100 Colonoscopies

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  • HMD7703
    HMD7703 Posts: 761 Member
    I've never had one done - I'm 37, no family history. Should I be having one?? :embarassed:

    I was thinking the same thing. What symptoms should you be looking for that would prompt getting this done at an early age (even teen years)?
  • verptwerp
    verptwerp Posts: 3,659 Member
    I'm on the 3-year plan ....... my next one is scheduled for end of this month ...... and my husband just had his done, with a clean bill of health !
  • Butler018
    Butler018 Posts: 26 Member
    OP I'm sorry about your FIL and my thoughts and prayers go out to him and all your family.

    I lost my dad to stage 4 colon cancer 8 years ago this month when he was just 58. He was healthy up until a year before his diagnosis and they couldn't figure out what was wrong with him (he even had a colonoscopy that saw nothing, but in hindsight the Dr thinks maybe the cancer was on the outside - total unlucky fluke for my dad and not very common at all).

    Anyway... as soon as he was diagnosed (age 56) I went to my Dr and asked to have a colonoscopy just to check. "I am my father's daughter" I said. She thought for a minute like she was trying to remember an answer to a test and said "well.... the standard is that you don't have to worry until you are 10 years younger than your dad was when he was diagnosed so.... ask again in 15-16 years". Like I said, I am my father's daughter so I didn't take no for an answer. She sighed and reluctantly agreed but said i'd be at the bottom of the waiting list because she didn't think it's necessary. Three and a half years later (one year and one week after my dad passed away) I finally got in.

    The GI specialist at the hospital kind of had the same attitude about my age. I was now days away from my 34th birthday and she told me she probably wouldn't find anything and when she didn't, I didn't have to come back until I was about 45 years old. Fine with me. I just wanted to know for sure.

    When I woke up, my first clue that something was wrong was the time... I had been under for an hour. Then I saw my chart next to me and it had "every 3 years" scribbled on it. Turns out, she DID find something. A large polyp that as explained to me later was about a year away from being a cancer (my understanding is it takes about 7 yrs for a polyp to turn). If I was a shrinking violet with my GP and not "my father's daughter" the confident, go with my gut, get out of my way type of person, and waited until I was 45 to get checked, I may not even be here right now.

    My third colonoscopy is due in 2013. The last one I had in 2010 was completely clear. And I have to say, the prep wasn't as bad that time! They've seemed to improve the solution you drink. In 2007 it was a 'gas can' of disgusting lemon drink and in 2010 it was just a couple of glasses of a slightly tastier drink. Thank you modern medicine!

    Anyway, my point of my long post is to anyone who questions "am I too young?" ESPECIALLY if you have any family history. If you will have peace of mind by getting checked and you know in your gut you really should get checked out, don't let ANYONE tell you no. Just because they are a doctor doesn't mean they know everything.

    God Bless
  • justtodayjen333
    justtodayjen333 Posts: 142 Member
    I had one last January at the young age of 39--found a polyp--so I'm on the five year plan as well. My cousin, who's in his early 40's (with two young kids) was just diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer and is going through chemo treatments now! So glad my brother, who is younger than I, has his scheduled.
  • denezy
    denezy Posts: 573 Member
    This is so important. I have had 3 and will get my next in 2015. Be body aware!
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    Had mine last year. Started having them the year my father died from colin cancer. Screenings didn't catch his. It was a far more aggressive type for which there was no sign in his previous screen. He only lasted 6 months after diagnosis.
    All of my siblings get screened too.
  • andreajp
    andreajp Posts: 52 Member
    I am scheduled for one on Monday.

    My 20 year old niece was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer two years ago. Just when she was supposed to be going off to college she started chemo and radiation and it's been non-stop ever since. She is still courageously fighting her battle.
  • fattofit20
    fattofit20 Posts: 86
    I was due for one last month but time got away from me. Although I hate getting them, I know they can and probably have saved my life. I will tell you that I will contact my gastroenterolgist today schedule mine. Promise!
  • JaceyMarieS
    JaceyMarieS Posts: 692 Member
    My second is scheduled for Monday. Not looking forward to Sunday's prep!
  • Usbornegal
    Usbornegal Posts: 601 Member
    I'm afraid my father-in-law is not going to make it. They are concerned that the cancer may be back even though he was going through chemo, and he has so many other things wrong that if the do something to treat one thing, it will compromise something else. His poor body is so tired, but he still wants to fight to get better.

    Following up on the procedure 16 years ago where he was told he had pollyps - could it have prevented it? We will never know now. But as I watch him struggle for breath and fight the pain, I also think of all my friends here and hope that you all go ahead to take care of yourselves and get your colonoscopy to make sure you are healthy. If his suffering can save one other person....

