Should I Get A Colonoscopy? - Dr Christy's Answer Might Surprise You!

[@susanhuff755]

I had a colonoscopy and they found a carcinoid tumor at the beginning of the small intestine. I’m glad I had one. I’m having surgery to have it removed. I’m 70 years old and I’m not ready to just give up yet. My Dad is still enjoying life at 98.

[@ragernoodle815]

Dr. Risinger, I'm a 42 y.o. Colorado native and journeyman electrician. Thank you for this information. This already has the feel of your hubby's channel, genuine and personable. Keep up the great work guys and thank you for the videos. Matt's channel has given me much insight into my tiny house build, hopefully some of yours will help add some years living in it😉

[@johnpgellatly]

Watching my grandfather die from colon cancer is a terrible memory that I'd like to avoid creating for my grandchildren. Thanks for the tips! Risingers rock!

[@alanjameson8664]

I remember back in the day before the "Hemoccult" occult blood test cards, we (medical laboratory technologists) made our own "guaiac" test papers--and they were red-hot. A meat-free diet for at least three days was really necessary. The Hemoccult test cards are purposely less sensitive, to make them unlikely to give a positive test with a normal omnivorous diet. The newest such stool test kits, which test specifically for *human* globin should theoretically be better, but I never had occasion to use them. (The last hospital in which I worked was going to start using them, there were managerial changes that got in the way, and then the hospital went bankrupt.)

[@wayneallen9387]

Thank you Dr. Risinger. I've had the test 7 times from 1997 to 2018. The prep is really the worst part, but the important thing is that the test does save lives. See my comment below

[@tommac21]

Do you have medical issues. Why 7 in such a short time ?

[@wayneallen9387]

It was 7 exams over a 21 year period. I have a family history of colon cancer, although it is a "second degree" relative. My grandmother was diagnosed with colon cancer, although not until she was 73 years old. @@tommac21

[@archiestanton2767]

4:30 the doctor says you fall asleep and don't feel anything. NOTE: if you're on a benzo or have been on a benzodiazepine drug for a long time make sure you tell the gastroenterologist this several times, firmly, and with extreme seriousness, and tell him/her you will in all likelihood need more Valium to keep you asleep, than usual dosage, during the procedure. I was on a benzo for years, and the gastroenterologist blew up my colon stretching it to the point of excruciating pain that woke me up screaming, over and over. It was the WORST pain I have experienced in my entire life. When the air left my colon (the doctor depresses something on the scope, and your colon returns to normal,) I would fall back to sleep. When I was awake, during the procedure, I heard the doctor telling jokes to the two nurses in the room, everyone laughing and having a good time. By the time he finally noticed me screaming my head off, I heard him say, "Hmm...give him a little more (Valium,)" but by then, the test was almost over.

[@jimroadhers]

I had my colonoscopy a year ago... 4 polyps were cut out and all non cancerous. It was simply and not that inconvenient. The drinking solution was the hardest part. Thanks for being so clear in your posts James

[@rc4383]

Thank you Doc!!! Enjoy your channel

[@Tux.Penguin]

Great episode, congratulations on starting your brand new channel. Thank you for the great information!

[@charlesmcgehee3227]

I have had 3 since age 49. The first one I got, the doctor found one small benign polyp. Really informative.

[@cancerworryfree5984]

Charles, you are doing an excellent job! The trends show that the incidence of colorectal cancer among those younger than 50 years old is on the rise so you started in time to prevent a cancer. Have a long and cancer-free life!

[@charlesmcgehee3227]

@@cancerworryfree5984 What a nice comment. Thank you. I turn 66 in 3 months. Actually time for another Endoscopy and colonoscopy. I get my abdomen imaged 2x per year. Years back I was cured of Hep C but it did harm my liver before it was treated. My doctors at Cedars love my stability and see my liver doing it's job even though it is scarred pretty darn good. (bad i mean) Blood work stays stable. 15 years now.

[@angelking5836]

I just had a colonoscopy. The prep is the worst part. But the colonoscopy was easy and no pain. I had 7 polyps removed. Two looked suspicious. My doctor said I'd need another in 3 to 5 yrs. So important to have a colonoscopy.

