Colonoscopy for an 85 year old?

My mother is 89 and a few months ago found some blood in her stools. The specialist said the next step would normally be to do a colonoscopy but in her case he would advise against it because of the invasive nature and as you get older the bowel wall becomes thinner and could be broken by the procedure. Mum is still able to make decisions herself and decided against having the procedure. We were told the blood could be due to a burst hemorroid. She currently appears well and is not losing any weight.

Are you able to speak to the specialist and ask his/her advice? I know how worrying this can be and my thoughts are with you and your mother.

It is not the colonoscopy, it is the bowel preparation prior to having it done. Once I had taken all of the tablets given to me, I was going to the loo several times an hour and although I had bought soothing cream, I was still red raw and so sore.

A friend drove me to the hospital which was 2 miles away and I was not certain if I would get there without an accident. I did n't but I needed to find a loo before I checked in.

It is certainly something to think about, good luck.

Thanks very much for your responses. I'll ask the doctor tomorrow though I'd like to find out more from a specialist before going to see one with my mum if you see what I mean. The prep for a colonoscopy is definitely something to bear in mind.

My MIL has had a couple of similar bout s although she is much older (101) and the GP has recommended that we leave well alone as it probably would be slow growing at her age anyway. She is still able to make decisions so its up to her but we don't push her

Thanks Teetime.

My mum was 98 when she had one but did not have to take anything before hand like Charleygirl did. We made it clear that if cancer was found we did not want her to go through any treatment and asked the surgeon not to mention the 'C' word to her. I have to say he was very dismissive of me and insisted on talking to my mum who also had vascular dementia. When asked a question she could sound very lucid but fortunately not on this occasion and he therefore took on board what I had asked him. She had nothing seriously wrong with her and lived another 3 years.
A friend's husband who has dementia went last week for one but when he got there refused point blank to let them do anything and so he came home with more iron tablets. The family had carefully talked it all through with him beforehand and he was fine about it, but if he refused treatment there was nothing to be done.

Thanks very much tiggypro. It's all very difficult predicting how your loved ones will react, isn't it?