Think twice about getting a virtual colonoscopy

A few weeks ago I made a long post about my first colonoscopy experience, primarily because I opted to do it with no sedation. I figured I would make another post about what led to me to getting the actual colonoscopy in the first place, and provide a bit of a cautionary tale for anyone thinking about getting a virtual colonoscopy instead of the real thing.

In June after my annual physical I took a Cologuard test which came back positive. I laughed it off since I'm only 46, perfect health, fit, no family history, etc. After the positive Cologuard my doc then insisted I get a colonoscopy, but me being hard-headed, I told him I'd just get a virtual one done instead. A virtual one is also referred to as a CT Colonography.

Anyway, the radiologist report from the virtual showed one large 20mm polyp. The report also noted that it could just be residual poop. So, after some thought, I convinced myself to just tough it out and get a real colonoscopy just to check. Thankfully I did. When they got in there, not only did they find the 20mm polyp, but also two others the virtual completely missed -- one of which was a rather large 12mm tubular adenoma.

Long story short, had the virtual not picked up the one, I would've never gone in for a real colonoscopy and according to my gastro the other large one the virtual missed would've turned cancerous in two years.

If you're thinking about opting for a virtual instead of the real thing. Please think twice. The real thing is super easy, even without sedation.

I'm due back in 3 years.