Are Some Medical Checkup Procedures Unnecessary?

O

oslooskar

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Location
Thailand
I had a sigmoidoscopy in January 2000, and there is no way I would ever allow myself to go through such a procedure again. I was told beforehand that it would not be painful and would only be minimally uncomfortable. However, while I was lying on the gurney with a flexible endoscope up my rectum, I knew right then and there that if the medical staff were KGB agents and I were a spy with top-secret information they wanted, I would have given it up immediately if I didn’t have a poison capsule to bite down on and end my life. Anyway, I came across this video today and found it interesting.

 

Why are these not done under general anesthesia like Colonoscopies? I understand they are not as invasive as Colonoscopies, but from what the two of you have said here, it seems they are enough so as to warrant anesthesia.
 

I've only had 2 colonoscopies in my entire life and I don't intend to have anymore, unless one is specifically needed (like my last one, when I had millions of gallstones). The first was beyond painful, I woke up during it and the doc said I should come back bc he couldn't finish. I said no thanks.
 
I get regular bloodwork and see the doctor, but I don't get any of the screening tests in that video esp. colonoscopy, full body scan, and others he was talking about. I had a very high PSA blood test (non-invasive screening) some years back, so my doctor sent me to the urologist, but it was a wasted visit since I refused a biopsy (because I had predetermined not to have the prostate removed) and I was told there were no other options or recommendations. I live with what is (or isn't) there; feel fine.

Back then, a friend of mine took the opposite approach when he got a high PSA test. He got the biopsy, had the surgery, and died 8 months later of prostate cancer anyway, and most of those 8 months were not quality life.

My thoughts about this aren't right for everyone, but the way I'm doing it is the way I want it.
 
I've never had a sigmoidoscopy. But 5 years ago I had a colonoscopy & the dr that did it told me I have diverticulosis. So a month ago I went in to see my PCP and asked him if it was possible the diverticulosis had gotten worse, maybe turned into diverticulitis. He says let's take a look at those results, pulls up my chart, starts frowning and says "It says they found a precancerous mass but, this is weird, the rest of the results are totally missing, didn't get entered in. Well, I'm gonna check with that dr. and see if he's got the results but if not, we'll probably have to do another colonoscopy." (I went home & got online and looked at my chart and he's right, no results show up.)

So now I'm gonna have to have a procedure I shouldn't have to all because that colon. dr. didn't get the results entered. Very frustrating.
 
oscash said:
I had a colonoscopy done nearly 4 years ago. Small areas in the small bowel showed a cluster of cancer and it was decided to do keyhole surgery
because of my age. They took out 14 cm of the bowel and was home in 4 days. All well thank goodness.
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Have you had any after-affects from the surgery? (I mean other than post-operative pain.) I've heard people say they had none and then other people say it's been so bad they wish they'd never had the surgery.
 
As i understand it, it is not that the screenings are always unnecessary---in one's 50s and 60s some are recommended. But the local clinic has offered me self test since i turned 70. Because after 70 if you're not having relevant symptoms some screenings, may actually cause more problems than benefits. They can trigger treatments, meds &/or surgeries, due to minor or benign issues that stress both body and mind.

I often wonder if it's possible that just as we bruise easier and many break bones easier, if the tissues of things like bowels become more vulnerable to injury. And can the process of any invasive test can put those internal tissues at higher risk in seniors?
As mentioned in this video noninvasive ones can still be mentally stressful.
 
Medusa said:
Why are these not done under general anesthesia like Colonoscopies? I understand they are not as invasive as Colonoscopies, but from what the two of you have said here, it seems they are enough so as to warrant anesthesia.
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FYI and with respect…colonoscopes aren’t done under general anesthesia except under certain circumstances. Patients are sedated with versed or propofol. It’s used to induce sedation and amnesia before certain medical procedures like a colonoscopy or cataract surgery, while general anesthesia involves a complete loss of consciousness, a deeper level of unconsciousness, potentially impacting respiratory and cardiovascular functions, requiring careful monitoring and management.
 
