COLONOSCOPY DANGERS – What You Need To Know
The next time your doctor suggests you have another colonoscopy done, first take the time to really weigh up the risks versus the possible benefits. Did you know it is impossible to sterilize a colonoscope? Don’t be surprised if even your doctor doesn’t know this. I’ve provided a download link for this full report (below) that you can print out and take in to your doctor – with all the research (from peer-reviewed medical publications) outlined.
So, let’s get started. First of all, this report is going to outline only the most prevalent risks that are present with every colonoscopy. I’m not going to get into rare risks here, like intestinal perforation, just those that may occur through routine procedures.
Regarding possible benefits, the first question you should ask yourself and your doctor is: Will the results of this colonoscopy change the course of treatment? Certainly, there are serious occasions where the best course of action is to have the colonoscopy. But, if your doctor is primarily recommending a colonoscopy as an information-gathering procedure, or as liability protection, then it’s not going to benefit you too much. It may, however, cause a lot of damage and that’s what this report is going to help you assess.
Here’s how a colonoscopy procedure works: First, you have to self-administer a ‘bowel preparation’ procedure. This consists of substances that cause you to completely clear out your bowel and leave the walls of your colon squeaky clean so the fiber optic camera can get a good picture of what’s happening with your mucosal lining and intestinal wall. Understandably, causing a complete clear out of everything from your bowels (usually over a one to three day period) is not pleasant, usually toxic and sometimes painful and traumatic.
Colonoscopies Destroy Bacterial Flora
But the really damaging thing about this kind of a colon cleansing is that it pretty much destroys your bacterial flora and balance of microorganisms in your colon. The average colon contains 3 – 4 pounds of bacteria. If you’re healthy, most of that consists of good, healthy bacteria. So the colonoscopy prep procedure has just stripped your colon of its good, protective bacteria. And guess what? Your colon is now wide open to secondary, or opportunistic infection by pathogenic bacteria, yeast, viruses, parasites, etc.
Into this now highly vulnerable colon, the doctor then inserts a colonoscope. This is a long tube that closely resembles a garden hose with a fiber optic camera on the end of it. But here’s what most people (including your own doctor) don’t know about colonoscopes: It’s impossible to properly or completely sterilize them.
Colonoscopes & Endoscopes Cannot Be Sterilized
It was actually Natasha Trenev (the founder of Natren probiotics) who first alerted me to this whole issue. We were on a TV show together when she told a story of how the Mayo Clinic had sent out letters to all its patients who’d had a colonoscopy – warning them that due to the inability to sterilize the apparatus, the patient might have been exposed to Hepatitis, AIDS, etc. I was aghast. Could this really be true? I began researching mainstream medical and scientific journals for evidence and I’m sure you’ll be as horrified as I was at the results.
But before we get into the technical medical jargon, let’s take a look at this newspaper article from the LA Times, where the reporter covered this exact issue:
UNSTERILE DEVICES PROMPT WARNINGS; Use of dirty endoscopes in colon and throat exams can pass along infections, activists say
- By John M. Glionna. The Los Angeles Times. Feb 13, 2003. pg. B.1
The nation’s leading manufacturer of endoscopes has known for a decade that some scopes contain cavities inaccessible to cleaning by hand but has failed to fix the oversight, said David Lewis, a University of Georgia research microbiologist who has conducted research for the federal Environmental Protection Agency on the issue of dirty endoscopes.
There is wide consensus that it is difficult to sterilize the devices, which can cost $28,000 each, without using temperatures so high that the scopes themselves become damaged. The scopes have numerous cavities that are difficult to clean, even by hand, critics say.
Acknowledged Timothy Ulatowski, an FDA official who oversees endoscope compliance: “When these things were designed, cleaning and sterilization was obviously an afterthought.”
Even the government can’t agree on how long is needed to clean the devices. The FDA says endoscopes should be disinfected for 45 minutes to kill tuberculosis bacteria, but the Centers for Disease Control believes the job can be done in 20 minutes, Lewis says.
