dread, Dread, DREAD

[Trek420]

Just had a physical and my Dr. said I have a choice of:

collect a sample yearly and either drop it by their lab or mail it in, or

colonoscopy once every 10 years.

she said the yearly lab test is just as accurate, just have to "get this cr@p in the mail" (had the office cracking up at that).

[KnottedYet]

Oh, sign me up for cr@p in the mail!

[Grog]

Although it is not the "familial" type, colon cancer is rampant on both sides of my family, so I'll have to start getting coloscopies done every few years once I'm 35. Although I have no symptoms, I may get started earlier, for added peace of mind.

Perhaps an excuse to get some quiet reading time! :S

[kelownagirl]

I agree it's not as bad as you think. I had one of the two Queen mentioned - can't even remember now, but I was awake for it. The prep is fine if you have no expectations to do anything else. The procedure is as joyful as you would expect but I figure everything done in a hospital is invasive and embarrassing and they do it all day long so it doesn't bother me much. I got over my shyness having 3 kids...

[blueskies]

Just had a physical and my Dr. said I have a choice of:

collect a sample yearly and either drop it by their lab or mail it in, or

colonoscopy once every 10 years.

she said the yearly lab test is just as accurate, just have to "get this cr@p in the mail" (had the office cracking up at that).

The advantage, as I understand it, to a colonoscopy is that they can look for & remove polyps, thus preventing some cancers before they get started.

Sandra - way to take care of yourself!

[Duck on Wheels]

Been there, done that, several times. Always hated the prep, but it too is survivable. The colonoscopy itself was even kinda interesting first time (I got to watch on the student scope ). Last time, when I was really badly inflamed all through the colon it was pretty painful, but they topped up the dosage on the sedatives and I made it through that round too. For me the worst torture has been gastroscopies. I'd've put barium enemas in that worst ever torture slot, but those I've always had to call off and find some other way of doing the exam. The docs just couldn't get the tube down my throat, no matter how hard I tried to cooperate. Anyhooo ... not to worry about the c'scope. You'll do fine, and all's well that ends well, either with them finding nothing wrong or finding what is wrong and solving it.

[Xrayted]

Yes, almost every patient I've ever had said the prep is the worst part. Actually, the prep is good for you too. It's very therapeutic to give a good cleansing to your intestines every so often. Most people have no idea that they carry pounds and pounds of unpassed feces in there, many times for years. Imagine what that can do to you. (Duck - totally agree on the barium enemas. one of the worse things out there.)

As for the mammos, I will give you the advice that was given to me from a mammo tech friend of mine when I finally go get my first one... most of us get overly sensitive and tender at a certain time of the month in regards to the girls. Just try to work your mammo into another week. It will help immensely.

[sandra]

Actually, the prep is good for you too. It's very therapeutic to give a good cleansing to your intestines every so often.

That is EXACTLY what I told my DH this afternoon when I was trying to talk him into doing it with me!

[Xrayted]

Go to the drug store and get him some magnesium citrate. It usually starts acting within 2 hours but it's milder way to cleanse the system than most. There are usually a couple of flavors. I tolerate cherry the best. Just make sure he has a two day period where he doesn't have to absolutely be somewhere.

[sandra]

He said NO. Looks like I'm all alone in this, except that he is going to drive me and stay with me after.

I really think I will be fine after and just sleep for a while. He thinks he should stay with me just in case I decide to get on the internet and buy a bunch of stuff and don't remember it.