TMI

[nakneker]

I know this is a public forum but I figured I’d post a little bit about my last 8 weeks anyways, maybe it will help somebody, you never know. 8 weeks ago I sent off a cologuard test, you basically send your stool to a lab and they screen it for any signs of polyps or colon cancer. My test came back positive. Naturally your mind wanders and you’re in a state of limbo wondering if you have a serious problem or if it was a false positive, maybe just polyps…. It’s not a good place to be in, at least not the way my mind works.

I immediately started looking for a specialist and found one in Scottsdale. My local hospital is not the place to go for those matters, they have a very poor track record. I found a guy I liked after I did my research, gave his office call and schedule a consultation. He got me in me fairly fast and I ended up having colonoscopy. The results were one large polyp, he removed it and it tested negative, gave me a clean bill of health.

Why in the world would I share an experience like that? Simple. I procrastinated screening myself for years, I’m 55, should have done it at 50. The rate of colon cancer is rising and it’s being found at an earlier age. My doc said 45 is the new 50. I know it’s a crappy subject, pun intended, but if you’re my age or if your family has history of such things I’d encourage you to put aside your reservations and get checked out. You don’t have to have colonoscopy, they have tests that have a good track record. A colonoscopy is the best way to screen but I know being violated isn’t at the top of everybody’s list.

Gotta keep our shooter’s healthy. Health is wealth.

 

[Bill Norris]

Smart move. In the process of getting the cologuard sample kit myself. I'm 68 and never been checked so it's time to git-er-done.

 

[6MMsteve]

Diet and keeping cleaned out is the key, I have a test I need to do also but but but I just need to do it, Very Happy your good to go I'm Glad for you

 

[MUP]

I'm 57 and just had my first colonoscopy last month. Absolute clean bill of health, no polyps and no areas of concern. The dread of the prep was the worst part, but it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. They've really advanced the prep procedure over the past few years, not too terribly bad at all. Just do it.

 

[MUP]

I'm 57 and just had my first colonoscopy last month. Absolute clean bill of health, no polyps and no areas of concern. The dread of the prep was the worst part, but it was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be. They've really advanced the prep procedure over the past few years, not too terribly bad at all. Just do it.

Dr asked me why I was there, and if I was having any issues or problems. I said yeah, the badgering from my PCP and my wife to get it done!

 

[ARW]

I've had 3 colonoscopy's....All negative and in 5 years I will have my last one, if it comes back negative.

The actual colonoscopy procedure is a breeze, the day before with the prep is not too enjoyable though.

 

[Forum Boss]

Colonoscopy 6 weeks ago. Two benign polyps, which were removed.
The hardest part is dealing with the cleansing prior to the procedure.

Doc recommends having it done again at age 70, three years hence.

I also recommend guys have the tests for prostate cancer. That's what killed my father, when it metastasized to his bones. When discovered (at 85 years) it was too late. He probably could have lived another 10 years. His GP told me "your Dad died with the heart and lungs of a 40-year-old".

 

[K22]

Glad it all worked out for you.

Colon cancer is on the rise among young people according to my doctor. She believes it is due to the vast array of chemicals now in our food and water supply and poor dietary habits.

Take care of your health, once you lose it life can become a bitch.

 

[Dave M.]

I know this is a public forum but I figured I’d post a little bit about my last 8 weeks anyways, maybe it will help somebody, you never know. 8 weeks ago I sent off a cologuard test, you basically send your stool to a lab and they screen it for any signs of polyps or colon cancer. My test came back positive. Naturally your mind wanders and you’re in a state of limbo wondering if you have a serious problem or if it was a false positive, maybe just polyps…. It’s not a good place to be in, at least not the way my mind works.

I immediately started looking for a specialist and found one in Scottsdale. My local hospital is not the place to go for those matters, they have a very poor track record. I found a guy I liked after I did my research, gave his office call and schedule a consultation. He got me in me fairly fast and I ended up having colonoscopy. The results were one large polyp, he removed it and it tested negative, gave me a clean bill of health.

Why in the world would I share an experience like that? Simple. I procrastinated screening myself for years, I’m 55, should have done it at 50. The rate of colon cancer is rising and it’s being found at an earlier age. My doc said 45 is the new 50. I know it’s a crappy subject, pun intended, but if you’re my age or if your family has history if such things I’d encourage you to put aside your reservations and get checked out. You don’t have to have colonoscopy, they have tests that have a good track record. A colonoscopy is the best way to screen but I know being violated isn’t at the top of everybody’s list.

Gotta keep our shooter’s healthy. Health is wealth.

I just turned 50 last year and my colonoscopy is scheduled for April 10th.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I just turned 50 last year and my colonoscopy is scheduled for April 10th.

