38 yr old wants colonoscopy, doctor declined

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ocstacy
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38 yr old wants colonoscopy, doctor declined

Postby ocstacy » Tue Jun 20, 2017 1:05 am

I'm 38 female almost 39 with a history of hemorrhoid during and after pregnancy. I had a bad episode of a hemorrhoids a few years ago and it bulged out and i had to take a salt bath and just deal with the thrombosis pain. I stayed in bed for 3 days just so the pain would go aay.The pain was like a bee sting or knife feeling. I didn't have insurance at the time but finally found a treatment that worked. Tucks pads, with proctozone cream. That is the only thing that cures it for awhile. My mom got diagnosed May 2017 with Stage 3 Rectal cancer and I asked my doctor about a colonoscopy and she said that it wasn't necessary and that I should wait until I'm 40 and after my 2nd baby.

Any thoughts? I know I have regular bowel movements. Sometimes I take stool softeners. I am barely constipated but once in a great while i will have a big BM and it's like thing shaped.. and i have this weird internal pain when I'm fertile. I don't know all this cancer stuff scares me. I am taking a health and nutrition class online and it's turned me into a health nut. I take turmeric and exercise and eat more healthy. I just want to live a healthy life with my family. Thank you sharing
Caregiver/daughter to dear mother age 78, dx 5/09/17 because of me!! :wink:
Rectal CA Stage 3 low-grade adenocarcinoma- 6 cm
Neoadjuvant start 7/10/17 ended 08/16/17
3D Lap. surgery @ Keck USC, Dr. Sang Lee 10/17/17 temp ileostomy
11/1 hospitalized abscess/hernia - home 11/06/17 antibiotics
NO LYMPHS INVOLVED! NEAR PATHOLOGICAL RESPONSE! YAY! :shock:
Took her last chemo med 05/10/18! Ileo reversal 07/24/18
1st BM after reversal 07/25/18 Anal Fissure 8/15/18
Me:1st Colonoscopy age 38. 08/17 Benign polp.

Tdubz
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Re: 38 yr old wants colonoscopy, doctor declined

Postby Tdubz » Tue Jun 20, 2017 11:23 am

I'd get a second opinion if that would make you feel more comfortable. 50 is the recommended age for a colonoscopy but a lot of us on here are in our 30's like you. I wish I would have had a colonoscopy 4 years ago when I first went to my doc with symptoms but he didn't think one was necessary either.

CLD
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Joined: Fri Mar 27, 2015 7:16 pm

Re: 38 yr old wants colonoscopy, doctor declined

Postby CLD » Tue Jun 20, 2017 12:22 pm

I am a 39 year old mom of 6. Within the past 2 months, my hemorrhoids became so irritated that I had an episode where I was sitting on the floor and I bled through to the carpet. Due to my husband's history and knowing that is a possible sign of cancer, I called a gastroenterologist the next day, simply hoping to have the hemorrhoids banded, and was seen 2 weeks later. Well he immediately ordered a colonoscopy. The procedure itself was, in my opinion, easier than having a cavity filled...although the prep was not fun... its better than the worry and wondering . In light of your mothers cancer history, he absolutely should have ordered a scope for you. In fact, we were told our children should begin having scopes at age 32, 10 years younger than my husband's diagnosis. I am lucky to have a good doctor and would recommend that you seek a 2nd opinion. In addition, I did have the hemorrhoids banded. The 1st one was a bit painful, but tolerable. They do a series of 3 procedures 2 weeks to 1 month apart. Although a bit embarrassing for me, in all honesty, it was well worth it. Good luck to you. (As an aside, the fertility pain is called mittleschmertz and many women experience it!)
Wife to DH/ Father of 6 (age 42 at dx) diagnosed Jan 2015 stage IIIC
Tumor deposit in mesentery 13/24 lymph nodes +
CEA at dx: 5
MSS
Low Grade/Mod. Diff.
FOLFOX 6 months
N.E.D until June 2018
PET Scan 6/18
Biopsy confirms cancer in 3 Paraaortic lymph nodes
Folfiri + Avastin (6tx) and Xeloda during radiation
Cancer all over both lungs dx Jan 2019
FOLFIRI +AVASTIN presently

TXLiz
Posts: 249
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Re: 38 yr old wants colonoscopy, doctor declined

Postby TXLiz » Tue Jun 20, 2017 2:36 pm

Get a second opinion and don't take no for an answer.

