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Colonoscopy- Frequency

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/21/2010 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
I had a colonoscopy done last year and my doctor is recommending that I have another one done to see what the severity of the ulcerative colitis is. The problem is that it costs me $2,000 out of pocket. How often do you guys get these done? Should I try some other medications prior to getting another colonoscopy done?
Posted 12/21/2010 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
     Dan, how long have you had UC?  My GI doctor recommended every two years but after ten years he suggested they be done yearly.  I'll never have another one because I had a total colectomy with end ileo on June 28th.
Posted 12/21/2010 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
I'm only 26, with Ulcerative Colitis since I was 18...

It's usual to go two years for me, unless there is a reason for them to want to check things out. I had a 3.5 year stretch one time because my scope was so good and I stayed pretty healthy. If you are flaring and the meds you are on are not working they might want to check things out to see what they're dealing with.

I have a high deductible, so I let that be known to my doctor a couple times when he wanted to do a scope and I couldn't afford it. Mine will work with me to a degree, but like I said, every couple years is about all my doctor wants to wait if there are any signs of disease.

If you have insurance, do they get better deals at certain places? If not, can you get the place to give you a discount since you are on your own?
Posted 12/21/2010 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
There is no single answer to your question because it depends on your particular symptoms and condition. Generally a 'scope is done to diagnose and determine first that you have UC and what type of UC because different meds treat different parts of the colon.

Then if you aren't responding to certain meds a doctor may want another scope to see if UC has spread or is not what was originally diagnosed. Then perhaps different meds can be tried. Also checks for colon cancer.

I feel it's a personal decision but some doctors want them more frequently than I do (I said no to my doctor and she threatened to drop me but didn't). I am 5 years since my last one and will schedule one in early 2011. I'm feeling well enough to handle the prep-hell.

The $2000 charge sucks, sorry for that. If you have insurance with a large deductible (like mine) you get it for much less because the insurance co. negotiates it down for you, which you then pay to the facility. I would ask if they offer a cash discount or "self-pay" (that is the term used) but ask in advance not afterwards and get it in writing.

Good luck.
Posted 12/21/2010 3:54 AM (GMT 0)
General guidelines indicate colonoscopy for diagnosis.  After eight years, every one to two years for cancer surveillance.  These guidelines generally frown on colonoscopy to visualize disease activity.  Treat the symptoms.
Posted 12/21/2010 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, your posts have been very helpful. I'm postponing the procedure for now and will revisit that decision if things don't get better in a couple of months.

imagardner2- Do you attribute the SCDiet to your current remission?
Posted 12/21/2010 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
In the UK it is completely free through the NHS. They recommend an endoscopy every two years, normally. I had my first on the onset of UC, to confirm the diagnosis. My second was two years later, as a check up and because my symptoms were getting worse. My third was only a year after that, but it was because my doctor was getting considered about my weight loss.

I was going through my worst flare-up back then, and couldn't hold in food or nutrition for the constant diarrhoea. I think the doctor wanted to be sure that UC hadn't turned into something much worse, like bowels cancer. I believe this is also the reason they start yearly endoscopies after 10 years of first diagnosis, as it is from then on the UC sufferers have an increase risk of developing bowels cancer, as compared to the rest of the wider population.
Posted 12/21/2010 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
Dan007

Yes my remission is due to diet which started out based on SCD but I found I am intolerant of many "legal" SCD foods. IOW my colon objects to dairy, fruit, caffeine, wine and a few others that don't come to mind right now.

I dearly wish I could eat all SCD foods, that would be a treat. But I am stable with minimal symptoms right now and every time I try a "new" food I see poor results. I got one cranky gut.

My blood tests are all good and I am healthy weight. Someday I hope things get back to normal. I've also tinkered with Intermittent Fasting (IF) on a previous thread. Hard to do in holiday season but I was impressed at how it works and now eat less in the morning with no loss of energy at all. Important to keep drinking water all day long.
Posted 12/21/2010 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
My GI requires me to have a scope done every year now that I'm reaching the 7 year mark of having UC because the risk of cancer increases.
Posted 12/22/2010 9:40 AM (GMT 0)
Sam, There's no reason to have a c-scope unless one's biopsies have stated there's a change toward cancer..especially with a strong family presence of it.

q
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