Hey old guys, I want some advice (colonoscopy)...

[Ned Flanders]

Just got the appointment for my fourth one today (Grandfather and father had colon cancer, it killed my grandfather but that was back in 1969).

 

As others have said, the prep is the worst part, but this time, they gave me an option of a pill rather than the liquid plumber.  I may opt for the pill.

 

Easy procedure and yes, it's a good sleep.

 

I've always scheduled mine for a Friday, in the morning.

 

Good luck and don't wait five years to schedule again! 

[RichStadiumGuy]

4 hours ago, muppy said:

Just do it as the Dr recommends.

 

It isn't pleasant. It never will be

 

But for your health it is worth the trouble.

 

at least you are well drugged and likely wont remember much of the actual procedure if anything once it strts

 

I have a "torturous colon" which means it must be like a maze to get though all the twists and turns. I woke up during my first one

wow you were semi awake? I get knocked Out for mine. which I prefer lol

No... I wasn't "semi awake" I was totally awake with just a "local" and talking to the Dr while looking at the screen watching the scope. One of the marvels of medicine I guess but I never felt a thing other than when the scope contacted the area where the mesh is at. I've had numerous surgeries in my 72 years of life so far and I prefer being knocked out too but I thought being able to watch would be pretty cool when it was offered... and it was.

[Process]

30 minutes ago, Ned Flanders said:

Just got the appointment for my fourth one today (Grandfather and father had colon cancer, it killed my grandfather but that was back in 1969).

 

As others have said, the prep is the worst part, but this time, they gave me an option of a pill rather than the liquid plumber.  I may opt for the pill.

 

Easy procedure and yes, it's a good sleep.

 

I've always scheduled mine for a Friday, in the morning.

 

Good luck and don't wait five years to schedule again! 

How often do you do it? I also have it in the family, have done two so far. Any push back from Doctors or insurance getting it done for preventative reasons more than every five years?

[Ned Flanders]

24 minutes ago, Process said:

How often do you do it? I also have it in the family, have done two so far. Any push back from Doctors or insurance getting it done for preventative reasons more than every five years?

Had my first one at about 50 because of high risk (I'm old)...last one was 2020.  No issues from doctors or insurance on exam every five years.

Edited September 16 by Ned Flanders

[Process]

11 minutes ago, Ned Flanders said:

Had my first one at about 50 because of high risk (I'm old)...last one was 2020.  No issues from doctors or insurance on exam every five years.

Ah ok I thought you were saying originally you were doing them more frequently than every 5 years, that's my current interval as well. 

[Wacka]

I had one done at age 65, 3 years ago. Took out 4-5 polyps. Thursday I go to the doc's office  for a visit as the original doc is not with them now. Will have it done at St.Joe's in Cheektowaga (now mostly ambulatory stuff). If you have >1 toilet at home, be sure to have one just for you. If not tell anyone else to go do #2 elsewhere. It is nothing, just an inconvenience.  Went for it at 6:30 AM and was home by 9 AM. Had the fentanyl. Thought I was soiling myself just as I was waking, but it was them pulling out the scope. I realized that because it was cool and not warm.

Edited September 16 by Wacka

[davefan66]

3 hours ago, Process said:

How often do you do it? I also have it in the family, have done two so far. Any push back from Doctors or insurance getting it done for preventative reasons more than every five years?

I have it in the family, doc took a few polyps last time and I have to schedule in 3 years.

[Johnny Hammersticks]

I just had my annual physical today.  I’m 46 turning 47 in February.  My doctor finally is making me do a colonoscopy.  He’s making the referral so I can’t avoid it any longer.  😆 

[Mike in Horseheads]

3 hours ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

I just had my annual physical today.  I’m 46 turning 47 in February.  My doctor finally is making me do a colonoscopy.  He’s making the referral so I can’t avoid it any longer.  😆 

Did the Dr consider the crap in a box? (colaguard)

[Johnny Hammersticks]

11 hours ago, Mike in Horseheads said:

Did the Dr consider the crap in a box? (colaguard)

He did, but I haven’t heard great things about crap in a box.  False positives, false negatives.  Figured I might just as well do it the old fashioned way.

[The Poojer]

The lead up and anticipation is the worst part of it.  Sure you poop your brains out, but a nice cleanse every once in a while is good.  The procedure itself is really nothing, but the benefits are incredible.  Plus the propofol is an amazing drug!!!

[djp14150]

I had one postponed due to covid, did it the next year. I am having one again next year.

 

The process gas changed alot since ive done it in the prep work you need to do.

 

The toilet will be your best friend..

 

 

[Ned Flanders]

20 hours ago, Wacka said:

 Thought I was soiling myself just as I was waking, but it was them pulling out the scope. I realized that because it was cool and not warm.

Thanks for that visual...

 

[RkFast]

I knew what this thread was about before I even opened it. Good luck, Jack. Its a breeze. Just dont skip on the prep. Follow the instructions precisely.  Its a long day between the fasting and then the terrible tasting prep drink and then the actual time of "cleasing" out your plumbing. Then the procedure. But its really not terrible at all in terms of discomfort or pain and the benefits are well worth it. 

Edited September 17 by RkFast

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

On 9/16/2025 at 1:27 PM, RichStadiumGuy said:

No... I wasn't "semi awake" I was totally awake with just a "local" and talking to the Dr while looking at the screen watching the scope. One of the marvels of medicine I guess but I never felt a thing other than when the scope contacted the area where the mesh is at. I've had numerous surgeries in my 72 years of life so far and I prefer being knocked out too but I thought being able to watch would be pretty cool when it was offered... and it was.

I was put in “twilight” (not fully out), and the doc said some people will pass out and others— like you— will be fully awake for it and watch it on the screen.

 

I was then super nervous because I didn’t want to be awake— but in about 5 seconds, I was out for the count. 
 

[Success]

Just did it. No real tips - you have to just kind of muscle through the prep.  It's definitely not that fun, but the procedure itself is nothing.  

 

On the plus side, I lost about 5 pounds, which I really needed to do.

 

[TBBills Fan]

Have your girl peg you the night before. Then the camera will be an enjoyable experience 

[Wacka]

Everybody finds out just how full of s**** they really are during the prep😂.

[SoTier]

On 9/16/2025 at 1:57 PM, Process said:

How often do you do it? I also have it in the family, have done two so far. Any push back from Doctors or insurance getting it done for preventative reasons more than every five years?

 

I just had mine today, three years after my last one because the doctor found and removed a polyp the last time.   I'm clean this time, so I can have another one in 5 years.  I'm not sure if I will have another one since I'll be 80 then, I have no family history of colon cancer, and have no polyps.   It's not recommended for elderly people who don't have family history, polyps or any symptoms because the risks of having the procedure frequently outweigh the benefits of early detection.

 

4 hours ago, Johnny Hammersticks said:

He did, but I haven’t heard great things about crap in a box.  False positives, false negatives.  Figured I might just as well do it the old fashioned way.

 

If you have a family history of colon cancer, cologuard is probably not a good choice in place of the colonoscopy.

[The Jokeman]