Your mom having rectal cancer? You need to be proactive, which you are. Find a doc who will help you take care of your medical needs.

I had "IBS," until I had stage 3 CC. Thanks docs.

Not trying to scare you.

You should have a doc that listens to your concerns, not pushes off your concerns because you are " too young."

Until you get a colonoscopy, all bets are off. Good luck.
Vomiting and blockage 9/19/16 46 y F
R hemi colectomy 9/20/16
Stage 3 B CRC, located in cecum
3 out of 16 lymph nodes positive
perineural invasion/lymphovascular invasion
infiltrating, mod differentiated adenocarcinoma with a mucinous component
separate tumor nodules present in pericolonic adipose tissue
MSI-high
Baseline PET scan clear 9/16 CEA 0.5
FOLFOX 10/16- 3/17
April 16th, CT scan clear. CEA 1.1
Lynch "inconclusive"
Colonoscopy 10/5/2017 clear

Lee
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Re: 38 yr old wants colonoscopy, doctor declined

Postby Lee » Tue Jun 20, 2017 6:41 pm

Find a new doctor.

My bleeding hemorrhoids were my Dr."s excuse for me getting my colonoscopy early in life (46). That referral saved my life, I was stage III at diagnoses, no symptoms.

Anytime you have bleeding (hemorrhoids or not), a colonoscopy should be done. A colonoscopy will give a true diagnoses of what is going on, anything else is just a speculation. And your life is worth more than a speculation.

Lee
rectal cancer - April 2004
46 yrs old at diagnoses
stage III C - 6/13 lymph positive
radiation - 6 weeks
surgery - August 2004/hernia repair 2014
permanent colostomy
chemo - FOLFOX
NED - 16 years and counting!

benben
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Location: Washington State

Re: 38 yr old wants colonoscopy, doctor declined

Postby benben » Tue Jun 20, 2017 7:04 pm

Lee wrote:Find a new doctor.

Anytime you have bleeding (hemorrhoids or not), a colonoscopy should be done. A colonoscopy will give a true diagnoses of what is going on, anything else is just a speculation. And your life is worth more than a speculation.

Lee


Agreed 100%!
----------------------
3/29/17 diagnosed CRC - 44 y/o Male
4/17/17 ULAR - Straight anastomosis - no ostomy.
Path: low grade T3n1m0 - moderate diff.
KRAS - NO, MLH1/PMS2/MSH6/MSH2 - Normal.
5/3 med port install
5/22 folfox - first treatment.
3rd treat, delayed - low ANC - reduced to 90% OXI
zarxio all treats
Treat 7 - 75% OXI
Treats 8-12 - NO OXI, Luke & 5FU
10/20/17 CT- NED
3/18 Scope - Clean
11/8 PORT OUT!
7/22 CT - NED (5 years!)

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ANDRETEXAS
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Re: 38 yr old wants colonoscopy, doctor declined

Postby ANDRETEXAS » Wed Jun 21, 2017 1:16 am

I agree......get a new doctor. The doctor should have no hesitancy about ordering a colonoscopy. It's these doctors that keep people from finding out what's wrong with them. Believe me, you can find a doctor that will order a colonoscopy.
2/10/14 - Colon resect
2/13 - DX- Stage IIIb
6 of 18 lymph nodes cancerous
3/7 - Port placed
3/11 - FOLFOX (12 rds w/full oxi)
8/14 - Chemo finish
8/25 - CT- Inc
9/5 - clean PET
12/10- clean CT

3/2/15 - Clean colonoscopy & port removed
3/4 - clean CT
9/21- clean CT

3/23/16 - clean CT

2/22/17- clean CT

3/21/18 - clean CT
4/1 - clean colonoscopy

3/11/19 - clean CT
9/23 - Five-year release - Annual visits now !

4/13/23 - clean colonoscopy

ONE DAY AT A TIME !

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CRguy
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Re: 38 yr old wants colonoscopy, doctor declined

Postby CRguy » Wed Jun 21, 2017 2:04 am

Honestly have NOT read any other posts here ...
Read your topic title .....

Get a new doctor ...
WORD !

