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When in remission, how often colonoscopy

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/30/2010 9:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hello folks,

Asking for my mom, who is in remission for last >10 years and on no medications. Colonoscopy was performed only once and was diagnosed with pancolitis. She was on medications for about 3 years and thereafter discontinued due to her financial constraints. She is healthy with respect to GI symptoms but she has regular muscle issues (?) like in the waist area or at base of the spine/sacrum region (She can't tell precisely, MRI didn't show anything). She has issues with the knee as well (but she is on heavy side too and she is reluctant to do regular exercises or she claims it hurts more). She has been to different consultants as well but nothing has helped so far and these symptoms are not persistent, they show up on and often. Its very confusing when it comes to these symptoms.

Hence, I am asking her to get colonoscopy done, just to be sure that alls well in colon region. I am just curious if anyone else sees connection between dormant UC and her other inflammatory (?) symptoms?
And when UC is in remission, how often colonoscopy should be performed, especially after the age of 50. Is there any guideline?

Thanks in advance.
Posted 12/30/2010 10:15 AM (GMT 0)
Yes. The typical rule of thumb is once a year after the 10-year mark from first being diagnosed with UC. Funny thing is that they go by the date of the first diagnosis. It doesn't matter whether or not there was diarrhea for many years before that.

Of course, this is purely a rule of thumb. It also depends on the history of the disease and the condition of the colon. My new GI told me that I should get a colonoscopy done every few years after the 12-year mark. I'll be in my mid 50's by then.

However, your mom should still see a GI and ask about getting a colonoscopy done. She is 50, has a history of pancolitis, and has not had a colonoscopy in more than 10 years. It sounds like its time to get it checked out again.

I don't know about the muscle issues. Perhaps someone else can shed some light.
Posted 12/30/2010 2:09 PM (GMT 0)
What she might be experiencing is Sacroiilitis. This is an inflammation of the SI joint - the joint that connects the spine to the hips. I have this and have tried injections (which did nothing for me) and physical therapy. Now when it acts up, I use an ice pack alternating with a heating pad. It seemed to hit me the worse when I was in remission. It can be extremely painful that is for sure and it can make it difficult to walk, sit or stand.

As for the knees, if everything shows up good on the tests then it might that she just needs to work the muscles surrounding the knees. Even if it's just sitting in her chair, exercising can help build up the muscles surround her knee caps and will help alleviate the pain.

As for the scopes, I am at year 18 and I go in every two years for my scopes not every year. Every scope I've had came out good in regards to cancerous changes. But I agree that it might be time for your mom to have a scope done to make sure everything is going good in there.
Posted 12/30/2010 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
I experienced a bout with inflammation of the SI joint. A visit to a knowledgeable chiropractor - the first time I'd seen one - worked wonders.

I'm also over the ten year mark and I choose to have a scope every two years instead of every year. My UC is well-managed with no inflammation showing up in my last scope. As long as things are going well, I'm not going to have a scope every year.

 

Posted 12/30/2010 5:06 PM (GMT 0)

It depends on the severity of the colitis and the doctor that is treating.  I had severe colitis, pancolitis or universal colitis for over ten years.  When my uc was active and acting up I had gi docs tell me to get scoped every 1-2 years.  Now that I am in remission my current GI doc is so happy with my last scopes that he is now talking a scope every 2-3 years although 3 years sticks out more than 2.  Hope this helps.

MyUC

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