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How often for colonoscopy?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/9/2009 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
My GI wants to do another colonoscopy this coming January.

I had a colonscopy in Jan 2008 where it was discovered that I had 9" on inflammation
in January 2009, a sigmoidoscopy revealed 17" of inflammation

I guess it makes sense that a full colonoscopy is done again this January - right?

Once your more or less stable is an annual 'scope the norm? The current meds keep me in remission? Do I still need another colonoscopy?

thanks,
Posted 9/9/2009 1:39 AM (GMT 0)

My doctor told me once a year if in remission.  Otherwise, as necessary to see what is going on in there.

Great you have gotten into remission since January.

ElaineNY

Posted 9/9/2009 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Elaine,
Thanks for your response. I haven't been in full remission but I haven't been in a full fledge flame since January either. I'll occasionally have some bleeding but the meds clear things up pretty quickly.

I guess once a year makes sense. I just hate the prep soooo much. At least this time, unlike the first time I was diagnosed, I won't be so sick. I was really sick before being diagnosed. It felt that the prep and procedure nearly brought me to the edge - i was so weak. This time I'll be stronger.

Perhaps it's another post but any help with the prep is welcomed. That stuff "vanilla" my foot, was sooo terrible.
Posted 9/9/2009 1:49 AM (GMT 0)

No help with the prep.  In the last 14 months I have prepped three times for two colonoscopies and one sigmoid.  Used Miralax twice and threw up a lot of it at the end but was cleaned out ok.  For sigmoid I took ducolax and drank some other stuff (still threw up).

ElaineNY

Posted 9/9/2009 1:53 AM (GMT 0)
I've mostly been in remission for over 2 years, my last visit with my GI was in January. He said that since I'm doing fine, I'm not due for a colonoscopy for 7 years... I think that's what he said. Basically it's every 10 years, and my last colonosopy was July of 2007. :) Hope this gives you an idea.
Posted 9/9/2009 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
Wow - that's awesome! Congrats. I feel in my case tho that I probably should drag myself in there.

Do you know the quote: "Advice is something you ask when you already know the answer." I think that's me.
Posted 9/9/2009 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
I haven't had a scope done in 3 years because I've been in remission since January 2006. I still see my GI once a year but he's never asked for a scope. I figure whats the point if you're feeling well. However, how often a scope is done could be partly because of your age. If you're a senior they would probably do one more often to check for polyps/cancer.
Posted 9/9/2009 5:15 AM (GMT 0)
Depends on the GI, many prefer once/yr, but it varies from doc to doc and also they often go by the severity of each patient, a milder patient might be told by their GI that once every 2-3 yrs (or less, or more) is sufficient.

:)
Posted 9/9/2009 12:37 PM (GMT 0)
I go every year. Surveillance for dysplasia being the reason. I'm up for my 24th in 2 weeks.
I've had several different preps, never vomited, though I've gagged some, and omitted the last glass of prep sometimes....
Posted 9/9/2009 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
I'd go as often as the doctor says. My last colonoscopy saved my life.
I've had colitis since my mid-20's and had a colonoscopy every year from about 1989 to 2007, when my GI doc found high-grade dysplasia.
I had surgery to remove the colon about 3 months later and they found early (stage 1) cancer in my ascending colon.
In my case they were able to leave the rectum and re-attach the ileum to the top of the rectum so I don't have an ostomy bag.
There are quality of life issues but my quality of life is about the best it can be, given the surgery that I had.
I'm not trying to scare you but my prognosis is good because the cancer was found so very early. The lesion was only .1 centimeter in size so I didn't have to have chemo or anything. I go in for a flex sig with biopsies about once a year, but that is much easier than a full colonoscopy, and since there are only about 8 inches to look at it only takes about 5-10 minutes.
Posted 9/9/2009 4:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for sharing your story. You were lucky and smart to be so diligent. I'll go in January as my doc recommends.
Posted 9/9/2009 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
I am 34 and my doctor has told me once every ten years unless my symptoms get much worse. I think your age, family history and general health will play a factor in how often you need the scope...as well as what your insurance allows! :)
Posted 9/10/2009 12:28 AM (GMT 0)
I have had colonoscopies about every 2 years since I was 15. And of the preps I have done I prefer the osmoprep or 32 pill prep. Hope this gives you some more information.
Posted 9/10/2009 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
My biopsies showed inactive and my doctor wants me to have another in a year.
Posted 9/10/2009 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
     Since being diagnosed in 1998 at the age of 52, my doctor prefers I have colonoscopies every two years.  Now that the disease has passed the ten year mark I will have to have them yearly.  My doctor will not perform a colonoscopy while I am flaring. He tried that once and was only able to go up 20 cm for fear of perforating the ulcers.  He did do a sigmoidoscope this last time though and it kind of put me over the edge...made the bleeding worse shakehead
Posted 9/10/2009 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
omg, that sounds terrible. I was flaring when I had my first scope but i guess it wasn't as bad as what you were going thru.

Just as an FYI, my naturopath took me off fish oil supplements because they are also a blood thinner - but i can still eat wild salmon weekly. When I was on the supplements there were streaks of blood in the toilet. I know salmon oil is super healthy but maybe not while you're bleeding?
Posted 9/10/2009 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
     Yes, fish oil is a blood thinner.  The woman across the street had to stop taking it a week before her hernia operation.  She was very surprised.  One must be very careful about supplements and their interactions with meds.  I have a friend who takes about 20 supplements..yuk...bad enough I have to take pills for the UC.  In addition, she takes an Excedrin every night because...so she says...she will have a migraine in the morning.  She runs a day care in her home.  Well, at the age of 66 I really think she should call it quits.  Guess the money is too good.  Anyway, not to get off the original topic, I take a probiotic, fish oil, multivitamin with Iron, Calcium with D (I should really be on Boniva, but afraid of the side effects) and a flaxseed oil capsule daily.

     I LOVE salmon and while flaring eat it at least twice and sometimes three times a week.  I enjoy it baked with a sweet potato and spinach. YUM!

Posted 9/10/2009 8:39 PM (GMT 0)

Oh, Christine, you just made me so hungry and that is hard to do these days.  I love salmon and sweet potatoes.  Last three times I ate salmon I got very sick - vomiting shortly after.  I thought it was something else but finally pinned it to salmon.  Two much fiber in sweet potatoes right now.  Maybe if ever in remission I can eat them again.  ENJOY!!

ElaineNY

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