CRguy on the Journey
Caregiver x 4
Stage IV A rectal cancer/lung met
17 Year survivor
my life is an ongoing totally randomized UNcontrolled experiment with N=1 !
Review of my Journey so far

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ocstacy
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Re: 38 yr old wants colonoscopy, doctor declined

Postby ocstacy » Wed Jun 21, 2017 3:13 am

Thank you very much to all. I will be getting a second opinion but can I ask how do you get a 2nd opinion? My gen dr. is a 32 yr old kind hearted dr.She never has given me any problems except when I asked if I could get one now, she laughed and said "No silly, I want you to wait until you are 40" but that is one year away! Should I just ask her to refer me to GI specialist? I have talked to my mom's colorectal surgeon and he said he would be happy to give a colonoscopy but I have Kaiser so I would have to go through someone at Kaiser. I know for sure I have poly's and hemmy's.

The hemmy's that I experienced about 2 years ago were probably the worst pain I have ever encountered my whole life. It was like a bulging one that was pulsating (sorry for the TMI) and I had to literally lay in bed to feel better with pain meds. The pain was much more worst than labor, root canal, shot in my mouth, C-Section, bee sting. I never EVER want to go through at ever again. I would love to have the internal surgery done where they put bands on the hemmy's. I was going through a ton of stress with 2 jobs and college at the time but I will never forget that agony. Thank you for your feedback and support. Best wishes to all.
Caregiver/daughter to dear mother age 78, dx 5/09/17 because of me!! :wink:
Rectal CA Stage 3 low-grade adenocarcinoma- 6 cm
Neoadjuvant start 7/10/17 ended 08/16/17
3D Lap. surgery @ Keck USC, Dr. Sang Lee 10/17/17 temp ileostomy
11/1 hospitalized abscess/hernia - home 11/06/17 antibiotics
NO LYMPHS INVOLVED! NEAR PATHOLOGICAL RESPONSE! YAY! :shock:
Took her last chemo med 05/10/18! Ileo reversal 07/24/18
1st BM after reversal 07/25/18 Anal Fissure 8/15/18
Me:1st Colonoscopy age 38. 08/17 Benign polp.

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ANDRETEXAS
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Location: Austin, Texas (University of Tennessee alumnus)

Re: 38 yr old wants colonoscopy, doctor declined

Postby ANDRETEXAS » Wed Jun 21, 2017 1:59 pm

Some doctors don't require referrals. You can also get a referral from a specialist. It doesn't have to be from a GP. I would even be so bold as to call doctors...tell them my GP will not refer me, and you are worried. Someone will refer you. And again --- find another GP. If she's this obstinate now, think what she will be like in 20 years.... :shock: :shock:
2/10/14 - Colon resect
2/13 - DX- Stage IIIb
6 of 18 lymph nodes cancerous
3/7 - Port placed
3/11 - FOLFOX (12 rds w/full oxi)
8/14 - Chemo finish
8/25 - CT- Inc
9/5 - clean PET
12/10- clean CT

3/2/15 - Clean colonoscopy & port removed
3/4 - clean CT
9/21- clean CT

3/23/16 - clean CT

2/22/17- clean CT

3/21/18 - clean CT
4/1 - clean colonoscopy

3/11/19 - clean CT
9/23 - Five-year release - Annual visits now !

4/13/23 - clean colonoscopy

ONE DAY AT A TIME !

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Maggie Nell
Posts: 1151
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Location: Central Highlands, Victoria, Oz

Re: 38 yr old wants colonoscopy, doctor declined

Postby Maggie Nell » Thu Jun 22, 2017 12:29 pm

I was declined a colonoscopy through the public system as my symptoms did not meet the
national criteria for one, but there is a history of bowel cancer on my paternal side, so
I am on a private screening program. However, once I was symptomatic, my history was
dismissed as irrelevant as it was in the "wrong generation".


http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff-nation/ass ... -diagnosis

Kind-hearted doctors also bury their mistakes. Why would you continue to consult a doctor who puts you down by calling you
a name - 'silly'. That is what you say to children not to an adult patient who is paying for competency, not contempt.
DX April 2015, @ 54
35mm poorly diff. tumour, incidental finding following emergency R. hemicolectomy
for ileo-colic intussusception.
Lymph nodes: 0/22
T3 N0 MX
Stage II CRC, no adjuvant chemo required.

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horizon
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Re: 38 yr old wants colonoscopy, doctor declined

Postby horizon » Fri Jun 23, 2017 8:43 am

It's really surprising to me that your doctor didn't immediately approve it considering your mother's diagnosis.
I'm just a dude who still can't believe he had a resection and went through chemo (currently 13 years NED). Is this real life?

