Need advise

Hello all. I need some advise on my UC. I am a 49 year old women. Will be 50 in October. In my 20's I was dx with proctitis. ( GI told me just proctitis , 6 inches of inflammation)

Lived with it for years. When I had a flare which was mostly a lot of mucus and gas I used a couple of rowasa enemas and was good until the next episode ( which sometimes was not until 3 to 6 months later)

My GI doctor told me that it was unlikely that my condition would turn into UC , and spread higher up into the colon. He said due to the fact that it stayed in my rectum area for so many years.

Through the years I had some episodes of pain and D, scope showed dx of microscopic colitis and proctitis. I was given asacol, but stopped it on my own. ( I know, stupid mistake. Thought I did not need it and worried about side effects)

This last November , I started having abdominal pain. It would come and ago. Very intense, but no D ; just pain. This went on for about a week. Went to GI and was sent for xry and blood. GI told me blood showed inflammation in the colon. about 3 days later started with Bloody D . Must of went 20x day.


Was put on pred and then asacol & rowasa enemas. about 6 wks later, no more flare. Still doing well on asacol and rowasa enemas. Normal BM

Now my GI wants to do another scope to get a correct dx. I was set up for march and just picked up my prep. Pd 140.00 for the pills.

I have a high deductible insurance plan, and I will need to pay 1875.00 for the scope! When I turn 50 it will be covered 100% due to the fact that they will cover a screening.

I am thinking of waiting until nov for my scope so it will be covered.

I am scared not to have it due to the fact that I may have another flare due to the fact i may not be on the correct meds. ( i am taking 800 mg of asacol 6 pills daily ) What would you do? Do you think the asacol will hold me over and help with flares? Should I just have it now and make payments, so the doctor can adjust my meds and I get a correct dx? Thanks

there is little chance you are on incorrect meds. 5-asa is 1st med for uc, cd, AND alos for regular colitis. if you have inflammation, 5-asa has anti-inflammatory. simple. very few side effects, and you seem to respond AND tolerate. so no brainer.

the scope is not going to show that you don't need the 5-asa. even a clear scope, just says stay on 5-asa. the only thing a scope could say is try a stronger drug - which it sounds like you would be very resistant to.

btw, some insurance does not give free screening to people with dx and active disease. this is considered diagnostic and not preventative. however there is a big push for "preventative" colon cancer screening, so it may fly - especially if your doc does not list uc dx as reason for scope; they have to use preventative code.

Post Edited (DBwithUC) : 2/23/2015 7:50:57 AM (GMT-7)

I would wait till October and I would tell your GI why too. I was DX with UC in may of 1999 and a couple years ago my DX was changed to CD. When first DX with UC i was put on Asacol and after my DX changed I am still on Asacol.

When was the last time you had a colonoscopy? If it's been longer than a year or 2, I don't think you should wait. They need to see the extent of your inflammation and also check for anything else that could be going on and November is a long time to wait.

Also, I am 99% sure that once you have been diagnosed with IBD no colonoscopy will ever be just a screening colonoscopy that insurance pays 100%. They will always be considered diagnostic and will be applied to your deductible.

Gary, it COULD be covered. Even though my 2nd scope should have been at 20% co-ins, it got billed at 100% just like initial screening. Good for my BCBS policy, or my doc use of codes, or my dumb luck.

Good! I think afewmore months is fine and glad you are feeling better.