Colonoscopy? No thanks!

[northumbrian_k]

A nurse from our local acute hospital telephoned for my wife this morning. I explained that she is now in residential care and that, as Attorney, I could speak on her behalf. The nurse was happy to accept my word on this. She was checking whether my wife would be "going ahead with her colonoscopy". I realised that she was referring to a proposed follow-up to the procedure to remove some benign polyps that my wife went through in October 2016. I confirmed that she would not be attending and the nurse said that she would remove her from the list.

The staff were very patient and understanding but it was still quite difficult 3 years ago when the procedure was indicated as a medical need. Going through it again as a precaution now that my wife's dementia is much more advanced would be unthinkable. She'll hardly sit still for long enough to get her hair washed these days. What would be the point in putting her through it?

 

[marionq]

None at all. The colonoscopy didn’t bother me but having to drink two litres of laxative did. Horrible experience. Your wife is better out if it.

 

[northumbrian_k]

I had forgotten about that part @marionq It took some doing for me to persuade her to drink all that stuff 3 years ago, even though she had a pretty good understanding of why it was needed. Now, with zero understanding, there would be no chance.

 

[Louise7]

I expect it was down on their computer as a 'follow up' so they have to contact the patient to let them know. I doubt that the person who phoned knew anything about your wife and her circumstances.

Speaking of colonoscopy, I was recently contacted by Mum's GP to advise that as she had anaemia and diarrhoea this was indicative of bowel cancer, which would normally require a colonoscopy. To cut a long story short I discovered that the care home had been giving laxatives every night even though Mum was not constipated. That had been causing the diarrhoea, which was causing the anaemia. So no bowel cancer or need for a colonoscopy after all

 

[Lawson58]

My husband had a colposcopy about 4 years ago following an internal bleed, removing a couple of polyps. He was in hospital at the time so I didn't have to supervise.

He has multiple health issues including heart failure and turns 80 in a few weeks. He has been complaining of bloating for some time and GP has sent him off for a whole variety of tests and scans which turned up nothing.

GP is reluctant to suggest another colonoscopy but OH is getting quite anxious about this problem. I know that bloating can be a sign that his heart failure is getting worse and the way he coughs would also suggest that. It is almost 6 years since he had a cardiac arrest so he has done quite well really.

Logically, if he had a colonoscopy and it turned up something nasty, it is not likely that he would survive treatment, surgery, chemo or whatever is required but he is becoming quite convinced that he has cancer.

I don't see any point in OH having another colonoscopy so I might have to have another secret pow wow with our lovely GP.

 

[Platinum]

My husband had a colposcopy about 4 years ago following an internal bleed, removing a couple of polyps. He was in hospital at the time so I didn't have to supervise.

He has multiple health issues including heart failure and turns 80 in a few weeks. He has been complaining of bloating for some time and GP has sent him off for a whole variety of tests and scans which turned up nothing.

GP is reluctant to suggest another colonoscopy but OH is getting quite anxious about this problem. I know that bloating can be a sign that his heart failure is getting worse and the way he coughs would also suggest that. It is almost 6 years since he had a cardiac arrest so he has done quite well really.

Logically, if he had a colonoscopy and it turned up something nasty, it is not likely that he would survive treatment, surgery, chemo or whatever is required but he is becoming quite convinced that he has cancer.

I don't see any point in OH having another colonoscopy so I might have to have another secret pow wow with our lovely GP.

I think this is a tricky problem. My OH was bleeding, blood in the stool, and the consultant and I felt the source should be investigated even though surgery would not have been undertaken had a malignancy been identified. The hospital undertook a virtual CT colonoscopy which did not involve the usual Picolax or passing a colonoscope. He had to drink a radio opaque liquid and he tolerated the procedure very well. No further intervention was indicated.

 

[Lawson58]

I think this is a tricky problem. My OH was bleeding, blood in the stool, and the consultant and I felt the source should be investigated even though surgery would not have been undertaken had a malignancy been identified. The hospital undertook a virtual CT colonoscopy which did not involve the usual Picolax or passing a colonoscope. He had to drink a radio opaque liquid and he tolerated the procedure very well. No further intervention was indicated.

I think he had something like that some time ago when all this started and nothing turned up, which is of course why the GP is reluctant to do the whole colonoscopy thing again. He has done a heap of stuff to try and find a cause but nothing.

As he is already anxious about the discomfort he is feeling, I am not inclined to discuss the possibility that it could be heart related. He is getting quite obsessed about it which is no doubt the Alzheimer's kicking in. He says he 'knows' that nothing has shown up but he needs more reassurance than I and the GP apparently are giving him.

 

[Palerider]

I wouldn't subject mum to a colonoscopy, she has diverticulitis. In then end if anything becomes a problem they will CT anyway.

 

[Countryboy]

I had a colonoscopy which showed diverticulitis I also had CT scan in February when fortunately or unfortunately it was discovered I had a kidney Cancer 2.7cm I was given two options kidney removal or surveillance CT scan in six months I opted to go for the surveillance and six month CT scan in on Monday 9th Sept hopefully it hasn’t grown or worse still escaped to other organs so it maybe decission time again not that this of relevance but Tuesday 10th Sept it will be our 53rd wedding anniversary

 

[canary]

Tuesday 10th Sept it will be our 53rd wedding anniversary

Congratulations

 

[margherita]

My husband should have had a colonoscopy last April because of some bleeding. The specialist said it should not be anything serious, but it was better to make sure there weren't major issues.
He refused to drink the laxative after the first glass, so we had to put it off.
The new colonoscopy is next week. He promised both to me and his GP he will take the laxative. His GP , unlike the specialist, seems worried.
I am not sure OH will keep his promise.
He seems not to know what a colonoscopy is. I haven't explained anything to him because he is likely to forget my explanation within ten minutes..

 

[Izzy]

Oh that’s hard @margherita. I’m sure Bill wouldn’t have taken that drink. So difficult.

 

[Grahamstown]

The question I ask myself about most matters relating to my husband’s care is “what purpose would it serve?” Thinking about this often helps me to make a decision, it’s not an easy question to answer sometimes but it does concentrate the mind.

 

[margherita]

Oh that’s hard @margherita. I’m sure Bill wouldn’t have taken that drink. So difficult.

Hi @Izzy, I won't insist on him taking the laxative. I have stopped explaining, arguing and even talking.

 

[canary]

The question I ask myself about most matters relating to my husband’s care is “what purpose would it serve?”

I think that is an excellent question to ask ourselves.
Sometimes it is better not to investigate too thoroughly

 

[rainbowcat]

My sister (NOT PWD, in 40s) had a colonoscopy, she was offered either laxative drink OR enema on the day, she opted for the enema. In comparison, my husband (NOT PWD, same age as sister) wasn't offered enema at all, only laxative drink.

My point is - could you request an enema (perhaps under light sedation?) on the day if your PWD will refuse the laxative drink?