Thread: Get those med tests

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Originally Posted by techinspector1

I talked to some friends who had the colonoscopy procedure and described it as very painful.

Tech, I just had the PSA done a few weeks ago and the colonoscopy last Thursday, my 2nd one so far and on each one they were pain free but then again I was totally out for the whole procedure. I've also heard of people complain about the pain so I think I'd do as you suggest if ya never had one before because they sure don't have to be painful.

Thanks Twitch for starting this thread, good info!!
Larry M.

I've had a colonoscopy about every three years - and the only time that there was any pain was the first time when the doctor tried a modified version - a sigmoidoscopy. I about broke the doctors arm (and actually got thrown out of his practice because of that deal). I now have a weak area in my lower colon due to his incompetence which pains me occasionally.

First of all, a sigmoidoscopy is done without any anesthetics as it only goes a very little ways in. It can hurt - big time. It is also almost useless due to the fact that it doesn't scope the entire large colon.

Next is the colonoscopy which should be done ONLY by a gastroenterologist (rear admiral )that has been properly trained. This procedure examines the entire lower colon while you are in la-la land. Time before last, I woke up to see a plane run in to the World Trade Center - rude awakening. Prep for this procedure is really the most painfull part - you take a pill or two, listen to your stomach rumble and growl, then you spend the next 2-3 hours in sight of or on a toilet

If you have a family doctor(GP) that want to do this procedure - DON'T LET HIM - go to a specialist that has the right tools, has a competent staff and knows what he is seeing on those beautiful full color pictures of your innards - nothing, hopefully, polyps, usually not too bad, but he'll remove them, diverticuloses, he'll tell you to be carefull what you eat or hopefully not - something else.

My wife had recurring diverticulitis - and the doctor advised removing part of her lower colon. She had it done, but has to be really careful of what she eats since about a foot of it was taken out - 6 weeks recovery. Now some adhesions are giving her some problems but not too bad.

Good advice Dave, I probably should of said something about the fact tha my Dr. was a (rear admiral) also and I'm glad I had her instead of some Dr. that wasn't well versed in the procedure.

The sigmoidoscopy is what a friend of mine had and he said it was a BIG PITA That kept me from having any of the procedures for a long time til my daughter kept bugging me about it. So I finall went in and had it done just to shut her up! Thanks Sherrie, glad ya bugged me.........
Larry M.

While we're tallking about the painful side of procedures. When you have your prostate biopsied (I've had it done twice already) make sure to tell them to wait at least 15 minutes after they inject the anathesia. If they just inject and then start the bipsopy, every time you hear that little "click " your are going to bounce your arse off the table. And at 11 "clicks" per biopsy it can get to your head really fast.

John

I need to get off my arse and start on mine, im only 33, but its getting about that time.

If you have a family history of colon cancer you need to do it earlier.
That is around 40 yo or so -

Originally Posted by SBC

If you have a family history of colon cancer you need to do it earlier.
That is around 40 yo or so -

That's why I did it at an early age.


Now I have developed a new problem since my allergic reaction to cashew's. I doubt it has anything to do w/it but it seems odd that it showed it's ugly head after that. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE , I never ever had a problem w/it in my life, I could even me pissed off & wound tighter then a 8day clock & still wouldn't have high blood pressure. I am over weight by about 70lbs, (wish I could lose it but w/my other health problems it hard to do any exercise) I have been that for the past 10yrs & never had a problem. Yesterday I had the crap scared out of me. I got a bad headache & the bruises on my arm went from light red to purple & when I took my blood pressure it was 197/89 & has stayed on the high side since. I did call the doctor & they are going to get me in & do some tests & most likely put me on mor meds, ooooo joy.
Looks like I'll have to give up even more foods then I already have. Man is meals going to get boring, but I gotta do what I gotta do cause I plan to be around for a longggg time...joe

Originally Posted by TooMany2count

Now I have developed a new problem since my allergic reaction to cashew's. I doubt it has anything to do w/it but it seems odd that it showed it's ugly head after that. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Those little pills work wonders, Joe. Do what Doc says.

BP's just one more thing us geezers can put on the list to bellyache about. I'm very fond of my prostate medication too.

And my arthritis pills.

And my senior vitamin pills.

And my ..... aw ...forget it. Just who started this "Golden Years" BS anyway?


Jim

What a coincidence. I have an Endoscopy & colonoscopy scheduled for the "end" of the month. (no pun intended). They assured me they use to different cameras. This is actually my 3rd. trip over the years.

Boy! Avoid that sigmoid...(or more appropriately called the steel stallion), and opt for the colonoscopy if your insurance company or your check book will allow it. You will wake up wondering when they are going to start and it's already done, and it's more thorough too. The doc says that no one should ever die from colon cancer, with that test done every 2-5 years.

Denny...Don't go checking out on us. I've only been a member here a short time, but you're full of smarts, skills and good advice.

AND if cancer, heart problems or any other kinds of health problems that run in your family get the tests done sooner.
Colon cancer runs in my family, BUT none had it or signs until their late 60's & older. At the age of 45 they found 2 polyps in me, so I was running some 15 or so years earlier then any other family member. And it took 51yrs of eating junk to plug up the main vein in the back of my heart 80%. The only reason anything was found is I made it a point to get a complete phyical every 5yrs starting in my mid 30's.
So as much as we don't like needles & stuff shoved in us, I'd rather find out now and get it fixed then find out later & it can't be fixed...joe

Unfortunately I'm an expert on Prostate cancer. Had it twice in 3 years plus it f#$@ed up other things secondarily that have yet to be repaired.

And yeah get that blood pressure checked at any age! I went into a drug stor e with the free machine a few years ago. I was 209/119!!! Denny your brake system should have such good pressure.

Meds got it down and it's not a problem now. And hey, you don't even have to go to the doctor. You can go to Walgreens to test yourself.

I had the borescope done a few years ago. It helps to have some smart-assed quipps ready for the doc ahead of time.

You're going where no man has gone before

If you find my pride in there, let me know

Can you make a print out of that? I'd like to PROVE to my wife that my head is not up there.

On a pain factor of 1-10 it's probably a 2.

I avoid doctors as much as possible. They always seem to have something bad to tell you.

Thats funny Firebird. My doc gives me a nice colored 8x11 pic showing various areas of my colon just to prove to my wife my head is no where in sight!
Larry M.

The easiest thing to control is blood pressure once you get meds that work for you. Remember every med doesn't affect everyone the same. Your doc may have you try more than 1 or 2 before it all settles down.