Colonoscopy ... again!
Jul 21st 2016, 6:03 pm
#16
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Joined: Feb 2011
Location: WA state
Posts: 3,062
Re: Colonoscopy ... again!
There's a problem with unnecessary treatments. Most old men die with it, but long before it has caused any issues, so over-diagnosis causes many to undergo painful treatment for something they would never have had to deal with. No one is really sure of the balance yet. Or is that prostate cancer? I seem to have filed it all into the doctor-butt-stuff part of my brain.
Jul 21st 2016, 6:07 pm
#17
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Portlandia Metro
Posts: 7,425
Re: Colonoscopy ... again!
There's a problem with unnecessary treatments. Most old men die with it, but long before it has caused any issues, so over-diagnosis causes many to undergo painful treatment for something they would never have had to deal with. No one is really sure of the balance yet. Or is that prostate cancer? I seem to have filed it all into the doctor-butt-stuff part of my brain.
Jul 21st 2016, 6:32 pm
#18
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,274
Re: Colonoscopy ... again!
I wrote a little ditty about my experience....
The casual talk about the weather.
The wry smile and the bend-over call.
The snap of the rubber glove.
The smell of petroleum jelly.
The coolness of the insertion.
The slight wiggle.
The result….."Your prostate is the same size".
The relief.
The embarrassing tissue clean-up.
The murmured "Thank you, Doctor...Thank you, Nurse".
All reminds me... I'm due again ...
The Colonoscopy is when they send a canon telephoto camera all the way (5-6 feet) up the colon to the chest, whilst taking selfies...there's no touchy romance...and if the R2D2 camera machine finds any enemies it cuts or burns them...execution-wise.
Its all business...there's no messing around in the tunnel of Guano...
Jul 22nd 2016, 11:06 am
#22
Joined on April fools day
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Location: 30 miles from a decent grocery store.
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Jul 25th 2016, 9:46 pm
#24
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Location: State College Pa.
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Jul 26th 2016, 1:30 am
#25
Muskoka, Ontario
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,045
Re: Colonoscopy ... again!
My g/f had one a few years ago and she also got hit with a charge for the anesthesia service. Based on this experience, I made sure this time that both the procedure and the anesthesia were covered ahead of time. Sad that you have to deal with all this bureaucracy, but still worth it.
They found / removed polyps during my procedure 7 years ago but it was still considered preventive. I believe this all comes down to 'coding' - how they coded the procedure. I specifically discussed the coding with the doctor prior to the procedure to ensure it would be covered. Now, I'll have to wait 6 months before I can be sure there are no charges, but I've been assured there won't be any.
I understand the sentiment that you don't want to grow old here - I have the same fears - but on the other hand, I've heard that in the UK no one ever gets a colonoscopy checkup as a preventive procedure so early detection does not occur. In fact one friend of mine in UK did have colon cancer, and said in retrospect it would have been detected much earlier had he had the procedure. My brother (5 years older than me, also in UK) won't even entertain the concept because he's never heard of it and thinks it 'odd' (he'd generally have to be at death's door before he'd see any doctor about anything, that's just his way).
The prep is no fun, but as I mentioned in my post this time, there are better products available if you ask for them, as I did (the OsmoPrep). The prep 7 years ago involved drinking 4 liters of icky salty liquid, this time I just drank apple juice - a world of difference. Yes, you need to form a close relationship with your toilet (you poop/squirt as if you ate the worst curry of your life, although with no stomach pain) but that part wasn't as bad as I expected.
They found / removed polyps during my procedure 7 years ago but it was still considered preventive. I believe this all comes down to 'coding' - how they coded the procedure. I specifically discussed the coding with the doctor prior to the procedure to ensure it would be covered. Now, I'll have to wait 6 months before I can be sure there are no charges, but I've been assured there won't be any.
I understand the sentiment that you don't want to grow old here - I have the same fears - but on the other hand, I've heard that in the UK no one ever gets a colonoscopy checkup as a preventive procedure so early detection does not occur. In fact one friend of mine in UK did have colon cancer, and said in retrospect it would have been detected much earlier had he had the procedure. My brother (5 years older than me, also in UK) won't even entertain the concept because he's never heard of it and thinks it 'odd' (he'd generally have to be at death's door before he'd see any doctor about anything, that's just his way).
The prep is no fun, but as I mentioned in my post this time, there are better products available if you ask for them, as I did (the OsmoPrep). The prep 7 years ago involved drinking 4 liters of icky salty liquid, this time I just drank apple juice - a world of difference. Yes, you need to form a close relationship with your toilet (you poop/squirt as if you ate the worst curry of your life, although with no stomach pain) but that part wasn't as bad as I expected.
