Colonoscopies: how often?

I had a single colonoscopy in 2009 which led to my diagnosis.

I didn't like my GI doctor and decided to explore diet-related solutions on my own, so I haven't had another colonoscopy since.

Because I'm having trouble containing my current flare (symptoms are some mucus and a bit of blood, but no pain, urgency or D) I plan to go and see a new doctor later this month and would like to schedule another colonoscopy to assess how things have evolved -- I worry the inflammation had gained ground since it's harder to control my symptoms now than it's been in the past.

My question is: when you're under the regular care of a GI doctor, how often do you have to take a colonoscopy, and what circumstances lead him/her to do a new one? Do you take a yearly one, say, to detect early signs of cancer or a change in the inflammation patterns? Just wondering what I can look forward to if I start being followed properly. :)

Also, are you always fully anesthetized, our can they do it with partial or no anesthesia?

Thank you!

I was diagnosed about 2 years ago and have had 3 colonoscopies in that span. The first was when I was diagnosed, the second was because I was not reaching remission and before I was put on Remicade my doctor wanted to double check to ensure nothing was missed, and my third was just yesterday for a 6 month check up on the Remicade. I don't think there is a set amount of time in-between colonoscopies, it depends on your symptoms and your doctor.

For me it's been 3-5 years for me when well (low level flares). When ill, far more often to assess state of affairs. 2014 was my grimmest year to date... Had 3 that year alone... So all depends on your situation.

I've had UC for 17 years now. I had a colonoscopy when I was diagnosed and then another one 8 years later. I've had one yearly since 2008 so my GI can see what's going on and take biopsies, etc. I had a bad flare in 2013 and had a colonoscopy so my GI could see the inflammation and another colonoscopy in 2014 to make sure I was in remission. I'm going to schedule my yearly in a few months. It sucks and I don't like getting them every year, but it's necessary given how long I've had the disease.

I can't really remember before my 10 year mark but I know I had one for initial diagnosis, then another when I switched GI's a few years later but I know I had many sigs in between. Now that I've had UC for 23 years, I go in every 2 years for cancer screening.

Speaking as someone who has had this disease for 40+ years and had one of the first colonoscopies in 1981.....

For disease in remission, it's every 2 years. For extremely active disease, the usual is every year depending on your symptoms. If you have been diagnosed with hyperplasia (precancerous lesions) then they may move it up to every 6 months to a year or so. A normally healthy individual with no IBS disease of any type may have one every 5-10 years.

Colonoscopies are EXTREMELY safe and hundreds of thousands of them are performed each year..maybe even a million or more....and the sedation is a monitored anesthesia care..not like a general anesthesia and does not carry the same risks as general surgical type. Hope this helps.

Usually sigs only go to the splenic flexure while colonoscopies go thru out the entire intestine.

When first diagnosed I was getting annual c-scopes, the after a few of those they went to every two years. Now after my last one it's every three years.

I think that your GI will recommend the frequency based on your symptoms and the results of the last scope or two.

My doctors say its best to get them done every two years so they can detect any signs of cancer right away. I was diagnosed in 2008 and have had 5 colonoscopies, they definitely aren't my favorite thing in the world, especially the prep, but they are worth it, especially if you're in a flare up looking for treatment.