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How often should you get a colonoscopy?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 12/29/2013 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
When my kid had her colonoscopy/endoscopy she was in the height of her inflamation, and in the hospital. She had an MRI about 2 months later to determine what type of IBD she had. So now I am wondering if it is time to get this done again? How often should this be done? I have an appointment in January with the GI and will ask her the same thing but want all of your opinions.
Posted 12/29/2013 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
It really depends. People who are in long-term stable remission may only need a colonoscopy once every several years. I had 5 colonoscopies in 12 years, but I changed hospitals a few times and was never in remission (plus I'm including the colonoscopy which got me my diagnosis, so basically there were 4 follow-up ones).

Unless your daughter's symptoms have worsened or you think something has changed, I would say it's a bit early for another colonoscopy just yet. But obviously, talk to your GI about it; she will know a lot more about your daughter's case than I will.
Posted 12/29/2013 7:04 PM (GMT 0)
I've had about 5 in the the 3 years since I've been diagnosed.
Posted 12/29/2013 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with NCOT. It depends on disease activity and other medical monitoring they are using. There isn't a standard recommendation. My GI only does monitoring colonoscopies every 5 years if in remission and more often if needed. I've never actually made it 5 years though. I have made it three years though...pretty decent run.
Posted 12/29/2013 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
I had 4 colonoscopies in 6 years. I once had two scopes w an interval of 6 months. It all depends on the condition.
Posted 12/30/2013 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
My GI told me I would be doing them yearly for awhile. I have a severe case of crohns and he wants to keep an eye on it.
Posted 12/30/2013 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
Agree with others, it depends on how your daughter is doing and her GI. I've had 6 in 11 years, all when I've started to not feel well and the GI wants to see what everything looks like before deciding on a course of action. I'm now supposed to have yearly colon cancer screening scopes because I've had extensive colonic involvement of my Crohn's.
Posted 12/30/2013 1:39 PM (GMT 0)
My thought is the one she got was hard to read as she was so inflamed another one is probably in order by now. I'm thinking it would probably be more clear to read. I know her GI said it was hard to read and had to rely on her results of the scrape/tissue sample they did & the MRI to get a clear picture. Since he hasn't gotten into remission since she has been diagnosed it would probably be a good idea. I would like to know specifically where she is effected. Right now all I know is esophagus and throughout her colon. Not that specifics will really matter now, but they will if/when we face surgery.
Posted 1/6/2014 5:52 AM (GMT 0)
I'm what I would classify as marginally controlled and my GI wants a colonoscopy at every 3 years, and an MRI enteroscopy at least once a year (sometimes twice). I had a LOT of procedures in the first two years of diagnosis though.
Posted 1/6/2014 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
for years I was averaging about once every other year. once I had a blockage, then resection surgery and then the CD coming right back, I have been at least every year. I have had 4 in the past 30 months, mainly to check on how the biologics were helping (or not in my case). they can be very useful in helping with right medicine and dosage.

BTW, the last colonoscopy I has was June 2013. that was my 13th one!!!
Posted Yesterday 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
I really have issues with getting colonoscopies. I have had two out of 8 go terribly wrong and one I contracted C-Diff and I had to battle that horrible disease for three years until it finally went away or so it seems. They are not as safe as they lead one to believe. I woke out of the sedation twice in horrible pain one doctor gave me more medication while the other refused so I had to endure it. If I had been able to get up and walk out I would have. So needless to say I don't plan on having another for a long time, but that is my choice. I don't recommend that anyone follow what I do as these tests put me through way to much stress and do more harm to me than good. I was just bullied by my doctor to have another one and they wouldn't refill my medicine unless I made the appointment, so I set one up so I could get my medication refilled and I will cancel it now. They would like me to go in every year, but I told them no, because my last doctor said every two years, well it will be longer than that. It confuses me as well when they give conflicting information on how often I should go in. Heck my doctors PA was trying for every 6 months. The stress and expense that would have put me under would probably kill me. I am really fearful of getting one done again. Bad enough I have Crohn's disease.
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