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Notes on My Colon Cancer

charlieharrington.com

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Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#291

Post by andyv »

bananapear wrote: post #184
ljf wrote: post #170

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Here in the UK you just get pain relief, and are generally conscious for the procedure - though gas and air is available if it is uncomfortable. It caused me no pain at all, was quick and easy and I'm pleased I went ahead with it. My father found he had bowel cancer from a routine fecal occult test they were sending to all men above 65 in my area. He took some convincing to do the test, but found he had cancer and wa…

By far the worst part is what they refer to as the “bowel prep” i.e. strong laxatives. A top tip is to coat the affected area with Vaseline before starting! That and the sedation depends on whether you’re getting a “flexible sigmoidoscopy” or a full colonoscopy. The latter is the full 1.5-2 metre insertion to inspect all the way to where the small intestine starts, which typically involves sedation (though conscious)…

My suggestion is to only wipe your butt the first two times during the prep. After that, use a shower nozzle (or a bidet) for the other dozen bowel movements...

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#292

Post by seehafer »

TaupeRanger wrote: post #242
seehafer wrote: post #118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We badly over-use general anesthesia. Next to antibiotics it might be the most over-used thing in medicine. When you scratch the surface of the neuroscience of general anesthesia you will never want to experience it in your life if you can help it. It's effectively a controlled coma, and though we can control it, we don't know the precise mechanism of action. (Like so many things with the central nervous system it wa…

I'm not sure what you're trying to argue here. We don't know the "precise mechanism of action" of ANYTHING related to consciousness or subjective sensations. We don't even know why Tylenol works. That's not a reason to avoid it. For the overwhelming majority of patients, you simply fall asleep, avoid discomfort, and then go on with your life. Weighing that against the risks of a traumatic or very painful wakeful expe…

I also steer people away from Tylenol and toward NSAIDs when possible because of the potential (though generally unlikely) risk of liver damage.

What I'm trying to argue is that "one step away from death" is a state we too-often in American medicine treat as hum-drum.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#293

Post by seehafer »

sharru-in wrote: post #254
jac241 wrote: post #200

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Great point and I see that commenters above are suggesting conscious sedation (benzos) instead of general, which would probably be propofol in this case. Both benzos and propofol act at the same chloride channel...

I’m an emergency physician and we use all of the above medications with the exception of general anesthesia. Benzodiazepines are considerate anxiolytics whereas propofol would be considered moderate sedation. Neither of these require airway control (intubation) because people tend to keep breathing on their own and we really would much prefer that. With general anesthesia, you cannot protect your airway whatsoever an…

In most procedures I've observed (or experienced first-hand), a combo of Versed (a benzo) and a small amount of Propofol for the "milk of amnesia" effect is lumped under the term "conscious sedation".

The patient is aware, can breathe on their own, and can respond to basic commands, but is relaxed, with a much higher pain threshold, and has no memory of the event.

That sync with your experience, doc?

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#294

Post by jayintaipei »

This is scary. I had an upper and lower endoscopy several years ago, doctor cut out a sizable but not yet cancerous polyp. He told me to get another colonoscopy after three years (or was it one?) but I haven't done it yet. The last time I went to a doctor to do it was maybe two years ago. She said, "You're too young, how could you have had a polyp?" and sent me home with a take-home DIY stool sample kit instead.

I didn't have insurance, so I just ignored it. Now I live in Taiwan where everyone has insurance but I STILL haven't done it. I'll make an appointment today.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#295

Post by whatrocks »

Lichtverschwend wrote: post #286
mgerb wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

27 at the moment and reading this thread has gotten me worried as I have a family history of colon cancer. Both of my parents get checked regularly and have had polyps removed. I wonder if I should just go or if it isn’t realistic to worry about it at my age yet.

As I already tweeted the author please consider getting tested for Lynch syndrome if your family tree is full of colon cancer. It will make a major difference knowing the result when talking to the doctors from my experience. Good luck.

Thanks - my genetic test is already en route! Been meeting with the genetics team at UCSF to look into this exact issue.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#296

Post by whatrocks »

shorts_theory wrote: post #238

This story was surprisingly compelling. The writing style really brought me in and I am very glad that the cancer was treated successfully!

Thank you! I had just finished reading John McPhee's book 'Draft No 4' on "creative nonfiction" and I felt inspired to try it out!

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#298

Post by mleonhard »

makach wrote: post #116

God damn it! I get upset when reading this article! The doctor mentioned at the beginning of the article is obviously not doing his job! "Don't worry about it?!" "you don't need another physical exam!?" Making assumptions without examination is incredibly unprofessional and carries with it potential critical consequences. If you have an issue and bring it to your doctor and your doctor fails to follow up with an exam…

Many doctors just aren't very good. I went to an allergy doctor about perfume allergy. They told me it was incurable and probably won't get better, just avoid perfume. I started doing my own research. I found a study result that showed that perfume allergy is psycho-somatic. Then I learned stress reduction techniques and used them to cure myself.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#299

Post by copperx »

stevecalifornia wrote: post #5

Fellow readers: Do not be afraid of a colonoscopy. Do not avoid it-- in fact, look forward to it. They are easy and painless. Waking up from the anesthesia I felt more relaxed than I ever have in my life. Also, the prep of clearing your system will reset your digestive system and you'll feel like a new person. I think the prep cleared out whatever it was that was causing us to investigate my digestive system in the f…

Colonoscopy is absolutely painless. However, in my case, when I woke up, they took forever to tell me the results (about 30 mins), so expected the worst. I'm an incredible patient person, but in this case I got up of bed and screamed to the nurses: "can you just tell me news now? I can handle it." I later realized they were just having a printer problem, and the doctor had left and they couldn't reach him to speak to me, but everything had come out ok. But I hope people are told the news immediately after they wake up (whether good or bad); some of us have been contemplating impending death since being referred for colonoscopy. They were the longest 30 mins of my life. I've never screamed at somebody, and I wonder whether the anesthesia had anything to do with it.

Re: Notes on My Colon Cancer

#300

Post by tidenly »

meheleventyone wrote: post #221
tidenly wrote: post #138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I really did not need to read this the week before I have a camera put in my stomach. Crap.

I’m about to have it done in a few weeks. Hope yours goes well.

Just to calm your nerves. I had mine done today and, despite the intermittent choking and gag reflex, it was actually completely fine. Turns out I have Barrett’s esophagus, maybe caused from acid reflux and stress I've had since a kid. Slight increased cancer risk so I'll be getting this procedure more often from now I guess. Hope yours all goes well!
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