I’ve had two done at Chiang Mai Ram and the night before they gave me some stuff to drink I actually added a little lemonade mix to it tasted a lot better I drink it this time it was pretty easy I went in there they knocked me out I didn’t realize I only thought there were maybe two or three people in the room but there’s actually many people in the room monitoring your room and making sure everything‘s OK I woke up maybe in 40 minutes feeling great and drove myself home in America I had one done I was totally out of it for like a day and a half here it seems like an easy procedure it’s good to have it done every year I think five years depend depending on your age cause if they find something they can take care of it or if you don’t have it done eventually it could lead to having serious problems TIT

Had my first one 5 yrs ago living in Taiwan......free with their health plan but paid the 2,000nt (2,040 baht aprox today) to be sedated. Remember drinking all kinds of liquids the day/night before and told to have a friend come or taxi a must on leaving. Felt nothing. Woke up good to go and the doc said see you in a week for results (all fine) and walked to the taxi / right to a McDonalds.....ate and went next door to my pool hall and shot stick / drank beers all afternoon with my buddies.

5 hours ago, Peterphuket said:

The only bad experience I’ve had with a colonoscopy was when they used the wrong anaesthetic, which left me barely able to remember what happened

i would consider that a positive side affect, some experiences are better forgotten

Make sure you take the medication to put you asleep.

I had this awake and without doubt the most painful procedure i have ever had. Never do it this way.

On 3/30/2026 at 7:39 PM, gargamon said:

You won't necessarily feel bad because of polyps whether malignant or not in your lower intestinal tract.

one does not necessarily feel bad with a large tumour in your lower intestinal tract either, Bowel cancer can remain undetected for years

2 hours ago, gargamon said:

I've done about 8 endoscopies due to Barrett's. Only sedation for the first one. Just a bit of discomfort. No waiting for hours after for the sedation to wear off.

Sorry for your Barrett's but good to know. I'll refuse sedation for my next one! Thanks!

On 3/30/2026 at 11:11 AM, GammaGlobulin said:

At my age, I would prefer to forego the hassle.

I am OK with dying of colon cancer.

For me, it's more concerning to work on the front end of my alimentary canal...my teeth.

I prefer to spend my money on my teeth, rather than my bowel.

One simply cannot think of everything, due to limited time and resources.

Dwelling too much on my colon might distract me from my dental restoration program.

Most importantly: My GF cares more about my teeth than she does about my hind quarter.

I had a brother pass from colon cancer at 55. He found out during his first colonoscopy - despite being treated at Vanderbilt university for a long time, the cancer spread. He went down from 180 lbs to 76. It’s a nasty disease. Everyone should be worried about it imo. It didn’t run in our family either

6 minutes ago, Bigwave12 said:

I had a brother pass from colon cancer at 55. He found out during his first colonoscopy - despite being treated at Vanderbilt university for a long time, the cancer spread. He went down from 180 lbs to 76. It’s a nasty disease. Everyone should be worried about it imo. It didn’t run in our family either

Exactly. You have stomach problems lasting more than a few days, or consistent like IBS or IBD, you need to get a full checkup. H Pylori, which about 70% of people have, only affects about 20% like it did me, and it comes from kissing another, water or bacteria on surfaces. It's everywhere, and unchecked will lead to gastritis and possible cancer of the gastro tract.

On 3/31/2026 at 7:20 AM, carlyai said:

Stupidity may be punished.

Bowel cancer is an easily treatable disease if caught early. Horrible if you ignore the symptoms and leave it.

What are the symptoms?

4 minutes ago, thecyclist said:

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms was probably the wrong word.

But my FIL had it and his bowel movements changed, also blood on his underpants and upset stomach.

It's pretty hard to tell if you have polyps and one or more are going cancerous without a colonoscopy.

The colon and colon cancer are discussed so often, while you never here about stomach cancer.

