Are Some Medical Checkup Procedures Unnecessary?

Warrigal said:
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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It's called a DCBE - Double Contrast Barium Enema. Seen as a low risk alternative to a Colonoscopy.
 

seadoug said:
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.
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I didn't know prostate cancer testing was partially done by colonoscopies.

Other than the sheer volume of liquid that has to be drunk, I can't say I find colonoscopy prep all that terrible. Perhaps my IBS (NOT the constipation type) has me accustomed to dealing with lower intestinal discomfort and frequent episodes of bathroom urgency.
 
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Pinky said:
There is "flex" and "rigid" sigmoidoscopy .. unfortunately, I had the rigid, which was extremely uncomfortable. The doctor specified flex, but rigid was laid out. Never again!
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Flex is no fun. Can't imagine one worse.

Completely agree @oslooskar. No way, never again. To add to the fun, the day they did the sigmoidoscopy, I also had to have a double contrast barium enema exam which involves a barium solution and a gas pumped into the end that's designed to expel substances. Then they plug it with an inflated balloon. You're then told to contort into various positions and hold completely still all while the tech is urging you to squeeze the balloon to hold all the foreign stuff in while your body is naturally and involuntarily trying to expel it ...is expellng some of it around the balloon which is beyond embarrassing.

I told my GI doc that the next time he felt there was a reason to do these diagnostic tests (which did not lead to a diagnosis), I'd rather him cut me wide open for exploratory surgery.
 

StarSong said:
Perhaps my IBS (NOT the constipation type) has me accustomed to dealing with lower intestinal discomfort and frequent episodes of bathroom urgency.
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I, too have IBS which started in my early to mid. 70s and getting worse as years went by.
In my younger age, I never had, so in my guess, Large Intenstine which is a part of Muscle(according my G.I. Dr. who performed Colonoscopy two years ago) getting weaker as I age which causing IBS(?).
With an appropriate med regimen, so far it's manageable.
 
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StarSong said:
I didn't know prostate cancer testing was partially done by colonoscopies. *

Other than the sheer volume of liquid that has to be drunk, I can't say I find colonoscopy prep all that terrible. Perhaps my IBS (NOT the constipation type) has me accustomed to dealing with lower intestinal discomfort and frequent episodes of bathroom urgency.
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* I'm not sure what his connection was between the two, but colonoscopies do not have anything to do with screening for prostate cancer, and cannot detect prostate cancer.
 
I hope this doesn't ruffle any feathers, but unless I notice any symptoms or unexplained changes I won't get any check ups.

I think the best preventative is being closely in tune with your body and not ignoring anything that could be significant.

Years ago my oncologist told me that for my type of cancer a 2 year cancer free period would reduce my odds of a returning tumor to about normal. Then he proceeded to tell me to get a scan every six months? Really? I got one check up scan a year later and never went back. That was 19 years ago...
 
AnnieA said:
Flex is no fun. Can't imagine one worse.

Completely agree @oslooskar. No way, never again. To add to the fun, the day they did the sigmoidoscopy, I also had to have a double contrast barium enema exam which involves a barium solution and a gas pumped into the end that's designed to expel substances. Then they plug it with an inflated balloon. You're then told to contort into various positions and hold completely still all while the tech is urging you to squeeze the balloon to hold all the foreign stuff in while your body is naturally and involuntarily trying to expel it ...is expellng some of it around the balloon which is beyond embarrassing.

I told my GI doc that the next time he felt there was a reason to do these diagnostic tests (which did not lead to a diagnosis), I'd rather him cut me wide open for exploratory surgery.
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Sounds almost like giving birth. o_O
 
StarSong said:
I didn't know prostate cancer testing was partially done by colonoscopies.

Other than the sheer volume of liquid that has to be drunk, I can't say I find colonoscopy prep all that terrible. Perhaps my IBS (NOT the constipation type) has me accustomed to dealing with lower intestinal discomfort and frequent episodes of bathroom urgency.
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Sorry, my mistake. My uncle died of colon cancer. I had also mentioned a prostate biopsy for prostate cancer and I think it was so horrible it just stuck in my mind.
 
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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Part of the issue is the older one gets there is increased risk putting a senior under general anesthesia. Throw the overall condition of the patient comes into play. Colon might be fine but could have heart trouble.

The biggest thing with procedures in general the patients need to be more aware of what's going in the body and at least get a consult on a symptom like constipation as one example.
 
WhatInThe said:
Part of the issue is the older one gets there is increased risk putting a senior under general anesthesia. Throw the overall condition of the patient comes into play. Colon might be fine but could have heart trouble.

The biggest thing with procedures in general the patients need to be more aware of what's going in the body and at least get a consult on a symptom like constipation as one example.
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I recently learned that colonoscopies are not done under generals, but rather under light sedation. Same with most endoscopies, cataract surgeries, and I don't know what else.
 
That was an interesting video. I had my first colonoscopy at 55 which found nothing. I had the next one at 67 and they removed five polyps but when I looked at what type of polyps, they are not likely to turn into cancer.

The specialist wanted me to return in March after only three years for another colonoscopy. I did not choose to do that. I’m only going to do one more and will do that in two years which will make me almost 73. I will not do anymore after that age because the risk of perforation and the prep is hard on people as they age. When I saw my GP a few months ago, she told me to get my colonoscopy scheduled. I’m of course ignoring that.

My mom had a much healthier lifestyle than I have and she got breast cancer at 78, colon cancer at 84 and then lymphoma at 87 which killed her at age 89. She actually would’ve been better off if they never found the colon cancer at 84 because those last 5 1/2 years of her life, she spent going from one treatment to another, and she almost died a few times. Although she continued to live on her own with frequent help and visits from all her children, it was not a great quality of life.
 
Marcy Sheiner said:
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.
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Colonoscopies do not detect gallstones. You're not looking at the gall bladder.
 

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