Ok, I'm bad. I just turned 63 and my home general DR. insists on a colonoscopy. I have never.... I mean you know "exit only" had one.

[Pelley]

My question is: Should I be concerned about my DBS considering they are giving me a "party girl" drip? I tolerated Cateract procedure 5 years ago w/o any concerns but the dr. says this will take a little longer and I am a few years further into noticeable progressions than I was at that time. For instance, I just returned from visiting a daughter in Bogota CO. and had an awful time trying to acclimate to the altitiude. I never did the whole time. Asperated some food and got into a week long coughing frenzy and what I'm sure was a cold of sorts (airplane!) and it took over a month after returning to feel right side up again...as much as any of us can that is. Many times over during my unexpected problems I found myself thinking "Well, you've had a good run".. and expecting this to be my new normal. it has significantly exasperated my PD life...

[pvw2]

As bad as a colonoscopy may seem, removing polyps is much better than going through colon cancer.

[Health1961 in reply to pvw2]

Just as a bit of info, PWP often need an extra day of prep to totally clear the intestinal tract. Found that out the hard way when husband had to do the prep and then anesthesia two days back to back. I had made it known to the scheduler and even discussed my hesitation to put him through the stress. I’d like to suggest that you discuss special prep with the dr. Not just the scheduler who it appears, in my case, has not been versed in proper method for those with certain medical problems. Husband has been advised to redo again in three years when he will be 78 but we will absolutely not doing this again. Dr did state that they stop at age 80.

[pvw2 in reply to Health1961]

Last colonoscopy I didn't have an anesthesiologist, just a sedative the doctor could give. I was kind of in a dream state. You colon needs to be completely clean for good results, so if you don't succeed, they do enemas. Had to wait on the person ahead of me because of this one time.

[GymBag]

Naw dont worry

Relax nothing to fear but fear itself

Just one more insult to our pride to endure

keep smiling

[pmmargo]

watch out for facility fees...then you will know what has really happened to you.

[camper1]

The worst part is the prep, plan to stay home close to a bathroom. The day of test they put in an IV, give you meds through the IV to put you to sleep , when you wake up maybe 20 minutes later they give you something to drink and send you home. No change in my PD symptoms.

[Sandmanliz]

As an anesthetist I would worry about how easily you can clear your airway ( so might go lighter) and if you’re on Parkinson drugs that are MAO inhibitors as they sometimes don’t mix with resuscitate drugs. As far as the other end and clearing, we try and stay away from there

[Mollygirl1231]

I'm 70 and have PD . My regular Dr. wanted me to have a colonoscopy and I politely declined that wonderful offer, but agreed to doing the Cologuard. Dr said very reliable if anything shows up then we will do a colonoscopy. No prep involved it's a piece of cake. It came back negative and it's covered by Medicare can't beat that!! Google it.

[John_morris71 in reply to Mollygirl1231]

Molly,

Same with my mother who will be 76 in another 10 days. Got her Cologuard last year and was very easy. No fasting, enemas etc. Results came back as negative, so no further tests or any issues.