can I still take lipitor before a colonoscopy?
829396
You can take that, if you take it at least 1 hour before your prep, or 4 hours after you finish your prep. Remember, colon cancer is the Number 1 cancer killer each year, in non-smokers. Lung cancer is #1 for them. A colonoscopy can lower your risk for colon cancer by 90%.   Less than half of the people who need this exam have had it done.
841329
Why spend all that money when you can do it for less?  Try the Salt Water Flush.\n\nDIRECTIONS: Prepare a full quart of luke-warm water and add two level (rounded for the Canadian quart) teaspoons of Sea Salt . Do not use ordinary iodized salt as it will not work properly. Drink the entire quart of salt and water first thing in the morning. This must be taken on an empty stomach. The salt and water will not separate but will stay intact and quickly and thoroughly wash the entire tract in about one hour. Several eliminations will likely occur. The salt water has the same specific gravity as the blood, hence the kidneys cannot pick up the water and the blood cannot pick up the salt. This may be taken as often as needed for proper washing of the entire digestive system.\n\nIf the salt water does not work the first time, try adding a little more or a little less salt until the proper balance is found; or possible take extra water with or without salt. This often increases the activity. Remember, it can do no harm at any time. The colon needs a good washing, but do it the natural way—the salt water way.\n\nMake sure you're around a toilet for a couple of hours!
1052899
I had my first colonoscopy this year in February 2006.  I wrote a 20 page paper of my experience and I had some of your same concerns.  I didn't feel anything and never woke up (that I remember).  For me personally, my next colonoscopy willl be with pain medication only - I do not want the versed (the drug that has an amnesiac effect).  I want to try it both ways to make a decision for all future colonoscopies.  My next one will be scheduled for February 2009 and this will be the one with pain medication only.  My husband has had a colonoscopy done with no drugs at all - he was under an HMO at the time and didn't realize that this is what they had planned for him.  He has a longer colon than most and has a tight turn in his colon.  He did say how painful it was with no anesthesia and that the gas pains from the air they put into your colon was the worst part of it - painful cramping (he should try labor pains!)  He doesn't recommend a colonoscopy with no medication.  He's been having colonoscopies for  25 years now.  I would be glad to e-mail you my paper if you're interested in reading it.  I have sent it to several others and they have enjoyed reading my "heartfelt paper".  I did have several "issues" in regard to my colonoscopy and I do realize that everyone is different but I think to some extent, most of us have similar fears and concerns.  This is an invasive procedure and I think more difficult for women than men.  My paper tells the truth!  And I will be happy to answer ANY questions you have.  My e-mail address is dfcoley@yahoo.com.
1168937
My choice would be one, Reliv Classic, because it works for me. I have congenital high cholesterol (over 300 normally) and my doctor prescripted Vytorin. I took it for a week and had such severe heartburn I could not sleep. My ex-wife had severe Scoliosis that her doctor said would only be corrected by a dangerous back surgery. It was 3 inches out of alignment, her back xray looked like an upside down question mark. After two weeks on Reliv her xray showed only 1 inch of misalignment cancelling the surgery and a month later her back was normal. So I tried it. Three weeks later, the doctor was amazed that the medicine had lower my cholesterol to 247, nearly a hundred points in just a month. I didn't have the heart to tell him that it wasn't the medicine and I switched doctor. My new doctor of course was alarmed that my cholesterol was 232. He too wanted to start me on Lipator. When I explained about the Reliv, he said that he would allow me two weeks to show improvement. Two weeks later, my cholesterol was 224. I have more energy, the doctor said that my liver test came back at 110% (Vytorin and Lipator both cause reduce liver function), and I have no heartburn. All the males in my family have died or had open heart surgery by age 55. I am 49 and the doctor says at this rate I will live to be 100 with a closed chest. Now you know why there is only one choice for me.
1038871
Yes they do.  Colon cancer risk is mainly age related, and only peripherally gender related.  The risk of males getting colon cancer is nearly identical to the one of females being a full 5 years older.  This means that at the same age, men have a substantially greater risk of getting colon cancer than women. \n\nKeep in mind that this overall risk is extremely low.  For a men 50 years old or a woman of 55 years old, the risk is only 0.06%.  For a man of 60 years old or a woman of 65 years old, the risk rises to 0.14% (still extremely low). \n\nPlease note, per several contrarian doctors colon cancer is becoming overtested in the U.S.  This is in good part because the risk that a colonoscopy procedure perforates your intestine (a really bad thing) is actually much higher than the colon cancer risk.\n\nIn view of the above, even if you are a man I would not get a colonoscopy asap.  First, I would research my family history to assess what is the urgency of taking such an invasive test.
559635
I had a colonoscopy this year and I beleive it took about 30 mins,I cannot be sure about this because of the medication.....it was not uncomfortable and there was no after effects,good luck with the results.
