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Posted 10/30/2015 2:27 PM (GMT -5)
The other thread on colonosopies got me thinking about the above question.
I thought it is worth starting a new thread just dealing with this aspect:

I am seeking information from anyone who fits the above subject.

I am scheduled for my next routine colonoscopy in 2016. My last one was done before my surgery and SRT.

I am wondering:

1) Was it more difficult (ie: any unusual issues with the prep/procedure)

2) Were there any unusual findings attributable to the surgery and/or radiation?

Mel
Posted 10/30/2015 2:31 PM (GMT -5)
My results were good Mel. The only problem that I had was from constipation caused by the HT, Lupron and casodex at that time. Drank that big container and could not believe that it almost no impact on me. My last colonoscopy was before my surgery 6 years ago and they found non-cancerous polyps. Nothing this time around.
Michael
Posted 10/30/2015 2:57 PM (GMT -5)
I have had two colonoscopies since I finished RT. Both were just like the ones I had before treatment. No issues due to the RT and no special prep or procedure needed.

My first one, about six months post RT didn't show anything RT related, just the same old hemorrhoid that was bothering me for years. The second colonoscopy (three years after RT) showed signs of radiation proctitis so they did some spot laser treatments to the bad areas and a little treatment on the hemorrhoid.

Life back there has be a whole lot better since then.

The prep was the only thing to disk like about the procedures.
Andrew
Posted 10/30/2015 3:04 PM (GMT -5)
I had my first colonoscopy ever after IGRT and BT. no difficulties. no radiation damage. no polyps. doc said he'd see me in 10 years.

ed
Posted 10/30/2015 5:07 PM (GMT -5)
Had an upper and lower GI this year, no change in difficulty with procedure since last one 5 years ago
Posted 10/30/2015 6:52 PM (GMT -5)
Had colonoscopy two months ago which was about a year after first round of IMRT to prostate bed after BCR post RP. Procedure was precipitated by diverticulitis and blood from rectum. Four benign polyps were found but radiation telengenesis (sp) on rectum and hemorrhoids are the apparent cause of bleeding . Scheduling appointment to have it looked at since bleeding is worse.
Bob
Posted 10/30/2015 7:01 PM (GMT -5)
For those with bleeding from the rectum, there is a procedure (Argon Plasma Coagulation Therapy) that can be done during the colonoscopy. 'Basically', bleeding sites are cauterized with the laser.
It helped me significantly. No side effects (for me). The procedure can be repeated, if necessary.
Posted 10/30/2015 7:18 PM (GMT -5)
I had a Cononoscopy done earlier this summer shortly before having my AUS installed...and I have also had RALP and SRT no issues at all...good for another 10 years!
Posted 10/30/2015 7:41 PM (GMT -5)
I've had 2 since my surgery and radiation....no problems.
Posted 10/30/2015 8:12 PM (GMT -5)
Sr Sailor
Thanks I'll look into it. But a laser is not used per an article describing it. It's argon gas.
Bob
Posted 10/30/2015 8:50 PM (GMT -5)
As I mentioned in the other thread, the colonoscopy fixed up my radiation proctitis and messy bowel movements which I am sure were caused by the earler RT. So a big tick in favour of colonoscopy for me.

Re the cauterisation of bleeding surface arteries, I thought I was treated by Diathermy because I had to have my Implanted Cardiac Defibrilator (ICD) deactivated prior to the procedure in order to avoid any electro-magnetic interference. Not sure if that would have been required if Argon Plasma Coagulation was used.
Posted 10/31/2015 7:55 AM (GMT -5)
Mel, I had prostate surgery in 2/2009> I had a colonoscopy 11/2009 and another one in 11/2014. I have had no problems in either one.
Posted 10/31/2015 9:18 AM (GMT -5)
Thanks for the feedback!!

(This is one of the neat aspects of a forum like this!)

Mel
Posted 10/31/2015 9:31 AM (GMT -5)
Compiler,

Just had a colonoscopy in September (last one 15 years ago). Easy. No hitches or glitches. Have had both surgery and SRT. Doc said "see you in 10 years."

Newspaper Lover
Age 71
11/09 DaVinci surgery upstate NY; nerve bundle taken; clean margins, clean seminal vessels, no incontinence, alas no erections.
06/11 PSA re-emerged.
Gleason 8
Time to recurrence 18 months
Three month doubling time (summer 2011).
PSA rose from .07 on 06/11 to .17 on 11/11.
09/11 hernia surgery to repair hernia resulting from the DaVinci.
10/11 Moved management of my case to Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York City.
12/11—06/12 SRT plus HT (Lupron, Casodex).
07/12 – 06/14 Five six-month tests returned PSA "undetectable" and testosterone in “normal range”
12/14 PSA .06
01/15 PSA .08.
07/15 PSA .11
07/15 CAT and Bone scans find no evidence of metastatic disease..
Currently receiving no treatment. Next PSA January ’16.
Posted 10/31/2015 4:10 PM (GMT -5)

Break60 said...
Sr Sailor
Thanks I'll look into it. But a laser is not used per an article describing it. It's argon gas.
Bob

Correct; I was relying on memory, which 'ain't' what it used to be...

Post Edited (Sr Sailor) : 10/31/2015 3:25:50 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/31/2015 6:50 PM (GMT -5)
Compiler

Forgot to mention that the process was no problem. But As usual the prep you have to drink tastes awful.
Bob
Posted 10/31/2015 6:58 PM (GMT -5)
Mel,
Just be certain your doc knows about your radiation. I was told to never have the area near the anus biopsied as it will be difficult to heal. I made sure my doc knew this before the procedure and reminded him again before I was put under. That area looks different after radiation, and some inexperienced doctors will biopsy an area that looks suspicious, with unfortunate results for the patient.
Posted 11/1/2015 7:57 AM (GMT -5)
Nothing out of the ordinary on mine. I've had three b/c of family history.

No evidence of HDR, he said.
Posted 11/1/2015 9:01 PM (GMT -5)
i was scheduled for a colonoscopy next June but was told it would be better to do it now ahead of IGRT, just in case some surgery was needed. Reason being surgery for cancer would be more difficult right after radiation. SO just had the colonoscopy last Friday. no cancer and no polyps - yeah.
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