Colonoscopy examinations have killed people. That's true, but you fail to mention that colon cancer kills far more people than colonoscopies. You fail to mention that a colonoscopy can and does prevent most colon cancers from developing by finding and removing polyps before they develop into cancer. You fail to make it clear that this test does nothing more than find hidden, blood in the lower GI tract if it is there of which may or may not be a symptom of early stage colon cancer. You fail to mention that this is not diagnostic for cancer but, if positive, requires other follow-up procedures to find the source of the bleeding that may indicate other gastrointestinal problems. You fail to mention that this test can also be used to determine the cause of anemia, such as blood loss from a bleeding ulcer. If someone has symptoms and signs of anemia, such as fatigue, a low hemoglobin and hematocrit, and/or unusually dark stools, a doctor may order this kind of test. You fail to mention that if this test is positive, then the patient will have to undergo a colonoscopy in an attempt to determine if the blood is from colon cancer or there is bleeding from a different cause. Why oh why doug to you continue to provide only part of the story. Why do you continue to omit very important information for members to read? Why is it that you continue to attack the medical community and continue to omit providing life saving information for members to read. Colonoscopies save lives and that is a fact. Those that do not follow through with one when they should risk their lives and dying of colon cancer. This information you provided gives people a false sense of security, and does nothing at all to prevent colon cancer. It can be helpful, to some degree, in finding early stage colon cancer, but had that colonoscopy been done when it should have been done, there wouldn't be a reason for this test at all. And most of all this test requires the person using it to use it correctly and follow all instructions carefully and fully. Many people won't do that and will end up with false results. COLONOSCOPY IS WHAT IS NEEDED, NOT THE USUAL SCARE TACTICS THAT YOU POST ALL THE TIME. Colonoscopies save lives and without them, delaying them can and does cost lives, far more than should be and results in way to many cases of colon cancer being found. Colon cancer is the #3 killer of cancer in this country

I can't recall what the stuff I had to take was called, but I was given what I think was a gallon container and some powder to mix with water. I drank half of it, then waited a couple of hours and drank the rest. After all the horrible stories I'd heard, the prep wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Propofol is the anesthetic I was given and the only thing I remember about that is the anesthesiologist asking me if I felt it when he gave it to me. I replied that I didn't feel it but that I could taste it and that it had a strong chemical taste. Then it was lights out. The next thing I recall is the sound of people moving furniture waking me up. I was very annoyed that they would be so rude and make all the noise when peole were trying to sleep. A few seconds later, I realized that what I thought was furniture being moved, was my gurney/bed thingy being rolled into the recovery area. I think it was the wheels rolling on the floor that I had heard. It wasn't furniture that was being moved; it was me! Love Dave Barry. I used to read his column every week in the local paper, but when we moved, the paper was no longer available to me and I kind of forgot about him.

Glad all went well! I have never had one. They attempted to once about 10 years ago but stopped because of a too sharp of a turn. Since I was ready for the procedure, they sent me for an x-ray . they didn't find any polyps but I wonder what they would have done if they had. I forget the name of the procedure but it was how they did it before they started doing the colonoscopies. I remember drinking some kind of white drink. Yuck!

I've got a colonoscopy scheduled for November 12. I really don't mind the prep that much ever since they lessened the amount of the Gatorade mix that I need to drink. I always schedule my appointment for the first one of the morning. I'm pretty much up all night but at least I don't have to go very long without eating the day of. They've found polyps almost every time I've had one but no ulcers so far. I've been taking Leflunomide (Arava) for my RA for about 1.5 years now so this will be my first colonoscopy since starting that. I would dread not being able to take my RA meds. Have you talked to your Rheumatologist about alternative treatments yet?