Is there a procedure for early detection of stomach cancer, or is a simply xray sufficient here?

2 hours ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Sorry for your Barrett's but good to know. I'll refuse sedation for my next one! Thanks!

Barrets long gone. PPI every day got rid of that.

On 3/31/2026 at 4:11 AM, GammaGlobulin said:

At my age, I would prefer to forego the hassle.

I am OK with dying of colon cancer.

For me, it's more concerning to work on the front end of my alimentary canal...my teeth.

I prefer to spend my money on my teeth, rather than my bowel.

One simply cannot think of everything, due to limited time and resources.

Dwelling too much on my colon might distract me from my dental restoration program.

Most importantly: My GF cares more about my teeth than she does about my hind quarter.

You don't say what your age is but I would recommend a colonoscopy whatever your age might be. In 1985, they found a cancerous polyp in President Ronald Reagan after he had a colonoscopy. My Dad was 71 then and, reading about Reagan, he decided to have a colonoscopy, too. The doctor found a cancerous polyp and Dad had surgery to remove the polyp. At the time, the doctor told Dad he thought he had gotten all of it. He must have been right, as Dad lived another 24 years and died a week shy of his 95th birthday.

I figure you can't lose with a colonoscopy. If they find nothing--great. If they find something--also great, as it might be treatable and prolong your life considerably, as it did with my Dad. I have had three so far--they have been easy and painless, with the prep the most tedious part.

2 hours ago, thecyclist said:

The colon and colon cancer are discussed so often, while you never here about stomach cancer.

Is there a procedure for early detection of stomach cancer, or is a simply xray sufficient here?

Upper endoscopy and biopsy.That's how H Pylori was found in mine, along with seeing inflammation.

21 hours ago, TimBKK said:

I hear you, I am the same way but always better to confront these things sooner than later. Best of luck.

Thank you.

On 3/30/2026 at 2:43 PM, Sheryl said:

Preparation:

Laxative solution to clean out your bowels. Some hospitals have you do this at home, some have you come in several hours in advance and do it there.

You may also be given special dietary instructions for the day prior. Varies with the hospital & doctor, but low fiber for a few days and clear liquids only the day before are typical.

During: little to no experience as you are usually put to sleep with IV sedation

After: nothing special; though some people find they pass a lot of gas in the initial hours. Due to tyhe sedation, shpould not plan on driving home yourself as may still be a bit groggy/spaced out.

Prices: depend on hospital (private vs government) and whether any polyps found, polyp removal and biopsy is additional to basic colonoscopy price. Nowadays, private hospitals in Bangkok are around 25-30k (not including any polyp removal and biopsy). There are periodic special packages with somewhat lower costs. Government hospitals usually under 10k. Recommended sources for the latter would be Chulalongkhorn going through their after hours clinic, or Chulabhorn Hospital.

https://kcmh.chulalongkornhospital.go.th/en/clinic/after-hours-clinics-and-premium-care-clinics-during-normal-operating-hours/

https://chulabhornhospital.cra.ac.th/

Is this for a routine screening, or a specific problem? As if the latter, choice of doctor (doctor, not hospital) is very important. Please indicate if so and I will recommend doctor.

What timing, my first two screening was easy I remember given a pill, put in some water one or two glasses that was it.

3rd time under Medicare new doctor I had to drink like what was five gallons, after the first gallon I felt I was already cleaned out but kept drinking until I felt I was going to bust a gut it was really painful to drink it all ! Morning I went they prep me but Dr. For whatever reason was 2 hours late, when I saw him the guy look drunk or something.

Last two years under a different plan and Doctor reviewed my history based also on reading for guys over 70, with no prior history think of bypassing the examine that it can do more harm than good when prepping so she gave me a smear kit last two year, straight quick and easy.

A guy I care for here is over 74 bad shape last colon 7 years ago l, mother died of colon cancer 84, I ask recently BPH, instead of the full colon do they have the smear kit told me no they not have?