Jul 27th 2016, 7:43 am
#26
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 13,111
Re: Colonoscopy ... again!
Colonoscopy screening is available in the UK, although they do FOB testing (non invasive) initially once you reach a certain age, I believe it's from 50 onwards.. If you have a positive FOB you're referred for a colonoscopy as a Urgent Suspected Cancer so from diagnosis to plan of care within 10 days or that's the target. I used to work in an Endoscopy unit and a centre of excellence for Colorectal Surgery. The screening patients had amazing care although the UK doctors I worked with rarely gave sedation let alone anaesthetic and 90% of the patients were happy with the lack of sedation they chose. It's actually pretty dangerous and easy to perf a bowel with a patient who can't express discomfort...
I have heard of the punctured colon issue - a friend-of-a-friend had that happen to him during his colonoscopy. Expressing discomfort ... wow, that takes on a whole new meaning! I guess you are saying it's not that painful. I'm thinking I'll probably never find out as I'm a wimp, but something to consider I guess!
Jul 27th 2016, 8:55 am
#27
Still alive
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 28,994
Re: Colonoscopy ... again!
Interesting. I just looked up FOB, basically it's a stool sample. I do that also once a year (part of the annual blood/urine tests I get). So you are saying, if you get a negative FOB (Fecal Occult Blood), then there's really no reason for a colonoscopy? I'm sure there are interesting studies either way.
I have heard of the punctured colon issue - a friend-of-a-friend had that happen to him during his colonoscopy. Expressing discomfort ... wow, that takes on a whole new meaning! I guess you are saying it's not that painful. I'm thinking I'll probably never find out as I'm a wimp, but something to consider I guess!
I have heard of the punctured colon issue - a friend-of-a-friend had that happen to him during his colonoscopy. Expressing discomfort ... wow, that takes on a whole new meaning! I guess you are saying it's not that painful. I'm thinking I'll probably never find out as I'm a wimp, but something to consider I guess!
Jul 27th 2016, 12:23 pm
#28
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: State College Pa.
Posts: 1,585
Re: Colonoscopy ... again!
Interesting. I just looked up FOB, basically it's a stool sample. I do that also once a year (part of the annual blood/urine tests I get). So you are saying, if you get a negative FOB (Fecal Occult Blood), then there's really no reason for a colonoscopy? I'm sure there are interesting studies either way.
Jul 27th 2016, 2:10 pm
#29
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Portlandia Metro
Posts: 7,425
Re: Colonoscopy ... again!
Colonoscopy screening is available in the UK, although they do FOB testing (non invasive) initially once you reach a certain age, I believe it's from 50 onwards.. If you have a positive FOB you're referred for a colonoscopy as a Urgent Suspected Cancer so from diagnosis to plan of care within 10 days or that's the target. I used to work in an Endoscopy unit and a centre of excellence for Colorectal Surgery. The screening patients had amazing care although the UK doctors I worked with rarely gave sedation let alone anaesthetic and 90% of the patients were happy with the lack of sedation they chose. It's actually pretty dangerous and easy to perf a bowel with a patient who can't express discomfort...
Jul 27th 2016, 7:21 pm
#30
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 179
Re: Colonoscopy ... again!
We have just cancelled our colonoscopy appointments for Friday. We, the wife and I, had our annual physicals recently and the Doc advised that we have colonoscopies. These would be free of charge, courtesy of our health insurance, as preventative measures. Never had one before having had the FOB type each year. We had to go for a consultation first which consisted of a 10 minute chat with the Doctor followed by BP and pulse/temp etc. Then given instruction pamphlet of what to do the day before All of which could have been done by a first year med student. On checkout we were asked for $340 each as a consultation fee!!!! Never paid and contacted the insurance company who said that they would pay.
My wifes' Doc gave her a prescription for the preparation, whilst I got details of over the counter preps. The prescription would have cost $120. Left it there and got the over the counter preps for us both for less than $30.
Since reading this post and learning that the Colonoscopy group are linked to our Doctors group we decided to cancel and return to the non-invasive test. We are both low risk for Colon Cancer and believe it is sufficient for us to continue with the FOB.
My wifes' Doc gave her a prescription for the preparation, whilst I got details of over the counter preps. The prescription would have cost $120. Left it there and got the over the counter preps for us both for less than $30.
Since reading this post and learning that the Colonoscopy group are linked to our Doctors group we decided to cancel and return to the non-invasive test. We are both low risk for Colon Cancer and believe it is sufficient for us to continue with the FOB.