Need reassurance I'm not spending money on colonoscopy for nothing!!

I've always thought I have IBS. The more I read about IBS and evaluate my symptoms, it still seems that way! I've had reoccurring, non-specific abdominal pain since I was little - it's usually just bloating and what might be termed a "stomach ache" and it goes away shortly. Very rarely will I get pain so strong it brings me to my knees, but when that happens it resolves itself after I throw up or have a bowel movement.

I'm generally constipated, and I bloat easily, but that's not tied to any specific food that I can figure out. I've been tested for Celiac, that was negative.

I'm scheduled for a colonoscopy on Friday because I had one of my severe pain attacks that DIDN'T subside on it's own and I was scared I had an obstruction so I went to the ER...but the pain ended up going away on it's own like it always does and the enema they gave me didn't do much. They referred me to a specialist who wants to do the colonoscopy/endoscopy because I only said "non-specific pain' and she doesn't know what's wrong and wants to see my entire digestive tract.

I'm only 29 and this pain always resolves itself...I feel like if it was serious I would have noticed in all the years I've had these symptoms.

Do you think the 3K bill is worth it??

Thank you

I think the real question is whether you are concerned enough about your health? If the pain doesn't bother you that much, then I would not bother with a scope. If you think there could be a problem, then I would get the procedure done. Best case scenario is a clean scope and you don't have to worry that something is seriously wrong.

My question why it's costing 3K. If you have insurance it should be much less. If you do not have any insurance then I'd negotiate the fee in advance to be 1.5k or less but make sure the anesthesiologist bill is included or you can request nurse administered sedative (nurses who are certified to do this are available).

If you are not bleeding you could hold off until you can get insurance to cover it wholly or partially.
With your history I'd trust my instincts but the fact that your symptoms have ramped up to the point of ER means you need to get a colonoscopy, now or soon.

Something else to consider is ovarian cancer, a silent killer of women with symptoms that mimic IBS. Tests for this can be expensive too and not conclusive.
I have turned down medical procedures in the past and lived to tell about it.
But you need to get insurance to start managing your health.

cologuard- use google-read- way cheaper
or don't read and let doc make more-your choice