[ArtleyWilkins]

Since you are relatively young at this point, don't mention any symptoms that might be concerning, don't have a significant family history of colon cancer, going with the fecal test at this point is probably fine. But yes, if it comes back as anything other than normal, you'll have to have the colonoscopy then anyway, and at that point you will have to pay for the colonoscopy beyond whatever insurance picks up because it will be diagnostic rather than routine, but most likely all would be okay.

My mother died from colon cancer and my sister had colon cancer (died from complications for treatment of breast cancer years later). So . . . colonoscopies started at 35 for me (yes, I was symptomatic at 35) and because I always have precancerous polyps when they do the colonoscopy, I'm required to have them done every 3 years. I've only had one bad experience. The prep they chose that time was horrid and coming out of anesthesia was really painful because of the amount of air they had used to get to the polyps they were removing. The other times have been okay. The prep has gotten a bit better over the years -- still the worst part, but I don't get as sick as I used to. It's no fun, but tolerable.

Talk to your doctor about the options and see what he/she recommends for you personally. It's sort of a six one way - half dozen the other sort of thing. The colonoscopy is certainly more invasive but should be covered as routine, and I understand the financial concern.

[with or without you]

My biological mother died from colon cancer. She went quick.

A couple years ago I had a bleeding issue and my gastro strongly recommended having a colonoscopy due to my family history. I was 36 then. Everything that is said about the prep is true. At one point that foul drink made me sick and I projectile vomited. Felt lightheaded and dizzy the entire day before due to not being allowed to eat anything.

I came out of it with muscle strains in my neck and arm from the way they positioned me on the table after I was asleep. The test was all clear save for hemorrhoids. I don’t have to get another one until I’m 50 or if another problem comes up before then.

[NatalieJastrow]

Since I just had my first I wanted to comment here.

On the prep... there have been improvements. I took a 64 oz (total) split prep. It was ONLY gatorade and mirilax, which was tasteless. It was 32 oz at a time and an absolute breeze to drink. If you like gatorade you will like this. I had no nausea, I had no cramps, I had no illness. I just had to go to the bathroom almost every hour and I got zero sleep. While that sounds terrible... I put on a tv series I had wanted to watch and it made things much better. You can have coffee so I had that. I think the key to prep is preparing properly not eating food for a while before and making sure you stay hydrated.

The procedure itself was a breeze. I was disappointed to find out I would not be "put out" I was given conscious sedation. And I am afraid it didn't work at all. I remember every single bit of it. And I felt pretty much everything. However, any pain I felt was nothing at all. There was some "pain" at first but it felt like I just had to go to the bathroom really bad for like 1 or 2 seconds and then it was gone. I felt nothing when they removed polyps and I feel it was done safely as it was done by a "snare" they put a string / noose around the polyp and tighten it this would seem reduce the risk of perforation. I watched the entire thing on the TV. It kind of was mesmerizing. They gave me a piece of paper with photos of my polyps and where in the colon they were located.

When they took me out of the room I remember it and was fully awake. I didn't have to be "brought out" of anything. I wanted to leave immediately but the nurse made me stay for 15 minutes. I didn't need it. I got dressed and I was gone. I had zero trouble, walking, conversing, or telling my ride how to get home and staying awake on the ride home. When I got home I did go to sleep but that was from not getting any sleep the night before.

They removed 6 polyps I think that probably is reasonable given it is the first time ever. I am waiting on the pathology but I suspect they don't suspect any problems.. no one mentioned anything to me.

Would absolutely do it again.

[Travelinglady]

That's good to hear. Thanks for sharing. Yes, the prep is getting easier as time goes on and they come up with new ways better than that big container of "Go Litely."

And the actual procedure is not hard at all. My docs knock me out and when I wake up it's all over.

[luvyrself]

I had the mail in test--it was wonderful. I am always overwhelmed with all my husbands medical appointments, so it was great to have such an easy test.
I would never skip this.