How often are you scoped?

[plaidknitter]

I think it has been over 3 years since my last set of scopes, and I had thought my last GI who I am no longer seeing (long story involving constantly disappearing pcp's and insurance issues) had wanted me to get scoped yearly. How often do you get scopes done?

I finally have a new PCP & strongly suspect she'll be referring me to a new GI, which will likely mean more scopes since it has been so long. Each time I've changed GIs (for a while I was moving frequently & thus had to keep switching) they have wanted to do scopes themselves even if it hadn't been that long...

But it also got me wondering if there was some sort of general guideline for how often IBDers should be scoped or if most GIs just went off of symptoms.

 

[RZman]

Back when I was very ill, I would have a colonoscopy and endoscopy every 4-6 months. When I'm not flaring it's recommended that I have them every 2 -3 years. My gastro told me that it's recommended for everyone over 40 to get regular colonoscopies.

 

[SarahBear]

Generally, if you're flaring / showing symptoms, scopes are done every year. While in remission, every two or three years. I'd say you're probably about due, just to check up on things.

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

I'm technically still undiagnosed - I had scopes done the first full year I was ill (in early 2010), and they were both totally normal. My GI then put me on Entocort & Asacol and I got into remission, so no scopes for a couple of years. Then my GERD started becoming intolerable late last year so I had another upper scope which found a hiatal hernia. Now I may be flaring again and will be requesting a colonoscopy. So for me it's worked out to be roughly 3 years in between my scopes so far.

 

[lost kitten]

Annually since 2009 (had a stricture, has improved but keeping an eye on it all due to that and as I've always suffered from severe inflammation).

 

[Mountaingem]

Every two years since they found Stage 1 colon cancer. I believe that is standard for those who have had Crohn's for over 10 years and also if you have complications.

 

[DJW]

As little as possible. LOL. I'm in a flair so every 6 month or more if specialist wants it done. Once it settles, every year.

 

[kiny]

Once a year a colonoscopy and MRI.

 

[Dukeis]

Once I hit the 10 year mark it was once a year. I was told the risk of cancer starts increasing at that point so they scope more often.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

I get a colonoscopy annually but have lots of MRI's in between to monitor my disease activity.

 

[Samboi]

Used to be every two years, but think I'm annual now.
I used to be very unaffected by the scopes - but now - I need to take the day off work the next day too. It really knocks me around these days.

 

[plaidknitter]

I finally saw my new GI, and he does want scopes since it has been so long! He was able to check the date of my last one, and it was nearly 4 years ago which is longer than they like to go.