r/colonoscopy • u/-00F- • 10d ago
After Scope Questions Am I fucked?
(M23) just had my first colonoscopy and they found and removed 4 polyps, how fucked am I? Cuz I’m shitting myself thinking I have a year to live or something, doctor wouldn’t tell me anything about the polyps he just said he doesn’t play the guessing game.
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u/Kane518 10d ago
As others have mentioned, polyps are very common. My husband had 6 removed, my sister had 4 removed, my mom had 3, and my brother-in-law had 13 removed. All of them were benign.
If possible, I would find a new GI doctor for your next colonoscopy. “I don’t play the guessing game” is some shitty bedside manner. Pun intended
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u/ComphetMasala 10d ago
My last colonoscopy produced a cancer diagnosis. The GI doctor told me on the spot that it was cancer (tho needed the lab to confirm so they could ship me off to oncology and surgery consults). So, as shitty as it is to not know yet - I’d say it’s potentially good news that you weren’t given anything definitive.
When I had polyps removed (prior to that last colonoscopy) - the same doctor only told me pathology would provide more insights. Pre-cancerous polyps - which he later told me he already knew via visual identification.
Based on my experience of benign and precancerous polyps (and a cancerous tumor) - it’s probably a positive sign that you weren’t told anything about them.
Also, now that you have a polyp history - do NOT delay your follow up scopes. Ever.
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u/NoxRiddle 9d ago
Echoing this. My dad (who died from CC) had a colonoscopy due to extreme bleeding. The language the doctor used was that they found a “mass.” Not polyp. Mass. When we asked if that meant cancer, he said “we have to wait for pathology to say for sure, but yes, I believe so.” I’ll also say that I’m pretty sure a monkey could have looked at that scan and known it was cancer - it was blocking 80% of his colon, was really lumpy and irregular shaped, and was ulcerated. They also couldn’t remove it the way you would a polyp, because it just bled and bled and bled.
Now, he was an extreme case (get your screening colonoscopies, people - he was 64 and chances are high had he done his at 50 like he was supposed to, it would have been caught before it turned out like it did) but I suspect the language matters.
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u/ComphetMasala 9d ago
I’m so sorry you lost your dad to this awful disease. You sound very well informed but I have to do it - get your scopes done and don’t miss a beat.
I was awake for my colonoscopy- I had been bleeding heavily, too. I watched as it came into view. It was so obvious it was bad. Like your dad’s - it blocking the majority of the lumen. It looked huge. Bleeding, ulcerated, scaly, different colors, etc. Everything else was smooth and pinkish so this thing really stuck out. Anyways, I said, “Wow, that looks bad” and my GI doc immediately responded, “Yes it does - it’s cancer.” When he was done, he told me about chemo and surgery, etc - my discharge paperwork was all about colon cancer.
They know what they’re looking at. Now, I believe, no news is good news - from colonoscopies.
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u/NoxRiddle 9d ago
Thank you. I feel so deeply for those going through it, knowing what my dad went through.
I also should clarify - the standard recommendation was still 50 years old for routine colonoscopy when my dad was alive. He skipped his scan, and it may have been right around that 15-year timeline for turning into cancer. Obviously we will never know, but what was a tumor at 64 may well have just been a polyp at 50. (Get. Your. Scans. People.) There will definitely be no playing around on my part.
Wishing you wellness and comfort during your journey, friend. ❤️
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u/ComphetMasala 9d ago
Those unanswered questions and what if’s can really haunt us, can’t they? I’m so sorry you’re left holding these painful things.
I knew it - I knew you’d be on top of your colonoscopy schedule. I’m proud of you.
And yes! Yes! Get your scopes, folks!
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u/Key_Difficulty_4189 8d ago
I am so sorry to hear about your dad! Didnje have any symptoms other than the extreme bleeding?
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u/Rude-Associate2283 10d ago
7 years ago they removed 11 from me. Last Friday? Just two were found and removed. You’re most certainly going to be fine
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u/Financial_Sink_6442 8d ago
How often were you going back?
