*** OFFICIAL *** Colonoscopy Thread

[Dan Druff]

Druff, I am 53 and will get my third in 2025. This thread made my go back to look at the notes from the second one in 2022 (2 small polyps, 3mm and 4mm, "benign appearance.") I guess I didn't get more details because they didn't send them off.

As with you, my second prep was suboptimal- I drank all the stuff in one go, and later read I was supposed to split it in half 4 hours apart or something. Ooops. I was like, what could be left in there, but in the notes "Bowel prep was suboptimal. Recommend repeat colonoscopy in 3 years for surveillance." Sorry Doc.

Thanks for the detailed thread.

Funny, because this office wanted me to gulp down the entire 64oz of Gatorade in 2 hours, and then stop, drink water until midnight, and then drink nothing until my procedure at 9:30am (which ended up as 10:30am).

Did you do the gatorade or the nasty laxative version?

Because I just disregarded their instructions and split it half in the evening, half late at night, and then kept drinking water until 5am. They were not happy about this because I didn't follow THEIR instructions, even though it's the same doctor whose instructions had me do it the half/half way last time, also allowing me to drink water until 4 hours before. For the same 9:30am timeslot!

I did the split prep and the late water drinking because 1) the split prep is said to be better and 2) not drinking water for 9.5 hours is terrible.

Anyway the doctor said my prep was great, so despite their unhappiness about the 5am water (which apparently they drained out of me in some way), they got a clear view of it all.

[tigerpiper]

Both times I did the horrible, explosive laxative. I'll see if there are other options next time.

[mickeycrimm]

I had an aunt that died of colon cancer at the age of 84. We were astounded/pissed that her first ever colonoscopy was just before she died. Her health care providers let her down.

[FRANKRIZZO]

I thought it was one and done didn't realize I had to go numerous times. It was painless but a pain in the Ass.

[Texter]

I love the old well the doctor and facility are in network but the anesthesiologist was out of network…that will be $1400.

[Dan Druff]

I love the old well the doctor and facility are in network but the anesthesiologist was out of network…that will be $1400.

If you look earlier in the thread, you’ll see I talked my way out of this charge.

You probably can too.

[Sanlmar]

I love the old well the doctor and facility are in network but the anesthesiologist was out of network…that will be $1400.

If you look earlier in the thread, you’ll see I talked my way out of this charge.

You probably can too.

Went to a holiday party and met an anesthesiologist. After I make the requisite Michael Jackson propofol joke as,if he’d never heard it before - he told me that anesthesia for colonoscopies is gonna be a perk for the wealthy going forward. Insurance companies are seeking to not cover that expense for that routine procedure.

You’re gonna be biting a tongue depressor in the future.

I didn’t dwell on it - was getting ugly glances. Which is pretty typical for me actually.

[Dan Druff]

Both times I did the horrible, explosive laxative. I'll see if there are other options next time.

There are other options -- namely the Gatorade prep I described.

Almost all doctors will let you do that upon request.

And it works just as well. It's a crime that many doctors do not give people this option unless they request it.

[Dan Druff]

If you look earlier in the thread, you’ll see I talked my way out of this charge.

You probably can too.

Went to a holiday party and met an anesthesiologist. After I make the requisite Michael Jackson propofol joke as,if he’d never heard it before - he told me that anesthesia for colonoscopies is gonna be a perk for the wealthy going forward. Insurance companies are seeking to not cover that expense for that routine procedure.

You’re gonna be biting a tongue depressor in the future.

I didn’t dwell on it - was getting ugly glances. Which is pretty typical for me actually.

That future is now.

Actually, that future already arrived years ago.

They make you sign a paper when you arrive, stating that most insurances don't cover the propofol, and that you agree to pay something like 200-400 if they don't.

I thought I dodged this issue in 2021 when I didn't get a bill for the propofol. However, many months later that bill arrived. Insurance just dragged their feet in their denial.

