# Ugh, do I REALLY have to schedule ANOTHER colonoscopy? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 29, 2023, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304 "2023-08-29T18:16:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 21
**Author:** ![Mikkel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikkel/32/13151_2.png) [@Mikkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikkel)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2025, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/401 "2025-04-12T10:49:05Z")
If you don’t have sedation, you should be allowed to drive yourself. Problem is, if you _have_ to do without sedation, it may feel worse psychologically. I always do without any sedation, but I always arrange that I can be transported home and the nurses always put a drop in so they are prepared. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2025, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/402 "2025-04-12T11:35:12Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > I’ve gone from annual, to 2 years, to 3 years, then in 2021 got demoted to 2 years, then this year have rejoined the annual crows. In 2012, I had three of them because they didn’t get good enough margins after 1, they cleared things up 3-4 months later, then had me repeat in 6 months. > > It’s still better than battling full-on cancer. As a general rule… Even the most invasive, inconvenient, and bothersome medical test is preferable to cancer treatment. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2025, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/403 "2025-04-12T12:27:35Z")
> [@Mikkel](#): > > If you don’t have sedation, you should be allowed to drive yourself. Yes, if you don’t have sedation, you can transport yourself as you would to and from any other appointment. But if you have sedation, you should have a responsible adult accompany you home. That is, there should be an adult who knows you and will make sure you get home safely. So a cab driver or Uber driver isn’t good enough. But a friend, coworker, or Facebook pal is fine, it doesn’t need to be a relative. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2025, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/404 "2025-04-12T13:30:43Z")
It can also be a certified medical transport company but that can be pricy. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2025, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/405 "2025-04-12T13:31:23Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > I guess I will tell the clinic if they need me to get to this appointment they need to help me out with some ways to get there. Talking to the clinic about your issues finding someone is probably best. Surely you aren’t the only person with such issues. They may have solutions in place. Mine had a trusted driver to help take patients home, for only 25 bucks. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/406 "2025-04-13T16:44:30Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > My clinic requires someone to be available during the appointment and will not allow Uber. I don’t think I could go without sedation but that’s an option. If you have an adult with you, they should be FINE with you (and your companion) taking an Uber. I suspect that their guidelines are simply badly written. I was a friend’s “responsible adult” a few weeks after I’d had wrist surgery and was not yet able to drive. They were fine with us taking an Uber back to the friend’s place. My place has recommendations for medical transport services for those who are unable to find a +1 person. Or you could advertise on Nextfoor dot com or Craigslist or something. I also wonder if you might be able to check the box by hiring a Lyft/Uber driver in advance for the duration. Might be kind of spendy, but it’s an option. The clinic doesn’t need to know the details… > [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](#): > > Results are back, and are happily negative. Congrats!! I know you were concerned. How often do you need to repeat the process given the family history? My SIL was grumping recently about how the doctor who did hers, a couple years back, wanted to do a repeat in 5 years even though hers was clear - he said he thought 10 years was too long an interval. Dunno. She refuses. Another person I was chatting with at the same time rather truculently insisted none of this stuff was needed, he didn’t even have a regular doctor, and it was all a money grab. I expect to hear of his death from preventable causes within the next few years. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/407 "2025-04-13T16:48:35Z")
OP has a car and is fine with someone using it to transport her. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/408 "2025-04-13T16:55:26Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > I also wonder if you might be able to check the box by hiring a Lyft/Uber driver in advance for the duration. Might be kind of spendy, but it’s an option. The clinic doesn’t need to know the details… In my experience, the facility often doesn’t care about details - they generally want someone there to pick me up , rarely they have wanted someone to stay on premises for the duration. Once they wanted my companion to sign the discharge instructions but still didn’t ask him for ID. They would have no idea if the person I was leaving with was my husband or some stranger I found through Nextdoor or Facebook. