The hard plastic container is kind of a drag. It bumps up against your bum and can cause you to tense up. But it can be done!
When I returned the box to a UPS store, I tried to wait until there were minimal customers in the place. It’s embarrassing to stand there in a crowd holding a box clearly marked with the Cologuard symbol. I went in when there was only one man in front of me. But he had a long dragged-out conversation with the clerk about the cost of something or other, so a line started to form behind me. I found I could hold the box with my hands covering the “CG” letters on the box, but it still took a long time. I know, I shouldn’t be embarrassed by something like this, but I was. Finally handing off the box took 1.5 seconds. Done.
My UPS store has a big box just inside the door for boxes that already have a label on them. You just toss it in and leave. I’ve used it for Amazon returns.
I had colonoscopies at 50, 55 and earlier this year at 60. Prior to the most recent colonoscopy my insurance company started nagging the shit out of me (haha) about Colorguard. Like multiple emails and mailing me the test unsolicited.
I called my doctor and they said it was unnecessary since I was getting scoped. Imagine if I took the test and it came back positive before the colonoscopy! Someone actually called me and I told them to leave me alone because I was getting the other procedure. Next year I’ll see if it makes sense to take it on non-scope years.
Despite it not being nearly as good at the scope, it’s great for people who will never do an invasive procedure. Much better than nothing.
I confess, I only assumed the test I had was Cologuard. I didn’t know there was more than one kind.
I’ve had that particular test twice. Both times, I had to fasten a strip of tissue paper (reminded me of the paper seat covers in public restrooms) midway across the toilet seat. Once the “deposit” was made, I had three or four little plastic screws, and I had to select three or four separate sites in the “deposit.” After the screws had been inserted, they are immediately removed, and placed inside a special plastic bag, which is sealed and marked with the date and time of the collection.
Once that was done, the tiisue paper and "deposit were flushed.
I was fortunate, I did not have to use any parcel carrier to return my sample. I was able to take it directly to the lab and drop it off.
I’m glad I (A) didn’t have to hold a cup beneath my bottom and make a “direct deposit,” and (B) didn’t have to haul around a cup of poo.
My husband did his first Cologuard test late last year, and said the worst part was waiting in line at the UPS store to drop the sample off. However, it has led to an inside joke between us. Whenever one of us have a rough day at work, the other will say “Well, at least you aren’t working the mailroom at Cologuard!”
I’m not doing the AGAIN part of the thread, since I’ve never done Cologuard before. BUT a kit was sent to me through my Medicare Advantage plan with Blue Cross/ Blue Shield, without me requesting one. They said it’s one of those no-charge perks. It’s sitting over there, waiting for me to “use” it. I’ve read all the instructions, so I’m good to go. Heh.
Last month my doctor had requested me to schedule a colonoscopy anyway. My previous one was five years ago, and they found (and removed) one polyp. I wonder what he’s going to say about the CG results. I’m betting I’ll still have to do the full in-clinic test.
And if the cologuard is suspicious, you may get charged for a therapeutic colonoscopy instead of a diagnostic one, even if they don’t need to remove anything.
I did it. Gotta be honest, I wasn’t fully prepared for how absolutely rank my turds were. In the toilet, they’re largely covered with water and farther from your nose. But just sitting there in a container on the counter while you’re fiddling with the preservation solution, it’s absolutely nasty.
Anyway, negative results. Good for another 3 years. Oh, and no waiting at the UPS store. They came and picked it up.
I thought it strange that BCBS sent to me unsolicited, so I expect no charges. It will be a good data point for my doctor (at Mayo) to compare with a full colonoscopy. So I guess I’m doing it for SCIENCE!
The lady at the UPS store just chuckled when I said to her that I bet she knew what was in the box. There were a few others in her cart.
I got one unsolicited from my insurance company as well (California ObamaCare). I also got lots of emails and phone calls. Since I got a full colonoscopy that same year I just threw it out and asked them to stop annoying me.
They still cover much of it and it’s way cheaper for them than if you were to have found it years later and the treatment is significantly more expensive.
Yes, but not more expensive to you than getting a colonoscopy right off the bat. Per puzzlegal’s post # 29, If a colonoscopy is indicated by the Cologuard, then it’s no longer a free ACA Preventive procedure, but a Diagnostic procedure which you are responsible for paying at whatever your regular insurance rate is.