Colonoscopy--Now or Later???

[LisaD0365]

Ross, you've never had a colonoscopy?

The prep is not too bad, but not real pleasant either.
24 hours of clear liquid diet.
Laxative regimin to purge your system.
Lots of fluids to rinse you out.

I've always had general anesthesia , but I've heard of some being wide awake and others half asleep.

Recuperation is simple. Rest. No legal decisions for 24 hours . Normal diet right away. Frankly I start soft, but that's me. Jump starting your GI tract with a big juicy steak is not advisable.

You can handle it. I've seen recommendations for your first one at age 50. Earlier (age 40) if you have family history of colon problems.

Ross, colonoscopies are nothing to be scared of, just not something to enjoy.

They sometimes give you something called GOLYGHTLY...and let me tell you....that is the biggest oxymoron...once that starts working....'going lightly' is farther from the truth....
I worked in nursing homes...and I felt so bad about them having to take it...and then Mom had to take it... ...yikes...talk about yelling at me...she was yelling at me...as if I was the one who maufactured it....
I would recommend one....my aunt was told she has hemmorhoids for 3 yrs....come to find out she had rectal cancer for those 3 yrs....

 

[Guest]

Golitely is popularly called Stepquickly.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Carolyn,

I see you posted that you wish to wait and perhaps do it while recovering from surgery. Better ask your surgeon and /or cardiolotist about that.

I seem to recall that someone stating that dental procedures were not advised for 6? months after surgery because of the risk of infection. I would think there are similar concerns over a colonoscopy.

Personally, I can't imagine going in for a colonoscopy in the first 6 weeks after either of my previous surgeries. I'd be surprised if the doc's want you going OFF Coumadin so early either as your INR may not even be stable yet. And don't forget you will need to premedicate beforehand, on top of the MANY new drugs you will receive following surgery.

As you can tell, I'm not keen on the idea of doing a Colonoscopy during the early recuperation period following surgery. My guess is that your doc's won't be either.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Missy]

Didn't Katie Couric have this done while awake, on the Today show? I think she has had two done on tv. She is a big advocate and spokesperson for this as her husband died from it.

 

[perkicar]

Carolyn,

I see you posted that you wish to wait and perhaps do it while recovering from surgery. Better ask your surgeon and /or cardiolotist about that.

I seem to recall that someone stating that dental procedures were not advised for 6? months after surgery because of the risk of infection. I would think there are similar concerns over a colonoscopy.

Personally, I can't imagine going in for a colonoscopy in the first 6 weeks after either of my previous surgeries. I'd be surprised if the doc's want you going OFF Coumadin so early either as your INR may not even be stable yet. And don't forget you will need to premedicate beforehand, on top of the MANY new drugs you will receive following surgery.

As you can tell, I'm not keen on the idea of doing a Colonoscopy during the early recuperation period following surgery. My guess is that your doc's won't be either.

'AL Capshaw'

Tell you what, I'll get in touch with my cardiologist at CCF tomorrow and see what he thinks. I am really hard pressed, though, to get it done before my surgery.

 

[Ross]

Tell you what, I'll get in touch with my cardiologist at CCF tomorrow and see what he thinks. I am really hard pressed, though, to get it done before my surgery.

We know you are sweety, it's just that your going to be out of it for a long time coming and once the Coumadin is started, you get to join the ranks with the rest of us. fighting Doctors about stopping you therapy without a bridge treatment and increasing your risk for stroke. You've through too much already to have a brain pop because of a Doctor.

 

[perkicar]

We know you are sweety, it's just that your going to be out of it for a long time coming and once the Coumadin is started, you get to join the ranks with the rest of us. fighting Doctors about stopping you therapy without a bridge treatment and increasing your risk for stroke. You've through too much already to have a brain pop because of a Doctor.

I know, I know. It would be just my luck. I'll let the forum know what Dr Griffin has to say......

 

[hayden]

my doctor informed this AM that he would like for me to have the colonscopy or a something about a barium enma....(my spelling is not too great) but I think you all know what I am trying to say......which is the better of the 2??

 

[Guest]

If Marty doesn't answer within a day or so, send him a private message. He is a radiologist who does barium enemas.

 

[perrybucsdad]

You all do realize you can stop coumadin and be asked to be placed on Lovinox which is an injectable "blood -thinner". I went on this when I had brain surgery back in 2002. It was either that, or stop the coumadin and stay in the hospital for a week on Heperin.

With the Lovinox, it stays active in your system for 6hrs. SO what you could do is stay on this, and take your last injection 6hrs before your colon procedure. Once done, start back on the lovonox, and then migrate back to the coumadin. Now the fun part is always leveling out the coumadin though.

 

[Barry]

You all do realize you can stop coumadin and be asked to be placed on Lovinox which is an injectable "blood -thinner"...

What he said. Getting a pacemaker installed cost me quite a bit more due extended hospital stay being bridged on Heparin than it would have cost me had I bridged at home with Lovinox. Bad part is that you've got to inject yourself, in the belly is my understanding. Next time I go under the knife, I'm gonna talk with my doc about Lovinox.

 

[Guest]

The main difference between Lovenox and insulin is that he Lovenox is usually already measured in the syringe, so it is easier than what diabetics do.

 

[perkicar]

Cardio's view on now vs waiting

Cardio's view on now vs waiting

here's what I got back from the cardiologist:

"Might be better to get colonoscopy done before surgery in order to avoid anticoagulation issue at least for a few years. It is'nt a huge deal but if you don't do it before surgery would probably wait for at least 3 months so that everything is stable (INR especially)."

So, I will see if I can get in before surgery. If not, then I will wait until the fall. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Carolyn

 

[weekycat]

hmmm....what a timely subject...

hmmm....what a timely subject...

I'm scheduled for my first one on May 2nd! I haven't even read all the replies here yet, but I think I'll go back and do that.

My doc says the colonscopy isn't so bad, they sedate you for that...but he said the day before is "NO FUN". Gosh, I can't wait!!

Maybe I'll jump into the chat on May 1st and chat with y'all in between bathroom trips

btw...I had a repair, so I don't have the Coumadin issue...but I am supposed to take the antibiotics that I normally take for a dental visit.

 

[Ross]

I'm scheduled for my first one on May 2nd! I haven't even read all the replies here yet, but I think I'll go back and do that.

My doc says the colonscopy isn't so bad, they sedate you for that...but he said the day before is "NO FUN". Gosh, I can't wait!!

Maybe I'll jump into the chat on May 1st and chat with y'all in between bathroom trips

btw...I had a repair, so I don't have the Coumadin issue...but I am supposed to take the antibiotics that I normally take for a dental visit.

Just get an internet connection set up in the bathroom and you'll be all set.

 

[warrenr]

Perkicar,

From my research I have found that the Cleveland Clinic probably follows the proper protocal much better than the majority. If I were you I would follow there advice.