Reminder, if you haven't, are over 45 have a colonoscopy

**PrairieRose** · 12-17-2006, 03:12 PM

I did last year just b/c Gripey had one. His turned out ok (had a couple of polyps removed, small, came back fine) but mine on the other hand showed the beginning stages of cancer in 2 of the 3 large polyps removed. It's a gross subject but really we need to be vigilant about having this test done. It's the most curable cancer there is if it's caught early enough. Please have one, it's really not bad. Like Mega Reader said to me in a post today, it's the prep that stinks.....(ok not a direct quote but you get my drift)

**Darlene** · 12-17-2006, 04:25 PM

Thanks for the reminder Lisa. I'll be asking about it at my next check up.
I have it on good authority that yes it's the prep that is the worst part, the test is easy peasy. I want to make mine for first thing in the day so I don't have to go all day without eating, lol. Jack had his later in the day and was miserable with the waiting.

**starsapphire** · 12-17-2006, 04:57 PM

Yes, I agree. I had one back in March, I'm only 42 but I was having some very troubling symptoms.

And let me tell you what, I was afraid of having a colonoscopy. So afraid that I put off going to the doctor for 2 years after the start of having very definite symptoms that something was wrong. Yep.

My symptoms got worse one day so I started praying for strength and help to overcome my fear and made a doctor's appointment.

The others are right, the prep is the worst part. The colonoscopy itself was easy-peasy, they give you medicine to sleep right through it.

I had two polyps and one of them was really big and causing my problems. They removed the polyps (benign) and my symptoms went away.

So don't be afraid if you have to get a colonoscopy. They're really not so bad, I promise!!

**nwmissourigal** · 12-17-2006, 10:14 PM

This is a good topic. This is a very easy to treat if caught in time. As women we need to be viligant in our paps, breast exams, colonoscopy and please don't forget heart disease. Womens symptons for heart disease may be very different from mens symptoms. So listen to your bodies ladies. And don't be afraid to ask questions....

**favesis37** · 12-18-2006, 07:50 AM

dh has to have one in 6 months. his dad dies at an early age due ot colon cancer. when dh was in the hospital they highly recommended thta he get one soon

**JustJoy** · 12-18-2006, 08:32 AM

I dread having it done, but know I should. My DH really needs to have one done. He has problems on both sides of his family. I took his mother for one a couple of years ago and they found 3 polyps that they removed on the spot. She is fine now. But his father was diagnosed last year with cancer and had to have part of his colon removed and also had to go thru chemo. Thankfully he is doing well now and is cancer free. I worry alot about my DH though.

**Amanda W** · 12-18-2006, 09:38 AM

I had my first colonoscopy last year at the age of 25 because I have such a strong family history of colon cancer. I work in the medical field, so I knew what to expect, but it really wasn't bad at all. There's really no reason to be afraid of having one done.