He and other microbiologists advocate sterile disposable parts for endoscopes as well as the use of a condom-like sheath for each new patient. But they say manufacturers and health-care providers have resisted such solutions because of added costs.
Lewis says Olympus, which provides 70% of endoscopes on the U.S. market, has long been aware of cleaning problems associated with its product. In a patent filed in 1993, he says, the company wrote that at times “satisfactory cleaning cannot be achieved.”
You can read this newspaper article in full at:
http://www.sheller.com/NewsDetails.asp?NewsID=22
So now you have a colon that’s been stripped of its natural protective microflora, and directly exposed to a colonoscope that may be infected with any number of harmful viruses, bacteria and other pathogenic microorganisms.
I know, this is such a fantastical claim to make, that more evidence is certainly needed. So let’s get a little deeper into this issue and make sure it’s grounded in hard science. Each of the following problems (from evidence gleaned from mainstream medical journals), highlights a different facet of the sterilization problem:
* Endoscopes and colonoscopes are damaged by high temperature sterilization, so technicians have to use other methods to attempt sterilization. I say “attempt” because to date, they have not found an alternate method that can kill every type of pathogen.(1,7)
* A common sterilant for colonoscopes (gluteraldehyde) has actually been proven to cause colitis. If you develop any of the following symptoms within 48 hours of having a colonoscopy, it’s likely the gluteraldehyde residues on the colonoscope are responsible: Cramps and abdominal pain, tenesmus (painful, urgent straining to defecate), rectal bleeding and in some cases, hemorrhaging.(2)
* Gluteraldehyde (the most commonly used disinfectant for colonoscopes) also cannot kill mycobacteria. Mycobacterium (MAP) is the fungal/bacterial hybrid microorganism that has been identified in up to 98% of patients with Crohn’s Disease.(3)
* Ethylene oxide gas sterilization has also been shown to be ineffective for sterilizing flexible endoscopes, like colonoscopes.(4)
* Of all the endoscopes (gastroscopes, bronchoscopes, sigmoidoscopes), colonoscopes are the most difficult to sterilize.(5)
* Human error also plays a big role in colonoscope contamination. One study observed staff responsible for cleaning colonoscopy apparatus for two years running – and their conclusion was: If the staff do not clean the colonoscope properly prior to disinfection, then no matter what sterilization procedure is in place, the colonoscope remains highly contaminated; and after two years of observation, they discovered a lot of evidence of human error.(6,7)
In the last section of this report, I have listed the specific medical publications and quoted the texts these assertions come from, so you have the hard science backing up these claims. Your doctor will also need to see this section when you take this report in to him/her.
However, before we get to that, here’s what to do if you’re faced with a colonoscopy, to minimize the potential damage.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU DECIDE TO HAVE A COLONOSCOPY
Those of you who have read my books know my personal opinion on colonoscopies and that I haven’t had another one done since my first, over 20 years ago. However, in the event that you really do need to have one done, what can you do to protect yourself?
A medical supply company called Stryker was working on a colonoscopy apparatus with a disposable sheath – called ColonoSleeve – and this would have been ideal. Unfortunately, in 2008 they abandoned the project for unknown reasons. I don’t currently know of any other disposable colonoscopy product, but check with your doctor as one may be developed at any time. If you’re just having a sigmoidoscopy done, make sure your doctor uses a disposable sigmoidoscope. These are commonly available, so should be easily obtained.
However, while using a disposable scope will greatly protect against infection, it still doesn’t make up for the disruption and destruction of your healthy bowel flora. So following your colonoscopy, you will also need to go on high dose, therapeutic-quality probiotic supplementation.
Ideally, you want to first follow the colonoscopy with Jini’s Probiotic Retention Enema and then at least 3 months of high dose oral probiotic supplementation. You may also want to follow Jini’s Wild Oregano Oil Protocol as well to get rid of any new pathogens transmitted via the colonoscope…
Click here if you’d like to read the rest of this 20-page report.
p.s. At 20 pages, this Colonoscopy Dangers report was too long to put in this blog post in its entirety, so just click the link above (you may need to right-click on it) and you can read the whole report and even save a copy to your computer, print it out, share it with friends.
