Better Have That Colonoscopy - Bowel Disorders Message Board

SusanGene · 07-27-2004, 07:54 PM

Do you know of anyone who has had this happen? My husband says that he knows of three women who had colonoscopies and two died from it
(intestinal puncture).
Can anyone relate to this "secret" disaster?

auntjudyg · 07-28-2004, 06:57 AM

Just about every medical procedure has a degree of risk. I forgot the exact number, but I think it is something like 1 in 2,000 colonoscopies results in punctures. I have never read a number on how many of those might have resulted in death.

One needs to weigh this against the fact that before colonoscopies the only way to be certain of some diagnoses was exploratory surgery, which is much more risky, and the fact that any possible condition would probably be much more advanced and harder to treat before exploratory surgery was performed.

It is impossible to confirm, but I would be willing to wager that more people have been saved as a result of pre-cancerous polyps being detected and treated early than might have died as a result of a colonoscopy.

SusanGene · 07-28-2004, 07:22 AM

Uncle, I mean aunt Judy, I agree with you. It's just that when it's so close to "home" as this is added to the fact that a younger friend of ours had one and then had to have a Cat scan and is on Demerol for abdominal cramps it does tend to make one hesitate.
Due to 2 people we know who died or are on pain killers following this test, in our family we will limit colonoscopies to those whose close family had colon cancer. We are well aware of Human Frailties; invasive tests often use human beings to perform them. We all know that Humans can make mistakes and/or can be very inexperienced in what they do. They have to learn somehow and someone is going to be their "first" victim or patient. Practicing the trade is part of being an intern. We are simply not willing to be practiced ON . Thank you for your thoughts.

CDauthier · 07-28-2004, 09:21 PM

Susan, I have to agree with Judy. But, I strongly recommend an experienced colon/rectal specialist any day over an "intern" or a gastro doc. We have many in our community with colon cancer. I recently had a colonoscopy and was debating canceling it before going the next day when I saw a commercial at 1:00 in the am saying that colon cancer is one of the most preventable cancers with proper testing.... I went and was glad I did. Just have diverticulosis which may never give me trouble...no polyps but you can bet your sweet bippie I'll get another one in 7 years. Hubby had 2 polyps that were the kind that would result in cancer if left to grow long enough. We were very relieved that they are out....we also discovered how bad his diverticulitis was due to the colonoscopy. He had a mass and his bowel was almost completely blocked. If he had kept putting his colonoscopy off, he probably would have died.... And yes, there are risks with everything...my beautician told me today that she was told by her doctor before delivery of her last child that childbirth could result in death, paralysis, etc....and this was for a normal delivery. Have seen too many friends who said no to diagnostic tests who are not alive today but would be had they had the various tests. You just have to weigh the odds and decide for yourself which route to go. Cathy

Harry · 07-28-2004, 11:46 PM

Colon cancer is second only to lung cancer for deaths cancer related. It is well documented in medical literature that most can be prevented by colon exams.