I reached the only helpful department of my insurance company, and told them I wanted an exception made for me. My logic was that I had a massive bout of anxiety/depression in 2018 which caused permanent psychological damage, and the propofol is medically necesasry for me -- not a luxury. The rep briefly thought about, put me on hold, and came back telling me they'd send a check on my behalf.

I plan upon doing the same this time.

[simpdog]

Here they do conscious sedation for most colonscopies.

Is that not a thing in the States? You're conscious but won't remember anything.

I understand Druff can't risk it, he would be afraid the nurses may ask for the PFA administrator password.

[Dan Druff]

Here they do conscious sedation for most colonscopies.

Is that not a thing in the States? You're conscious but won't remember anything.

I understand Druff can't risk it, he would be afraid the nurses may ask for the PFA administrator password.

That was the '90s/'00s model. My dad did it that way at the time. Well kind of... he remembered it all, but he was just kinda out of it, sort of like how you feel for the first 60 seconds after you wake up from normal sleep.

Propofol for colonoscopies became very common in the 2010s -- despite the very highly publicized negative news about propofol in 2009, when it killed Michael Jackson.

Propofol knocks you out completely. To me it feels like an hourlong, dreamless sleep.

In early 2022, my dad had a not-so-great propofol experience where somehow he was conscious during his colonoscopy, but he said he felt no pain. I asked if he could speak if he wanted, and he said yes, but he just chose to stay quiet and let it be done. This would kinda freak me out if it happened to me. But it didn't. I was totally knocked out both times. On his last one (at the same place I just did mine), he was also 100% knocked out.

In the US it is also legal for an RN to administer the propofol, as long as an anesthesiologist is present in the room. My answer to that is fuck no. I want a doctor administering it and monitoring it the entire way. Fortunately this has not been an issue, as both facilities I've been to have had doctors administering it.

[Sanlmar]

Went to a holiday party and met an anesthesiologist. After I make the requisite Michael Jackson propofol joke as,if he’d never heard it before - he told me that anesthesia for colonoscopies is gonna be a perk for the wealthy going forward. Insurance companies are seeking to not cover that expense for that routine procedure.

You’re gonna be biting a tongue depressor in the future.

I didn’t dwell on it - was getting ugly glances. Which is pretty typical for me actually.

That future is now.

Actually, that future already arrived years ago.

They make you sign a paper when you arrive, stating that most insurances don't cover the propofol, and that you agree to pay something like 200-400 if they don't.

I thought I dodged this issue in 2021 when I didn't get a bill for the propofol. However, many months later that bill arrived. Insurance just dragged their feet in their denial.

I reached the only helpful department of my insurance company, and told them I wanted an exception made for me. My logic was that I had a massive bout of anxiety/depression in 2018 which caused permanent psychological damage, and the propofol is medically necesasry for me -- not a luxury. The rep briefly thought about, put me on hold, and came back telling me they'd send a check on my behalf.

I plan upon doing the same this time.

I never paid a dime for colonoscopy. I’m just BC/BS. It seems clear things are changing.

Why would conscious sedation be cheaper than propofol? Less risk? Wonder what they do in first world countries?

[Sanlmar]

Is this true Nickey about your Pipes?

Colon cancer is rising in young Americans. It’s not clear why.

A report released early this year by the American Cancer Society found that people younger than 55 went from accounting for 11 percent of all colorectal cancer in 1995 to 20 percent in 2019. About 3,750 people younger than 50 will die of colorectal cancer in 2023, according to the report.

[Tellafriend]

In the US it is also legal for an RN to administer the propofol, as long as an anesthesiologist is present in the room. My answer to that is fuck no. I want a doctor administering it and monitoring it the entire way. Fortunately this has not been an issue, as both facilities I've been to have had doctors administering it.

i highly doubt that. maybe it's state specific, but in Ga the dr is usually going back and forth b/n 4-5 rooms while the nurse aesthesis administers and watches it throughout (supposedly). I, like you, hate this. but no one cares. i know for a fact on my last colonoscopy a nurse administered it. i recently had a major surgery in a major hospital and it was done by a dr.

