Indications for colonoscopy include

[thereismore]

gastrointestinal hemorrhage, unexplained changes in bowel habit or suspicion of malignancy.

per Wiki, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonoscopy

[whistle]

1. So who is asking for a colonoscopy for any other reason?

[Contrary1]

2. Or routine screening after the age of 50...

as my doc has been trying to get me to do for a couple years now.

[MnFats]

3. do it. it's right up there on the unpleasantness scale, but usually you can get them..

..to give you 'something to help you relax.'
which can be pleasant as all get out.
and you'll feel better knowing that your chute is healthy.

[Warren Stupidity]

8. It wasn't even unpleasant.

The shitting one's brains out in prep is the worst part. The procedure - well I don't remember the procedure itself as that part of my life-movie was spliced right out of existence - but the parts just before and right after were no big deal.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

14. The worst part was drinking that salty stuff days before

That was some foul tasting stuff. The "effects" were just to be expected.

The last one I had was nothing. I was knocked out, and then I woke up and it was done. Unlike the previous ones where I was awake, those were a little painful.

After a colonoscopy, you're still a little drugged up, so you can even watch news about Bush without getting pissed off. Until the drugs wear off.

[dflprincess]

27. I didn't take the drugs well

(though they were very pleasant at first) - I couldn't hold anything down for almost 2 days after the test and after not being able to really eat for 24 hours before the procedure I was pretty miserable. Though everyone else I know who has had one has immediatley scarfed down a large meal after leaving the doctor's office.

Thankfully I don't have to do this again until 2011.

[madokie]

15. hell I have seen inside of me

just watch on the monitor

[MnFats]

28. i remember it being like having a garden hose stuffed....n/t

[NNN0LHI]

30. When I had mine everything went well until I noticed the doctors hands on my shoulders

Wait a minute!

:-)

Don

[Bluebear]

4. What are you waiting for?

Nothing to fear, and it can save your life! Please do it!

[mediaman007]

7. start the laxative early. I began about an hour later than the directions,

I got tired about 11:00 and went to bed, but the laxative wasn't done until about 12:30.

[Freddie Stubbs]

26. Or younger if you have a family history of colon disease

[Norquist Nemesis]

5. Weren't they saving his poop when he goes overseas?

Heard as a rumor but never able to confirm it. :shrug:

[hootinholler]

6. Or a crainial bowel obstruction n/t

[woodsprite]

9. If they did a barium enema instead, they wouldn't have to knock him out.

They're probably having to knock him out for the prep. That stuff is NASTY! I don't believe clear liquids means Jim Beam.

[BuyingThyme]

10. Maybe it's an oral colonoscopy.

[kenny blankenship]

11. What if there are muffled shouts from the colon--barked orders? howling imprecations?

Suppose they peek in there and discover Dick Cheney commanding Secretary Gates and the Joint Chiefs to bomb Iran?
Will this be admissible evidence for a warcrimes trial or does Executive Privilege apply?

[Buns_of_Fire]

16. Joe? Joe Lieberman? Is that you?

You come outta there RIGHT NOW, you hear?

[LeftishBrit]

21. No!

I'm enjoying all that comfy extra space I have since June 27th far too much! All those years, I was fighting with Tony over the space, but now he's retired!

[kskiska]

12. He's had one before

Two benign colonic polyps were removed in 1998 and 1999, while Bush was governor of Texas.

Bush underwent follow-up colonoscopy on June 29, 2002, at Camp David. He denied signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer, but underwent the procedure to be "super-cautious" about his health. The results of the examination were reported to be normal. Supposedly, another of the reasons Bush underwent the procedure was "to underscore its importance for people over 50 who are at risk".

Before the 20-minute procedure, Bush invoked section 3 of the 25th Amendment, temporarily transferring Presidential powers to Vice President Cheney -- the first time an official transfer of power had been made under that provision of the Constitution. Bush commented: "I'm the first president to have done so (transferred power) under this type of procedure and/or physical examination. I did so because we're at war". Comment: It is often written that Ronald Reagan used section 3 of the 25th Amendment to transfer power to his Vice President on July 13, 1985 before undergoing surgery for colon cancer. However, Reagan did not explicitly invoke the 25th Amendement.

Details of the procedure were released . Bush will likely undergo repeat colonoscopy in 5 years.

http://www.doctorzebra.com/prez/g43.htm

[porphyrian]

13. And don't let them talk you into a sigmoidoscopy instead.

It only checks half as much of your intestine as a colonoscopy, and I know people who have died because of it.

[phylla]

17. nope-routine after 50- you really don't even need any sort of anesthesia.

No one should be afraid of a colonoscopy procedure. It is really, really not a big deal...but can be life saving if there are lurking problems.
It was so easy that I asked to have my second one without a sedative...and could drive myself home.
No problem at all.

[MiniMe]

18. Will it fix this problem?

Is this what they will find if they dig * up in 5,000 years?

[LeftishBrit]

19. It's also recommended every few years for people over 50...

or younger in the case of those who have inflammatory bowel disease (I assume he doesn't).

It may also be recommended for those who have quite as many people up their rear end as he does.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

20. Or family history

It killed my mother, so I've already had two colonoscopies at the grand old age of 44 just to check.

[Ms. Toad]

31. You're an old fart

My daughter is about to have #3, as a 17th birthday present - two days after I have my first (at age 50 - yep, routine screening).

[AngryOldDem]

22. When did he have his physical?

If it was recently, then I would think a colonoscopy would have been included, given Chimp's age. Why now, then? Hmm...

[Peregrine Took]

23. Use small, wet towelette's rather than dry toilet paper. All that insessant

wiping can create a real nasty situation which you will regret in the ensuing days.

[Warren Stupidity]

24. No you just have to walk like a penguin for a day or two :-)

[truebrit71]

25. ..you forgot the obvious one...'Head Up His Ass'...

...

[onenote]

29. or hystierical misinformed posting on DU

better get yourself to your doctor.

Colonoscopies are recommended as routine matters for those over the age of 50. Chimpy had one in 2002. Its five years later, so he's having another one.