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Yearly colonoscopy schedule anyone?

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Posted 8/23/2012 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
Does anyone get yearly colonoscopies due to the length of there diagnosis. Are you usually flaring when you get them? Does anyone feel like the procedure makes them worse temporarily, or has done permanent damage. I am due for nor but my GI always suggests a sig. Due to risk of perforation. I want to know what my whole colon looks like, especially since I am thinking of surgery. When I got my fecal transplant that doctor had know problem doing one and was not hesitant at all and scoffed at the idea of preforation, was very confident. My GI's attitude now makes me not trust her. Plus the first accident I ever had was after her last colonoscopy, which I think I suggested because she had never done one on me since I had switched to her.
Posted 8/23/2012 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
I do have them yearly. My last one was in full flare. Whether it was the scope or the prep, who knows,
but I was waaaay worse after the scope. I didnt like my Dr's bedside manner, and lack of information-
I switched to a GI specialist and am due another scope in October. This Doc is fantastic! I will let everyone know about the scope when I have it done. I am in symptomatic remission now-

Carlie
Posted 8/23/2012 1:11 PM (GMT 0)
I get one every 2 years. But yes, the prep and scopes makes me worse for a short while but no permanent damage.
Posted 8/23/2012 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
     The last two years I suffered with UP, my GI doctor always wanted to peek up there for some reason.  I think I had four sigs and two colonoscopies before my operation.  I can remember my last sig about six weeks before my operation..OMG...talk about pain!  First of all, it is requested to do a Fleets enema before the sig.  Well, my rectum was soooo inflamed that when I attempted to do the Fleets, it felt like someone put a blow torch up my butt.  I really should have known better and NOT listened to that dimwit of a GI doctor who treated me for twelve years.   They had to put me out completely in order to do the sig and when I came to the doctor said he was unable to complete the sig because of the inflamation.  That was it!!!  Enough already.  The next day I contacted Dr. Fry, head of colorectal surgery at Univ. of Pa.  I had my operation six weeks later and never returned to that GI doctor.
Posted 8/23/2012 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
I have had only one colonoscopy when I was diagnosed in April of 09. My first GI was talking about doing another one when I was flaring in 2010 but I really couldn't afford it and my flare went away pretty quickly. I have since changed GI (same practice) and the new GI hasn't even brought it up. I haven't pushed for one since I have been doing well and really can't afford it at the moment even with insurance. Our insurance changed and its very costly for everything. UGH
Posted 8/23/2012 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
I try for annual but am 6 mos. overdue and about to schedule one. Delayed it hoping for full remission but am getting chicken about waiting. But its been over 20y since onset for me. I ask for at least 40-50 biopsies, and thus the recovery really hurts. Wish they could be smaller and gentler.
Posted 8/23/2012 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
I used to do every 3 years, now every 2....just because of my age. I've not had any iffy precancer cells...so that keeps me at that schedule.
Unless I flare way beyond my norm, would I want to have one before that.

q
Posted 8/23/2012 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
when my doc says so - if i had my way, it would be every 5 or 10 years, or whenever i go to the dentist -

i tend to be more concerned about what's going on OUTSIDE of my colon - what's in the big white bowl tells all -
Posted 8/23/2012 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
the big white bowl doesn't tell all..... precancer and cancer...most is normal till it's one day it isn't.

Dentist every 5 - 10 years? yikes.

q
Posted 8/23/2012 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
I have been getting yearly colonoscopies since 2009. I was flaring for each of them except my latest one this past spring. The procedure definitely disturbs my colon and rectum. It takes me about two weeks before I'm back to a pre-colonoscopy state. I now gorge on probiotics after the procedure in an attempt to limit the severity of symptoms. I have complete confidence in my GI so I have little concern about perforation and he keeps getting better every year at turning the corners.
Posted 8/23/2012 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
good point Heather -

and btw, God and my parents gave me a defective digestive system but great teeth :-)
Posted 8/23/2012 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
I had not had one since about 2001. I was living in Canada then and of course cost was not an issue. Since being in the states I had not had one, mostly due to cost. But upon turning 40 decided I better go for one this past June. All was well but now my doc wants me on a yearly. Seems that my diagnoses went from left-sided to pancolitis, as he saw scarring the length of the colon. So I guess I will be back there next June.
Posted 8/23/2012 9:26 PM (GMT 0)
Can you get a second opinion? Sounds odd that she's never wanted to do a full scope. I do feel the scopes irritate my colon and make my symptoms worse for a while, especially if I'm already flaring.
Posted 8/24/2012 12:35 AM (GMT 0)
I don't think I need a second opinion, just a doctor that I communicate with better, and have more confidence in. I got the impression that I can,t switch within the practice though, so that is why I have been putting it off.
Posted 8/24/2012 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
After my last colonoscopy this past August my GI recommended I start having them yearly. Before that I was going every 3 years.

I definitely was "off" for about a week after the colonoscopy this time.
Posted 8/24/2012 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
     Yeah allswell, what's with the crap you cannot switch within the practice?  I was going to my GI doctor for ten years when I had words with him.  He was the "I am the GOD of GI doctors and you don't have the right to question me!" type.  During my hospitalization for UP in 2008, he was arrogant and rude to me.  My roommate even commented that if he were her doctor he would NEVER see her back in his office.  Well,  he was pushing Remicade on me like all getout.  His associate, a kind considerate doctor, told me he did not think Remicade would work for me.  Upon my discharge, I tried making an appointment with the associate and apparently this caused a big commotion in their office.  The associate phoned me personally and told me he was caught between a rock and a hard place because I was Dr. Craphead's (not his real name but should be) patient and I should go back to him.  So, I just bit the bullet and went to my usual GI.  However, the moment he walked into the examining room I told him...."Before we start I have an axe to grind with you and we may as well clear the air right here and now."  I then proceeded to tell him how bad he made me feel during my hospitalization, yada yada yada.  Believe it or not, he apologized!!!  He...the almighty GOD of GI doctors!!! shocked    Long story short, two years later, still flaring, prednisone dependent I found my colorectal surgeon online and went over the GI doctor's head.  I never returned to him.  I did get a referral today from my family doctor to another GI, just in case I may need one.
Posted 8/26/2012 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah, that is ridiculous, what do they care, unless the get written up or something if they lose a patient. Talk about being compassionate, it,s not enough we have do deal with the uc, now we have to worry about hurting a doctors feelings. On top of that when I don,t bug her with calls or emails she says, oh I haven,t seen you in a while, like I was irresponsible, then when I din,t feel good she acts like she hears from way more than other patients. I sm pretty sure I am not imagining it.
Posted 8/26/2012 12:44 PM (GMT 0)
     No, you are not imagining it.
Posted 8/26/2012 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
soystud..I have great teeth as well, but still get them cleaned once a year. Refuse every 6 months...may as well make the hygenist earn her money..


q
Posted 8/26/2012 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
if i had dental insurance that paid to have them cleaned once a week, i'd do it in a heartbeat - i love the feel of clean whiteys -

sadly, i have to deal with the reality of no insurance - so i am blessed to have healthy teeth that can afford infrequent cleaning -

but baking soda brushing comes pretty close -
Posted 8/26/2012 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
I had my first one four years ago and I felt so great when I woke up that I wanted one every year smilewinkgrin but my doctor said every five years would be fine. I'm due to get another one in October.
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