[NickyPipes]

Sorry to hear about all of your health issues

I heard you say on your radio show that you have had a lot of issues in the last 3 months and you just want to feel healthy again

Brother when I heard this I felt the emotion sadness

Brother I’ve offered my fair share of advice, you can review my extensive post history if you’d like to revisit my thoughtful suggestions

[Dan Druff]

Is this true Nickey about your Pipes?

Colon cancer is rising in young Americans. It’s not clear why.

A report released early this year by the American Cancer Society found that people younger than 55 went from accounting for 11 percent of all colorectal cancer in 1995 to 20 percent in 2019. About 3,750 people younger than 50 will die of colorectal cancer in 2023, according to the report.

This is a little misleading.

"Under 55" doesn't qualify as "young Americans".

The chance of getting colon cancer goes up HUGE after age 50, and if you're prone to it, after age 45 can also be a problem.

For whatever reason, black people have the highest rates of colon cancer (and younger colon cancer), while Ashkenazi Jews also see an elevated risk (which is what I am).

The biggest indicator is family history. If parent, sibling, or grandparent had colon cancer or colon polyps before, your chance of getting them yourself is WAY higher than if you have no such family history.

[Sanlmar]

Is this true Nickey about your Pipes?

Colon cancer is rising in young Americans. It’s not clear why.

This is a little misleading.

"Under 55" doesn't qualify as "young Americans".

The chance of getting colon cancer goes up HUGE after age 50, and if you're prone to it, after age 45 can also be a problem.

For whatever reason, black people have the highest rates of colon cancer (and younger colon cancer), while Ashkenazi Jews also see an elevated risk (which is what I am).

The biggest indicator is family history. If parent, sibling, or grandparent had colon cancer or colon polyps before, your chance of getting them yourself is WAY higher than if you have no such family history.

The number doubled Druff. That’s significant and warrants more than a simple dismissal. Google the article

Who knew colon cancer was so much fun? Turning into a rabbit hole

[splitthis]

In the US it is also legal for an RN to administer the propofol, as long as an anesthesiologist is present in the room. My answer to that is fuck no. I want a doctor administering it and monitoring it the entire way. Fortunately this has not been an issue, as both facilities I've been to have had doctors administering it.

i highly doubt that. maybe it's state specific, but in Ga the dr is usually going back and forth b/n 4-5 rooms while the nurse aesthesis administers and watches it throughout (supposedly). I, like you, hate this. but no one cares. i know for a fact on my last colonoscopy a nurse administered it. i recently had a major surgery in a major hospital and it was done by a dr.

Do tell, major is major.

[Tellafriend]

i highly doubt that. maybe it's state specific, but in Ga the dr is usually going back and forth b/n 4-5 rooms while the nurse aesthesis administers and watches it throughout (supposedly). I, like you, hate this. but no one cares. i know for a fact on my last colonoscopy a nurse administered it. i recently had a major surgery in a major hospital and it was done by a dr.

Do tell, major is major.

2 level ACDF which was feared to turn into a corpectomy, but fortunately it didn't. Spent 5 months in pain and w significant limitations in my life trying to avoid the surgery. Recovery was hard, 2 months, but then suddenly i woke up 95% improved. i wish i had accepted the surgery offer earlier now.

[Dan Druff]

In the US it is also legal for an RN to administer the propofol, as long as an anesthesiologist is present in the room. My answer to that is fuck no. I want a doctor administering it and monitoring it the entire way. Fortunately this has not been an issue, as both facilities I've been to have had doctors administering it.

i highly doubt that. maybe it's state specific, but in Ga the dr is usually going back and forth b/n 4-5 rooms while the nurse aesthesis administers and watches it throughout (supposedly). I, like you, hate this. but no one cares. i know for a fact on my last colonoscopy a nurse administered it. i recently had a major surgery in a major hospital and it was done by a dr.

How do you doubt this?

I saw the doctor administering it both times.