What About Sigmoidoscopies?
As you can see from this description, the test prep for a sigmoidoscopy is almost as thorough as that for a colonoscopy (and if you decide to go ahead it is better to use the magnesium and senna test prep rather than the polyethylene glycol), and it is still quite an aggressive cleanse/clear out, so you will need to do Jini’s Probiotic Retention Enema in the same way as advised in the Colonoscopy Dangers report and then continue on high dose oral probiotics for at least 6 months. And also take George’s aloe vera juice before the procedure to help prevent inflammation from the sigmoidoscopy. If you have (or recently had) a tendency to diarrhea, the test prep bowel clearance will also likely exacerbate this – for how long, who knows?
As long as your doctor uses a disposable sigmoidoscope, you will not run the infective risks of the colonoscopy.
So, it has to be your choice, balancing up the pros and cons between your body’s Healing Journey vs. your fears, or if you feel like you should have it done (listen to your gut!), or if your doctor indeed has a good reason to recommend it, or if he is just trying to be compliant with his medical association and avoid malpractice litigation.
I had my first colonoscopy about a month ago and I subsequently developed a yeast infection in my rectal and vaginal areas. I went back to my dr and she could see nothing wrong so then went to my naturopath who diagnosed it. I was never warned that this could be a possible side effect and don’t know of anyone else who has had this problem. So now I’m left with the frustrating ordeal of trying to clear up this mess. It’s costing me time, money and causing me anxiety.
Hi Marilyn, yes, so now you need these protocols to repair the damage:
http://www.listen2yourgut.com/blog/gut/wild-oregano-oil-protocol-and-probiotic-enema/
Thanks for your info. I’m already following a protocol given to me by my ND of Black Walnut Oil and probiotics (HMF Intensive by Genestra). I have some wild Oregano Oil. Can I take that as well? If so how much/day? I’m definitely going to try applying it externally as directed in your protocol.
I have had 2 colonoscopies. The first was done in 2006 at the age of 39 because I passed bright red blood when having bowel movements. I made the mistake of telling my husband about the blood. He told my doctor, who insisted I have a colonoscopy. The prep was absolutely brutal. The doctor didn’t tell me the truth – he said I would be asleep during the procedure. I wasn’t. I felt all of it and even watched it on the TV screen. All he found was a hemmoroid that was located inside my anus. The doctor told me to treat it with hemmoroid cream. As far as I am concerned the colonoscopy was unnecessary. The hemmoroid, incidentally, never stopped bleeding. It still bleeds. I will probably have periodic bleeding from my rectum for the rest of my life. I’m good with that.
The 2nd colonoscopy was performed in Feb 2010. A blood test taken in January showed that I was anemic. My doctor (same doctor as before) was in a total panic. He said I needed to have my gastroenterologist perform an upper endoscopy and a lower endoscopy immediately. The doctor scared me and he scared my husband. They both pushed and harrassed me to have these procedures. It was wierd, but I KNEW that if I had these tests they would show nothing. I had the upper endoscopy (those are easy) and it showed….NOTHING! By that time the bleeding had stopped and my hemoglobin levels were increasing. My doctor insisted I have a colonoscopy because, he claimed, even though the bleeding had stopped there was a risk that it could start again and that it would bleed so fast I could die before I got medical help. Like an idiot I had the colonoscopy. If I ever have to make that decision again I’ll take my chances with the bleeding. I went through the hell of prep again, had the colonoscopy and it showed…..NOTHING! What the colonoscopy DID do was deplete my immune system so badly that within 4 days I had contracted a respiratory infection. I have severe asthma, so the respiratory infection became serious. I am on my 3rd week off work (just for the respiratory infection/asthma – not counting the time lost due to the anemia and they hysteria of my doctor and husband). I’m also on my 3rd course of antibiotics (that’s probably doing my colon a world of harm too) and my 3rd dose of oral steriods. I also had one injection of steriods. I have gained 20 pounds, have no clothes that fit, am horribly depressed, am angry at my doctor and my husband and am close to using up all of my paid time off at work so I will not be able to take any vacation time this year. And it is only March. (My husband, who is 51 and has not had the colonoscopy that is recommended when one turns 50 and has no intention of having it learned the hard way that he will STAY OUT OF MY MEDICAL DECISIONS unless I ask him his opinion. I am so mad at him for pushing me to have that colonoscopy. When I was in the hospital, someone mentioned “blood transfusion” and he asked 2 different doctors to give me a blood transfusion. He didn’t bother asking me if I WANTED a blood transfusion. That was okay, though, because I would not have consented to that. I would have gotten up, gotten dressed and walked out. Fortunately both doctors told him “no” on the transfusion. I don’t know what his deal is when it comes to having doctors perform risky, invasive procedures on me, but he better not EVER do it again.