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ocstacy
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Re: 38 yr old wants colonoscopy, doctor declined

Postby ocstacy » Fri Jun 23, 2017 9:59 pm

Thank you all!! Today I went in for a 2nd opinion ,different dr. I went in for a rash on my hand (dermatitis) then I brought up Colonoscopy and the Dr. was like trying to talk me out of it (again) due to my age and my mother's age of diagnosis, blah blah blah. I started to get upset and I demanded to get a referral just to talk to a G.I, he agreed, and within an hour after leaving the dr's office, the dr. actually called me and said he talked to the G.I. and approved the procedure! Yay, finally I can get a colonoscopy in July. I was also told that all the new dr's start in July, is that correct??

I am now so scared to get one after my mom. After hearing about my mom's sign's and symptoms,(especially the blood part) I made her go get one. I knew something wasn't right. I mean, she is Japanese, SUPER healthy, doesn't have Cancer in her family so this is a huge shock to our family! So sad to see her in so much pain in her rectum and I'm so sad that they won't start her TX until 07/05. I did find some great docs and surgeons after much research! They feel very confident about her cancer tx and the surgeon is very positive. So prayers that this will be a "Complete Response". I will pray for all of you too. Happy summer to all, xxxx And Healthy colons to all XO
Last edited by ocstacy on Tue Jun 27, 2017 12:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
Caregiver/daughter to dear mother age 78, dx 5/09/17 because of me!! :wink:
Rectal CA Stage 3 low-grade adenocarcinoma- 6 cm
Neoadjuvant start 7/10/17 ended 08/16/17
3D Lap. surgery @ Keck USC, Dr. Sang Lee 10/17/17 temp ileostomy
11/1 hospitalized abscess/hernia - home 11/06/17 antibiotics
NO LYMPHS INVOLVED! NEAR PATHOLOGICAL RESPONSE! YAY! :shock:
Took her last chemo med 05/10/18! Ileo reversal 07/24/18
1st BM after reversal 07/25/18 Anal Fissure 8/15/18
Me:1st Colonoscopy age 38. 08/17 Benign polp.

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horizon
Posts: 1669
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Re: 38 yr old wants colonoscopy, doctor declined

Postby horizon » Sat Jun 24, 2017 8:15 am

ocstacy wrote:Thank you all!! I demanded a colonoscopy for July and I actually just referred myself lol. I was also told that all the new dr's start in July, is that correct??

I am now so scared to get one after my mom. After hearing about my mom's sign's and symptoms,(especially the blood part) I made her go get one. I knew something wasn't right. I mean, she is Japanese, SUPER healthy, doesn't have Cancer in her family so this is a huge shock to our family! So sad to see her in so much pain in her rectum and I'm so sad that they won't start her TX until 07/05. I did find some great docs and surgeons after much research! They feel very confident about her cancer tx and the surgeon is very positive. So prayers that this will be a "Complete Response". I will pray for all of you too. Happy summer to all, xxxx


It is definitely scary but think of it this way. If you get bad results then you can make a plan and start attacking the issue. If you get good results then you don't have the unknown constantly weighing on your mind. Good luck!
I'm just a dude who still can't believe he had a resection and went through chemo (currently 13 years NED). Is this real life?

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ocstacy
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Re: 38 yr old wants colonoscopy, doctor declined

Postby ocstacy » Sun Jun 25, 2017 12:35 am

horizon wrote:It's really surprising to me that your doctor didn't immediately approve it considering your mother's diagnosis.

I know, me too. Well, hopefully she realizes after the email I sent to her, she will open her eyes. I can't believe that people in their teen age years have it too. I am so scared of cancer. Can't believe I even smoked for 8 years. bad bad habit that I am so glad i quit
Caregiver/daughter to dear mother age 78, dx 5/09/17 because of me!! :wink:
Rectal CA Stage 3 low-grade adenocarcinoma- 6 cm
Neoadjuvant start 7/10/17 ended 08/16/17
3D Lap. surgery @ Keck USC, Dr. Sang Lee 10/17/17 temp ileostomy
11/1 hospitalized abscess/hernia - home 11/06/17 antibiotics
NO LYMPHS INVOLVED! NEAR PATHOLOGICAL RESPONSE! YAY! :shock:
Took her last chemo med 05/10/18! Ileo reversal 07/24/18
1st BM after reversal 07/25/18 Anal Fissure 8/15/18
Me:1st Colonoscopy age 38. 08/17 Benign polp.


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