat