GET YOURSELF CHECKED!!!

Since Mooch bumped this, I figured I'd add my 2 cents;
Instead of a colonoscopy, asked my doctor about a colonography.  Also known as a virtual colonoscopy.  It's done by a CAT scan or CT for short.
You still need to cleanse the colon, but instead of a camera, a schrader valve is put in the bung hole and your colon is inflated.  Then a 3D image of your entire gut region is performed.  A regular colonoscopy can examine only the inside of your colon.  The colonography views the inside AND the outside.  Not only that, it views all the other organs around there; kidneys, liver, bladder, even the lower lobes of your lungs.  Which is where my bad news came in; After the procedure, a radiologist reads the pretty pictures, then calls your primary care physician who calls you with the results.  Well...  they found 'something' on my left lower lobe of my lung.  I guess it wasn't big because they told me that I was to wait 6 months and another CT would be performed to see if there was a change in size.  Now, that's a LONG six months waiting.  I didn't even want to worry the wife so keeping it to myself wasn't that fun either.  6 months went by and I had the CT.  Nada!!  Great news!!  Turns out that after talking to the doc about my medical history that the spot was either due to scarring left from a bout of pneumonia or from a motorcycle accident several years ago. 
The thing is though, I've had several chest X-rays in the  past for various trauma events and there's never been any indication of any masses.  The CT was much more detailed in it's 3D rendering of what my innards looked like. 
So, think about it and ask your doctor if a CT colonography is right for you.  My doc told me the only real downside is that if they did find a polyp, then another procedure to remove it would be done at a later date instead of right then with the colonoscopy.  I felt that was worth the risk considering all the other organs that were now going to be checked over as well as the outside of the colon itself. 
Cheers!   

****EDIT****
This procedure required pre approval from my insurance company.  They approved it without any question.  Checking later, the cost between the two options; colonoscopy and colonography, was almost the same. 

I'm going in today...got some stuff going on that has been bugging me and time to come clean with the doc and see wassup.

Been having pain underneath my armpits and there is a little sore, swollen bump there in each pit...I thought it was just maybe wetsuit burn from diving a bunch until I felt the bumpy things. 

Could just be swollen glands from fighting an infection?

Also got some bumps down by the boys that the wife wants me to get checked out. 

Have to go to my buddy and team ShickenMooch member Miguel's Dad's funeral at 10am then stop by the doc on the way back to the office.

TGIF? 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Skipro,

Thanks for the insight into your CT's and colonography.   

BigJim,

Sounds like swollen lymph nodes due to an infection.  Hope you get better soon.

Thanks for the info and reminder SkiPro3.  We met at CCK in Rancho when you were buying your Hobie. Just turned 50 this year and Kaiser has been encouraging the colonoscopy - need to get her done!

Good luck BigJim!   

the only real downside is that if they did find a polyp, then another procedure to remove it would be done at a later date instead of right then with the colonoscopy. 

I was gonna mention this ^
Unfortunately, I had to do both. At age 28.

Also got some bumps down by the boys that the wife wants me to get checked out. 

After having hernia repair surgery last year--I hope it's not that. Because it sucked.
 

Doc says the armpit thing is my lymph nodes fighting off some infection...not sure what cuz I really don't feel sick?    Anyway, he said if it gets worse to come back.

Gave me a referral for the bumps down by the boys....and a list of physicians at my local PAMF that I can call to get established as a regular patient....and a referral to get a vasectomy as well. 

Overall, pretty good trip to the doctor's office...glad I went...this thread ws a big motivator for me. 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Good news Jim, glad to hear.

Might want to have the doc check the boys for an allergic reaction to excessive MFE exposure!   

Might want to have the doc check the boys for an allergic reaction to excessive MFE exposure!   

 

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Doc says the armpit thing is my lymph nodes fighting off some infection...not sure what cuz I really don't feel sick?    Anyway, he said if it gets worse to come back.

Gave me a referral for the bumps down by the boys....and a list of physicians at my local PAMF that I can call to get established as a regular patient....and a referral to get a vasectomy as well. 

Overall, pretty good trip to the doctor's office...glad I went...this thread ws a big motivator for me. 

 
Think real long and hard befor you get a vasectomy.  Spend some time investigating the side that has done it and wishes they hadn't. There can be side effects.  One is lowered testosterone That can come from your body creating an immune response.  Not sure what else but you can also have chronic pain and psychological issues. It's not as symptom free as the doctors will tell you.

Sincerely,

Jim

Doc says the armpit thing is my lymph nodes fighting off some infection...not sure what cuz I really don't feel sick?    Anyway, he said if it gets worse to come back.

Gave me a referral for the bumps down by the boys....and a list of physicians at my local PAMF that I can call to get established as a regular patient....and a referral to get a vasectomy as well. 

Overall, pretty good trip to the doctor's office...glad I went...this thread ws a big motivator for me. 

 
Think real long and hard befor you get a vasectomy.  Spend some time investigating the side that has done it and wishes they hadn't. There can be side effects.  One is lowered testosterone That can come from your body creating an immune response.  Not sure what else but you can also have chronic pain and psychological issues. It's not as symptom free as the doctors will tell you.

Sincerely,

Jim

Thanks Andy...I'll do some more reseacrh...I just really can't financially afford another munchkin (and am very satisfied with the ones I have) and have no self control when it comes to making them....

Thanks again for the heads up.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Glad your OK Jim, thanks for leading the charge. Hope this thread gets a "bump" every now and then. 

oh, and if you ever get stung by a sting ray, see a doctor asap.....Glen? 

Sorry if this has already been said but if you go in to see a dr for a butt check be sure to make it very clear to the office staff that it is billed to your ins. As preventive not diagnostic .Under new laws as of last year a preventative butt check has to be 100% coverd by your insurance .If it is billed as diagnostic they will bill you.

Sorry if this has already been said but if you go in to see a dr for a butt check be sure to make it very clear to the office staff that it is billed to your ins. As preventive not diagnostic .Under new laws as of last year a preventative butt check has to be 100% coverd by your insurance .If it is billed as diagnostic they will bill you.

Good info

Sorry if this has already been said but if you go in to see a dr for a butt check be sure to make it very clear to the office staff that it is billed to your ins. As preventive not diagnostic .Under new laws as of last year a preventative butt check has to be 100% coverd by your insurance .If it is billed as diagnostic they will bill you.

Good info

....if not, it won't be the only thing up yer keester.