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  1. #1
    I am not a cat
    nidhogg's Avatar
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    topped and tailed......

    So, been having a few minor issues (including "bathroom issues") that could just be a few unconnected things, or something more serious, and discussion with my heart doc led to an immediate referral (same day) to an endoscopist. Twenty minutes of frankly detailed questioning, the decision was "we should have a look at what is going on". Scheduled a combined gastroscopy (mouth on down) and colonoscopy (arse on up...).

    Preparation was tedious, but manageable. Two days before the procedure was soft diet. Day before was liquid diet. Night before was the big "purge". There are several ways this can be done. Mine was early evening drink 250ml of picoprep (nice zingy lemon taste), followed by 2 liters of water. They give those small hydration salts packets (orange flavour for me). I had all the water pre-chilled, and so it was manageable to do it in two of the allotted three hours. At that point its another packet of picoprep and another 2 liters of water. Was asked the next day how many bathroom trips I took, and all I could remember was "a lot". But there was none of that urgent must rush to the bathroom feeling. Just a lot of trips. Everything was done by about 3am. I was instructed to take a photo of the loo on my last trip to the bathroom. Failure to do so would have meant doing it all again while in the hospital, so it was quite important to comply with that. I was allowed to drink water up to 5.30am.

    Went to the hospital next day (you must have someone take you, and take you back as you cannot drive) at the requested hour and a half before the procedure. My photo was checked (twice!). Went to the endoscopy suite, change into a gown and lay on a hospital bed for 45 min or so, during which time a drip line was put in the back of my hand. Also during that time the endoscopist came for a quick chat and the anesthesiologist for a much longer chat. At the appointed time I was wheeled into the procedure room, told to lay on my side told to bite around a mouth guide and that was it. Lights went out and I woke up some time later in the recovery room. Less than five minutes later my designated companion came in.

    Doc then came in gave me a detailed report (including photos of which they gave me a copy!). All good. A couple of polyps got rid of, a stomach biopsy taken to check for H. Pylori and an appointment made for three years time.

    I felt fine. No pain, a bit "gurgely" from the gas they pump in, but otherwise fine. Rested at home for the rest of the day, and up and about the next day.

    I had been dreading it, but no muss, no fuss, no discomfort and at no stage was I made to feel embarrassed. Nursing staff were efficient, kind and gentle.

    It was done in a private hospital, total cost 65K baht, and I will have no hesitation to go back for a redo in three years.

    Guidelines suggest that people should get their first colon screening at 45, and definitely by 55 (I am over 60!). I suppose my point on doing this thread is to point out that it is far, far less horrible than I thought it would be, and it really can be a life saver. For me, I mainly just get peace of mind - also worth it.

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat

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    ^I had the endoscopy done as a day case about 15 years ago. It was prompted by repeat GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease).

    Doc couldn’t get the tube down my throat so I had to be sedated. Sedation is preferable to NHS parsimony.

  3. #3
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    Buckaroo Banzai's Avatar
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    Glad to hear toy are OK.
    If they are going to stick anything down my throat. I think I would want to also be sedated.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    After my last colonoscopy I was told I didn’t have to get another one for 10 years. Woohoo!

  5. #5
    I am not a cat
    nidhogg's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Buckaroo Banzai View Post
    Glad to hear toy are OK.
    If they are going to stick anything down my throat. I think I would want to also be sedated.
    Cheers - sedation was a deal breaker for the gastroscopy for me. I checked very carefully that "sedation" meant I was completely out, and not just calm and compliant....

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat DrWilly's Avatar
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    Glad to hear you are ok.

  7. #7
    5 4 Knoll
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    Thanks for a detailed report and a positive outcome. I hope we will continue to enjoy your measured and balanced input to offset the ravers like me. Green owed

  8. #8
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    I remember a bit from Ozzy Osbourne's Autobiography when he's getting a colonoscopy.

    So the doctor sedates him then boldly goes... well you get the point.

    So few minutes into it Ozzy pipes up, 'Oh so that's what it looks like up there"

    Doc freaks out, "WTF why are you still awake?"

    'Well I might have a bit of a tolerance to sedatives, doc"

    So the doc gives him another dose, waits then carries on.

    "It looks really weird up there now, thanks Doc"


    That's about as best as I remember it, couldn't find the actual extract anywhere.
    Lang may yer lum reek...

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat
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    This also reminded me of the legendary 'Picolax Thread'

    https://singletrackworld.com/2009/02...hread-returns/

    Did they inflate you?

  10. #10
    Isle of discombobulation Joe 90's Avatar
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    ^^Good one DD.


    Glad it all went well NH!

    Didn't realise their was so much preparation involved.

    I bet that first meal afterwards was a welcome joy

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    This in Thai news today.

    Cancer Testing At Home Supported

    (CTN News) – The use of at-home fecal immunochemical tests for detecting bowel cancer could reduce the frequency of colonoscopies for some individuals at an above-average risk.


    A recent study found that there is a low risk of advanced tumors following multiple negative tests.


    Due to the risks, costs, and burden on the health care system from surveillance colonoscopies for bowel cancer, it is critical to explore how we can further personalize screening intervals, according to study lead author Dr. Molla Wassie, a Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute Emerging Leadership Fellow.

    Depending on family history and prior colonoscopy results, individuals at high risk are advised to undergo surveillance colonoscopies every one to five years.


    Fecal immunochemical tests can be used to identify those individuals who may benefit from extended surveillance intervals.”


    SCOOP, an SA-based bowel cancer surveillance program, was used in a retrospective study of over 3,300 individuals enrolled in the Southern Cooperative Program for the Prevention of Colorectal Cancer (SCOOP) published as a pre-print in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

    Study participants had no evidence of bowel cancer at their previous colonoscopy. They were advised to have another in three to five years, as well as to undergo a fecal immunochemical test annually.


    Following a negative FIT, Dr. Wassie found that the risk of a follow-up colonoscopy detecting advanced neoplastic lesions, including cancer, decreased significantly with each subsequent negative result, with the risk of only 5.7% after four negative tests.


    This supports the use of fecal immunochemical tests to further personalize an individual’s cancer surveillance interval and reduce the overall frequency of colonoscopies.


    Likewise with any surgical procedure, a colonoscopy carries risks for the patient, as it is an invasive procedure.


    As a result of access issues, costs, and the burden it places on our already strained healthcare system, Dr. Wassie emphasizes that there is a significant need to ensure current recommendations are adequate.


    As part of colonoscopy surveillance programs in Australia, intervals of up to 10 years between colonoscopies have been proposed as a suitable timeframe for cancer surveillance after low-risk findings.


    The results of our study support the implementation of annual fecal immunochemical tests at home as part of surveillance programs.


    However, as with any surveillance program, uptake and adherence to the surveillance schedule will be integral to the success of the program.


    A paper titled, “Multiple negative fecal immunochemical tests reduce the risk of advanced neoplasia in a colonoscopy surveillance program,” will be published in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

    Cancer Testing At Home Supported

  12. #12
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    Little Chuchok's Avatar
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    I think the saying goes "Not all polyps are cancer, but all cancer are polyps"

  13. #13
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    The national bowel cancer council in Australia send these kits out in the post. Simply poo take a small sample and send it back . Mine came back as positive for faecal occult blood stool and I was advised to gt a colonoscopy but as I was already scheduled for a gastronomy I was able to combine the 2. They snipped a polyp of but otherwise the Blurters in good shape

  14. #14
    Isle of discombobulation Joe 90's Avatar
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    We are supposed to get a check at 50 in the uk.
    But since Covid the NHS and country has has gone to pot.

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