Chronic Health Conditions Discussion and Support

Dave in VA

(2,037 posts)

15. Annual Exam

Thu Mar 14, 2024, 07:44 AM

Mar 14

My wife has Crohn's Disease and has to have a colonoscopy every year. Both my grandfathers died of colon cancer in their 80s. I was getting exams every two years, but my most recent one the gastro doc said that I could wait and do it in five. I'm now in my 70s.

Good luck. The worst part is the prep. My doc calls the IV meds "milk of amnesia."

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Wish me luck. Getting my screening colonoscopy tomorrow. Supposed to be starting the prep today [View all] Walleye Mar 14 OP

A colonoscopy saved my aunt's life. Irish_Dem Mar 14 #1

You're absolutely right. If they had this procedure back in the day my mom might've been OK. Walleye Mar 14 #11

Usually most problems caught early are treatable. Irish_Dem Mar 14 #14

I have to say, the anesthesia viva la Mar 14 #2

Thank you. I'll be glad when it's over. I think Walleye Mar 14 #9

The test are easier for some. multigraincracker Mar 14 #3

Thank you, it helps to have moral support Walleye Mar 14 #8

An alternative to getting it done again is to do what I just did, Croney Mar 14 #10

That sounds like a good alternative Walleye Mar 14 #12

My doctor does not recommend the 'mail-in' as an acceptable alternative 70sEraVet Mar 14 #22

My doctor was more concerned about false positives, but I know opinions vary. Croney Mar 14 #33

I took the cologuard 3 years ago Joinfortmill Mar 14 #38

Especially because of your family history, I wouldn't recommend ColoGuard. femmedem Mar 14 #32

I think I know as many people that died as doc03 Mar 14 #29

No!!!! piddyprints Mar 14 #59

That is really, really bad advice from your doctor. Phoenix61 Mar 14 #19

thats why my doc said I graduated from pap smear school samnsara Mar 14 #24

Good luck Redleg Mar 14 #4

Right. It's better to find out then to find out too late Walleye Mar 14 #7

I view it as a colon cleansing... MiHale Mar 14 #5

Thanks good tip. Just hoping to get through it OK now Walleye Mar 14 #6

Chobani is excellent. About a $1 than most. Joinfortmill Mar 14 #40

Good luck, you're doing that "adulting" that can be a nuisance, Croney Mar 14 #13

Yes, thank you, my usual response to things is avoidance, but I am really scared of this cancer Walleye Mar 14 #17

Annual Exam Dave in VA Mar 14 #15

That's funny, I could use a little bit of that "milk" sometimes Walleye Mar 14 #16

Cinnamon gum! Lefta Dissenter Mar 14 #18

Thank you, I will try that. Gotta go to the store and get some jugs of spring water anyway Walleye Mar 14 #20

Go online and find Dave Barry's story about his colonoscopy! lastlib Mar 14 #21

Thank you Walleye Mar 14 #45

im lucky enuff to be so low risk I can do the at home test... samnsara Mar 14 #23

I have to do it every 3 years, so now it's no big deal for me. Scrivener7 Mar 14 #25

As one who can't stomach Gatorade . . . Bumbles Mar 14 #39

Thank you for the reassurance. I have some lemon and tea with sugar Walleye Mar 14 #46

My husband and I have a little ritual around colonoscopies. lark Mar 14 #26

... 2naSalit Mar 14 #27

🙏🏻 Walleye Mar 14 #47

Best of luck yankee87 Mar 14 #28

🙏🏻 Walleye Mar 14 #48

I've had two, thus far. ChazInAz Mar 14 #30

Too bad we can't have bidets covered by insurance. Bumbles Mar 14 #37

I did not want to go in last time Arne Mar 14 #31

So sorry Joinfortmill Mar 14 #41

I'm SOOO sorry. But I'm so glad you caught it before it went farther. Scrivener7 Mar 14 #42

I've had six of them now. I had a polyp the first time. DFW Mar 14 #34

I feel your pain. Mine will be scheduled.. Joinfortmill Mar 14 #35

Good luck, My first leighbythesea2 Mar 14 #62

I've had many over the years. I'm now 81 and counting, Bumbles Mar 14 #36

Thank you, trying to follow instructions Walleye Mar 14 #49

Best of luck XanaDUer2 Mar 14 #43

🙏🏻 Walleye Mar 14 #50

Absolutely Duncanpup Mar 14 #44

Thanks so much. Walleye Mar 14 #51

Wishing you a clear outcome. The preparation is worse than the test. nt LoisB Mar 14 #52

Wish you best Traildogbob Mar 14 #53

Good luck. BlueKota Mar 14 #54

The prep is awful, I know, but consider the alternative. Best wishes. NT mahatmakanejeeves Mar 14 #55

You have my sympathy Bayard Mar 14 #56

Yes, I usually practice avoidance and procrastination. Watching my mom go through it made me afraid of the cancer Walleye Mar 14 #64

As you know, prep day is worse than procedure day. keithbvadu2 Mar 14 #57

Been there, too, three times. Here's hoping everything goes quickly. 🤞🏻 Diamond_Dog Mar 14 #58

Thank you, I will definitely read it Walleye Mar 14 #65

Make the bathroom comfortable Easterncedar Mar 14 #60

A colonoscopy turned up a precancerous adenoma I had. Dale in Laurel MD Mar 14 #61

Good job! Walleye Mar 14 #63