I know from experience it is not fun, but had I not had one, I would have never found out I had cancer. I am 19, and had stomach problems. My doctor put me in the hospital to run more tests and the colonoscopy was one of them. I had stage iii colon cancer removed. Part of my colon and bladder was taken out as well as a complete hysterectomy. I hope this helps with your decision.

-megan

now my concern is weather or not I have celiacs. As my previous post stated, I have trouble with gas, bloating, and diarrhea/constipation(more diarrhea than anything) and I am starting to believe it is after I eat bread and pasta stuff. Well my apt is december 4 and I should find out for sure at that time, but until then, I like this forum. Thanks for any replies.

Its better to be safe then sorry. If you beleive there is a possiblity of something being wrong then go for it. It's not exactly fun (well your asleep but the night before the stuff you drink is horrid) but it may help you in the long run. Also your doctor can do a simple test to see if you have celiacs

Yeah, my sister has celiacs and so I thought since it is hereditary, I should get checked...I am scared, but I am going to do it. If I do, I will have a better understanding for my husband who is diabetic. The difference though, is that I will have just had to start a new food regimine and he has had his diabetes for 30 years...Anyway....Thanks

uhhhgg! I hate that I have to wait until december 4th. I want to know now.

Martha, please look at the bright side. Next thursday you will have answers, so anticipate that the waiting will be over, regardless of the results. I also will be getting a colonoscopy in january. This is a followup for a benign polyp removal on november 10. Doctor said I should have a sigmoidoscopy in january as follow-up, but prep instructions came in mail, in a form letter starting with, "your doctor has determined that you should have a colonoscopy." as i'm to call my doctor around jan 10, will ask him then why the change. It may just be the wrong form letter was sent or he may have discovred something in reviewing my november procedure that needs to be checked. In any case, i'm continueing my nutrition and exercise routines, so I will be in best possible condition for the exam. You probably are doing the same. You should also conciously breath deeply, exhaling all, then fillling your lungs. This is training your automatic breathing to do it right. My nov. Scopeing and polyp removal were done without sedative or anesthesia, and I could watch the whole procedure on a video monitor. The only time I had discomfort was when I had failed to keep up the deep breaths.