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"Yet, Dr. Barclay added, “if our group is representative of an average group, you will see people who take 2 or 3 minutes and people who take 20 minutes” to examine a colon."

I refused the drugs, and I'm pretty sure they were in there for hours,at least it seemed that way.

I know this will sound sick -- but I found my recent colonoscopy an interesting and reassuring experience..

Last year, I was scheduled for a mini colonoscopy, which is where a quick look is taken at a limited length of the colon without any anesthesia. A number of polyps were found and removed for examination.. None were malignant, but it raised my Doctor's suspicion.

So he order a full colonoscopy, which required anesthesia and about 10/15 minutes of "probe" time. Another few polyps were found and removed for examination.. Good news, nothing to be concerned about..

NOW - the interesting thing about both procedures is that the patient is provided a video monitor to watch and see exactly what is going on. The capability of the "probe" was amazing -- Clear video, well lighted - pumps air to "inflate" the colon to see into all the crevices, the ability to excise a polyp and cauterize the wound. The Doctor kept up a running dialog of what we were seeing and why is was so.

Folks should NOT avoid having the procedures - especially those over 55 or 60.. I've already lost a couple of seemingly healthy friends to colon cancer that was not caught in time to prevent death.

Believe me -- the WORSE part of the test is drinking that damned gallon of laxative to flush the system the evening before the test... The test was a piece of cake, and reassuring to get good news.

Semper Fi

I refused the drugs, and I'm pretty sure they were in there for hours,at least it seemed that way.

The last time I had one, the drugs administered were valium (to relax you) and demerol (to amuse you). They say that demerol is a "pain killer." To this day, I'm convinced that it doesn't stop you from feeling the pain. However, when you've had the demerol, you just don't give a damn! It seems that the drugs given are to done that way to keep you semi-concious, so you are able to help them by moving when they need you to move or shift positions.

Mark