colonoscopy safe?

Question

I have booked in for a normal colonoscopy next week. According to the paper work given by the doctor, colonoscopy involves the use of x-ray. Is that true?

Answer 1

A regular colonoscope uses fiberoptic technology not x-rays. An ERCP uses x-rays for location only, when repairs are needed in the intestines. But a general colonoscopy has a camera on the end and uses no x-rays.

Answer 2

A colonoscopy is an internal examination of the colon (large intestine), using an instrument called a colonoscope. The colonoscope is a small camera attached to a flexible tube. Unlike sigmoidoscopy, which examines only the lower third of the colon, colonoscopy examines the entire length of the colon.
What the risks are:-
* Bowel perforation (hole), requiring a repair operation (less than 2 out of 1,000 tests)
* Heavy or persistent bleeding from biopsy or polyp-removal sites (1 out of 1,000 tests)
* Adverse reaction to sedative medication, causing breathing problems or low blood pressure (4 out of 10,000 tests)
* Infection requiring antibiotic therapy (very rare)
* Nausea, vomiting, bloating, or rectal irritation caused by medicines, taken by mouth, that cleanse the bowel
Please see the web pages for more details on Colonoscopy.

Answer 3

Although no procedure is without risk, colonoscopy is pretty safe. It uses fiberoptics, not xray, to examine the colon from the inside.

Polyps are easily removed before they can become cancerous, and other conditions, like diverticulosis, can be diagnosed.

I've never had one, but I hear the prep is the worst part. I anesthestize people for these once a week, and the actual procedure is the easiest part of the whole experience.

I've seen a few complications, like perforated colons, but they are rare, and more likely to occur in the elderly (who are just more fragile all around).

Put plenty of reading material in the bathroom, and enjoy the prep. It may be uncomfortable to go through the prep part, but it's worth it to prevent cancer.

Good luck - you'll do fine.

Answer 4

It is very safe when done by a reputable doctor. I had one and the worst part was the prep the night before! You will spend most of the evening near a bathroom after you drink the cleaning stuff. The procedure itself was pain free.

It's better to go ahead and have the procedure than to find out later you may have prevented cancer. I had a husband die from cancer which may have been prevented or put in submission if he'd had a colonoscopy.

HAVE THE PROCEDURE!!!

Answer 5

I have had it done several times and have had no problem.
As some of the others mentioned, the preparation on the
previous day is the worst part; you take a large amount of
laxative and spend the evening near the toilet so it cleans
all the material out of your colon. The colon must be clean
and empty for the doctor to view it properly. When it is
done, you are usually given a sedative to relax you, and
the doctor inserts a fiber-optic tube through your rectum
into the colon to view the entire length of its interior. It
takes about 15 minutes or maybe more if the doc finds
polyps or other growths and wants to examine them, but
it doesn't hurt. I recommend doing it; it may save you a
lot of grief later on if you can prevent colon cancer!

Answer 6

In every procedure the question comes back to the Risks versus the Rewards. She is 92 and the risks are significantly higher at that age. What is her overall health like? If this is the only problem with her health then maybe she will survive the procedure. However, if she has other issues the odds of surviving the procedure drop. Someone needs to ask the gastroenterologist, what they expect to find? What could be done to correct the problem? If they find it and what are the odds of her surviving the colonoscopy and any surgery? and if she survives the procedures is it going to increase the quality of life?

Answer 7

What does the paper say exactly?

I'm not sure why it would say that x-rays are involved. There are times when a colonoscopy cannot be completed, for example if your colon is tortuous and they cannot get through, and they would then order a barium enema which does involve x-rays.

Answer 8

No. There is an occasional perforation of the colon, but overall it's a very safe procedure that nobody wants done to him. They place an IV, get you drunk with some nice cocktail, and basically stick a garden hose up your rear. Nothing to it.

Answer 9

It's safe; I've had it done twice. Not by x-ray, though -- by the camera method. I was asleep through the whole thing and felt fine when I woke up.

Answer 10

Usually no xrays. There is slight percentage of perforation. I would clarify the xray part before you have it done. Always ask questions to your satisfaction as it is your body!