Marty, I would highly recommend getting the colonoscopy. I've known at least 6 people, including myself, who delayed getting one and then, after they finally went through with it, said it was no big deal. As others have posted, the prep is not fun but the procedure itself is easy. Please do seriously consider it.
Colonoscopy vs optional testing
- Thread starter avrp
- Start date
jujube
SF VIP
One of the funniest things you'll ever read: Dave Barry's "A Journey into my Colon"
http://www.miamiherald.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/dave-barry/article1928847.html
http://www.miamiherald.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/dave-barry/article1928847.html
A lot of cancers could be from the environment, pollution , stress, a perfect storm of a more common disease & weakened immune system. This is one reason I don't pay much attention to family history anymore. I should be pushing daisies or look like Frankenstein from stitches and scars if I worried about family medical history followed by medical industry procedures. I know too many in the family that did everything they were told medically including testing and I have already matched or surpassed their ages along with not getting their ailments. I've worked on fitness and nutrition including daily vitamins my entire adult life where other family members did not. Also being younger I was exposed to fewer environmental hazards which were eliminated by time and law. I would not obsess over older family members or peers medical histories.
My GP got in my face 2 years ago after some bloodwork and said "you have colon cancer". She had been mad I was refusing mammography and colonoscopy.
So she sent me to an oncologist. He took one look at my blood work, said it's bc of my inflammatory disease processes (diiabetes and pulmonary hypertension) and that I don't have cancer. Less than 5 minutes and he didn't recommend either test.
I have no family history as I was adopted.
So she sent me to an oncologist. He took one look at my blood work, said it's bc of my inflammatory disease processes (diiabetes and pulmonary hypertension) and that I don't have cancer. Less than 5 minutes and he didn't recommend either test.
I have no family history as I was adopted.
Red
New Member
- Location
- Near Toronto
I was going to reply to this thread the other day, but I hesitated as it is such a touchy subject for me and makes me shudder to think of my experience(s). But if it helps someone else with their decision, I guess I should share.
Most of my adult life I had to have polyps removed every two years. (family history of cancer and polyps). I had already survived cancer of my breast, two malignant lumps (one on my arm and one at the top of my neck at the back. I was sick and tired of fighting this disease and wanted to just give up.
I had a bad experience with my last colonoscopy and the medicine wore off and I had the worse pain I had ever endured (that was a long time ago when they just gave you a needle, but didn't hook you up to IV so they could add some if you experienced pain). I said I would never come back, would rather die. I went 10 years without one. Then my new doctor insisted I have one as he wanted me to have all tests when he took me on as a new patient because I had relocated.
Sure enough, not one but two cancers. This surgery claimed nearly half of my bowel. Luckily it was my right side I lost, otherwise I would have ended up with the bag. If that is not all, over the next couple of years I had three incisional hernias, and the last one, I am sure I visited the pearly gates and had acute delirium....but again I survived. Twice I have had mesh installed which caused strangulation and an emergency operation. It feels like it is giving me problems again, and I am terrified to have another operation to have it corrected. When it gives me a problem, I am real sick. To the point I consider suicide rather than undergo any more pain.
I have been sick most of my life, I don't believe I know what it feels like to be physically and mentally well. It must be wonderful.
If I had it to do all over again, I would go in every two years and have those polyps removed. It is now time to do it again......I will do it.
Most of my adult life I had to have polyps removed every two years. (family history of cancer and polyps). I had already survived cancer of my breast, two malignant lumps (one on my arm and one at the top of my neck at the back. I was sick and tired of fighting this disease and wanted to just give up.
I had a bad experience with my last colonoscopy and the medicine wore off and I had the worse pain I had ever endured (that was a long time ago when they just gave you a needle, but didn't hook you up to IV so they could add some if you experienced pain). I said I would never come back, would rather die. I went 10 years without one. Then my new doctor insisted I have one as he wanted me to have all tests when he took me on as a new patient because I had relocated.
Sure enough, not one but two cancers. This surgery claimed nearly half of my bowel. Luckily it was my right side I lost, otherwise I would have ended up with the bag. If that is not all, over the next couple of years I had three incisional hernias, and the last one, I am sure I visited the pearly gates and had acute delirium....but again I survived. Twice I have had mesh installed which caused strangulation and an emergency operation. It feels like it is giving me problems again, and I am terrified to have another operation to have it corrected. When it gives me a problem, I am real sick. To the point I consider suicide rather than undergo any more pain.
I have been sick most of my life, I don't believe I know what it feels like to be physically and mentally well. It must be wonderful.
If I had it to do all over again, I would go in every two years and have those polyps removed. It is now time to do it again......I will do it.
Misdiagnosis not only cause financial stress but treatments can stress the body in more ways than one. Most doctors blessed with an excellent memory needed to pass the academic credentialing process just know that this test result equals this diagnosis without a second thought. Because that's what they memorized but not thought about it. A perfect example of production line medicine.
Good for you no cancer.