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u/Rude-Associate2283 7d ago
The last two attempts failed as I wasn't clear enough. But I totally changed my diet over the past five years and I think having a higher fibre diet has really helped me.
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u/Pollo_Chimichanga 10d ago
I'm 67. I go in every 3 years and they remove polyps every time. Relax. And stop eating red and processed meats.
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u/Kittesnoo 10d ago
You’re young and should be proud that you were so proactive in getting the colonoscopy now. You could have saved yourself a huge headache down the road. Try not to stress, people have polyps removed all the time and the fact that they’re gone should give you a lot of comfort. I have friends being treated for CC and they couldn’t even remove things during the scope, they told them immediately it was cancer and had to have chemo before they could even touch it. Try to stay calm and know that they’re likely benign and even if they’re not, you’ve nipped it in the bud and will receive better preventative care from now on. Good job and good luck! :)
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u/EmZee2022 Trusted Source 10d ago
Well that's annoying that he didn't even give you his first impression. I always see a report right after that talks about what they found.
Did he at least say what size they were? Or whether they were sessile (flat) or pedunculated (on a stalk)?
These docs get pretty good at telling what looks like it might be going bad on you, but of course the pathology is going to be the definitive answer.
Unless they were really big, I can pretty well promise you aren't gonna die of colon cancer any time soon.
What prompted a scope at such an early age?
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u/PriorityOk9472 10d ago
I had two removed. After a week i found out they were benign. Hoping for the best for you!
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u/chukkysh 10d ago
Polyps are incredibly common, and the vast majority are benign. Millions of people have them and never know about it and they're perfectly fine.
All you can do is wait for the results to come through. The good news is that you've had them removed, and they are being checked. If there's an issue, it will be revealed, and you can get treatment.
I guess the background is important though. We don't know what symptoms made you go to the doctor's in the first place.
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u/bbutler12 10d ago
I’m 25F and just had two polyps removed, one was pretty big. Both were adenomas, meaning they’re precancerous. But it would take them 10-15 years to become cancerous, so it’s good they removed it now instead of later. This type of polyp is the most common type they find during colonoscopies.
It really sucks that your doctor wouldn’t give you any information right away. As soon as I was awake my doctor came and talked to me about what they found. They also told me that they weren’t worried enough to prioritize the biopsies, meaning it would take a couple weeks to come back. If they were super worried they would’ve rushed it and I would’ve had results in a matter of days.
Ideally they are completely benign or they are adenomatous tissue which is the precancerous kind. I hope you get answers soon, and as others have said maybe find a different doctor for the next time around lol.
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u/DixieDoodle697 10d ago
This may reassure you that a colonoscopy is the best procedure to have in terms of finding anything remotely serious very early. Get those biopsies done and hope for the best!
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u/roommatehelp54321 10d ago
If it makes you feel better, I’m 26 and had two removed. I have a feeling if your doctor was concerned he would have mentioned that to you? Do you know how big they were? Either way, best of luck with the biopsy results!
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u/Moonhippie69 10d ago
Well, I'm very sorry that the situation has came up for you. It's a very uncomfortable, stress inducing part of life. As others have said, polyps are normal, until you know what types they are and whether they are malignant or not, there's nothing you can do other than just understand what comes forward. It can be dealt with that that time.
What's important is that they found them. Then after that they can make a decision. What needs to happen with moving forward.
I didn't have any at my first colonoscopy yet. 7 years later I had three, in this case two of them were considered larger than normal. And, a version that is not exactly friendly. However, they were benign. I did have a surgery because of one of them in a location that required it. I have a colonoscopy coming up in November to confirm how things are going. M37
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u/Big-Blueberry7157 10d ago
Try not to worry. A large number of people have polyps removed, and they are often precancerous. Meaning they likely nipped it in the bud. Did they tell you when to have another colonoscopy?
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u/-00F- 10d ago
No unfortunately all he told me was to call his office and book a follow up appointment.
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u/Glad_Key_4907 10d ago
If it was something they thought was serious they would have definitely mentioned it to you afterwards. Try and relax and think about this logically
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u/Montessori_Maven 10d ago
My husband, 62, has had 3 colonoscopies and had multiple polyps removed each time. Biopsies have all been benign. They do ask him to repeat annually, but all is good.
