# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/41 "2023-08-30T02:03:21Z")
Not the USPS. UPS. I told the guy at the UPS dropoff, “I’m here to give you a bunch of crap, and I know I’m probably the 10th person who told you this today.” I haven’t had a colonoscopy, but I have had a few mammograms, and that procedure used to be feared as well. The MG I had in 2017 probably saved my life. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/42 "2023-08-30T02:12:01Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > With the newer, ‘lighter’ flushes, prep is observed to be inadequate in up to 25% of cases or more, requiring a repeat more intense prep and repeat procedure I seem to recall one of the reasons I had three different preps in a year was because their idea of the best flush and compliance kept changing. I’d much rather do a more traditional prep than fail and have to try again later. If the easy prep still involves drinking 2-3 liters of water, then I’m still going to have my stomach full problem. At least it would taste better. > [@nelliebly](#): > > The salty water (broth), icy water er (popsicles) and jiggly water (Jello) aren’t enough to prevent a headache Coffee is enough to prevent a headache, and Gatorade for lunch and dinner are enough to prevent hunger pains. Please don’t tell me otherwise, because I’m bound to have another one within a year, and it is my faith in these things that gets me through prep day. > [@Wolf333](#): > > surprise colonoscopy? I had one of those, well almost. I had an appointment, and the doctor said it was time to schedule something. “How about Friday, I just had a cancellation?” Surprise! Prep starts tomorrow! > [@LSLGuy](#): > > Seems we have a colonoscopy dread thread almost monthly here. I think that says a lot about the age of members. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/43 "2023-08-30T02:24:49Z")
Here’s a little bit of good news for the OP. I’m at high statistical risk for colon cancer, so Cologard is not an option,. However, I’ve stopped getting polyps, and the doctors have moved me from a three-year schedule to a five-year schedule. (I wasn’t thrilled when they told me. I kept asking, “Are you SURE you have my family history right?” But they assured me a clean test means a five-year schedule.) So the good news is, if you don’t have any problems this time around, ask your doctor if they’ll put you on a longer schedule. ---
**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:** [August 30, 2023, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/44 "2023-08-30T02:40:24Z")
You all KNEW I’d chime in here. Short answer to the subject line: Yes. Long answer: Yes, you can continue to forget. Your death, however, might be fairly unpleasant. Speaking from experiences of people I know, you can go years with a colon cancer diagnosis - but they won’t be good years, all in all. “Three years” sounds like they found something on your last one that puts you in a higher risk category. Which, sadly, means you are not a candidate for Cologard (btw, was at a UPS store the other day and inwardly snickered when I saw that logo on a box behind the counter). As others note, the gallon-o-glurge stuff is not the only option. I’ve so far managed to avoid those entirely - but after this last one, where I had SuTab and had the absolute worst experience ever, a gallon of seawater sounds not-so-bad in comparison. Long story short - just get it done!!! A day of pure suckitude - even annually, like me (sigh), beats surgery, chemo etc. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/45 "2023-08-30T02:44:45Z")
I found that clear THC laden gummy bears really help with the prep process. (And I gave up pot back in high school, but find gummies great for the prep, the covid shot day after, and when I sleep on a yoga mat when backpacking.) ---
**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:** [August 30, 2023, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/46 "2023-08-30T02:48:53Z")
Gummies (even without drugs) are nice the day before, because they count as a “clear liquid” but let you chew something. ---
**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:** [August 30, 2023, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/47 "2023-08-30T03:40:55Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#): > > If you had a clear colonoscopy 3 years ago, without an indication of a problem, it is highly unlikely that you need another. Yeah - I have to assume the OP was told he needed to schedule one due to some problems spotted 3 years back, but it’s also quite possible someone said “hey, t time for another spelunking expedition” without reading his files. Worth double checking. Years back, I posted a survival guide on the boards. Here’s a link to a version of it on Dropbox, with some edits and updates: [Colonoscopy Writeup.docx (dropbox.com)](https://www.dropbox.com/s/sz3v1xlkhukqhfi/Colonoscopy%20Writeup.docx?dl=0) A few more comments: A few people have noted that the newer preps are not as high volume. True, but you DO have to drink a lot of OTHER liquids. In my most recent case, the instructions said something like 48 ounces total. There are indeed pill-based preps. I’d used Osmo-Prep the first few times, in 2010 etc. - sodium phosphate, I think. Dunno if that’s used any more. Now, there is SuTab, which is a pill version of SuPrep. I used SuTab this last time around, and you could not pay me to use it again. It kicked in before I’d even finished the course of pills, and it quite literally NEVER STOPPED. My diarrhea was so severe that I was not producing urine, at all. My skin was so raw it felt like I’d been burned - not right at, er, ground zero, but further away on the rest of the cheeks. I quite literally NEVER made it to the bathroom. I had a small stash of adult diapers - and made my husband run to the grocery store to get me more. I was up every 20 minutes during what passed for the night (I’d opted for a 7:30 AM appointment, which meant doing round two at 2 AM). It hit me as they had me walk down the hall to the procedure room (luckily, I had insisted on keeping the underwear on until the last minute). It hit me while I was under sedation (I had an upper GI first), and when I came to, I was wearing a different gown. I don’t recall if it was still hitting me when I got home, but I took an Imodium the minute I got in the door. There will be some SERIOUS discussions with the doc as to what prep to use next time. It will not be SuTab. