Colonoscopy: Who has had one? Are you glad you did? Does anyone regret having one?

I am 61 and have been referred by my nurse practitioner to have a colonoscopy. My husband had one and says he doesn't want another.
I had an episode of bowel incontinence yesterday, my 2nd or 3rd ever, so there's a worry about colon cancer. But I have no health insurance. I'm reluctant, to say the least. Is it worthwhile?

i am only 24 but i would say yes it is worth it. i had one done due to pilonidal cyst reacquiring. before surgery it was mandatory. they are not painful. as you no men over react to everything. my husband had a physical and they did a rectal exam and believe me all he talked about for a week was how bad it was lol. they give you sedation to relax you and you honestly don't feel a thing. the only issue i had was a little stomach pain while they were using the air to expand everything. as soon as i said owe though they gave me more medicine and all was well again. it isn't a bad experience. uncomfortable in regards to modesty most defiantly. the procedure is a piece of cake. in the long run yes at 61 it would be a great thing for you to do to keep healthy i would advise following through with your practitioners recommendation. it really wont be that bad i promise. good luck and i hope you decide to do it.

I have had three of them, they give you so much med that your asleep so dont worry about it . Go for it. Youll be okay and youll be happy you ever did it, by the way ,how much do you have to pay since your not insured? Report It

Yes, it's worth it. My dad died of colon cancer when I was 20. I'm 41 now and have one every 2 years. The last time, they found a polyp in my colon and were able to remove it. It wasn't cancerous, thank God and if I hadn't had the colonoscopy, who knows what could've happened. Have it done - it's well worth the pieve of mind! They're not fun, but they do sedate you so you don't feel anything. The worst part is the prep and having to drink the "Go Lightly" to clean you out.

Yes, I have had one. I was put out and I think its better that way.
Depends on the doctor. People I know have been alert and watched on the screen.
It is good to have one. Any abnormalities can be detected right away. Have it, but see if you can be put to sleep, You Will not know anything until you are in recovery.

It should be done every 5 yrs. Some people say it's uncomfortable and others say it wasn't bad. It's better to suffer a little pain then to have someone go wrong later.

yeah go get it done nothing to be embarrassed about they do this as a job. worst bit is the drink you get to clean you out. a moments embarrassment could me a good few more years of life.

my husband had one in dec. of2003, it saved his life he had colon cancer,he was only 55 at the time he doesnt have to take kemo, but if there is another way around it then do the other, he doesnt like it he has to wear a coloposy bag, also when they open you up for cancer another one usually spreads some place else, they said he has one forming on his liver now from being opened upbut they also told us that sincehe has had it that there are other things to do for it so if i was you i would do some research and talk more to the dr, before you make any decisions.

Yes I have had one, I am 40 yrs old. I had a lot of issues after having my daughter. I was diagnosed with Crohns. I had a fine experience, the cleansing part, not so fun. The actual colonoscopy was fine, I felt nothing. and afterwards I was fine. I was just so happy to finally know what was wrong with me.
Please do not take this in a bad way, but at your age I would. Colon and stomach cancer are fast growing cancers. You might want to talk to your doctor and see if they can help you with finding an affordable insurance to help or maybe they can work with you, or recommend somewhere else that can maybe do the procedure for less. Please take care of this very soon, every day counts..

Im 25 & I had one, they didnt find anything. But I didnt feel ANYTHING during the procedure & I didnt have ANY pain afterwards. With your problem I would suggest you follow her advice & get one.

THE PREP~
I had a friends who had to drink 5 liters of "Go-Lightly" she said it was the nastiest stuff ever.

I had to take 2 Zelnorm tablets, drink 2 little bottles of Magnesium Citrate ( taste a little lite sprite, but left a bad after taste, but didnt last long), & I had to mix 64 ounces of Mirilax powder w/ (I chose) lemonade. You can mix it with water, gatorade, or kool-aid just no red or green or blue stuff. But you couldnt taste a thing! That wasnt all at one time either, That prep was over 2 days. It really wasnt that bad, I was more worried about that then the actual procedure, b/c I cant drink nasty stuff, I cant even take liquid medicine! lol

Good luck! If they say you should get one...get one! Your health is very important!

Yes, it is worthwhile鈥?
Why because Colon cancer often has no symptoms. Because
colorectal cancer is over 90% preventable when detected early,
yet it is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States.

Ask your nurse practitioner about Virtual colonoscopy.

I am 47 years old and had my first colonoscopy earlier this year. I truly believe that had it not been for my husband encouraging me for years to have one - I may not have ever had one. I had no family history and was in no rush to have a colonoscopy. The prep was not too bad prior to the exam - I used the pills (visicol) and drank lots of water. I did get tired of using the bathroom though - about 24 times in 6-8 hours. I don't remember waking up during my colonoscopy, nor do I remember any pain. My husband and daughter both woke up for a second during their exam, probably moaned in discomfort and they were "out" again.

YEAH, PEOPLE LOVE TUBES UP THEIR BUTTS!