Flexible Sigmoid Exam - Cancer: Colon Message Board

ewilliam · 09-28-2002, 07:38 PM

I am a 57 yr. male with Type II diabetes. I see my doctor regularly for a chk up and to keep tabs on the diabetes, which at present is diet controled. At my last visit, Sept. 2002, he revisited the issue of having a colon exam using the flexible sigmoidscope(??). Previously, I had told him about my older brother, 3 yrs. olderthan me, having a similar exam in which numerous polops were found.

My concern is what to expect from this procedure. The doctor has fairly well explained what is done but I am wondering about any adverse side effects.

Any thoughts from others would be appreciated.

Mmcginty · 09-28-2002, 08:33 PM

Hi,
If I were you I would ask my doc to send me for a colonoscopy. Given your family history of polyps and also the fact you would be sedated for a colonoscopy and more than likely not remember it. The sigmoid is done without sedation and you are awake for it; also it does not look at the entire colon. The risks for the colonoscopy are the same as for the sigmoid, except , there are always added risk with sedation, but if you have never previously had problems with anesthesia or any major medical problems (r/t heart and lungs) the risks are minimal.

I hope this helps,
Michelle

suej1946 · 10-07-2002, 10:05 AM

Hi, my sister had colon cancer. I had a lot of polyps that they had to remove by surgery. I have half of a colon but no cancer. I ger a colonoscopy every year. The prep is worse then the test. the test is the easy part. The day befor you have to clean out your colon. this is done by driking a liquid that is not very tasty but tolerable. Then you have diahhrea all day. you go in the next day for you test which takes about 35 min. any polys that you have are then removed.
you are out during the test unless you request that you want to watch. I want to be out. anyway the colonoscopy is better as it checks your entire colon. I go every year and believe me its worth it.
Good Luck to you.PS there are absolutely no side effects from this. You wont even know that you had it done.

[This message has been edited by suej1946 (edited 10-07-2002).]

[This message has been edited by suej1946 (edited 10-07-2002).]

1Dove · 10-09-2002, 02:50 PM

You should get a colonoscopy so that the whole colon can be viewed, and any polyps removed and biopsied. I just had a colonoscopy this morning, and I must say it was a piece of cake. You don't eat anything the day before, and you take a laxitive preperation to clean yourself out. During the procedure I was lightly sedated, not all the way out, but I really don't remember much. I remember looking at my colon on the screen, but I was in too much of a daze to know what was going on. I had absolutely no discomfort at all. As a matter of fact, I didn't even feel anything going in at all. I highly recomend this procedure. It is a life saver that is well worth it.