Hey guys, have any of you ever had one of these done? I had one a few days ago, and the nurse called me today and said that the result was positive for traces of blood in the sample. I am rather frightened by this result. I don't know what to expect, only that I have to see a specialist in the near future. I would appreciate any insight you all might be able to give me.
There can be many things that give you blood in the waist even eating a median cooked stake. If you are worried you can get a FIT test at the drug stores that will tell you that for probably $5 Now if the result is positive go and get a high resolution ultrasound this will find all the same problem that a colonoscopy exams find and less chance of being killed. They killed Andy Rooney with a colonoscopy exam and he was perfectly healthy. Good luck hope this helps
My new doc is bugging me to have a colonoscopy but I am resisting. Now she wants me to do the sample thing sometime soon. They seem determined to find some reason to start hacking and cutting.
Doctor don't want you to have any knowledge of medicine and the dangers of what theses test could cause. Ultrasound will give you the same information and will not kill you. doctors probably do not recommend it because they don't get a kick back. Doctors just love when we are getting older they can convince us into stupid test and the reason is your got old and something could be wrong. I guess they think old age is a disease. Have some fun and tell them their life expectancy is 56 and you are 75 they should be asking you how to be healthy.
I understand that doctors will do a lot of unnecessary tests, and believe me, I don't necessarily trust "modern medicine or the people who practice it," but I have been having weird symptoms for months now, like extreme pain in my left side, and cramping that doubles me over at times. I will most likely go ahead with further tests, cause I need to know what's going on. Thanks for your replies, especially yours, Ken. I really am trying to stay calm about it all.
Brittany let me give you a small piece of mind. When they do the actual colonoscopy the doctor is looking at the lining of your intestines and colon, if he see's a small polyp he might remove it right then, likewise if they "see" something that looks suspicious or off the might take a swab for further testing, which is what it sounds like they might have done. They did not say they found abnormal cells, just some trace blood that could be from something viral, or something (including) the exam itself. You are not hemorrhaging but something is bleeding just a bit. It sounds from what you described that maybe you are having a bout of colitis, or diverticulitis, both of which are very controllable with some diet changes and perhaps some medication. I was surprised when I had mine done they told me I had diverticulitis, but never said to do anything or change anything. Hopefully you get an answer what it is they think it is and a way to remedy it. I am sure you will. When I was in my 20's I had colitis pretty severe, I would get sharp pains and cramps, and then afterwards have all sorts of issues going. It would hurt like the dickens and just go away like nothing happened and I would feel okay. I tried to find out what was up and was told all sorts of baloney till an internal specialist told me it was colitis, and then I was able to finally do something. I started to take note what foods bother me (green peppers, catsup and stuff like that) I went to a very bland diet and then started re-introducing food one at a time. If it bothered me I avoided it. Colitis is controllable but not pleasant if you have a flare up. If this is a case be glad you went for the test. Stress and anxiety seem to go hand in hand with colitis (in my experience anyway) I am certain if it was serious they would have had you back in right away.
Jenn thanks so much for taking time to reply and explain some things to me. The only thing they did was an occult blood test, which is smearing a tiny fecal sample on a little card, over a two day period. In this, they found micro traces of blood. They called me the same day and told me I needed to be scheduled for a colonoscopy. I won't have insurance until January, so I told them I'd have to put it off until then. The nurse told me that the results meant 3 possibilities: 1.cancer, 2.internal hemorrhoids or 3.polyps. They didn't mention colitis or any other intestinal conditions. I'm just hoping for the best. The scariest part is the horrible pain I've been experiencing.
Brittany, I'll pray that it turns out to be the least serious of the possibilities, or nothing at all.
Brittany it could also be a hemorrhoid, I don't think I would worry about the worst case scenario just yet. I would not worry about the actual colonoscopy, I have had this and it is not that difficult of a procedure. Honestly the worst part was the prep before hand. My doctor told me to drink magnesium citrate and needless to say if didn't go well with that. I do not recommend the lemon one at all. My sister had her's done and she didn't have to do that so I guess it is up to the doctor. But over all the procedure was painless and not a huge deal. I remember back a few years ago when I had some blood work and a urinalysis done and the doctor called and said it had a trace of blood in the sample. They never did anything about it although at the time it was very upsetting because you think all sorts of things. Modern medicine is so much more sensitive then it used to be, so often the detection rate of something that might not really be an issue is much higher. That's not a bad thing because you have the potential to nip something in the bud that if left unknown could be bad. I feel like you are going to be okay.
I've had a couple of colonoscopies without trouble although, as @Jenn Windey suggests, the prep is disgusting. The sedation that they give me for those things messes up my short-term memory for a short time, which is sort of weird. Whatever anyone says to me after I come out of it is almost immediately forgotten, like a dream. The first time I had a colonoscopy, I was still awake when they began, and able to view the screen for a while, before I fell asleep. If you have ever played the game, Doom, it was a bit like that. I was wondering what monster might be lurking around the next turn.
Colitis, and diverticulitis are both a sign of a gluten intolerance and can be corrected by staying away from gluten it is not easy because gluten is hidden in a lot food. Doctor will not tell you because they might lose a costumer.