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Post by lurker on Dec 14, 2023 18:07:31 GMT
DH (72) and I (66) did the Cologuard test earlier this year. DH came back positive. Had the colonoscopy, was clear, no polyps.
I did not realize there is an upper age limit. Recommended thru age 75 then up to doctor after that.
Hope your DH has the best possible results.
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Post by MichyM on Dec 14, 2023 20:43:28 GMT
I have pretty bad medical anxiety, and fear of cancer is my absolute worst. If anything is wrong my mind immediately goes there and I get really scared. But I personally wouldn't be too worried with this. Due to false positives. But also, because it checks for DNA changes and blood. I couldn’t discern if it has to be positive for both to get a positive result, but I wouldn’t think so. Surely they’d want to have a look around if only blood was found in the stool. And blood in the stool can be from so many things, including internal hemorrhoids he’s not even aware that he has. Absolutely positively this. I know that it can be difficult to worry, but please, if you can, don’t allow it to be a black cloud over your holiday celebrations. Chances are high that there is nothing to be concerned about ❤️ I can’t do the home tests because I’ve had to have polyps removed each time from the first colonoscopy at age 53. I’m on the 3-5 year plan (depending how many they find each time) as a result. |
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Post by coloradocropper on Dec 14, 2023 20:52:16 GMT
My dad got a positive Cologuard test just last month. He got his colonoscopy last week. I asked his doctor after the procedure about the positive result and he said the test will come back posistive for polyps and even hemoroids.
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Post by tmarschall on Dec 14, 2023 21:04:37 GMT
That happened to me this year. I'd done the at home test for several years and it was always fine. Then I got a positive result. I was very nervous, but I have a friend who is a colon-rectal surgeons nurse, and she assured me not too worry. There's a lot of false positives with the at home tests. I went in for a colonoscopy, and before the procedure, the surgeon said he hates those tests for that reason. My scope was fine, no problems found. s This was exactly my experience too. My husband did his at home test and it came back fine. |
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caangel
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Post by caangel on Dec 14, 2023 21:37:30 GMT
I have my first scheduled in February. Any recommendations? I chill the prep so it's cold. I have lemons cut into wedges, maybe six or eight wedges per lemon. Bite into a lemon, don't eat the pulp, just bite into the wedge, then quickly drink the prep through a straw then bite into another wedge. Make your appointment late-morning, so you don't have to get up at 2 am and start drinking prep. My first one, I made the appointment to be there at six a.m. to get it over and done. Mistake! I choose the pills not the drink as I'm picky about flavors in general. My appointment is at 8am, unfortunately I don't think I can change it. It was hard enough to get it the first place. |
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caangel
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Post by caangel on Dec 14, 2023 21:38:22 GMT
I have my first scheduled in February. Any recommendations? I used the white gatorade, as the prep they had me drink was an over the counter laxative. MUCH nicer than gallons of water. DH is a repeat offender, so he gets the prescription stuff and drinks it with water. OP, I want to reassure you that even if they do find something the treatment is often removal of the polyp and that's that. DH went in for one at 48 and they found a cancerous polyp, scared the crap out of us. They removed it, went back in 3 months later and were able to get clean margins and we were sent on our way. No further treatment necessary. So even if and it's a big if, they find something the fact that you've had previous negative tests means it hasn't had time to turn into something beyond early stages and it's very treatable. That said, it sounds like there's a high change it's a false positive which means the worst part is the prep, and honestly it's not bad just disruptive to your schedule. The procedure day is a nice nap and real food. What do you mean by the white Gatorade? I got the pills but not sure if this is something that applies. |
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Post by MichyM on Dec 14, 2023 21:54:01 GMT
Same. This is timely as I’m doing my clear liquid diet and colonoscopy prep today. I’m sure I won’t enjoy it but grandpa died of colon cancer so it’s a necessity. I have my first scheduled in February. Any recommendations? I have to have colonoscopies more frequently than most. From the first one I had, I follow a 3-4 day colonoscopy prep diet (Google for suggestions). It has made the night before a breeze each time. I could not recommend more highly. |
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scrapngranny
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Post by scrapngranny on Dec 15, 2023 0:15:17 GMT
I think there are a lot of false positives with those tests. I’m sorry your husband received that dreaded call, hopefully all will be fine.
