So- today I met my new dr. at the VA-

Shoot, I get a new one frequently. It seems all the clinic near me gets are cast offs and as a result they are not good.

We are very fortunate in Boise. VA takes great care of me..

She is either very young or..................you are getting old.:)

Yeah, I think they want you to get one of those every five years if they didn't see any problems with your last one. If there are problems they may want you to get one every year.

Rankin_File, post: 440878, member: 101 wrote: I see your last colonoscopy was in 2011

I've lost 2 brothers in law to colon cancer. Neither was very old. Neither got a colonoscopy before it was too late. Not my idea of a fun time either, but it's one thing they can do that really works.

I went to the same doctor for over 30 years. He retired and sold his practice to the large operation in town. I went through two interim doctors, then one that was supposed to be permanent. Then they closed his clinic and moved the doctor to a larger facility. That doctor left to go back to where the relatives live. I now have a nurse-practitioner. So there has been no stability. However, all of them seem to be excellent.

All of the recent ones are women, mostly middle aged, but the NP is indeed young enough to be my daughter. She seems more concerned with my modesty than I am or the previous women were - she skipped the prod-while-I-cough routine and just asked if I was worried about any signs of hernia.

I thought the colonoscopy rule of thumb was 10 years until you reach a certain age or if you have polyps. Then it's 5 years. Shorter only if you have more serious signs of problems. Different institutions may have different guidelines, though.

Bill93, post: 440907, member: 87 wrote: I thought the colonoscopy rule of thumb was 10 years

That's the regime I'm on. I think I have a couple of years to go before the next one.

Bill93, post: 440907, member: 87 wrote: she skipped the prod-while-I-cough routine

My doctor told me that has pretty much gone by the wayside. There isn't very much they could really tell by that, and neither end of the equation liked to do it. The routine colonoscopy has replaced it.

the 2011 test was my "welcome to 50 party." it was clear so they do it every 10 years, unless they find something in the annual exam. her hands look pretty small, for which I am very thankful, as opposed to Big Hands Muldoon. ...

I can't complain about the care I receive. the paperwork and coordination of benefits can be frustrating at times.

I'm on a yearly check right now. I hope the next one they tell me I can wait ten years. At 44 I was surprised they told me every year. but they did tell me at the VA the normal was every 5 years there. Might just be the VA I'm going to.

thebionicman, post: 440884, member: 8136 wrote: We are very fortunate in Boise. VA takes great care of me..

I lived on the grounds of the VA hospital in Boise 1961 - 1966 or so. My Dad was Chief Engineer.

A colonoscopy in itself is nothing, it's the damn prep work that's the problem. 🙁

FL/GA PLS., post: 440935, member: 379 wrote: A colonoscopy in itself is nothing, it's the damn prep work that's the problem. 🙁

This

For me the actual procedure went...

As the anesthesia is administered; "Okay this my fee a little warms as it.....ZZZZZZZZ.....wake up, Mr Fleming"

The day prior is when my eyes turn blue again much like a Texan who's a gallon low on $#it.:p:p:p

The doctor who did the two I've had has since been reprimanded by the medical board for serious problems. I will need to find a different roto-rooter specialist for my next trip in about six years.

[USER=136]@James Fleming[/USER]

Do we "go out" that quick because of the anesthetic or because we've had the "screaming dirreah blow outs" for the past 16 hours?

The anesthesia includes an amnesiac component. I found it scary to suddenly realize I existed when my wife had driven me halfway home. They had gotten me awake enough to dress and walk to the car, but I wasn't recording the experience until that moment.

That made me wonder how much long-term effect it might have on my brain. For my second time around I talked them into only giving me the relaxing don't-care stuff and I watched the monitor as they worked. Much better.

Bill93, post: 440964, member: 87 wrote: The anesthesia includes an amnesiac component. I found it scary to suddenly realize I existed when my wife had driven me halfway home. They had gotten me awake enough to dress and walk to the car, but I wasn't recording the experience until that moment.

That made me wonder how much long-term effect it might have on my brain. For my second time around I talked them into only giving me the relaxing don't-care stuff and I watched the monitor as they worked. Much better.

I do remember the anesthesiologist telling me the injection might burn a little. I then had a fleeting memory of my wife and the nurse laughing at me attempting to put both legs into one pant's leg. Next I didn't remember a thing until I woke up on the couch at home a number of hours later. I stared at the clock that said 6:15 and spent way too much time contemplating whether the light outside appeared as AM or PM.

Darn near an alien abduction....complete with the "hoobajoo" thingy....:(

Bill93, post: 440964, member: 87 wrote: The anesthesia includes an amnesiac component. I found it scary to suddenly realize I existed when my wife had driven me halfway home. They had gotten me awake enough to dress and walk to the car, but I wasn't recording the experience until that moment.

That made me wonder how much long-term effect it might have on my brain. For my second time around I talked them into only giving me the relaxing don't-care stuff and I watched the monitor as they worked. Much better.

they asked me if I wanted to stay awake and watch..... ummmmm. NO

paden cash, post: 440967, member: 20 wrote: I then had a fleeting memory of my wife and the nurse laughing

Are you sure it was the Nurse, and not Sister Mary? I think you may have been too comfortably numb, and visited the dark side of the Moon. 😉