[@defuller1]

I've had 2 colonoscopies, and I remember them both. I actually watched on the monitor when they snipped a polyp in the more recent one. Fascinating!

[@alanjameson8664]

I knew a guy who watched the show too; he also enjoyed it. There are things to be said for just sleeping through the procedure and waking up in recovery, as well! There is no disputing choice.

[@asmaryulon978]

Keep up Dr christy thank you so much for your advice

[@charlesandrews9758]

Love love this information! Keep it up!

[@ladylocks7320]

My mother passed away 5 yrs ago after she was having stomach issues they did a colonoscopy and the doctor punctured her colon. She was so swollen face hands neck everywhere. They pumped so much air into her. It was horrible. My aunt died from colon cancer and my mom had polyps before. My mom (Joy) passed 24 days later and then i got a call from the doctors office.( they actually asked for her saying the didnt know she passed , but how does one of your doctors hurt someone and yall dont check up on the patient) idk.. But her test came back negative everything was fine. I tried to sue. No one would take the case. I just want to know how the doctor didnt know that she poked a hole and how she didnt notice where all the air was going.?? Dont think ill ever feel comfortable enough to get one.

[@polifonyann]

You can get the scan colonoscopy. Its 1700 bucks but it wont be all this. And i notice your African American. There are statistics that BP are not treated properly by doctors. My terminally ill mom was kicked out the doctors office when she cried about her worsening diagnosis.

[@shawnmiles100]

MY CONDOLENCES! THEY DON'T TALK ENOUGH ABOUT THE RISK OF COLONOSCOPIES! THEY SHOULD STOP STANDARDIZING MEDICINE! THEY SHOULD USE THEIR JUDGEMENT!

[@rodgraff1782]

The benefits outweigh the risks

[@smilebot484]

1 in 2000 get perforation. so let's make sure we understand the risks. this isn't a risk free procedure.

[@tommac21]

My non professional opinion. Is that there done way to m 4:13 4:16 uch. Its over used. Just like women and pap smears. The medical people just try to scare you. Im 59 and Im fine. And no the prep isn't the thing that keeps people from this. It's the procedure itself. I don't need to be violated in front of an audience.

[@MarkUnique]

I remember everything and watched the exploration on the monitor. It was a little uncomfortable at times, but not bad really. The prep was the worst part for me. I did get a slight case of hemorrhoids from it. Insurance should really cover the noninvasive methods as preventative and also cover a colonoscopy resulting from a noninvasive positive result - if most people can get the preventative benefit from a noninvasive procedure, that should be encouraged.

[@jimroadhers]

Mark, Dr said you could watch the video,?. Here in California they won't let you. Not even a pic. They only showed the 4 polyps that were cut out. They were about a mm in size and non threatening as well

[@Sylvan_dB]

I remember and was watching the video. But when I asked a question it really surprised the Dr and he ordered an increase in the sedative and I drifted out.

[@BobDiaz123]

I guess I'm the oddball, because I was wide awake and remember it clearly.

[@BushCampingTools]

No not an odd ball, I was awake too and it was very interesting looking at the inside of my "guts" and guys should make sure they get one because all the guys in the right age I know who don't get one don't have any "guts". The nurses told me some guys go nuts on the table panicking and have to be anaesthetised in order to have one.

[@jaysantos536]

@@BushCampingTools Whatever. I took the needle counted to about 15.......and then woke up in the recovery area feeling just fine (except reslly hungry) about 20 minutes later. Not really interested in looking around inside, rather take a short nap.

[@BushCampingTools]

@@jaysantos536 The important thing is you had one at the end of the day. I was joking about being heroes/afraid but unfortunately, many are afraid even to book an appointment let alone get tested.

[@francisexperience]

Good Information thank you fro the UK

[@shawnmiles100]

I'M ALMOST A HARD NO ON COLONOSCOPIES BUT I THINK YOUR INFO WAS THE CLOSEST TO BALANCED BUT YOU NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE RISKS AND SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN UNCESSARILY HURT BY COLONOSCOPIES!!!

