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How often do you get a colonoscopy?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/25/2011 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
Another question after my appt the other day....how often do most of you get colonoscopies? 

My last one was normal - one small polyp - some tiny patches of inactive Crohn's - some slight narrowing in one tiny section.  I had this done about a year ago, but my GI doc said I should schedule another one sometime this year!  That seems really soon to me, especially since the last one was fine. 

I'm all for being careful, but I hate the prep and it means a day off work, etc.  Plus, most of my GI docs in the past said getting one every 3-5 years was sufficient.  I also don't have any colon cancer in my family or anything.  The GI mentioned that since I've had Crohn's for so long I should get them done more often, but just wanted to check in here....

Thanks!   

Posted 1/25/2011 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
I have had one every year since I was diagnosed in 2008.  As far as I know this will be the norm for me!
Posted 1/25/2011 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't had one in 6 years. I do have a bag, but I also have a Hartman's pouch. I'm overdue for one.
Posted 1/25/2011 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
My GI agrees with me that at my age (48) there is no need for an annual scope. I prefer to have them as seldom as possible - the last one (2 years ago) caused a flare for me.
Posted 1/25/2011 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
My doc told me barring any issues coming up I would not have one for several years. My scope was clean except for inflammation so he did not see a need for me to have one every year
Posted 1/25/2011 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
My doc. says every three years..
Posted 1/25/2011 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
I have had precancerous polyps removed during one colonoscopy. That pushed me into the must have one every 3 years catagory. So now I do though I swear next time they will have to put down an NG tube to get the prep into me. I just cannot handle any volume of liquid all the preps require.
Posted 1/25/2011 11:05 PM (GMT 0)
My GI wants one at least every 2 years, even though my last scope showed nothing wrong. Although I really hate the prep, I don't mind the frequency too much. I like to know what's going on inside of me.
Posted 1/26/2011 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
It's so interesting to see what schedule everyone has for these! I'm OK with doing it every 2 years or so...I like to know what's going on in there too! My GI doc said it was fine if I pushed my next one to sometime at the end of 2011, so I think I'll hold of as long as I can.

It also costs so darn much every time you get one done! But really, it's just the prep I hate....the rest is not so bad.
Posted 1/26/2011 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
I think it would be every other year but never went that long without having either a flex sig or a colonoscopy. Now because I have TI involvement I think they will make me get a colonoscopy every time instead of having me do flex sigs.
Posted 1/26/2011 5:20 PM (GMT 0)
Every year for now
Posted 1/27/2011 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
I have had 3 colonoscopies so far: 94 (diagnosed of CD), 98, 03. My GI said I am over-due for colonoscopy. Aside from the prep, I am thinking what if the doctor causes a colon perforation or passes hepatitis c virus during the exam? That is a possibility (not very likely though).

Post Edited (EruditePaul) : 1/26/2011 7:45:35 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/27/2011 11:54 AM (GMT 0)
I had four last year alone! But, to be fair, 3 of them were during a study for a trial drug called Ustekinumab. Fun times!

Once a year seems to be the norm for me, though. :-)

EDIT: Why won't my signature show? I can see it when I go to edit my profile. It's in the signature box. Any help would be welcomed!

Re-edit: I see my signature now, on another post, at least. haha.

Post Edited (Crohnie4Life) : 1/27/2011 5:26:16 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/27/2011 12:36 PM (GMT 0)
@ Crohnie4Life you need to go to "post reply" and not "quick reply". Sorry for going of topic.
Posted 1/27/2011 9:54 PM (GMT 0)
I have had 2. One to be diagnosed and one a year and a half later (6 months after my resection). During that time I have also had a barium enema, 2 endoscopies and 2 CT enterographies though. I seem to be in remission right now though, so unless he sees something funny in my bloodwork or I start showing symptoms again, I should be free from the scope for at least another 2 years.. hopefully.
Posted 1/28/2011 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
I have PSC which increases my risk for colon cancers...alas current recommendations are for every year, oh the horror!...before that every 3 years or when symptoms increased dramatically...
April is not only tax time for me, but C scope time...can't tell what I hate more, the drinking of the horrid stuff...the horribly sore bum while "cleaning out" or the pain and bleeding for 2-3 days after the stupid scope...only bright spot is I get good meds(and good dreams for the most part)I am one that needs to go fully under...
Posted 1/28/2011 2:34 AM (GMT 0)
Becoming undone, rub some vaseline or hemorrhoid ointment on your butt before you start the prep, and reapply after every visit to the toilet. Also, instead of TP, use flushable wipes (they usually have something like aloe or witch hazel in them). That will help keep the ol' butt from getting as sore :-).
Posted 1/28/2011 2:38 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks spookyh...but alas, I do that already(haven't used TP in 3+ years, also have a variety of ointments)...I have fissures something awful so probably why I have the sore bum during the prep...
Posted 1/28/2011 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
I have had a scope every year for the last 3 years and now that this last scope showed no disease the doc said that I won't need one for 5 years unless problems arise.
Posted 1/28/2011 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
Becoming undone, have you tried vitamin e oil or vitamin e suppositories for your fissures? Or Proctofoam? The Proctofoam comes with a little plunger that you fill and "inject" the medicine higher up in the rectum. I suppose it might work to inject vitamin e oil as well.

EDIT: Oh, and nitroglycerin cream. That stuff always gave me an instant pounding headache for 5 or 10 minutes, but it sure helped my butt.
Posted 1/31/2011 5:38 AM (GMT 0)
My daughter had a colonoscopy three years after the first one - to check how well Entocort was doing. By the time she gets another colonoscopy (not any time, soon), at least another 3-4 years will have passed. 
Posted 1/31/2011 12:12 PM (GMT 0)
I've had one every 2 yrs since 2004....no matter how much I fight my GI against it >:( always puts me in/ out of the ER for the next 4-6 mos...
Posted 2/1/2011 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
i have been averaging one about every year for the past 6 years. but i have had problems, including surgery in 2010. i have recently switched to a new GI and he said probably this summer he will do one to see what is going on
Posted 2/1/2011 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
The last time I asked my GI, he said every 2 years. But if I ask him again, he'll probably say something different - he's a little flakey.
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