612752
You have your cholesterol levels under control, but now your doctor says your triglycerides are still high. Triglycerides, like cholesterol, are blood fats. Research suggests that high levels increase risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. And very high levels (see chart) put you at risk for pancreatitis, a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas.\n\nThe good news is that lifestyle and dietary changes can significantly reduce triglyceride levels in most people. Mayo Clinic experts offer the following tips to help lower your risk of disease:\n\n* Eat fish high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, mackerel, and herring.\n\n* Cut back on sugary foods, such as cookies and soda.\n\n* Cut back on alcohol.\n\n* Exercise at least 30 minutes nearly every day.\n\nThe test for triglyceride levels should be done when you are fasting and no extra triglycerides from a recent meal are present in the bloodstream. Triglyceride levels after a meal may be 10 times higher than fasting levels.
1084769
You will find a really complete guide to doing this at AHA.org, which is the American Heart Association's website.\n\nI advise my patients to follow a low fat, high fiber diet and to exercise regularly.  Stop smoking as this does affect cholesterol levels.\n\nLean red meat is okay a couple of times per week.  When eating chicken, get rid of the skin.  Low fat dairy is okay in moderation.  Avoid fried foods and bake as much as possible.  Avoid trans fats, which are very common in fried and store bought bakery items.  Lots of fruits and veggies are great.  High fiber breakfast cereals will help, including oatmeal, raisin bran, fiber one, all bran.
575880
I like towgrunt's answer. I had a colonoscopy and let me tell you the prep sucked and might've been easier with some alcohol. I'd say skip it. Do you really wanna risk messing it up and having to do it over or having a complication during the procedure because of it?  Have fun! I'll tell you a funny colonoscopy story: A friend had one and before she went in they gave her a drug that makes you awake for the procedure, but you have amnesia about it after. She asked the nurse if she said anything weird during the procedure and the nurse said she asked the Dr. what made him want to look in assholes all day?! LOL
666332
I would say none, but I've never heard of column cancer.\n\nColon cancer would probably be none as well. Fiber would keep the colon clean.\n\nHowever, if you were genecially predisposed to the cancer, it wouldn't really matter what you ate.
728796
Pap smear, prostate exam, cholesterol, colonoscopy, mammogram, complete skin exam.
813211
I am a type 1 diabetic and my LDL was 130 (after many months of trying to get it under 100) so my endrocholigist gave me a rx for lipitor, the nurse knows i have high co pays so she gave me free samples, they only had 20 mg not the 10 mg he wanted me to have.  So she gave me a few boxes of 20 's and told me to break them.  That was in July.  I have been breaking them ever since.  I go back later this month I will have to let him know.  But on another note I did get re tested a few weeks ago the LDL went from 130 to 82 so maybe breaking it isn't as bad as it sounds
4294
A doctor inserts a tube into your mouth, and runs it through your esophogus, through the stomach, and into the duodenom (upper intestines). The doctor then can detect polyps, damage, tumors, etc, and he can also biopsy troubled areas. You will be required to be on a liquid-only diet for 24 hours, and then you can eat or drink nothing after midnight before the procedure. You will also be given laxatives to clear out your digestive system completely.\n\nFor the procedure, you will be given a spray to numb your throat and gag reflex. You will also be given a medication that will make you relaxed but you will still be awake during the procedure. The doctor will need you to help get the tube down. \n\nThe whole thing takes about 30 minutes. You won't be able to eat until the numbing spray wears off. Good luck!
465257
Lipitor, for high cholesterol.
110644
Yes you can. The amount of blood they draw for a lipid panel is nowhere close for consern. It also will not affect your test results. The vampires.
670257
This question is under Computer Monitors?  You might get more help in another forum.\n\nFor a colon cleans you should eat plenty of green fiberous vegatables and drink lots of water. Multiply your body weight in pounds and multiply times .55 to get the minimum number of ounces of water you should drink in a day.  So if you are 200 lb you should be drinking 110 oz's a day of water.  You need the water to purify yourself and wash out the impurities.\n\nAvoid "white foods" during this time. No white bread, no milk. High fiber bread is okay (but not your average "wheat bread" which has little fiber in it).  Read the labels!\n\nOil in your diet is important as it helps provide lubrication and revitalization for your cell membranes.  I recommend Udo's Choice Oil Blend - use it as a salad dressing. It is a blend of Omega 3, Omega 6 and Omega 9 oils in a proper balance.
883918
There are many types of Medications used to treat hyperlipidemia. You would need to be more specific,however OTC Niacin causes flushing of the skin of the head and neck. Statins (Lipitor, Crestor) can cause leg cramping and decreased Liver function. Bile Acid Sequestrant (Cholestyramine) can cause Diarrhea. The list goes on are you looking for one specifically?