Hi anyone who has had a colonoscopy done before, please share your experiences as regards medication management, bowel movements with laxative and Pd symptoms. Also how long was your recovery from anesthesia? I had one procedure done before I was diagnosed with Pd, so did not know I had Pd then , no motor symptoms, and Pd medications. Thanks for your input.
COLONOSCOPY AS A PD PATIENT: Hi anyone... - Cure Parkinson's
COLONOSCOPY AS A PD PATIENT
I had it in June 2018 and I had no problem. They told me there is no difference between a PWP and one without. At least for me that was true.
Piece of cake. I had one done before Dx but unknowingly had
PD at the time. They just give you what they refer to as a twilight anesthesia. Quick recovery, just like waking up from a nap. They do demand you have a ride home.
Because of hypochondria and family history I had colonoscopy at age 40 then age 50 and lastly at age 60. Everything is done under anesthesia. They used a reversible anesthetic so I woke up with no grogginess or problems driving home. They knew I had PD but it didn't affect the protocols.
I used Cologuard for my mother, (given her age and condition) as per her primary physician's advice. I know it is not truly a 100% substitute for the usual Colonoscopy.
No problems when I had my last colonoscopy! With the anesthesia, it was a piece of cake!
I had issues with getting cleaned out out all of the way so I start a day ahead.
Some docs charge a $500 facility fee not covered by insurance. Be sure not to pay that! You might call to check. They use debt collectors.
I had one done before my PD dx. Ten years had passed and it was time for another. My doc agreed to just let me use the Colorguard process and it was so easy, no medical procedure required. Ask if you're a candidate for this.
I was dx w/PD 10 years ago and I have had colitis since 1994 so I get colonoscopies every 3-5 years. I have never had an issue regarding my PD. My most recent one was last month. I took all my medication before. I would suggest trying to get the earliest time possible so you can minimize the time between your doses. Regardless of your PD you should make sure you are well hydrated before you start your pre-op prep. I passed out a few years ago before one of my colonoscopies during my prep because I didn't drink enough water beforehand. But so I am clear, this was NOT related to PD. I hope this helps.
Concerned about effects of anesthesia and the procedure in general, I tried Cologard. My GP wrote the scrip. I was happy with the ease and results.
I’ve had a few in the last 5 years. Do a little extra prep to make sure you are clean or they will make you do two days of prep. The first place I went to gave me propofol and I had no issues with head fog. We moved so I went to my local clinic/hospital and when I was getting ready for the procedure I was told the doctor was generous with meds. It took me a week to straighten out. I don’t think any of it had to do with my PD. Just think I was over medicated.
No problem with procedure at ALL for me but many folks with PD have slower bowel transit time so it's a bit of a problem getting cleaned out completely with the regular dose/timing of laxatives. Make sure you tell GI doc if that could be an issue for you so you can start a little earlier and up the doses a little bit.
I had Cologard, also. My GP said it was effective in detecting cancer, but not a replacement for detecting polyps (obviously).
PD Dx 2013. I had one ~ 20 years ago and before I went for the 'lOOk" I spoke to my eldest cousin about the anesthetic,etc., as she had a familial issue with colon cancer and she has them every 6 month. She said it, pain, is a little annoying, if you don't want to have any anesthetic go with out it and no delay to wait for the anesthetic to wear off... so I did and as she said. it could be and it was No big deal . I even got to watch the whole procedure on the monitor . BTW .the discomfort comes when they inflate the colon... and it has to stretch.