Any hospital you know provide the smear kit test.

Thanks

I'm going through this right now. Stage 3 rectal cancer.

Where I live just now I got a government-funded checkup (stool check). It came back positive so I got offered a government-funded colonoscopy. Very professional from start to finish. For preparation I had the laxative drinks, and for the procedure I was sedated but not knocked out. The sedative was fentanyl - I was kind of shocked by that.

No pain, no major after effects, but a bit drained for the rest of the day. I had someone accompany me for my own safety (recommended by the doctor) on the public transport ride home - was a sensible suggestion by the doc.

Radiotherapy is completed, chemo is 2/5th of the way through. After that I have MRI/CT scans to see what the impact of the radio / chemo was, and another colonoscopy. As my tumour is not far from my butt hole, the prep for that is an enema. I am not looking forward to that at all. As the likely outcome is death if I don't do as the doctor says I'll get through it though.

10 minutes ago, Watawattana said:

I'm going through this right now. Stage 3 rectal cancer.

Where I live just now I got a government-funded checkup (stool check). It came back positive so I got offered a government-funded colonoscopy. Very professional from start to finish. For preparation I had the laxative drinks, and for the procedure I was sedated but not knocked out. The sedative was fentanyl - I was kind of shocked by that.

No pain, no major after effects, but a bit drained for the rest of the day. I had someone accompany me for my own safety (recommended by the doctor) on the public transport ride home - was a sensible suggestion by the doc.

Radiotherapy is completed, chemo is 2/5th of the way through. After that I have MRI/CT scans to see what the impact of the radio / chemo was, and another colonoscopy. As my tumour is not far from my butt hole, the prep for that is an enema. I am not looking forward to that at all. As the likely outcome is death if I don't do as the doctor says I'll get through it though.

Thank you for sharing...I hope all will end well, wishing you all the best.

I’m 64 and recently had the standard bowel cancer screening test. It came back showing traces of blood, so I rang up and incredibly was booked in for a colonoscopy within just four days.

I followed the prep instructions to the letter, including the 48-hour 'laxative lockdown' preceding the procedure. It’s effective, to say the least; I lost 3.5kg in weight before I even reached the hospital!

On the day, I took a taxi to the hospital and opted for the pain relief cocktail: Fentanyl and Midazolam. It worked wonders I felt completely relaxed and was even able to sit up and watch the whole 'tour' on the TV screen.

Thankfully, the news was all good just a touch of haemorrhoids. It’s worth noting that the entire process was 'free' on the NHS. Every single person I met at Lewisham Hospital was non-native born, and without exception, they were all excellent, friendly, and professional.

If you get the letter, don't ignore it. The prep is the hardest part; the rest is just a relaxed afternoon watching a very exclusive screening of your own plumbing.

On 4/1/2026 at 2:25 PM, thecyclist said:

The colon and colon cancer are discussed so often, while you never here about stomach cancer.

Is there a procedure for early detection of stomach cancer, or is a simply xray sufficient here?

An Xray will not be useful.

Gastroscopy (endoscopy, but at other end of the GI tract than colonoscopy) with biopsy of any lesion noted is diagnostic but, unlike colonoscopy, not done s a routine screening in asymptomatic people.

H. pylori infection is often a factor in gastric cancer so important to treat if present, typically this will show up during work up for gastritis (gastric inflammation typically preceded development of gastric cancer by many years).

HI

Update...went for 2nd time hospital for appointment stool test which was again positive...now waiting appointment Barium enema test within 2 months, reason that late all other blood examination values/ranges were good, no queue urgentie.

Regards

Just now, rgrdns said:

HI

Update...went for 2nd time hospital for appointment stool test which was again positive...now waiting appointment Barium enema test within 2 months, reason that late all other blood examination values/ranges were good, no queue urgentie.

Regards

Sounds likeva government hospital. One that either lacks enfoscopy services or needs to ration them.

