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Pseudopolyps Question

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 4/30/2008 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I have had UC for about 8 years now and had my 2nd colonosopy yesterday.  My colon was full of pseudopolyps.  I'm freaked out!  I had a super bad flare during a very stressful pregnancy which I ended up losing the baby because of placenta problems and my flare is now gone.  I've only had about 3 flares ever which seem to come on when I'm super super stressed.  He wants me to go back in for another colonoscopy in a year to monitor.  I've heard of people talking about taking the colon out when they get these?  Can someone help me?  What happens when they take out your entire colon?  What are the risks for that?  Can you live a normal life?  Can you live a normal life with a colon that has lots of these pseudopolyps?  I guess I have just have a lot of questions and anxiety about all of this.  I started with just left sided UC and now it's my entire colon.  I should mention that I'm not in a flare at all right now and have no symptons....  I'm 31 years old and am so scared about the future. Any advice would be so helpful!!!!!!!!  Thanks!

Posted 4/30/2008 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry I dont have any answers for your question - but I would also like to hear the answer.  I also have lots of peudopolyps. And am equally worried...
Posted 4/30/2008 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
I mentioned this in my recent post about my colonoscopy and Eva Lou made some good comments. I'd also be interested to get more information from the experienced folks on the boards regarding this topic.
Posted 4/30/2008 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jules 77, I'm 59 years old and had uc most of my adult life.   2years ago I had my large intestines removed because of polyps. (Precancerous ones) I did not have to have this operation, but I was advise to. So I did. But every  case is differant.If you decide against it, make sure you have a colonoscopy on a reg. basis every 6 or 12 months to keep things in check. By the way having no lg. bowel does not deter me from doing anything. I dont have to worry about messing myself anymore with the uc.ha ha yeah
Posted 4/30/2008 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
I did not have polyps but had my colon and rectum removed because of refractive UC. I had a jpouch constructed 7 years ago. I live a very normal and full life. I regularly hike, do long distance hikes (100-200 miles), backpack, and cycle. My lack of colon or rectum does not prevent me from doing anything. Sure, life is different without a colon but the sacrifices have been worth it to me. You might meet others who have had surgery for polyps at www.j-pouch.org

Sue
Posted 4/30/2008 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
again, pseudopolyps & polyps are two entirely different conditions. Pseudopolyps are a type of scar tissue caused by inflammation, polyps are changes in the cellular structure due to precancerous tissue. Rwead UMDTerps post about his recent colonoscopy- I did post my info & experience with pseudopolyps. I truly think the decision to remove a colon due to pseudopolyps is based on the individuals willingness to accept a low rate of colon cancer detection. Maybe when we're all in our 50's, we will have to get the darned things removed, but now, when we're feeling fine & consider ourselves to be in remission??? nah...... But a lengthy talk with your GI should really help.

Posted 4/30/2008 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
Eva Lou - Thanks for the info! I'm waiting for the biopsy results to come back but the Dr was pretty sure that is was just the pseudopolyps. I don't have any other symptons right now and I've only had 4 flares in my 8 years with this and they only last about a month each. I'm not even on any meds right now but he said that I should be to stay in remission. We are going to talk more at my follow up appt in a few weeks. He just said my colon was full of these pseudopolyps. What is the risk with these? Is it in cancer detection? Can they still find cancer? Can these ever go away on there own? Thanks!
Posted 4/30/2008 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
The only risk is cancer detection- the way my GI explained it, was that when they see polyps, they remove them to avoid the possibility of cancer developing. With numerous pseudopolyps, there is no way to tell them apart from a true adenamatous (sp-???) polyp, which often develops into cancer. So, by removing the colon they remove all the polyps & therefore all the caner risk. I think the ability to find cancer becomes problematic when one has hundreds of pseudopolyps. I don't think they ever go away on their own, because it is like a scar. Apparently they're fairly common in IBD & rarely develop into cancer. So to me, it seems like a matter of personal peace of mind- do I risk possible undetected colon cancer? Or do I get the whole thing out & say the heck with it? After going thru the mental back & forth of surgery 2x over, I've decided to risk it, personally. I have an appt. with my GI in a couple months, a regular follow-up & I plan to talk more with him then about cancer screening, the pseudopolyps, etc. Good luck with your biopsy results!

Posted 5/1/2008 3:05 AM (GMT 0)
Here's a link to the other post:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=1112236

Posted 5/2/2008 2:38 PM (GMT 0)
My last colonoscopy showed numerous pseudopolyps and when I questioned my GI doc, he said they are nothing to be concerned about and that he just needs to take more time when he does my colonoscopies because he has to be careful not to miss anything that could be cancerous.  Never once mentioned removing my colon or anything.  Totally not a big deal so please don't worry.  Also I have to have one every year, no biggie and it also show no sighns what so ever of active disease.
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