The procedure is a piece of cake. My last one when I was talking to the nurses and thought they were still prepping me, they said you are all done now.

 

[wedgy]

I think if you follow the directions about the prep by not eating solid food prior to starting the cleanse it's not so bad. It wasn't as bad as the descriptions I had heard.

 

[john 800]

I will share a couple things:
First, I understand your anxiety while waiting on the test results, my wife had a lump show up on her mammogram a few weeks ago amd went through several tests and eventually, finally a biopsy that came back negative. We are both 41 with two smart assed (In a good way… mostly …) middle school girls at home. Alot of things went through my head for that few weeks.
Secondly: I am glad for tests like the colguard test and I am certainly glad to hear you are good to go, but on a much, much less serious note when we are boxing stool and shipping it to test I cant help but think of that scene from the movie “Tommy Boy” where he says “If you want me to take a dump in a box and guarantee it I can, I have spare time”
I will try to post a link to the scene for anyone who hasn’t seen it, wish me luck I will need it
Here:

 

[loinhunter]

Colonoscopy 6 weeks ago. Two benign polyps, which were removed.
The hardest part is dealing with the cleansing prior to the procedure.

Doc recommends having it done again at age 70, three years hence.

I also recommend guys have the tests for prostate cancer. That's what killed my father, when it metastasized to his bones. When discovered (at 85 years) it was too late. He probably could have lived another 10 years. His GP told me "your Dad died with the heart and lungs of a 40-year-old".

Radical prostectomy in ‘17. Weigh your choices well. The doctor pushing radiation neglected to tell me that if it doesn’t work you’re pretty much screwed. No surgeon can work with what’s left of the packet after radiation. This from a surgeon at Johns Hopkins. On the day we left for the surgery, our next door neighbor told my wife her husband , who passed from cancer metastisizing, wished he had had the surgery to his last day. Some health plans are dropping the PSA tests quietly. Push them, it’s important.

 

[ngoforth]

I had my gallbladder removed in my late 20's. A few complications later it was recommended I have colonoscopy when I was in my mid 30's. Those complications may have saved me from colon cancer. My doctor recommends a colonoscopy every 3 years now.

 

[p-man]

Just remember that the false-positive with Cologuard is about 15%. Which means that you end up having to have a regular colonoscopy to verify or disprove the Cologuard. I had that happen to me last year at age 70 - spooked me a little because my ex-GF had colon cancer.

 

[eric n]

I got my little poopy present in the mail for my 50th birthday, I put it on the counter and didn’t think twice about it.
Fast forward a few weeks, figured WTH might as well send it in. Get a call from my primary and he said you have bleeding somewhere, you need a colonoscopy. No biggie, I’m sure I have a hemorrhoid, I feel great, no way can it be cancer.
My gut was completely clean, no polyps, no diverticulitis, just a 4cm cancer tumor in my colon.
Seriously? I didn’t have a single symptom. Is this a joke?
I would never had known without that FOBT test they sent me in the mail. I would have gone in sometime later with symptoms and they would have told me to get my affairs in order or I would waste away with that aweful disease.
I got lucky, they caught it early and it was a simple procedure to remove a small part of my colon. I thank God that the last two colonoscopies show no cancer and the surgeon and oncologist both said everything looks fantastic and I feel better then ever.
Get scoped at 45 guys, I would have probably had a single polyp if I had done it a year earlier.
Early detection is key!
Same goes for your wife’s and daughters. Get those tatas checked.
F CANCER

 

[Timberyote]

Everything you need to know about colonoscopy's.

 

[gambleone]

You can also opt for a virtual colonoscopy, in which they can visualize all around the outside of the colon also. Only downside is if they see a polyp, you have to get the physical one. Insurance would rather pay for the virtual cause it costs them less. No anesthesia. I had it. They shoot some co2 in your bowel and radiologist does the test. Took 30 mins. Went & had lunch with wife & went shopping. Some smaller hospitals may not have the capability though.

 

[Bugs]

I have a very good friend, my age (73 years old). I won't bore you with all of the details but cologuard probably saved his life. The upshot of all this is to take ownership of your own healthcare situation. Don't wait on extreme symptoms or for the Doctor to give you advise. Have a plan and manage your own healthcare. Modern healthcare can truly do some miraculous things but you have to be your own advocate.

 

[dantiff2]

I’m a bit younger than most of you fellas and I had to have the colonoscopy procedure done. The only bad part was the cleansing prep process and then the what if thoughts that you get but it is 100 % painless and there is no reason to keep procrastinating. My father almost died to colon cancer 30 years ago, when he was only 45 years old. I would not be the man that I am today without those years of bonding and great memories. Everyone needs to take their health as a priority!