Colonoscopy time... age 51... anyone have experience with Cologuard alternative?

[MrPeabody]

I'll admit I was apprehensive about having my first colonoscopy. On one hand, being a volunteer in the surgery center where it was going to take place eased my mind a little bit because they do dozens of them every week and no one has ever had anything bad happen that I've seen, so I had confidence in the professionalism of the staff.

On the other hand, people that I know and see regularly and call my friends were going to look up my asshole. All this added to the usual fears any first timer has.

It really was no big deal. As they say, the worst part is the prep. I have no memory of the procedure after the anesthesia flowed down the IV line. It's literally like it never happened. The dentist is far worse. There was no pain or discomfort afterwards whatsoever. Just a great lunch afterwards and I was really hungry. Just get it done and you will not regret it.

I don't know what your insurance situation is but it did not cost me one dime.

[m and t's77]

Originally Posted by MrPeabody

I'll admit I was apprehensive about having my first colonoscopy. On one hand, being a volunteer in the surgery center where it was going to take place eased my mind a little bit because they do dozens of them every week and no one has ever had anything bad happen that I've seen, so I had confidence in the professionalism of the staff.

On the other hand, people that I know and see regularly and call my friends were going to look up my asshole. All this added to the usual fears any first timer has.

It really was no big deal. As they say, the worst part is the prep. I have no memory of the procedure after the anesthesia flowed down the IV line. It's literally like it never happened. The dentist is far worse. There was no pain or discomfort afterwards whatsoever. Just a great lunch afterwards and I was really hungry. Just get it done and you will not regret it.

I don't know what your insurance situation is but it did not cost me one dime.

Yes the prep work was bad but we all survived it and such.Getting the results was worth it.It's the not knowing that will drive you mad.I actually had my testing 2 weeks before hitting 50.Got it out of the way and celebrated that day worry free.

[Sea Six]

Thanks for all the replies and advice.

[JRD77VET]

If you decide to have the "real deal", drink the prep liquid using a straw. ( large diameter straw like McDonalds works great ) You can get it back over your taste buds so it's easier to get down.

[NCC-1701]

Originally Posted by Cybercowboy

Here's the deal. I have zero family history of colon cancer, or anything even vaguely related. My doctor didn't even ask me if I wanted one when I turned 50. He was going to wait until I was 60 for my first one, but I asked about doing the Cologuard now just in case. It's a lot different than many people think, you're not sending them a little speck of poop.

I understand that but your missing the fact that by sending a stool sample they can't determine if you have polyps that could possibly form into cancer. It's like a PSA test all convenient but by physically checking your prostate they could find lumps or other abnormalities. Once again I would not skimp on my health, besides a colonoscopy does not hurt.

[GentleBen]

At 60, full procedure, cancerous polyps detected and one foot of colon surgically removed. This was my first colonoscopy exam.

At 61, full procedure, polyps detected and removed.

At 63, full procedure, polyps detected and removed.

At 66, full procedure, polyps detected and removed.

At 69, full procedure, no polyps detected.

Next test scheduled for 73 in 2022.

[Mike Mercury]

Originally Posted by NCC-1701

... but your missing the fact that by sending a stool sample they can't determine if you have polyps that could possibly form into cancer.

there are hundreds of excuses to not get the full test; but a full colonoscopy
will give you a %90+ chance of "no colon cancer - ever".

It's all about early detection with this success against colon cancer; remove polyps before they start to progress into a pre-cancerous state. Visual detection is the only method currently to catch these buggars in their earliest form.