WWYD? - Colonoscopy

liz4paws · June 2011

So I posted a while back about my 52 year old mom being diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon cancer in May, coincidently right at the beginning of our TTC journey. She had a "no signs of cancer" colonoscopy less than three years prior to the stage 4 diagnosis - so either it moved EXTREMELY fast, or the GI doc that performed the colonoscopy missed it. We won't really ever know. Recently my mom informed that same GI doctor about her cancer diagnosis, and his immediate reaction was "Do you have children? If so, they need to get colonoscopies ASAP and then continue with them YEARLY." Obviously he's thinking it has a genetic factor. Part of me thinks he's just trying to save face because he made a mistake. Of course my mom now wants all of her kids to go get screened - ages 29 (me), 27, and 26. The whole thing seems kind of knee-jerk. So here is my dilemma. I am actively TTC, and I want to get a colonoscopy like I want a hole in my head. I called my OB and asked about getting one while TTC or pregnancy, and she said it wasn't ideal. The good news is my insurance will cover it at my age since now there?s family history, but they will only cover it every five years thereafter. So would you stop TTC and just get the procedure done? Would you wait until after you got KU and gave birth down the road? Would you do it while TTC? Has anyone out there had a colonoscopy? I suffer from what has been diagnosed as IBS, and do struggle with digestive issues. I don't want to risk my life, but I also don?t want to put my life on hold for something that may be unnecessary. I'm planning to see a GI doctor for a consult, but just curious what you ladies think with the whole TTC factor mixed in. What would you do??

btaylor19 · June 2011

I would definitely ask your own GI doctor what they think. If they agree that it is important, I would probably take a month of two off of TTC to get it done. The procedure itself is not bad, my husband did his without sedation.

sheilatakesabow · June 2011

If nothing else, I think getting one would be a great comfort to your mom right now.

I'm no stranger to really fun GI tests, so I don't think this would phase me too much. Personally, if was not KU yet but just in the 2WW, I would schedule one for shortly after AF is due to arrive. No reason you can't pick right up TTCing right after the test is over, right?

But I would reconsider if I got a BFP. Going through the prep while KU seems risky. And telling your mom you're not getting one right now because she's going to be a grandma would probably be even more heartening!

huskymomma94 · June 2011

My husband has a similar situation--his father passed away from aggressive colon cancer at the age of 46. His father was also adopted, so they have no other family history to go from. The doctor told DH that he needed to start getting screened yearly at the age of 30. He just turned 30 and we still need to schedule it, but we are going to.I think yearly might be a bit much, not sure yet what the insurance will cover, but we definitely want to keep a close eye on it.

I know its a huge hassle and, ugh, who wants to get one done, but I wouldn't wait.

I'm not sure about the TTC part--if you absolutely have to, you could put TTC on hold and hopefully can schedule the procedure quickly. I don't see why it would be bad to do before you ovulate though, maybe thats a question for your doctor.

jessican08 · June 2011

I'm so sorry about your Mom's Dx. I would get the colonoscopy done...they're not THAT bad...and you really wouldn't have to put TTC on hold depending on when you get it done.

My aunt died at 38 of colon cancer and my dad's already had to have several polyps removed. I had a colonoscopy done when I was 23 and it was luckily all clear. The worst part is the stuff you have to drink the day before (you'll want to take the day off work for that). I had an endoscopy done at the same time so I was completely knocked out. I didn't have any pain afterwards and was back to work the next day.

GL! (and thanks for reminding me I'm due for another one!)

cabee310 · June 2011

Sorry to intrude as I usually just lurk...

My dad had colon cancer and when they found it, it was stage 4. He passed away 3 months later. Since then they suggest that me and all my siblings get a colonoscopy, so I scheduled mine (I'm 26 btw)

I got off the pill at the end of March, and my colonoscopy was scheduled for April 4th (obviously before I ovulated). Everything went fine, they removed 2 polyps and they were benign. The doctor told me he'd see me in 10 years. So I think unless they find something unusual, every year is a little extreme.

The procedure was easy. I was knocked out and don't remember a thing. The prep wasn't even all that bad, had I known it would have been this easy I would have scheduled it a long time ago.

To the trying to conceive part. I was charting when I was TTGP, so I know when I conceived, but just in case I asked my OB if I was pregnant when I have the procedure if it would affect anything. She said no, it was fine and just blew it off like it was absurd that I would think that. So it's not the worst thing in the world if it happens to coincide, although like PP said I might schedule directly after your AF.

limpetfan · June 2011

Personally, I would take a month off from TTC and have the colonoscopy done during that month. I had one a few years back when I was having GI issues, and the worst part is the prep the night before. The procedure itself isn't traumatic at all, and if it will give your mom peace of mind it's (IMO) worth it.

RequiresExalted · June 2011

I had one done when I was younger, because I was having some major digestive issues. (Eventually turned out I have Celiac Disease)

ANYway. The procedure itself isn't that bad. I don't think they knocked me out exactly, but I don't remember a thing. It's the preparation that's the worst part.

So, I agree with PP, why not schedule it for just after AF is due? This way you can keep TTC. (If you don't get a BFP of course)

liz4paws · June 2011

You ladies are awesome....I guess I hadn't really thought it through all of the way. I will schedule one somewhere after AF is due. I'm kind of scared of them finding something, but at the same time thats no excuse to put it off. I can do this!!! Thanks for your support! Hopefully ill have a positive update in a couple of weeks.

Bug1018 · June 2011

I'm very sorry about your mom.

I had a colonoscopy last year. I was really worried about it before it happened but it was not as bad as I thought. I had waking sedation and I still barely remember anything. Don't worry. It was much better knowing the results than it was to just sit and worry about what was wrong.

I hope everything turns out well.

MySweetBaboo · June 2011

I would schedule it at the very beginning of your next cycle just to get it over with. But I would definitely get it done.

I waited to get thru 3 rounds of clomid before I got my wisdom teeth out, but I didn't not want to do medicated cycles back to back, so I totally understand waiting. (mine were done under general). If you end up pg, then cancel, but I wouldn't hold off on it. Good luck!

Zaphina · June 2011

i'd talk to your GI about it. every year sounds a bit much, especially if they don't find anything in the first place. i've had at least 3 colonoscopies (i've had crohn's since... 2003) and yes, the worst part is the prep. they usually give you twilight sedation. it doesn't knock you out completely (so they say) but for me it does! also, they have a few options for the prep now (liquid, pills, etc) but they all pretty much taste horrid. make sure you follow all of the directions correctly, though. don't take it too fast, too slow, don't eat, and if they give you anti nausea meds for the love of all the is good in this world TAKE THEM!!! (can you tell i didn't once? lol) either way, good luck with the testing and TTC.

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