Wuth vonfirmed blood in your stool a 2 month wait is inadvisable and barium enema not the best test. Quite outdated in fact.

Makes no diffrtence yhat other tests at notmsl. You would not expect otherwise. The varioys causes of bloid in stool will not show abnormal lab tests unleds bloid loss had bern significsnt in amount.

You should have a colonoscopy. Soon.

Just now, Sheryl said:

Sounds likeva government hospital. One that either lacks enfoscopy services or needs to ration them.

Wuth vonfirmed blood in your stool a 2 month wait is inadvisable and barium enema not the best test. Quite outdated in fact.

Makes no diffrtence yhat other tests at notmsl. You would not expect otherwise. The varioys causes of bloid in stool will not show abnormal lab tests unleds bloid loss had bern significsnt in amount.

You should have a colonoscopy. Soon.

Hi Sheryl,

It's mine chosen (SSO) private hospital Sikarin at Bang Na. GP told me the reason for using first the barium enema test is that they need more clarification for SSO if they may proceed with next process, colonoscopy.

On 3/31/2026 at 11:03 AM, Sheryl said:

Blood in stool, with no other symptom, is a common early sign of colon cancer.

It can also have other causes e.g .hemorrhoids, diverticulosis etc.

Definitely needs to br investigated.

Should be possible to have colonoscopy at your SS hospital at no cost. But if you encounter problems let me know.

Or if you don't mind paying about 25k out of pocket, this is the best colon specialist in the country:

https://www.bumrungrad.com/en/doctors/chucheep-sahakitrungruang

He is also at Bangkok Christian Hospital once a week.

https://www.bch.in.th/find-doctor/72

BCH costs less. Both hospitals currently have colonoscopy packages, 22K at BCH and 25K at Bumrungrad.

BCH (with Dr. Chucheep) = Endoscopy and colonoscopy = b47k (May 2026)

I had a colonoscopy a few Months ago and used a liquid solution the night before, my God good job i was near a toilet im talking minutes before running to the the bog if i made it. In the end you were passing brown water literally the smell was awful too.

3 hours ago, Bredbury Blue said:

BCH (with Dr. Chucheep) = Endoscopy and colonoscopy = b47k (May 2026)

Colonoscopy is an endoscopy. I suspect you mean gastroscopy and colonoscopy (both of which are endoscopies). Colonoscopy alone will be less of course.

21 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Colonoscopy is an endoscopy. I suspect you mean gastroscopy and colonoscopy (both of which are endoscopies). Colonoscopy alone will be less of course.

Thank you for offering the correct terms, a yes your comments are correct. I confused myself as BCH's department is called Endoscopy and I sat waiting and seeing the sign for +3 hours.

I think ive seen mentioned on AN before that Professor Chucheep Sahakitrungruang is at Bumrungrad and Bangkok Christian hospitals, but he's also at Chulalongkorn hospitals. My wife and i have been very happy and thankful he took on my wife's case 5 years ago; his english is also good and he's always happy to explain to me the non-patient whatever he explains to my wife in Thai.

On 5/6/2026 at 11:13 AM, Bredbury Blue said:

BCH (with Dr. Chucheep) = Endoscopy and colonoscopy = b47k (May 2026)

FYI. Wife's friend (thai) just had gastroscopy at Thai Nakarin = b35k.

I had a colonoscopy at Bangpo Hospital. Had insurance pay for it. No issues. The only part I didn't enjoy was sitting on the toilet at home for hours as my bowels evacuated. The liquid laxative tasted horrible. It was only later that I read you can mask the taste by mixing in orange juice!

On 3/31/2026 at 4:11 AM, GammaGlobulin said:

At my age, I would prefer to forego the hassle.

I am OK with dying of colon cancer.

An increasingly large segment of the U.S. medical community now no longer recommends regular (every-10-year) colonoscopies for those over 75,