MACKTEXAS said:
I get regular bloodwork and see the doctor, but I don't get any of the screening tests in that video esp. colonoscopy, full body scan, and others he was talking about. I had a very high PSA blood test (non-invasive screening) some years back, so my doctor sent me to the urologist, but it was a wasted visit since I refused a biopsy (because I had predetermined not to have the prostate removed) and I was told there were no other options or recommendations. I live with what is (or isn't) there; feel fine.

Back then, a friend of mine took the opposite approach when he got a high PSA test. He got the biopsy, had the surgery, and died 8 months later of prostate cancer anyway, and most of those 8 months were not quality life.

My thoughts about this aren't right for everyone, but the way I'm doing it is the way I want it.
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My father always had a high PSA and he went to Mayo Clinic every six months to have it checked. He ended up dying at 78 from a twisted bowel, which couldn't be diagnosed.

I have also had high PSA counts and I had a biopsy quite a few years ago. It was the most uncomfortable procedures I've ever experienced and I had blood in my urine for a couple of weeks after. I still have high PSA counts but nothing alarming. Since prostate cancer is one of the slowest growing cancers there is I will take my chances.

As for colonoscopies, my Uncle died of prostate cancer so I will have one every 5 years. From my experience, the only painful thing about them is the prep.
 
officerripley said:
Have you had any after-effects from the surgery? (I mean other than post-operative pain.) I've heard people say they had none and then other people say it's been so bad they wish they'd never had the surgery.
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I felt terrific after the surgery. Home in a number of days and no aftereffects.
I was speaking with my older sister yesterday and she said she got the results of her recent blood tests. She said the doctor told her the iron levels are a bit low, and he suggested she have a colonoscopy. She told him seeing she is almost 85 there is no way she will be having one done. But that's her choice, they can't make you have one.
 
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Ronni said:
FYI and with respect…colonoscopes aren’t done under general anesthesia except under certain circumstances. Patients are sedated with versed or propofol. It’s used to induce sedation and amnesia before certain medical procedures like a colonoscopy or cataract surgery, while general anesthesia involves a complete loss of consciousness, a deeper level of unconsciousness, potentially impacting respiratory and cardiovascular functions, requiring careful monitoring and management.
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That's the norm in the UK, except that patients use self administered 'Entonox' 'Gas and air'. I've only had a flexible sigmoidoscopy which was totally painless and the doc. explained what he was seeing as he went along. General anaesthesia is avoided where possible and even minor operations use local aesthetics.
 
Blah. My dad died from colon cancer, actually from the surgery, but the doc found nothing with the colonoscopy. He finally ordered an x-ray and found a large mass in his abdomen.

Dad was a heavy drinker and smoker, that set him up for it. Now because he had colon cancer, I have a history. They want me to have a colonoscopy every two years. I say no. The last time let me know, no more.

Besides, the man was 84. If I have bowel issues at 84 then maybe I'll let them have a look because I'll be thoroughly done with life and ready to go.
 
StarSong said:
I get a sedated colonoscopy every 5 years. No biggie. My sister is a rectal cancer survivor so I will continue to get these tests until my doctor tells me not to. .
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Hubby, with a family history of gut cancer, had colonoscopies and endoscopies every 5 years. Polyps were found and dealt with but he never had any sign of active cancers.

Using light anaesthesia the procedures were not too challenging, unlike the preop preparations. I would accompany him to drive him home afterwards.

I once had a procedure where a radioactive chalky substance was pumped up my rectum looking for any blockages. I was fully awake and able to see the screen as the goop moved up inside my lower intestine. Fascinating stuff!

The worst part was after it was over, sitting on the loo waiting for my colon to expel all of the liquid cement. 😖
 
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Ronni said:
FYI and with respect…colonoscopes aren’t done under general anesthesia except under certain circumstances. Patients are sedated with versed or propofol. It’s used to induce sedation and amnesia before certain medical procedures like a colonoscopy or cataract surgery, while general anesthesia involves a complete loss of consciousness, a deeper level of unconsciousness, potentially impacting respiratory and cardiovascular functions, requiring careful monitoring and management.
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Yes, I thought about that after-the-fact, but wasn't sure which was which. Thank you for the clarification, @Ronni. 🤗 That was interesting.
 

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