routine colonoscopy during times of covid, what would you do

[brandy]

It is time for my routine 10 year colonoscopy. I have no history of cancer in my family.

I am in a solid MC remission and I'm having no MC issues.

I don't want to go back to GI doc #1.

GI doc #2 is now working out of the area.

I guess I need a new GI doc also.

My girlfriend works with all the GI docs at place where GI doc #2 worked and it is supposed to be the best facility in the state for IBD's. I think I'll see who my girlfriend likes as a GI doc for me. My PCP is in the same network so I'll see what he says and get a referral.

I live in Florida. We have had 117 Covid hospitalizations in my county and 2809 cases. College students are expected back in town so I'm expecting the Covid case count to rise then. My family life is difficult now and I could be out of town for several months here and there due to family issues.

I believe our hospital is back to doing elective procedures. If I recall from when I got GI doc #2 last time it took several months to get in with her.

I did receive something in the mail from blue cross about some kind of test they want to do on me in which they look for blood in stool form a stool sample. I have that info in a stack of mail.

I was curious if anyone is doing routine colonoscopies now?

[brandy]

I forgot to mention I am age 59.

[Marcia K]

HI, Brandy. My GI wanted me to have one after 5 years, which was last year. I have been procrastinating. I changed my insurance this year and when I called his office I was told that 1)he doesn't take my insurance and 2)he is retiring at the end of June! So I'm in the same boat as you. He was good at the colonoscopy part, but not in discussing being gf, etc. to control my symptoms. He got very testy. I believe they are doing routine colonoscopies in my area (PA). Good luck with what you decide!

[tex]

Hi Brandy,

Check out the old post at the following link. I understand these are now FDA approved and work well. If you don't have a family history of cancer or a previous polyp problem, this test should work well.

Finally a new noninvasive colon screening

Here's what the American Cancer Society says:

Colorectal Cancer Screening: What Are My Options?

You can buy these kits on Amazon for less than $30.

Tex

[brandy]

Hi Brandy,

Check out the old post at the following link. I understand these are now FDA approved and work well. If you don't have a family history of cancer or a previous polyp problem, this test should work well.

Finally a new noninvasive colon screening

Here's what the American Cancer Society says:

Colorectal Cancer Screening: What Are My Options?

You can buy these kits on Amazon for less than $30.

Tex

Hi Tex,

I think Blue Cross sent me one of these test kits for free. I need to read my paperwork.

[JFR]

I have opted not to have a routine colonoscopy. It's been 10 years for me. I am 71. Mostly I avoid doctors and routine tests. I'm probably more skeptical of medical advice than most but there is no history of colon cancer in my family. If my doctor suggests that home test I will do that but since I almost never see her I doubt it will come up any time soon. My insurance company has sent me info about it also. I guess I am just a natural born contrarian.

Jean

[Deb]

Brandy, I was able to do the Cologuard test after finally not having any polyps on my last regular colonoscopy. If it detects any irregularities you still will have to have a regular one but I was fine and didn't need to. Deb

[CathyMe.]

I am in the same boat, am 53, no history of cancer, had 2 colonoscopys within a 2 year period in my early 40's due to symptoms and now GI doctor wants me to have another. I am not going back to the same GI doctor or anyone in that practice and have decided to wait a while. I also need to find a new doctor!

[brandy]

I just went through my stack of mail and Blue Cross sent me an unsolicited test kit to send back to Quest Labs.

I'm going to do that this week.

[brandy]

I'm going to send the sample back, get the results, and see what my PCP says later this year.

The whole thought of getting another Gastro doc gives me stress.

On a humorous note I see a Hematologist/Cancer doc for a routine screening once a year. His RN used
to work for the gastro group in town and her husband is a Gastro doc. The RN asked me this year which
Gastro doc I see for monitoring of my MC. I said really no one for 8 years. I've been in remission for 8 years
due to diet. She could not believe it.

Cancer doc in previous year asked me what drugs I was on for MC. He flat out could not believe me when I said none
and I was in remission from diet alone.

[skp]

I had my annual physical today with my internist who is a good guy and very data and research driven. My last colonoscopy was 7 years ago. He said that because I only had a benign polyp last time, I would not need a colonoscopy and could do the Cologuard test (the one he likes best). Great! I am 70.

Susan

[jlbattin]

I'm just reading all of this. I was due for my colonoscopy this summer but chose not to do it until later. Anesthesia just about takes me out for a couple of weeks or so and I just don't want my immune system to get low. I'm thinking maybe during spring break next March. I have to have one every 5 years because I have strong family history.

[brandy]

I got my occult blood test back and my results were negative. I did the Insure One fecal immunochemical test. It was pretty easy. I brushed stool in toilet with a little brush they sent me then touched the brush to the test kit and sent that in.

I'll share my results with PCP later this year and see what he says about colonoscopy.

The test kit was sent unsolicited to me by my insurance company.

[tex]

Tex