Cologuard test

[eyesore]

Hi ,a lousy topic ,I know. I had a Cologuard test recently because I didn't want to go thru the barbaric Colonoscopy. Well, it came back as Positive. I have Dr appointment in a few days to discuss it. I guess now I have to get the Colonoscopy anyway... Any of you guys ever do this test?

[Gryf]

Yup. When I turned 50, they did one. It wasn't nearly as big a deal as I thought it would be. They set you up, drug you, you get woozy, and then it's over. The prep part is worse than the actual main event. Drink the nonsense they give you, don't eat food, and stay near the bathroom (you're gonna need it.)

Oddly, I'm looking at another next week. It's been 12 years since the last one and I've been having some stomach issues, so the mail-in poop test is no longer cutting it.

[offkey]

My wife and I both tested positive, worried ourselves for weeks and when we went for the colonoscopy we tested ok. The nurse said it happens all the time.

[Rudy4]

Originally Posted by eyesore

Hi ,a lousy topic ,I know. I had a Cologuard test recently because I didn't want to go thru the barbaric Colonoscopy. Well, it came back as Positive. I have Dr appointment in a few days to discuss it. I guess now I have to get the Colonoscopy anyway... Any of you guys ever do this test?

I've had 3 and other than the prep the actual colonoscopy is easy and painless. The prep is better than it used to be because the amount of prep you have to drink was reduced by 50% after my first test which made it MUCH easier.
Had polyps removed the first time, so I was on a 5 year interval. Polyp free for the next two so now it's 10 years, and I realistically may not live long enough to have another.

I know that Cologard does have both false negatives AND positives, so don't be too alarmed.

[LiveMusic]

The last colonoscopy I had, I was offered the option of paying $60 through my insurance for pills or $0 to drink all the liquid. I did the pills, was easier.

That was a year ago, so, I have four more years. At that time, if I feel the way I do now, I will not get a colonoscopy first, I will do a non-invasive test and go from there. Invasive procedures do have risk; I will not write about it here why I feel this way; if anyone wants to know, they can PM me.

[srick]

Colon cancer is in my family, so I have had regular colonoscopies since the age of 41. During covid, I opted for the cologuard test. Last year I returned to my usual colonoscopy.

Consider this:

• the prep has gotten easier over the last thirty years. It’s annoying, but very doable.
• A colonoscopy can save your life
• You can do this - countless people have.

So just do it!

[Gunny]

I've had 3 colonoscopies and like mentioned, the procedure itself is 100% painless. The sedative will put you in la-la land and you'll likely not remember a thing.
They used to use small bottles of magnesium citrate and a stool softener, but there was a national recall on the magnesium citrate so now they give you a gallon jug with powder in it. You fill it to a line and drink what is prescribed in the prescribed time period. None of it is pleasant but it sure works.

Small price to pay for a darn good look.

[GCWaters]

I’m on the five year plan….painless and absolutely no problems, although my wife says I’m not as clever and witty as I think I am when coming out from under the anesthesia…

[eyesore]

Yeah I have had 4 colonoscopies , and I hate the whole thing,thats why I went for the cologuard... Yes they scare you to death with telling you that your results are positive!!

[Dogma]

Originally Posted by Rudy4

I've had 3 and other than the prep the actual colonoscopy is easy and painless. The prep is better than it used to be because the amount of prep you have to drink was reduced by 50% after my first test which made it MUCH easier.
Had polyps removed the first time, so I was on a 5 year interval. Polyp free for the next two so now it's 10 years, and I realistically may not live long enough to have another.

I know that Cologard does have both false negatives AND positives, so don't be too alarmed.

There are two different kinds of prep - one where you have to drink about a gallon of the liquid and one where you drink a far smaller amount - maybe about 16 oz. They contain different active ingredients. The smaller amount version is called Suprep and it's more expensive so the larger volume one tends to be the default prescription. I requested and paid extra for Suprep. I have read that it also comes in pill-form but don't know anything more than that. I have also heard that Suprep is not recommended if one has certain pre-existing conditions so that may also be a consideration. The scope procedure itself was a non-issue as I was completely out of it and my only recollection of it having happened at all was waking up under a really nice warm blanket!

[martingitdave]

I'm surviving stage 4 colorectal cancer. You do not want to mess with this disease. I cannot stress this to my friends over 40 enough. Please get your colonoscopy. It's not that bad. And, it's so much better to catch little polyps early before they become cancer. The gallon of liquid prep is not the worst. Mix it with gatorade or something similar to help with the taste. I think the high volume of liquid works better than the "gentler" option. Don't think about it. Just do it.

[David Eastwood]

Originally Posted by martingitdave

I'm surviving stage 4 colorectal cancer. You do not want to mess with this disease. I cannot stress this to my friends over 40 enough. Please get your colonoscopy. It's not that bad. And, it's so much better to catch little polyps early before they become cancer. The gallon of liquid prep is not the worst. Mix it with gatorade or something similar to help with the taste. I think the high volume of liquid works better than the "gentler" option. Don't think about it. Just do it.

Amen to that. I’m on the 5-year plan (due to previous polyps). A day of discomfort is nothing compared with the potential consequences of doing nothing.

[jeanray1113]

Originally Posted by martingitdave

I'm surviving stage 4 colorectal cancer. You do not want to mess with this disease. I cannot stress this to my friends over 40 enough. Please get your colonoscopy. It's not that bad. And, it's so much better to catch little polyps early before they become cancer. The gallon of liquid prep is not the worst. Mix it with gatorade or something similar to help with the taste. I think the high volume of liquid works better than the "gentler" option. Don't think about it. Just do it.

I’m so sorry, Dave. Hang in there. I totally agree with you. Yes, the prep isn’t fun, but colonoscopies not only detect early cancers, but can keep from happening by removing polyps. That’s why I don’t bother with cologuard.

[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by jeanray1113

I’m so sorry, Dave. Hang in there. I totally agree with you. Yes, the prep isn’t fun, but colonoscopies not only detect early cancers, but can keep from happening by removing polyps. That’s why I don’t bother with cologuard.

Thank you! I submit to my friends that it's not a "great" experience, but it's not bad. And it is SO much better than the consequences of not doing it. I wish I had read a post like this 10 years ago. Might have made a life altering difference.

[Mr. Jelly]

The prep is the worst part. It's like giving yourself the flue with lots of poo. The actual procedure isn't much to worry about.