I’ve always chosen a colonoscopy over the at home test, just because I want a doctor to see with his own eyes what’s going on in there, even though I hate having a colonoscopy.
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scrappinmama
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Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on Dec 15, 2023 0:37:53 GMT
I wanted to do the take home test because I was afraid of the colonoscopy prep. My doctor really discouraged the take home test because there were more false positives. I know easier said than done, but try not to worry. Sending good health vibes your way!
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bethany102399
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Post by bethany102399 on Dec 15, 2023 4:18:49 GMT
What do you mean by the white Gatorade? I got the pills but not sure if this is something that applies. The flavor is called Glacier Frost, because of the color it's colonoscopy safe and has a decent taste though after drinking as much of it as I needed to for the prep I'm pretty much never going to drink it again  Looks like this:  |
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bethany102399
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Post by bethany102399 on Dec 15, 2023 4:23:36 GMT
I wanted to do the take home test because I was afraid of the colonoscopy prep. Honestly it's not that bad, just disruptive. for mine I had to take 2 forms of laxative and spent most of an evening in the bathroom. The procedure itself is very easy and unlike surgery when they "do stuff" you're not in pain when you wake up. |
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caangel
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Post by caangel on Dec 15, 2023 4:52:50 GMT
What do you mean by the white Gatorade? I got the pills but not sure if this is something that applies. The flavor is called Glacier Frost, because of the color it's colonoscopy safe and has a decent taste though after drinking as much of it as I needed to for the prep I'm pretty much never going to drink it again Looks like this: Is there a reason to do this over water? I don't like any Gatorade. Not a big fan of juice in general especially in large quantities. |
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bethany102399
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Post by bethany102399 on Dec 16, 2023 15:44:05 GMT
Is there a reason to do this over water? I don't like any Gatorade. Not a big fan of juice in general especially in large quantities. Nope, I'm sure water is the healthier option I just don't care for it. |
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Post by Merge on Dec 16, 2023 19:16:47 GMT
What I can say for sure after the experience is that the prep is the worst part. The procedure is just a nice nap, lol. And I’m glad I followed the low residue diet for a couple of days before starting my prep. I didn’t spend nearly as long on the toilet as others say they do. Maybe 30 min on and off with each dose.
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Post by malibou on Dec 16, 2023 19:22:49 GMT
Same. This is timely as I’m doing my clear liquid diet and colonoscopy prep today. I’m sure I won’t enjoy it but grandpa died of colon cancer so it’s a necessity. I have my first scheduled in February. Any recommendations? Why yes I do, look up low residue diet, and start that 3 or so days before you begin your prep. It will make prep easy peasy. |
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kate
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Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
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Post by kate on Dec 16, 2023 23:02:21 GMT
Ask for the pills over the liquid. YES to this! You still have to drink fluids, but at least you have some choice over what the fluids are! LOL |
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Post by scrapmaven on Dec 17, 2023 0:11:09 GMT
I would encourage everyone to do colonoscopies rather than Cologuard. If you have a colon you're at risk and colonoscopies save lives. Cologuard doesn't detect everything. If it did we'd all do that rather than colonoscopy prep. Stepping down from my soap box and letting you all know that I say this w/care and concern for everyone in the pod. monicad, I'll bet it's a false positive, but you're doing the smartest thing by getting the colonoscopy. Some people, including my bil and dh found the prep to be super easy. Others, have a harder time. However, the procedure is painless and takes about 15 mins. You'll be lightly snoozing, won't feel a thing and will wake up feeling 10 lbs lighter. Then you'll get the good news from your doctor and be clear for 10 years. Then you can go home and nap and eat a nice lunch and feel very relieved. In the event that the results are scary then you'll have caught it sooner rather than later and that is what saves lives. |
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