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/48 "2023-08-30T03:50:04Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > Coffee is enough to prevent a headache, and Gatorade for lunch and dinner are enough to prevent hunger pains. Please don’t tell me otherwise, because I’m bound to have another one within a year, and it is my faith in these things that gets me through prep day. I can’t tell you otherwise because I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but I bet that would help lots of other people. Before I had my first colonoscopy, I was at my local swimming pool griping (Imagine that!) about having to subsist on Jello for a whole 24 hours. A lady walking laps said, “Jello shots” as she passed. Unfortunately, alcohol is out, though my sister complained to her gastroenterologist about having to give up her nightly martini, and the doc said she could have one beer instead. I don’t know if that’s widely recommended, but it seems that might help take the edge off, if your doc says it’s OK. It also might help not to listen to grumps like me. 🙂 ---
**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:** [August 30, 2023, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/49 "2023-08-30T05:24:26Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > With the newer, ‘lighter’ flushes, prep is observed to be inadequate in up to 25% of cases or more, requiring a repeat more intense prep and repeat procedure. I had not heard this - are there any potential reasons in the literature? I mean, is it because they genuinely don’t work well, or compliance is not as good (GoLytely and its gallon-o-glurge brethren do seem fairly idiot-proof)? I’ve now used 4 different preps, and have been told the prep was acceptable each time. I’m pretty motivated to make sure the prep is adequate. I am QUITE certain my prep was adequate with SuTab. Hell, I coulda flopped onto a skateboard and jet-propelled my way to the facility that morning. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/50 "2023-08-30T05:28:17Z")
Holy crap (pun😊) that SuTab\* sounds horrid! (\*Shat uncontrollably Tab) ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/51 "2023-08-30T10:36:15Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > I’m gonna ruin the pity-party here. > Because, really, folks-- it ain’t so bad. > I seem to be the only person in the world who doesn’t bitch about doing a colonoscopy. > It ain’t fun. But seriously…it’s not difficult. Totally agree. The worst part is the fasting. But that doesn’t seem to bad with all the fluids you drink. My Wife has a coloscopy tomorrow, so she can’t eat today. I’m going to take myself out to lunch so I’m not eating in front of her. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/52 "2023-08-30T11:13:29Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > Remember those old commercials: “There’s always room for Jello”? That’s because it’s essentially thickened sugar water that dissolves in your mouth. It isn’t filling. It has sugar (unless sugar-free); a little salt; artificial agents for flavoring, etc.; a little gelatin; and that’s it: no nutrients of any kind, no fiber, no protein. Gelatin is 98% protein. > **[What Is Gelatin Good For? Benefits, Uses and More](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gelatin-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_3)** > > It thickens gravy and makes desserts bounce — but did you know that gelatin is also healthy? This article explains why, and describes how you can use it. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/53 "2023-08-30T11:22:28Z")
I’ve had two, and my next one’s in 2 years. Wah. The hardest part will be finding a driver. My usual one shuffled off this mortal coil. Uber doesn’t allow for drivers making extended stops, last I checked. Maybe my friend’s AA group has somebody who needs a day job. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/54 "2023-08-30T11:27:09Z")
My Doc strongly recommended against Cologuard. It does not detect most precancerous polyps. That said, I am five years overdue and I’m retired now, so I have no excuses. mmm ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/55 "2023-08-30T11:34:38Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Your death, however, might be fairly unpleasant. Death is rarely pleasant, but if you are prepared to take your own life if necessary to avoid prolonged suffering with a terminal diagnosis then there’s that. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/56 "2023-08-30T12:19:03Z")
I’m on a five-year schedule, since they have found polyps. Can’t use Cologuard for that reason. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/57 "2023-08-30T12:25:32Z")
> [@Chef\_Troy](#): > > Can’t I just keep forgetting to schedule it until either I or the doctor die? No! Listen to “Troutman” because that’s exactly why the Dr. wants you to take a test again so soon. If you test clean, you may get a break from testing for a long time. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/58 "2023-08-30T13:09:03Z")
Finally scheduled for my first next month. I’d put it off a long time because I dont think I could fast, but the dr. Said applesauce was ok. I am pretty sure I have a polyp so this is necessary. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/59 "2023-08-30T14:57:25Z")
Here’s the instructional video. Seems marginally better than the prep, IMO. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/b1nxS_yjiEk/maxresdefault.jpg "How To Use Cologuard (English)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1nxS_yjiEk&t=89) ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2023, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304/60 "2023-08-30T15:02:12Z")
The weirdest part for me would be seeing my turd in a place other than the bottom of the toilet bowl. Kind of like seeing your teacher at the mall on a Saturday afternoon. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ugh-do-i-really-have-to-schedule-another-colonoscopy/989304.md?page=4)