I do not recommend colonoscopies. I think they do more harm than good. I think the primary benefit of a colonoscopy is to the doctor because he makes money. I have no intention of ever having another colonoscopy. I cannot believe I was stupid enough to allow other people to frighten me into having an unnecessary procedure that provided no benefit at all due to an internal bleed that corrected itself within a week of discovery. Especially when I KNEW, intuitively, that it was unnecessary.
Wow. You people would say anything to make a buck. I have known many patients that have had colon cancer (yes, cancer, not just polyps) diagnosed during a screening colonoscopy. In almost all the cases, the cancer was detected in an early stage (before spreading) and was treated with surgical intervention. Now they are cancer free. I dont see probiotics treating cancer. Keep posting garbage like this on the web to discourage people not to get colonoscopies, and end up killing people. Hope you can sleep with that.
Yes, there are risks to having a colonoscopy. There are risks with everything in life. Drinking, driving, crossing the street, etc. But there are great benefits too. Always weight your risk and benefits before doing anything, esp a medical/surgical procedure.
I’m sure Barbara (see her post) wouldnt have minded a yeast infection if she had a cancer that was diagnosed during the colonoscopy. In addition, there is no proof that the colonoscopy itself caused the infection. It may have been that she didn’t know how to clean herself after having bowel movements. She can blame it on the procedure or the prep, or the doctor who didnt remind her which way to wipe, but she wouldnt have had the procedure done if she truly felt it was not necessary. Take responsibilty on your own actions and decisions, dont blame others. I see people having colonoscopies everyday, and I made sure my parents got theirs done when they turned fifty and I would have everyone else in my life that I love to undergo the procedure when necessary.
After having spent months now getting rid of my Candida problem, I have a bit more perspective on everything. I’m sure my yeast imbalance started as a result of taking antibiotics a few years ago, so I can’t really blame the colonoscopy. The colon prep was probably the straw that broke the camel’s back. They did find and remove a polyp during the procedure , so in the long run it was probably worth it. So if I have any advise to give, I wouldn’t say avoid a colonoscopy. Be careful of your diet (avoid sugar and all that crap), avoid Big Pharma if possible, and take really good quality probiotics if you need to have anything invasive done.
Marilyn
[...] Note: If you have had a colonoscopy, or are considering one, please download my complimentary Colonoscopy Report – where I outline the risks and what you can do to protect [...]
Hi Jini: I find your article, “Colonoscopy Dangers,” most informative. I am very concerned about the possibility of contracting a disease or even an incurable illness through such an invasive medical procedure. As I have been advised to get a colonoscopy, I have asked a colonoscopy specialist at a renowed clinic if they used a removeable sheath-like apparatus on their colonoscope, in order to prevent cross contamination. He said no and that, honestly, he did not know if such a procedure would create cross contamination. He claimed he had never heard of it at his clinic. “We try our best, in accordance with the medical association’s guidelines, to make sure the equipments are clean properly,” he commented. “You’ll just have to take your chances!” Does anyone know if any health clinic or hospital in Canada or the United States that uses a removable, sheath-like apparatus on their colonoscope?
Print the report and take it in to your doctor – after assessing it, he may be able to answer your questions better and who knows, perhaps they have new/improved equipment or sterilizing method?
Stryker bought out the company that made the colonoscope sheaths and so far have not produced or done anything with the invention. So no, I don’t know of any clinic that has a better option.