[@paisleydreamzz]

#Christy Risinger, MD what do you of ct colonography, cologuard abnormal but -0- symptoms. FIT test each of the two prior years to the cologuard were negative. person is on daily aspirin for stroke history. any special concerns i should be asking regarding hemiparesis.a thank you.

[@justme.9711]

I have zero issues with the procedure, I DO HOWEVER have MASSIVE ISSUES WITH EXPOSING THE VERY SENSITIVE INNER SURFACES TO RAW STOMACH ACID!!!!!, have an enema and for the patients health, put a micro watering head from a gardening shop on the end of the camera and ditch the flush, which exposes parts of the body to other parts of the body in quantities that were never meant to be. I look forward to the time when people will look back to this time with disbelief of the system flush method used at the moment for the convenience of the medical staff, at the expense of the patients.

[@beladimitrescu3045]

I'll never agree to one and there aint nobody gonna tell me I got to. and I got my reasons

[@onlyonesky9611]

Love to have option for ColonGuard which I took it every three years instead of colonoscopy since I smelled the yellowish solution 2 days after the procedure and I heard they will put you to heavy sedation (knock u out completely) which I really don't like.

[@jaysantos536]

put you to heavy sedation (knock u out completely) ? Not really "heavy" because you are only "out" for about 15-20 minutes. A little nap.

[@shawnmiles100]

WHAT OTHER SCREENINGS CAN THEY DO TO SCREEN FOR COLON CANCER?

[@MackDamage07]

What If you never wake up after being put to sleep?I'm afraid about of the prep and the above.

[@alanjameson8664]

I did not want to have a sigmoidoscopy (in the days when that was considered the best screening method). That was a very big mistake---I developed a pretty big rectal adenoma (albeit without any involvement of lymph nodes or liver) and subsequently had chemoradiation, surgery, etc., which I would far rather not have experienced (though my physicians saved my life and quality of life--mostly). Speaking as a clinical laboratory bioanalyst (similar in scope of practice to a clinical pathologist but not permitted to make a diagnosis) I think the stool test for human globin (what I suppose you mean by a "virtual colonoscopy") is WAY better than the old fashioned tests for occult blood--- but not comparable to a colonoscopy. My first couple of colonoscopies were with the old-fashioned phosphate preps; the newer polyethylene glycol preps are better, as well as safer. The worst part of the prep is being so badly chilled from the inside; warming the portion of prep you are going to take a LITTLE bit above room temperature helps a lot. No matter what you do, it is going to taste pretty bad; just do it, I'd say. (Individual preferences may differ.) It was only after my surgery that it was discovered that men who work the night shift for even a short time or intermittently (I worked graves regularly for a long time--in hospitals) are at very significantly increased risk of colorectal cancer.

[@alanjameson8664]

I have no idea why the Internet gods used strikeout type in part of my comment--I didn't type it that way. Ignore the strikeouts.

[@alanjameson8664]

When they put me under they use a fast-acting (and therefore fast wearing off) benzodiazepine, combined with some benedryl (I have a minor history of allergies), and fentanyl. I taste the medicine in the back of my mouth, then wake up in recovery. After a few minuts I accept help getting dressed although I don't require it, and I honestly feel like I could safely walk out of the hospital and drive myself home--which I am sufficiently in command of my senses to realize would be insane.

[@alanjameson8664]

I can guarantee that a colonoscopy is way more fun than bleeding to death, chemoradiation, or abdominal surgeries(plural).

[@raychan392]

If a patient’s mom had colon cancer at young age and that patient had normal colonoscopy result without any polyps 5 years ago. What do you think about this patient screening interval ? Every 5 years or 10 years?

[@Meb6223]

What’s a virtual colonoscopy?

[@orfeus5412]

it's a MRI - but first you have to empty yourself also...

[@lauriebhoy1984]

My arsehole's a diode . I can't do the regular procedure , the air in my gut absolutely kills me . They had to abort my first two , the 2nd when I was sedated to the max , I woke myself up shouting FUCK when they blew me up . I need to do the scan , even the reduced air in the scan is so uncomfortable .

