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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 3/20/2009 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
I'm looking for everyone's opinion.  I finally tapered off prednisone (varying doses since april 07) last month.  It's been almost 5 weeks now with no issues (crossed-fingers!) except gaining weight has been slow.  I want to add 10lbs (5'9" 155lb this morning). 

I saw my GI yesterday and he wants to do another colonoscopy.  My last one was August 08 when I was down to 5mg Pred.  The procedure triggered a flare that I could not get under control until bumped up to 40mg of pred.  I could not taper below 20, without returning symptoms, until my Humira was bumped up to weekly injections.  Humira has been great.

Anyway, I do not want to upset things down there and do not want to have the colonoscopy.  The GI disagrees.  Would you have the procedure?  Also, I'm in the Army and will moving to San Antonio at the end of June which means a new GI doctor.  Chances are the new GI will want to take a look.

Thanks

 

Posted 3/20/2009 1:04 PM (GMT 0)

I signature is wrong.  I updated it, but it did not take.

Current meds:  humira weekly, calcium 2x/day, off pred for 5 weeks after varying between 5 and 60mg since April 07

Posted 3/20/2009 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
I would say, "Last one triggered a flare, I am doing great atm and not willing to take that chance." Flare can equal 2 months to a year of pain. Who is taking the risk? You. Is it something that is going to benefit your health or give them some valuable knowledge on what they need to do now with you? Or is it just a procedure getting billed to insurance?

When you switch GI's take results from your last colonoscopy and give to them, and hopefully you are still doing great. Don't forget you are the one paying them in the end.
Posted 3/20/2009 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, stick to your guns and say no. My doc knows scopes cause irritation that lasts a while, and we're very judicious about them. What would the doc find that would change your treatment??? Curiousity is not a good enough reason. Take your med records to the new doc, they don't need to see it again either.

We have the right to have a say in our care.
Posted 3/20/2009 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
Nope, I wouldn't. My doc isn't big on doing scopes, anyway. He said that it's not really the amount or extent of inflammation that matters, but the symptoms that a patient is experiencing, really. And he doesn't like doing them too often because there ARE risks associated with them. As long as you've been on pred, it's definitely not worth the risk to have to go on it again. And, I wouldn't let a new doc do another one, either.
Posted 3/20/2009 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
thanks. I was planning to bypass the colonoscopy and your responses have sealed it for me. My GI just wants to see what is going on down there. It's not worth the risk. I just left a message with his nurse.
Posted 3/20/2009 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
No, I would not get the colonoscopy. If you are not having any symptoms right now and the last one triggered a flare, I don't see why you would need one.
Posted 3/21/2009 3:51 AM (GMT 0)
The facts that you're doing o.k. at the moment, flared after last c-scope which was less than 1 yr ago, & expect to relocate soon (making contact with a new doc necessary) indicate that "NO" is the right answer now. There will be other opportunities for scoping in the future; it doesn't need to be done just because your present doctor is "curious" about a vague "something"! May you continue to feel well for a good long while. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])
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