2 Failed Colonoscopies and Worried about Anemia and CT Colonoscopy Radiation Doses

[Shropsrunner]

Hi, I’m in a bit of a pickle. I’ve been urgently referred due to anemia and age (62). But I’ve previously had a terrible experience with colonoscopies. I had 2 agonising failed ones in 2018 and a CT colonoscopy. I also had a abdominal CT 4 months ago. I’m worried about my radiation dose from so many CTs. I’m a trained radiation supervisor at work so know that 3 CTs will give me a dose of around 60mSv. This is the same dose as survivors of the Hiroshima bomb only 2.5km away!!!!! Help! What do I do? Radiation Workers in UK have an annual maximum of only 20mSv !

[bantam12]

I’ve had 5 CTs in the last year but had to be done, was due another next week but last months will apparently do.

Surely if you need it done then it’s a risk worth taking.

[Shropsrunner in reply to bantam12]

Thanks - I suppose you are right? 5 eh? I bet you save a fortune on lighting ? 😉 reckon that must be around 100mSv ? 😮

[bantam12 in reply to Shropsrunner]

I worked with dental X-rays for many years so I’m probably well cooked 🤣

[Shropsrunner in reply to bantam12]

No you would hide behind a lead screen each time i guess? Funnily I’m a lot more worried about radiation dose than bowel cancer - I have no other symptoms and previous Ab CT was clear so I don’t really think I have it. Even if it is, my mum had it and said it was no big deal - just quick surgery and bit of chemo and that was it.

[Nuttyrider]

I hope I don't glow to much after a horse fall 9 weeks ago. 1 full body ct. Pelvic xray. Pelvic mri full spinal mri and now I've just got my appointment for my cancer screening ct of chest abdominal and pelvis. All need doing and I trust my doctors its all OK.

[Haylingisland]

Hi shropsrummer, I think that you probably also need another colonoscopy, as well as the scan, if you are in the UK they can do a fit test too. I had similar symptoms in January this year, with anemia mainly. I had a positive fit test followed by a colonoscopy where they found a T3 tumour in my colon, 4 weeks ago I had surgery to have it removed and I’m now at home recovering. I think if you can afford to and you are in the UK it’s worth paying privately for the colonoscopy as you get the top consultants that way. I was sedated and can honestly say it was pain free. Good luck I wish you all the best.

[Digger0 in reply to Haylingisland]

I am listed for a colonoscopy here in the UK, but when I had the "sedative" they inject last time, I put me right out and I got inhalation pneumonia (it was for an echocardiogram on my heart via my throat) and had 6 days in hospital following that! I am dreading having the colonoscopy, and my husband says I should ask for a repeat FIT test, but they won't do one.

[Digger0 in reply to Digger0]

PS All my blood results are fine as they were done in February for my cardiac catherisation.

[Lilylui in reply to Digger0]

can I ask if your fit test fine why thry want to do one? I ask as in same position

[Digger0 in reply to Lilylui]

My FIT test was positive so they wanted to do the colonoscopy. They found 4 polyps that they removed and sent for looking at, and they all came back fine!

[Alloagirl]

I am originally docksgirl I had to sign back in and that is what I am now. Anyway I would say why you had such awful colonoscopies. Mine was not pleasant and the drugs did not work on me. But could you be put out as they seem to do in the States. I understand your worries as you know more than the rest of us but if you need it to find out the problem then do you have a choice? Good luck and I hope you find the way that suits you.

[GCCA-Survivor Administrator]

Hi Shropsrunner,

Thank you for posting in Colon Cancer Connected.

You received a lot of really good input from others on this site. I would add I am in the states and I'm always "out" for my colonoscopies and endoscopies. I've had a lot of them with my cancer run and now I get a colonoscopy annually, ct scan annually and an endoscopy every 3 years. I do find the the events as very relaxing and I do look forward to them because of that.

You obviously know a lot about the radiation effects and are probably a "go to" for those questions as well. I completely relied on my doctors for that concern. The actually did back off doing them to me for that exact reason. As you see, some had 5 in a year (bantam12) and it was necessary and "risk worth taking". Well said.

I would focus on getting the colonoscopy procedure done but with favorable terms of being under some kink of effective anesthesia. How ever you can make that happen in the UK, probably well worth it.

We wish you the very best. Let us know how you handle this. You have a lot of input here and I'm sure we all want you to succeed in this effort.

Thank You!!

~Tom, GCCA Survivor - Colon Cancer Connected Site Administrator.

Just a reminder - this group is here to offer support, share experiences, and offer our thoughts - but this is not medical advice, and you should always consult your medical professional(s). Additionally, for all emergencies, seek urgent medical care, never delay.