[...] 15 drops of 70% DMSO into her rectum. She did this every night for 2 months. Then she went for a colonoscopy and her doctor confirmed what she already knew – the stricture was completely gone and there [...]
Jini I had a colonoscopy in 2000 and a virtual colonoscopy in 2005 and both
were clean. My doctor says I need another procedure.
What are your thoughts.
Thank you!
I would encourage you to use the tools in Listen To Your Gut to connect with your own body wisdom and then decide what to do.
Also, be sure and follow the instructions in the Colonoscopy Dangers report for how to protect yourself if you do have one.
A really important point to keep in mind is that doctors legally MUST advise regular colonoscopies, or they can be sued for malpractice. So keep this uppermost in your mind when deciding whether or not one is really necessary for you.
If your docs primary concern is cancer – get the blood tests and other markers done first. If all is normal, then why would you need a colonoscopy? Talk to your doc about this.
Jini, I’m trying to get your Probiotics Retention Enema. But I can’t find it on your
web site. I need it so I can use it after my c’ oscopy after week . Also, I just received Natren’s Trinity in the mail today. Should I wait until after my colonoscopy next Wednesday to start or start now. And what should the dosage and frequency be???
HELP!
Ken – We do not sell a Probiotic Retention Enema kit.
You buy the Natren probiotic powders (see Page 181 of Listen To Your Gut for which probiotics are needed) from here:
http://www.holistichealthshoppe.com/index.php#27
Then you can buy the enema bag from here:
http://www.holistichealthshoppe.com/astragalus.php?id=20#40
And you mix and administer according to the instructions on Page 181 of Listen To Your Gut.
But this is actually a good idea you have suggested – to bundle everything together into a kit, we will look to sort this out in the near future.
Most virtual colonoscopy units use presterilized disposables, and is the best choice if you are sensitive to the risks of a colonoscopy.
Thanks for this article. My daughter developed a serious C-Diff infection after a colonscopy in 2005. She was also pregnant at the time (with her 2nd child) but was so early into the pregnancy that she didn’t know she was pregnant yet. After the colonscopy and then the subsequent C-Diff infection with its horrendous round of powerful antibiotics she then lost the baby. I doubt she’ll ever do another colonscopy again … I know I won’t.
My profession includes the disinfection of Colonoscopes.
Thorough cleaning is where most failures to disinfect colonoscopes occur (human error).
The high level disinfection most commonly used does not always kill every bacterial spores such as C Diff, but viruses like Hepatitis and HIV ARE killed by high-level disinfection.
Colonoscopes can not be sterilized by heat and steam sterilization, but they can be sterilized using Ethylene Oxide gas. They can be High-Level disinfected several different ways.
Because of time considerations and the fact that mucus membranes resist infection in ways that sterile tissue can not, colonoscopes are normally disinfected, frequently by using extra-strength Hydrogen Peroxide.
Gluteraldehyde is an old disinfection technology which is being replaced in most places where it is still used.
This article seems to demonstrate the dangers of a little knowledge. One example is discussing sterilization time without discussing which sterilant is used.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge Pete – if you have downloaded the full report (not just the excerpt above in this blog post) it contains the full references to the studies the information was taken from – with all the details of sterilants used, procedure, etc.
If technology has advanced, it would be very helpful for us if you could post some links to clinical studies showing that newer disinfection methods are more effective…
Hi Jini,
You mention above “it is better to use the magnesium and senna test prep rather than the polyethylene glycol”. I think your book also mentions barium enemas.
But my scheduled sigmoidoscopy coming up in January has instructions for magnesium citrate, not these other things. What is your take on that?
In any case, I am considering cancelling the procedure after reading your information about these procedures. I’m not getting it due to any concerns per se, but simply as a medially suggested preventative measure. My doctor recommends either a colonoscopy every 10 years or a sigmoidoscopy every few years. She is an MD. But I also have an ND doctor.
