Is a colonoscopy ever too risky?

@ray666 it would not hurt to go for that preliminary interview before the colonoscopy. I am sure the surgeon will go through your medical history with you and will make a decision to go ahead with the procedure or not, based on your history. It would be a good time for you to ask him any questions you may have, too.

Have you explored the noninvasive colonoscopy where they scan without internal exam? I looked into it before my first one. It’s not ideal, since you still have to prep and if they see anything suspicious, you have to then have a regular one to get more details. But, i might explore it, if a regular type was not feasible.

Thank you, Celia! That's an excellent idea. At least you've given me something about which I can ask. Learning more about sepsis, I've found it troubling to hear how many re-infections have happened in clinical environments and oftentimes from the most inconsequential of instrument nicks. Have a wonderful day today, Celia, and again thank you! ––Ray

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colon-cancer/expert-answers/colon-cancer-screening/faq-20057826
Also a fecal test may be helpful if you don't have hemorrhoids (which could confuse the test results by showing blood). Still got to do the prep, but done at home. If positive, would need to go for a colonoscopy.

Thank you, Rashida! I plan to do that. This will be the second time I've gone in for a preliminary interview. The first time was last summer when I'd been referred for a colonoscopy but was still nursing a septic foot wound. The wound was so obvious that the gastroenterology nurse said, "Whoa! Let's wait until that wound has healed." Well, it's now healed, but from all I've learned (from credible sources, I trust), once a person has had sepsis, he or she remains especially vulnerable to re-infections. That's why I'd like to err on the side of caution when I sit for my second interview. ––Ray

I did one of those fecal tests a short while ago. A short while? More like months ago. It may have even been last year––and by "last year," I mean 2023. Funny about time … 🙂 What I am sure of was the results: normal (no blood). Of course, I may be asked to do one again. ––Ray

@ray666 I totally understand your concern - I would be just as worried. I would be more worried, however, about the possibility of a cancerous colon.

My understanding of sepsis is through an already infected open wound. If your wound is healed I would take my chances and go ahead with the colonoscopy if the interviewing doctor gives the go-ahead. If there was any doubt in the doctor’s mind, as it was at your earlier interview, the doctor may well make the decision not to go ahead with the colonoscopy even before you are faced with a decision yourself..

I am a worry wart , so I understand where you are coming from. For example, I am terrified of going under anaesthesia, yet I will not go through any painful diagnostic procedure unless I am given anaesthesia! I’d rather risk anaesthesia than the possibility of cancer - which is always my other big fear!

Hello, Rashida (@rashida). I understand your worry. I, too, worry about such things. As you might imagine, I'm trying to balance any worry about the possibility I may have a serious colon situation against the minuscule risk that a colonoscopy might result in a recurrence of my sepsis. My sepsis experience was far, far worse than my PN experience at its most bothersome. I'll manage my PN. I've little choice: it's with me for keeps. Last spring's sepsis? No thank you! 🙂

I wish you a fine weekend!
Ray (@ray666)

@ray666 I understand! It’s a sort of medical PTSD …

I understand your concern.
The first question is what is your past hisotry of colonoscopies? Have you had precancerous polyps in the past? If so, then fecal tests are not recommended
Why is your PCP recommending a colonoscopy for you?
At 82 I was due for a five year followup colonoscopy (I have history of polyps). Since I now have lung cancer and breathing issues, I was concerned about anesthesia and wondered if I really needed to do it given my age and issues. And my local primary care doctor was not the right person to confirm if I was healthy enough.
I decided to do a consult at Mayo Clinic since I am a patient there. The MD (not PA or NP) I saw reviewed my previous colonoscopies and noted that I had had pre-cancerous polyps in the past and in fact one they had mislabelled. He recommended I do the colonoscopy in the hospital, my Pulmonologist said Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) was OK and I went through with it. They found 1 small and 2 large polyps all precancerous. I am due back in 3 years.
Be sure your preliminary interview is with an MD specialist who reviews your history and not someone with lesser training who does not have the expertise to make a judgement call.