Colonoscopy v Colonography

[casares8]

Has anyone else been told they have a loopy bowel and it is not advisable to have a colonoscopy anymore. They recommended ct colonography, but i am worried about the amount of radiation this needs. Apparently 2yrs normal exposure in one go. Anyone else had this predicament?

[winfong]

What is it that you are worried about in particular? It sounds like a colongraphy would be a lot less invasive than a colonscopy.

[casares8 in reply to winfong]

Just the amount of radiation. Obviously over time having radiation is cancer causing

[binks in reply to casares8]

Just try not to worry about that. I'd much rather have a colon scan with contrast, than a colonoscopy!

[Linley]

Yes, I have been informed I have a loopy bowel but have had 2 colonoscopies, they used the paediatric scope. Colonoscopies are more evasive. In todays age of medicine they would know the limit of rays a human can safely cope with.

[casares8 in reply to Linley]

Be interested to ask about the paediatric scope next time

[Trec]

I was told I had severe looping in my colon when I had a colonoscopy and it was a very painful experience as they had a problem getting the scope around corners but it wasn’t suggested that I never have another one and have had two sigmoidoscopies since which caused no problem because of course the scope didn’t have to move around a corner. I must confess the idea of having something effective but less invasive sounds ok to me despite any issues regarding radiation though I can understand your concerns.

[Kesamabi]

Have had both and the CT colonography was worse than a colonoscopy. However would not hesitate to have both again as colorectal cancer was far worse than either!

[casares8 in reply to Kesamabi]

Why was it worse?

[Kesamabi in reply to casares8]

If its the same as the one I had, they inflate the bowel with gas and it was pretty painful, and there was no sedation with it either.

[bungi1961]

Hello casares8

I have just read your post on this forum and can understand the worry about the radiation as before I got Diverticular Disease/IBS I had B/Cancer 2018 had lump removed OK so far!!! so had 6 rounds of Chemo followed with 15 radio stuff 6 more stuff for prevention of brittle bones and still on a one a day chemo tablet and will be on that until 2028 I did have a mishap broke collar bone so another 2 X rays and early2023 had colonography so I got another momogram this year as before that I only had 2 X rays before that before I was 12 years old for a broken ankle and wrist so I know where you are coming from OK but the radiation that they give you is very little as my husband has worked with radiation for his job for the last 40 years and he had to have regular tests and he retired 2 years ago and he is OK as the amount they give is is very tiny as I have to have breast screening yearly no (62/63 years old) but if it's causing you to worry about it just ask your GP before you have the thing done it can put your mind at rest my motto is if in doubt check it out I hope that has helped !!! Well take care and look after yourself please xx

bungi1961

[casares8 in reply to bungi1961]

Thank you for your reply and advice. I feel bad whinging when i see what you have gone through. I know that colonography is more radiation than having a normal Xray for a broken arm or something, but i suppose even though they are all small amounts it all builds up in your body over time. Cancer is always a worry, and you have gone through it and come out the other side. I wish you well, and that you continue to stay well. I will keep thinking about the best course for me. All the best 😊

[Sarah090174]

I can understand your concern as regards radiation as this is my concern at the moment but I think I would rather have a colonography than a colonoscopy. My bowel looped on my last colonoscopy and it was really uncomfortable even with sedation. I have had numerous scans and x-rays in the last two years for various conditions mostly CT Scan's and MRI Scan's, some with contrast too. I doubt the NHS would expose you unnecessarily and there are very few ways to get a diagnosis without scans and x-rays. With some conditions people need regular scans, I certainly do. If it is just one colonography the exposure would be minimal compared with what some people are exposed to. Hope this helps and puts you mind at rest