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/409 "2025-04-13T16:56:26Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > As a general rule… > > Even the most invasive, inconvenient, and bothersome medical test is preferable to cancer treatment. +1 on that. I was scheduled for a salpingo-oophorectomy (due to my BRCA1 status) and decided at the last minute to include a hysterectomy due to the (slight) increased risk of endometrial cancer, where it would most likely be a nastier sort, which would basically coome with a strong recommendation for chemo even if only stage 1. Yes, “overscreening” can sometimes lead to cists morbility due to potentially unnecessary followup testing. But colon cancer is so easily prevented with routine screening (of whatever sort is appropriate), that it’s silly to not do at least the mail-in sort. As imperfect as those are (with risks of false positives / negatives), they’re hella better than nothing. Sadly, I’ll never be in the Cologard crowd. And as I’ve said numerous times before, if anyone needs help with transport, and is within a hundred(ish) miles of the DC metro area, PM me and I’ll be your +1. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/410 "2025-04-13T17:09:33Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > In my experience, the facility often doesn’t care about details - they generally want someone there to pick me up , rarely they have wanted someone to stay on premises for the duration. Once they wanted my companion to sign the discharge instructions but still didn’t ask him for ID. They would have no idea if the person I was leaving with was my husband or some stranger I found through Nextdoor or Facebook. Mine had to have the person check in with me and that same person had to take me home but they were allowed to run errands in the meantime. I think they gave him a fifteen minute notice text. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/411 "2025-04-13T17:12:27Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > I also wonder if you might be able to check the box by hiring a Lyft/Uber driver in advance for the duration. Might be kind of spendy, but it’s an option. The clinic doesn’t need to know the details… That’s an option I hadn’t considered. I might look into that. I know a couple people who do Walmart delivery and Uber in the local area. I had emailed the local visiting nurse association service provider last week to inquire about options and … crickets. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/412 "2025-04-13T17:26:23Z")
What did the clinic suggest when you told them that you don’t have someone to escort you? ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/413 "2025-04-13T17:42:11Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > What did the clinic suggest when you told them that you don’t have someone to escort you?. They really did not get into details since I didn’t schedule anything yet. They just said Uber wasn’t allowed and I had to have someone with me. My next appointment is in May and I plan to get some kind of response from them at that point. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/414 "2025-04-13T17:50:43Z")
They have no alternative arrangements? Surely some percentage of their patients are in the same situation. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/415 "2025-04-13T17:52:55Z")
You can hire a medical transport company but it’s expensive. People on government assistance may get it for free ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/416 "2025-04-13T17:53:46Z")
If I can’t figure it out I just won’t do it! If the clinic can’t give me options I don’t have much other choice. I’m Ok with that. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/417 "2025-04-13T18:20:30Z")
It’s kind of bizarre that they aren’t more responsive. “Don’t have sometime who can spend a day to escort me” is a pretty common situation. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/418 "2025-04-13T18:21:27Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > It’s kind of bizarre that they aren’t more responsive. “Don’t have sometime who can spend a day to escort me” is a pretty common situation.. Yes I thought so as well. Seems as if they think everyone can just round up a partner for this kind of thing! I am a professional social worker and I am pulling my hair out trying to solve this. I might call Area Agency on Aging this week as well. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/419 "2025-04-13T18:26:22Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > They just said Uber wasn’t allowed and I had to have someone with me. Riding home via Lyft or Uber or taxi with the person who is required to be there with you will be allowed, you need to get that clarified. They can’t limit their care to people who own a private vehicle or who have a friend with a vehicle. The uber they don’t allow is you getting in a vehicle with only a stranger-the driver. That’s a reasonable requirement after sedation. It’s to protect both parties, them from liability should the driver not be trustworthy and you from having advantage taken of you by a stranger while you are influenced by sedation wearing off at an unknown rate. Don’t make important decisions later that day either for the same reason. How sedation affected you 5 or 10 years ago might be very different now, so prior experience isn’t a reliable guide. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/420 "2025-04-13T18:37:39Z")
I wouldn’t really be surprised if they can’t give you options. But depending on how comfortable you feel/whether you are willing to pay, you might consider using Facebook/supermarket bulletin board etc to hire someone to accompany you for the day - I see people placing ads looking for babysitters all the time. Or maybe you could hire a home attendant through an agency for the day. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304.md?page=22)