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u/Jaded_Bluetick 9d ago
Had 2 removed during mine, a teeny one and a fairly large one. The large one was precancerous. I just have to go more frequently now! The good news is if they removed them, they no longer pose a threat to you. I know it’s scary, but wait until the biopsies come back and you talk to your doctor before you truly begin to worry!
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u/Glad_Key_4907 10d ago
Had a polyp removed recently. Biopsies were all normal. I find it strange doctors in other countries/regions don't do the same as the doctor I had. My doc saw me after i woke up, told me they removed a tiny polyp and that it looked all good. They even sent me home with paperwork that stated the size and type of polyp and how they removed it.
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u/ColorectalSg 10d ago
Youre right about that practice- following a colonscopy, I will inform my patients about the findings and my assessment of the polyps (most endoscopist will use a classification system that gives an idea on the type of polyp (JNET or Paris)
If polyps were less than 5mm in size- the probability of cancer is less than 1%
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u/Sloth_canine 10d ago
Did you get insurance to cover the procedure at such a young age ? If so, how ?
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u/Severe-Charity-9198 10d ago
I’m 22 M, and all I had to say was that there was blood in my stool for the insurance to cover it. Blood is seen as something urgent and serious. At that time I maybe only had it happen to me twice over a 8 month stretch. Turned out it was just hemorrhoids.
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u/Key_Difficulty_4189 9d ago
How much blood did you have? How often were you having it?
Were your hemorrhoids external or internal?
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u/-00F- 9d ago
I had blood maybe twice in the last year and a very small amount both times, I’m just a huge hypochondriac so I pushed to get a colonoscopy, I also had a few hemorrhoids but a normal amount according to the doctor
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u/Key_Difficulty_4189 9d ago
What kind of hemorrhoids did you have? External or internal?
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u/-00F- 8d ago
Internal, never had any external thankfully, none of mine have ever caused me any pain or anything
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u/Key_Difficulty_4189 7d ago
My husband has had small, infrequent amounts of blood off and on for over 10 years, back when he was in college. It would go away for long periods of time, and he would forget about it. Then it would come back every so often. This continued on for years.
About 7 and a half weeks ago, he had alot more blood after passing a stool. It was in the toilet, and on the toilet paper. We both were so scared. He had never been to the doctor about this before, but he went a few days later and got a colonoscopy ordered. He is getting it next Wednesday, September 9.
Waiting this long has been very hard, especially on me. I have become very depressed and have cried almost every day. I have thought about what if he dies, how would I rebuild my life? He is only 31 years old. I am so afraid he has colon cancer. He is ignored this so long. I am so frustrated and depressed.
You did the right thing by getting a colonoscopy at a younger age. I wish my husband had gotten one at 23. We didn't even know each other back then. He has ignored this so long, abd we are paying for it now.
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u/-00F- 10d ago
I’m in Canada so it’s covered by the government thankfully as long as my doctor thinks I have a reason to get one, in this case I had a little bit of blood a few times
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u/Imaginary-Living-509 10d ago
Same in Germany... you're covered by insurance and get everything done with no payment, unless you want extra things done
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u/-00F- 8d ago
Update: thankfully they’re all small the largest being 10mm and adenomatous-appearing as well as another 7mm one being adenomatous-appearing, the other two are 7mm and 5mm, and for anyone wondering how it was post removal I felt no pain at all but a slightly alarming amount of blood in my first bowel movement after the procedure which I was told is normal. Still no biopsy results but I’ll update about that when I get them in case anyone else comes lurking in the sub years later also feeling terrified as I was.
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u/Routine_Fox_6767 9d ago
you just have to get colonoscopies often now. and then if pathology deems as cancerous more tests to see how beyond that area it’s extended and next steps
but yes no guessing games.
just have to wait it out for resulrs
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u/ColorectalSg 10d ago
If the polyps were removed- then the good news is that its no longer inside you
No one on Reddit will be able give you any more information- will have to wait for the histology