My mom's dr wants her to have a colonoscopy because she is 63 and has never had one. Mom was a RN and made the decision herself years ago that she did not want this test. Having had it myself, I know how hard the prep is.
Mom already has problems not making it to the bathroom in time when she has loose stools (has even before the Alz). I can't imagine her going through the prep (and the fasting) for a routine exam. She is having loose stools more often (or just not making it to br in time more often), so we think the dr is really going to push for it. She's always had this problem. I don't think the test is necessary and it will be very hard on her. What should we do?
After having just the sigmoidoscopy a few years ago, I sure wouldn't want to do that again!
ka24gardner - she did have a stool smear and it was normal (I won't even go into hard difficult it was to do that :-).
naheaton - I have heard of the scan of the intestines, but I think it is for a very specific purpose. I personally have to have a colonoscopy every 3 yrs and was told the scan would not work.
looney - I appreciate your perspective. I was just thinking about why go through all that for a routine test, not what we would do if the test were to find something. I'll have to consider that and talk it over with my brother.
Thanks again!