Thanks,
Rick
My mother ended up getting colorectal cancer at the age 45. They found out she had a blood type that caused her to get c,ancer called lynch syndrom. They family was recommended to get the same test done. My test came back positive for it also. I am 29 yrs old and now have to get colonoscopy’s every 1 to 2 yrs to monitor. I have an 80% chance of getting colon, ovarian, and uterian cancer. i got my first colonoscopy this week and now i have a yeast infection as well. I rather deal with that then have to go through what my mother went through. I will continue to get the colonoscopys because thats whats going to save my life. My ten yr old son and my 2 yr old daughter are now at a 50% risk of having the lynch. They cant get tested untill they are 18 and u best believe they will be getting colonoscopys as well…
I think taking yogurt (about 2 tablespns) every 4 hours can also help to keep the intestinal flora healthy.
All the best
ANGELA – if you download the report, it gives you the treatment to use both before and after the colonoscopy to minimize the risks (including yeast infection) and heal the colon.
But Jini, nowadays the hygiene of the endoscopes is very thorough :
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/17383.php
Is it still not advisable to get endoscopes ?
Then how does one know what’s going on in the GUT ?
Thanx!
SID – you would have to dig deeper to get independent confirmation of their data – this paper is put out by a society formed to promote endoscopy and their stat sources are from a related journal – not really an unbiased source.
Do a search on some of the publications I have listed in my report and see if they have any new data, whether the situation has changed. And then please let us know what you find…
There’s now a case here in Ottawa involving a dr. who didn’t properly sterilize her scope between patients. Some of them have now tested positive for hepatitis and have launched a class action lawsuit against this dr. So you do have a valid argument concerning this topic. That being said, I did have a polyp removed when I had a colonocopy last year, so in the long run it was a beneficial procedure. However I think I’d like to see the use of a sheath over the scope as you recommended .
Angela, I ended up with a yeast infection as well after my colonoscopy which took me quite some time to get rid of. There’s a whole protocol involved with candidiasis, yogurt alone won’t do the trick. I followed a special diet, took herbal antifungals and very strong probiotics. I’d advise seeing an ND. Good luck.
Angela, you may have likely already heard the relatively new findings regarding the fact aspirin significantly cuts the risk for developing cancer in people at risk for developing hereditary colon cancer (Lynch Syndorme in particular). The study – a large randomized controlled trial – was published about a month ago in the Lancet (a press release can be read here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2011/10/28/colon-cancer-aspirin-genetic.html). This finding supports the idea that this type of colon cancer is promoted by inflammation – which is ironically part and parcel of the effects of colonoscopy. The fact that many of these diagnostic tests (not to mention the cures) are so invasive and disruptive to the body’s homeostatic functions is a real conundrum for people trying to make the best health decisions for themselves and their family. Best wishes on all fronts.
I just had my 3rd colonoscopy today…again,nothing was found.I have been dealing with rectal bleeding on and off for 3 years.This last episode was really bad with clots and a positive for anemia.I feel like my day was a waste of time and money but if you are high risk for Cancer…it may be necessary.I am still worried that something is really wrong with me and will seek alternative medical treatment.There has to be a ct scan or some kind of xray that can see whats going on .Im hanging in there…what else can I do?
TONYA – I’m assuming they checked you for internal hemorrhoids… Please watch these 2 videos of mine as they may well give you some ideas:
All About Abdominal Adhesions and Obstruction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpSv4Br8yjY
Tracing Pain & Dysfunction In the Body
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhA4nx0LHQw
Sometimes the cause is not where the symptom is…
I have a business where people come in for repairs on eyeglasses….most of them I dont know. in the past month I had 5 people come in to tell me their family member is in the hospital for punctures after a colonscopy. ,after the colonscopy they had an infection after a perferation…then a heart attack -then peomonia..the others were mostly perferations…these are people waiting for a repair for their family member in the hospital or cant leave the house….how many more ? doesnt that seem high…I am near a well know hospital in an affuent area….I had one at 50….now at 60 I am listening to my gut…I know the ones who find out they have cancer it saves their life…are relieved…but my doctor said these precedues are going back to being done in the office,and not in the hospitals any longer….what happened there? too many problems? sandra
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