To Scope, or Not To Scope---That is the Question

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Sometimes, ignorance is indeed bliss.

As a nurse, however, I know way TOO much about certain medical procedures, and I wish I didn't. The conversation with my doctor that I've been dreading for months happened this morning: having attained the magic age of 50, I am supposed to have a screening colonoscopy. I refused. He said I was being a baby. I said, I'm walking around in the same body I had three months ago when I was still 49, and nobody was talking colonoscopy then:rolleyes:

Seriously........I can't wait NOT to do this. I've put far too many patients through the prep, and I'm sorry, but starving for two days, consuming a gallon of nuclear laxative solution, plus having nonstop explosive diarrhea is my idea of hell on earth. I don't mind the idea of the actual procedure---I've seen a couple of them done, and I can attest that they give you really good drugs so you don't care that they're running a garden hose up into places you didn't know you had. I have, on the other hand, no desire to be miserable for forty-eight solid hours beforehand WITHOUT the benefit of Versed.......and when you get right down to where the cheese binds, I really don't think I'd want to know if I had some horrible kind of GI cancer.

I've thought about it at some length, and I've made up my mind that I wouldn't do anything about it anyway---oh, I'd allow some surgery, and wear a bag if I had to, but chemo is not an option. Why would I put myself and my family through that, just so I can have a few extra months of throwing up and feeling like something the dog found under the house? Nope, I've lived a good life and done most of what I wanted to, and I'd want my family to remember me the way I am, not somebody who spent their last months in utter misery. I don't want to be a burden. I don't want to leave my family in debt. Besides........I'm not experiencing any symptoms. So why in the world should I undertake the hassle and the expense of a colonoscopy?

I think what I'm trying to do here is justify excuses to myself that I would dismiss if it were anyone else. So I'm going to ask: if you were in my place, would YOU have the scope on general principles? There's no other reason for it than the fact that I've reached a certain point on the continuum of life that somehow requires that we go in more often for maintenance. I don't wanna play........but maybe what I'm looking for are some really good reasons to take the time off work, incur expenses not covered by my insurance, and put myself through two days of torture as well as the procedure itself. TIA.

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My brother had one at age 54, he is now 58. He would not be here or would be walking around with a colostomy if he had not had one. They found a large polyp that was cancer and was about to go systemic. Removing it at the stage they found it was relatively easy but 6 months later he would have been in big trouble. That is all I am going to say.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Good point.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

SUCK IT UP! As you know, the prep is the worst part. Actual procedure was nothing - I didn't even get drowsy from the Versed.

The way I see it, I don't want to get taken down by something that was essentially preventable -- AKA, die of stupidity. So, I grumble, groan & fuss - but I am keeping up with the maintenance schedule on this ol' body.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Home Health.

Well, Ive had them done multiple times and they were NOT pleasant. I know the "nurse" in me says that you should do it, although personally I wouldnt want to do it either. Have you ever had one done? I would do it just to have peace of mind knowing that nothing is wrong. Have you had bloody stools, ribbon stool, any symptom of a problem? It may be something non-malignant that can be fixed during the procedure, such as a polyp or something. I would probably do it. You can clean yourself out without having to do all that stuff they tell you to do (if you cant tolerat it). I took the max dose of MOM and did a large volume enema. Then I took Dulcolax pills. I couldnt stand to drink that nasty stuff they told me to drink, it made me vomit. So I did my own version of a bowel prep. :) Of course I drank all clears for 2 days prior and NPO p midnight the night before.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Home Health.
The way I see it, I don't want to get taken down by something that was essentially preventable -- AKA, die of stupidity. So, I grumble, groan & fuss - but I am keeping up with the maintenance schedule on this ol' body.

I agree

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Being the daughter of a mother with the same kind of... well, I guess attitude, (although that doesn't sound nice, and I mean no offense) I would only ask you this... would you put those two soldiers you are so proud of through something that is fairly preventable? You still have the option of not doing anything aggressive if there was something major going on, not that there even is. I guess I am taking the same stance as oramar above, but playing the kid card. :)

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

Having had the procedure several times, let me ease your mind. Number one it is not uncomfortable. The medication you receive causes you to not recall a thing. You wake up quickly after the procedure none the worse for wear, no drug hangover.

I can say I never look forward to them either, simply as I hate the fact that it takes two days of my time. First afternoon and night for the prep, the next day driving to the appointment. I have them done every 3 years. It sure beats missing a cancer.

The preps used today are not as bad as drinking those gallon jugs of stuff from the past. Talk to your doctor about what prep he advises. My GI Doc does not use the same harsh stuff used in the hospital.

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

Viva, you just turned 50, it is not the end of the world. You have lots and lots of years to go. Be good to yourself, do what your doctor has requested, live a long healthy life.

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Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

well, as a GI nurse, who has worked in endoscopy and now in GI med/surg... i'm going to tell you to have a colonoscopy. i have taken care of too many patients who have said to me "i wish i had a colonoscopy sooner".. that end up with colon cancer in later stages that would have been treatable if they went for their screening colon when they needed it. untreated adenocarcinomas in the colon tend to like to latch onto the liver and the female reproductive system.

you know the risks and you also know that colon cancer is soo highly treatable. and here's good news--with no family hx of inflammatory bowel dz or colon CA, if you have a negative exam--you don't do it again for 10 years!

the prep options are so much more than just the disgusting go-lytely, they now offer a half gallon version (halflyte or moviprep) and a pill prep (osmoprep). what i do for my inpatients that are able to is keep lemon jell-o on hand...and mix the prep in there. let it set in the fridge, they do jell-o shots at the appropriate times. slides right down.

there are also different sedation options.... you have your traditional sublimaze/versed, and then you can also opt to do it with diprivan. the docs in my hospital almost strictly use the propofol--less nasty side effects.

AND any insurance company will cover a screening 50 y/o colon. it's preventative care. the only thing you should pay is a co-pay and a facility fee.

i never had a huge interest in GI until i started working in it and saw how rampant colorectal disease is and how embarassed and/or scared people are of having screening colonoscopies. it is a cause near and dear to my heart now.

so, i wish you the best in your choice, but please, take good care of yourself---get your rear in gear.

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Specializes in CTICU.

Would you rather have a colonoscopy at 50 or die at 50? Seems like a no brainer.

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If you can get the pill the previous poster suggested - do it. Don't take this wrong, but buy yourself some baby wipes and SUCK IT UP!! Your kids still need you no matter how old they are and dying because you didn't want to be inconvienced - not fair to your kids, husband, family and friends.

I did it at 40 because I had a carcinoid tumor found "accidentally" during a c-section. I didn't want to do it either, didn't want to do the prep, didn't want that hose where it didn't belong and was terrified they might actually find something. Now I'm good for 10 years and my husband and family are very relieved.

Aww, come on. Katie Couric did it on National TV! You can do it and then tell patients, with authority, that it really wasn't that bad.

Good luck and best wishes.

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