Who chose NOT to get a colonoscopy screening?

There is no way I would be able to get one without :
1) Throwing up that liquid you have to drink.
2) I can go about 12 hours without eating before I get a massive headache and shaking and my already low blood pressure takes a dive.
3) I hate the runs, never mind actually doing it to myself.
4) If my low blood pressure doesn’t keep them from doing it, the monster I will release upon them might. I get really, really crabby.
5) The crabbiness may make my husband kill me. So I probably will live longer without ever getting one done.

They’re a pain in the ass??

All you need for colon cancer screening is an annual stool test for blood. You only need to have a colonoscopy if it comes out positive for blood, or you are higher risk (like a positive family history).

I’ve had 4 or 5 in my life and have learned that the anticipation is always far worse than the procedure, which itself is a snap. Sure, the prep is annoying, but even that isn’t as bad as it used to be thanks to improved drugs. There’s even a new type of prep that’s performed right at the surgical facility only two hours before the colonoscopy.

Bad polyps grow very slowly but they should be nipped in the bud as quickly as possible

Bottom line, I see NO reason to avoid having a colonoscopy especially if your doctor recommends it.

I have had one. I was out cold for it, so I was aware only of the prepping, and the gas afterwards. Whoooo boy, gas afterwards.
I could not drink the stuff. I took one sip, spit it out, and got the heebie jeebies convulsively. I took the pills, had no solids, and had lots of broth over the days before.
When I got to my appointment, I told them honestly. They were going to cancel, because the procedure can be dangerous if not thoroughly prepped. I assured them the fluid had not been necessary.
So, it was decided to attempt, and quit if… you know.
I’m only telling this story, because it may help someone else with the situation if they can’t handle the fluid.
Turns out I was slick as a whistle, they completed the procedure, and I was completely unaware of anything.
All was well, and I have some peace of mind I didn’t have before.
I could live without the color photos.

1. Not liking things going up one’s butt.
2. Not like being charged “up the Wazzoo” by the US medical/insurance industry/conspiracy.

I might get talked into it, but am planning on remaining in denial/ignorance until the time comes. Years and years from now…

I have used the fecal matter collection to screen for colon rectal cancer, but I haven’t been interested in getting the ass ramming colonoscopy.

Not like being charged “up the Wazzoo” by the US medical/insurance industry/conspiracy.

If I had to pay out of pocket, I would go to Costa Rica. Airfare, a week at a beach hotel and colonoscopy would be cheaper than getting it done locally. I am not kidding, I priced it out.

Twenty years ago I had a colonoscopy. It was simple. They said don’t eat for 24 hours and give yourself and enema. The procedure was performed by one doctor. He said, “this will be a little uncomfortable” and it was, but not a big deal.

Now it’s an elaborate expensive procedure.

Two years ago, I had a colonoscopy. They sent me a preparation kit Fed Ex Overnight (I live only 4 miles from the hospital). They anesthetized me. There was an anesthetist, two nurses, and a doctor in the room.

Insurance covered it. I couldn’t get them to pay for the Costa Rican option.

Can’t afford it. Also, have no history of colon cancer in my family.

A colonoscopy is only as good as the person performing the procedure as good as the preparation. Not all colonoscopists are created equal.

Great, my doc has just ordered one for me. Oh joy. haha

I finally got one last summer at age 60. I had a sphigmoidoscopy in the doctor’s office when I was fifty. But the colonoscopy was involved, taking a day and a half off work, needing to be driven to and from, and all the prep.

My sister gives them in the US in a clinic at the local hospital. If all techs are as poorly trained and qualified as she is, I will never have one in the US.

That is true. All techs are poorly trained as your sister so every place in the United States is bad. ~

I’m 23 and I’ve had like 15. I’m pretty sure y’all 50 year olds can handle your one.

The prep isn’t fun but it won’t kill you, there is no need to worry about the thing being “shoved up” your butt as you won’t feel it at the time nor feel any effects from it afterwards. You’ll be fine by the next day. Just do it, colon cancer’s no joke.

@Mariah: My daughter has UC, fully involved colon, and hasn’t had 15, but has had a few and handles it all with a helluva lot more grace than would be indicated by some of the answers above. I’ve had cancer below the navel, so I have had some as well. Really, it’s not a big deal, guys.

To answer the Q as written, I would not only if I couldn’t find a qualified medical professional.

You guys are overlooking what @Rarebear wrote, and she’s a doctor: ”All you need for colon cancer screening is an annual stool test for blood. You only need to have a colonoscopy if it comes out positive for blood, or you are higher risk (like a positive family history).”

My daughters mother in law was morbidly obese and wouldn’t go to a doctor because she was afraid of being shamed and lectured. She died from colon cancer that may have been treatable had she seen a doctor when she first started having symptoms

One thing about obesity is that a lot of people avoid the doctor for fear of a lecture, and I read somewhere a few years ago that many doctors will discount a patient’s symptoms and chalk them up to weight when the patient is obese.

When I was way heavier I had some bloody stools and I went to the GI doctor. He did a colonoscopy to make sure it wasn’t cancer. Thankfully it was a hemorrhoid. He didn’t lecture me, but weight is a factor with hemorrhoids.

My doc thinks I should have it done as a baseline since I am 56 and have never done it before.
I guess after the initial screening you don’t need another one for 10 years. That’s what she said anyway.

When I participated in an IBS drug trial, I got a free colonoscopy…mid 40’s, as part of an IBS drug study. I was clean, save the moderate inflammation of the IBS. I started eating a whole foods, low fat strict vegetarian diet, and my IBS symptoms cleared up, and with the level of clean eating I follow I’ll never do another colonoscopy again. Though that occult blood thing is a great idea, maybe in my 60’s.

When I participated in an IBS drug trial, I got a free colonoscopy…mid 40’s. I was clean, save the moderate inflammation of the IBS. After the drug study, I started eating a whole foods, low fat, strict vegetarian diet, and my IBS symptoms cleared up, and with the level of clean eating I follow I’ll never do another colonoscopy again. Though that occult blood thing is a great idea, maybe in my 60’s.

Echo, echo, echo….

For those who choose to don’t… this advice

@Here2_4 Your link doesn’t work, but I bet this is what you intended.

Yes, that is the guy. Ha ha. he sure has a way with a story.