[@Jeffreykum]

I have Inflammatory Bower disease or UC do i really need too have a colonoscopy ever 2 years .?

[@cancerworryfree5984]

Jeffrey, this is such a good question! You already know that Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a high-risk factor for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Depending on how long you've had IBD for and how much of your colon is involved, you may need a colonoscopy as often as every one to two years. Your GI doctor would be able to make a recommendation. The good news is that catching CRC early is key to preventing it. 90% of those who caught it early became cancer survivors. Only 13% of those who caught it late had the same outcomes. So don't be bothered by the frequency of the procedure if it extends your life. I wish you a long and happy life!

[@Jeffreykum]

@@cancerworryfree5984 Thank you very much and do you have IDB too ?

[@lindawright9885]

Hard no. I've had two colonoscopies and the doc never even found a polyp. The prep mess, the potential for perforation. . . Plus I'm 78 now. No colon cancer in my family. Nope. Pass.

[@thomashenderson603]

Dr Christy, I just had a the cologruad test month ago and it was positive, two years ago I had a virtual Colonoscopy and it was normal.. But they told me I could have polyps they couldn't tell that. My blood work is completely normal, Would this mean I have colon cancer? Dued to the virus, I cant get in to have the colonoscopy til July.

[@cancerworryfree5984]

Thomas, you are right to be concerned. Unfortunately, studies show that the virtual colonoscopy does miss some small polyps of 5 mm or less in diameter. This does not mean that you have colorectal cancer. Many are benign. Usually small polyps take 12-18 months to become large enough to not miss them anymore. You are right to want to get your colonoscopy done. I would recommend that you go to a specialist in the GI department of a University hospital (teaching institution). You are likely to get even the small polyps noticed, removed, and explained in depth. The University doctors stay on top of the scientific literature, they practice what they learn, because they have to teach it later.

[@Mattea68]

I will NEVER EVER get one, its nothing but a money grab

[@Mattea68]

@scott miller jiust another scare tactoc for Hmos to keep the $$ in

[@martinlutherkingjr.5582]

What if it were free?

[@jessman8597]

My doctor just told me I needed one. I'm terrified beyond words. I think I would rather die. Ending it not sounds better than this special kind of hell.

[@andkeyboard7550]

😁❣My fav. DOC. Anyway

[@mariasophiarb]

Hi Dr. Christie currently I’m trying to get pregnant and I forgot to ask my doctor and I should not try or is it safe to go on your colonoscopy while you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant

[@katherinestengele9096]

DCIS with necrosis

[@fiddlesticksbessette398]

'' KIND OF WORRY'S ME THAT A VIRUS LIKE THIS AND EVERYTHING CLOSES UP TIGHT.''EVEN THE HOSPITAL'S''STRANGE, TO SAY THE LEAST THAT EVEN THE DOCTOR'S,CLOSED UP.THAT MAKE'S PEOPLE VERY UNEASY INDEED...WHERE ARE THEY WHEN YOU NEED THEM THE MOST,..JUST SAY'IN..THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HELP US COPE.

[@sharonatl]

Nothing should be going up only coming down from the colon!😅

[@johans7119]

It's chairs, they are the leading cause of sitting down too much!

[@Yassine-wy9hi]

There is no age i got my first colonoscopy when i was 30 and they found 1 polyp i got my second 1 now after 5 years im 35 and they found 1 polyp i dont have no history of colorectal cancer get yourself check even young the prep is sucks but it save lifes

[@oooh19]

Why would you get the screening so young unless you have family history? And it’s supposed to be a preventative measure not that they’ll think you’re gonna already have cancer! They can remove polyps but yea it’s still scary it’s just like well the risks from the colonoscopy itself

[@Bartybar1]

Not!!!!!!

[@seumasmackinlay]

😁

[@piecesofme8531]

You literally come out of nowhere, all of a sudden get millions of views. Your first video is March 17 2020 about colonoscopies? Something doesn’t seem right…