    He passed away on October 6 at 8:30 am EST, in the arms of three of his four children. I had told him of this thread and of the people trying to be healthy because of his story, and he was touched. Later on this week I will get the count on how many Yes's we have (unless someone else is curious and wants to count them) and see how close we are.
  • wolfehound22
    wolfehound22 Posts: 859 Member
    Had one a month ago, had some stomach issues, and found out I have Ulcerative Colitis, so I will be getting one every few years now
  • sweetandtenderhooligan
    sweetandtenderhooligan Posts: 59
    i have one every years as i have Crohns , my most recent one was last year. very important to have them especially when you have symptoms especially dihoerra and bleeding !
  • taintedbutterfly18
    taintedbutterfly18 Posts: 189 Member
    Colonoscopies are so important! I have UC. It has been four years since my first and only one. Scheduled to go in again on Oct 30th as I have been very anemic and they think something is going on inside bleeding or what not. Hope and pray I don't have colon cancer, but it is always a possibility.
  • applebobbrush
    applebobbrush Posts: 235 Member
    Good for all of you getting your colonoscopies done! I have had one this year already plus a flexible sigmoidoscopy because I have UC as well. I get one just about every year.
  • survivor1952
    survivor1952 Posts: 250 Member
    Had my first at 50. Was supposed to have another in 10 years since first one was good. Started having some severe lower abdominal pain last year. Dr. ordered another & found 3 polyps. Not sure what they would have been if I'd waited 2 years to have it done again. Now I have to repeat in 3 years. Glad to do it if it keeps me healthy! (side note: I am a 12 year breast cancer survivor...Ladies, have you had your mammograms??? Mine saved my life!!!):flowerforyou:
  • janaq2003
    janaq2003 Posts: 44 Member
    Having one on monday....thinking about the prep makes me gag.
  • jconnon
    jconnon Posts: 427 Member
    I am going for my first one on Friday since I just turned 50 a month ago. Initially I was looking for an excuse to cancel and reschedule which I would have put off for months or years I am sure. After reading a few articles and this post I will be going to my appointment Friday. I won't lie, I am nervous about it but I know it needs to get done. On the bright side maybe I will lose a couple of pounds:wink:
  • BackwoodsMom
    BackwoodsMom Posts: 227 Member
    Going to be prepping for my 2nd one this weekend. (I take 2 days for fluids only so the actual cleansing is much easier.) family history of polyps and I had 8 (3 Pre-cancerous ones) last year at my first. My best advice is to find a doctor who has been recommended by someone you know. Ask lots of questions!
  • barbiek999
    barbiek999 Posts: 176 Member
    Okay, you all have convinced me! I was going to be making a doctor's appointment tomorrow anyways and I will now be adding this to the list of what to ask for. Thank you all!
  • joann1948
    joann1948 Posts: 161 Member
    I have a doctors appt on March 25th, and we will be scheduling one.
  • kunibob
    kunibob Posts: 608 Member
    My last one was in 2008, so I'm due for one in 2013. I have Ulcerative Colitis, though luckily because it's (so far and hopefully forever) restricted to the descending colon, it doesn't impact my cancer risk the way full-blown UC does...but still, my grandfather died of colon cancer, so I understand how important it is to monitor one's bottom.

    This earlier post was me...and I just had my 2013 one. The Ulcerative Colitis has spread, but no cancer (always a good thing). Now if I can just get this damned UC back into remission like it was when I made the original post...
  • Kauaiartist
    Kauaiartist Posts: 86 Member
    Not sure if you got you 100th - but you can add 2 more in - my husband and I will both be having our routine 10 year in early May. Thanks for helping to educate about the importance of this simple exam. Yeah - the prep's not so fun, but manageable - but...the colonoscopy is easy peasey - you wake up so refreshed - it's a blink - I second the motion (pun intended) GO GET YOUR COLONOSCOPIES! :flowerforyou:
  • Rehobobound
    Rehobobound Posts: 143 Member
    I will try again. The one time I was scheduled, the prep made me so sick and triggered a migraine from hell to the point I was unable to undergo the procedure.:sick: Going to find a new doc and new prep. Thanks for posting! My DL has them done regularly due to polyps and other issues.
  • 04ward
    04ward Posts: 196 Member
    I had one 3 years ago and they recommended that I have another as a followup. I will be doing in the next couple months.
  • Usbornegal
    Usbornegal Posts: 601 Member
    You all warm my heart! I will be sharing with my husband and siblings how this encouragement keeps spreading!
  • fab50G
    fab50G Posts: 384 Member
    Don't know what number you're up to, but I am actually scheduling mine this week!
  • cuterbee
    cuterbee Posts: 545
    I had my first at 35 (family hx of colon cancer) and have had one every 5 years since (all have been normal). Next is scheduled for 60, 4 years away. :)
  • jbbrannon
    jbbrannon Posts: 167 Member
    I had my last one done in 2008, so i am supposed to have one in 2013!
  • 60x60
    60x60 Posts: 75 Member
    I'm going on Wednesday (hopefully I will remain on an every 10 year schedule). My BFF heard I had scheduled mine and remembered her dr. wanted her to schedule hers. So now she is going on Wednesday too, same time. My husband is the designated driver. We are laughing at the ridiculousness of the timing and enjoying complaining about the prep.
  • qwertymh
    qwertymh Posts: 38
    Really good post! Also for younger people to pay attention to this and go see someone if you have problems! My first colonoscopy I had aged 16! now, 6 years later I am going for my 4th one next month due to worsening symptoms and treatment not working :(

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