HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Colonoscopy every year - is it too much?

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 1/29/2014 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
My doctor wants to see me every year for a colonoscopy. I've seen varying schedules mentioned in the forums by the members but usually not every year. I'm concerned about the risks associated with colonoscopies, but my doctor wants all of his patients on this schedule. Wondering if there are folks here who have to get scoped every year? Is this common practice or should I get a second opinion?

History: I've had 3 colonoscopies, all were normal and have had no flares or problems since initial diagnosis. Most recently I did have one benign polyp removed. No family history.

Thanks for your feedback!
Posted 1/29/2014 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
Nope, I have one every year. I had two last year
Posted 1/29/2014 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks! So I'm not the only one in this boat!
Posted 1/29/2014 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
this seems pretty normal. i had 4 one year but haven't had one since 2012. i will probably need another one this year.
Posted 1/29/2014 9:48 PM (GMT 0)
I haven't been getting them yearly, probably every other year at most. When I am flaring I get scopes more often to see the status. You are supposed to get frequent screening though because we are at an increased rick for CC.
Posted 1/29/2014 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
@bananagirl: Yikes, 4 in one year?! I'm so sorry about that!

Well, thank you all for the feedback. I kept reading that once every 2-5 years is recommended for UC. And with folks in this forum mentioning 2-3 years as the norm, I was worried that once a year was excessive since I haven't had any problems.
Posted 1/29/2014 11:33 PM (GMT 0)
I would up having three in three years. With flex sigs, my current doctor has taken a peek three times in 2013...
Posted 1/30/2014 12:09 AM (GMT 0)
No GI ever said "every year" to me. When I moved my new GI wanted one immediately. I said no thank you since my condition had not changed and I felt there was no important reason. She did not push it and 3 years later I did one.

I would not keep a GI that said "My way or the highway" if symptoms didn't indicate the need. Every person with UC is different and to have every patient treated the same is not good medicine in my opinion. Smells like money-mill not medicine.

My way is my way and you should make your own decisions. My next one will be at the 4 year mark.
Posted 1/30/2014 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
Too many, too often -- and against the guidelines of the professional associations your GI probably belongs to. Most guidelines recommend scopes every 1-2 years after 8-10 years of disease activity, with more vigilance after even longer disease activity.

I'm past the 10-year mark, and my GI is happy with every other year or so.

Posted 1/30/2014 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
that's absolute rubbish ! based on your sig, I can't imagine why you would need another one till ........... the seahawks have won their 4th superbowel !

totally needless - and irresponsible for your gi to even mention it -

then again, some folks like drinking 5 gallons of hooter hooch and then having a camera stuck up their heiny !
Posted 1/30/2014 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
If you're in remission, and haven't had UC for that long, there's no reason to have them that often. I had one in Jan 2009 when I was diagnosed, and not another until Oct 2011. I've been I remission since May 2009, so my GI said that as long as I remain stable, he'll let me go 3-4 more years before I have another.
Posted 1/30/2014 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
I have heard that after having U/C for 10 years they did recommend a Colonoscopy every year, but I am guessing that would depend on where it is located... Some people only have U/C in the last little bit of the rectum so a flex sig would be enough for that I think.. people with more widespread U/C I would think should get them more often, but every year seems a bit much since polyps take years to develop and turn into cancer.. At least Colon Cancer anyhow...
Posted 1/30/2014 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
That's what I was thinking. And the polyp they found was only on my most recent scope. I was told from the very beginning that I'd be doing a colonoscopy once a year for the rest of my life. Sounds like it may be worth meeting with another GI.
Posted 1/30/2014 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with you.. Unless they can come up with an easy way to prep.... LOL.. The drugs from the procedure are so much fun I wouldn't mind having one done every year just so I can have that 1/2 hour of total relaxation to the point that I don't even care what they are shoving up there... LOL!!
Posted 1/30/2014 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
Seems like your GI is in it for the profit. As long as you have no family history of colon cancer then I would find a new GI that practices according to documented guidelines.

BTW, I have a colonoscopy yearly but I have had UC for 15 years now and my mother died of colon cancer.
Posted 1/30/2014 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
What kind of polyp did they find?? How big was it? Was it inflamatory or adenoma??

Even though benign there might of been something that concerned him about the polyp. There are different types of benign polyps some with more malignant potential then others. You should ask him about that.
Posted 1/30/2014 1:32 PM (GMT 0)
@Susie - agreed! time before last they gave me demerol. I was knocked out for 2 hours and when I woke up it was like Ground Hog's Day with me asking the same round of questions every 5 min (did I go in yet? have I seen the doctor? why is my IV bag empty?) - had no clue what was going on that day. At least my husband got a kick out of it :)

This year I was on local anesthesia, so I was "refreshed" when I woke up, but couldn't resist messing with my husband a little with the same round of questions as last year. Worked for about 15 minutes until he thought it would be a good idea to pull out the video camera - had to end the game there, no videos! LOL

@Ole363 - it was 8mm inflammatory. Dr. put me on the annual schedule as soon as I was diagnosed 2yrs ago. Polyp just came up last month.
Posted 1/30/2014 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
Every year is a bit overkill. If you are not comfortable with the schedule convey that to your doctor. I did and the doctor was fine with it. If not find a new doctor. It is your body.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply