Don't know why I missed this.

I Recently had a colonoscopy.  Can not say enough about the wonderful people in the hospital throughout this experience....they were brilliant!

What I will say....since I haven't been able to communicate it to the admin staff...is the following;  before attending the clinic....everyone is given/posted guidelines+preparation material for the procedure....which is 'fairly' comprehensive.

The one thing that was NOT on my 'list' of things to do before procedure....was to make sure I had not taken aspirin the day before!

I went through the 24 hr prep (diet+digesting the recommended picolax)....ordered the taxi (to and fro... advised) .....only to discover that when I was in the theatre....at the last minute....the doctor said...because I had taken 300mg of aspirin the day before...if he 'discovered' anything....he would not be able to take a biopsy....due to possible excess 'bleeding' !

As it happened...he did discover something....so now I have to wait at least 6 weeks for the next/repeat procedure....and further for the results of any biopsy!

Surely, surely...it's not beyond the wit of those in admin to 'scribble' an additional couple of words on a direction....to ensure you won't take an aspirin based product etc? 

Just thought I'd mention this....in case any one out there goes through the same thing.

Does'nt it seem strange that with such a prevalence of these cancers...that absolutely all considerations are not put in place.

Hope I'm the only one worrying....but I suspect Im not. Thank you.

Hello bandy, I hope whatever is discovered turns out to be minor but you mde a very good point. I remember 20 years ago, my dentist telling me I would need an extraction and when he as schedulign the appointment he advised me not to take aspirin for 24 hours beforehand. Now if he could manage to do that inthe 80'S why can medical admin staff not advise of this 20 years later for colonoscopies.

what are the early signs of bowel cacer?

does anyone know of an insurance company that offers life insurance to someone who has had cancer? been turned down by so many, dont think it is fair that they will not insure someone like me just because we have had a serious illness in the past doesnt mean we will have it again in the future!!!!

Know someone who had a strong family history of Bowel cancer and went for regular check ups...then developed stomach symptoms....had gastroscopy done to reveal Helicobacter pylori....had barium enema...negative...colonoscopy ...Negative....six months later got a blocked bowel from tumour that had grown so fast???? as to obstruct....When Dr was questioned said the tumour must have been missed as it was on the outside of the bowel..RUBBISH. It is not the health service alone that is dysfunctional, it is the appaling medics who are working all day and night and the following day without sleep. They are more dangerous to your health than a drunk driver and no one can COP ON.

Currently battling to find out what is wrong with me. Potentially cancer. Fighting for recognition on the public system like everyone else. Had barium follow through, abdominal UC, Spinal and abdominal non-contrast MRI (apart from the 1st all at my own cash expense), all negative. Currently under investigation by tallaght hospital for what may be pancreatic cancer, if you could call being told to come back in 3 months after the blood tests are done an investigation. They say they are very busy so it can't be sooner. Apparently one of the blood tests for pancreatic cancer markers is only conducted on the public system every 8 weeks in a batch. Considering that 90% of pancreatic cancer sufferers die within 1 year of diagnosis and that early detection of a tumour is the ONLY hope for survival it stands that public patients have virtually no hope of survival or even belated diagnosis to give them more time to get their affairs in order.

As a doctor, I have two comments related to other posts:

1. Brandy, I understand your frustration. However, clerical or admin staff cannot empirically tell everyone to stop aspirin before a colonoscopy. Most people who are on aspirin have a histroy of, or are at significant risk for a heart attack or stroke, and the aspirin is an important preventative measure that should only be stopped if there is a definite medical need. The effects of aspirin can take up to 10 days to wear off, so usually it is stopped for at least 5 days before a biopsy. What if a patient was told to stop their aspirin in advance of the procedure, had a heart attack / stroke while off the aspirin, and when they ultimately got the colonoscopy, there was nothing there that needed a biopsy? They would have stopped the aspirin unnecessarily, but with serious health consequences. It is because of this risk that people are often not told to stop the aspirin until it is known for certain whether or not they will need a biopsy.

2. MM, you are clearly upset by your friend's experience, but you do not know all the medical facts of the case. Of course, neither do I. But I want to point out that the doctor may actually be telling the truth. Bowel blockages can happen from tumor growing outside of the bowel and pressing on the bowel from the outside. In such cases, a colonoscopy done a few months earlier would almost certainly have been normal, since the doctor only sees things that are growing inside of the bowel. Bowel blockages from tumors growing outside of the bowel often happen with advanced ovarian cancer, or with other advanced tumors that have spread within or to the abdominal cavity.

Hi, you were one of the fortunate ones. There is people waiting 8 months for this test in parts of the midlands. They found a tumor on my lung exactly one year ago and still done nothing. They say its not cancerous at the moment but will most likely turn into cancer in the future, it's just frightning because my da died of lung cancer last year and my ma died of lung cancer three years ago. I;m just wondering are the waiting for me to die aswell, they way I look at it the tumor should not be there and I want it out, if I was living in America they would take it out when first spotted, I think we are twenty years behind in this cancer scene. I would love to hear some ones thoughts on this.

                                      Thank u. 

                                   Russell

Needless to say ussel I think they are behaving in an appaling maner - espcially considering your family history.

As for America, well I know that in the U.S. they would have removed it if you have yoiu had private insurance. If you were under a HMO - well it would depend on your HMO - NOT the doctor, which is a horible way to treat anyones health. Otherwise they would do it if you had the money to pay, that is the way healthcare (sick-care) works in the U.S. If you were poor - well, I wouldn't fancy your chances at all to be honest.