How often do you get a colonoscopy?

[Mazen]

I was in a routine visit to my GI and he mentioned that it's been 5 years since I've had my last colonoscopy and it's time for a new one, as this is what is recommended for a Crohn's followup protocol.

What is your experience with this? How often do your GI do a colonoscopy? By the way, my Crohn's is confined to my terminal ileum and the scope could never reach that part due to narrowing, the couple of times I did it before.

 

[dayng1016]

Since my dx in June of 07 I have had 2 colonoscopies. The last one they could not get any size scope through due to my stricture, (terminal ileum). I had read somewhere that 3-5 yrs is recommended, but I would say whatever your GI recommends. He could just want to see if your narrowing has opened up any or is the same as the last time.

Good luck!

 

[Aenea01]

Every two years

 

[hippie4lyfe]

I had one 10 months ago to diagnose me, I don't know when I should again. I guess whenever they tell me.

 

[CD68]

I had one in August to diagnose me and they want to do another one in March.
I have a big gnarly mass that they want to keep an eye on.

 

[ErinDF]

My doctor said that in the first 10 years or something you should have one every two years, then every year after that (I guess your risk of cancer goes up, maybe?)

I am now past the ten year mark. Which sucks!

 

[fenway1971]

i've had 4 since 2003. going for 5th in three weeks. yay.

 

[katiesue1506]

I've had one since my diagnosis in 2006.

 

[My Butt Hurts]

I've had 4 since diagnosis in 2002.
Usually when I start a new flare.

edit - okay apparently I have had 5. I figured this out when I was listing all of the different preps I have had.
Fleet phospho soda
Go Lytley
Half Lytley
Miralax
Magnesium citrate

The last 2 were the only ones that didn't taste too bad.

 

[danman]

I usually get one every 2 years, but sooner if I'm flaring.
I've had 3 in the last 7 months and 2 IUA's (?) (investigation under anaesthetic?) in surgery. Fun, Fun, Fun.

I've jst realised, I've been under anaesthetic 4 times and a colonoscopy med in the last 2 months. A new record for me.

 

[Bonzo]

I had my first one in 2002 then another in 2007. Hopefully I won't need another for a while.

 

[Wolfie]

I've had 4 since 2001

My mother had one about 3-4 years ago and they found polyps and did not remove all of them as he said he does not like to remove all at one time. He told her to come back in 10 years. My mother has not been feeling lately (stomach ache) so I asked my GI about the polyp thing and he said he would of removed all of them.. My mom is now under the care of my Doc and is having a colonoscopy today to remove the remaining polyps. Doc said anyone with polyps should have colonscopy every 2 years.
I also was told that with Crohns, if you have had disease for 8 years or more they want more frequent colonoscopies I assume every other year.

 

[daisy_dueller]

Luckily...I've never even had to have one...but I'm sure that they'll be required now...my GI doesn't see a need for one at this point, but only time will tell...I was diagnosed through an MRI believe it or not...an experiment in my city!

 

[DownUnder4Life]

i can't stand the 3 litres of prep drink.
just cannot drink the stuff.
2 litres is about all i can do.

 

[D Bergy]

Since I am kind of a do-it-yourself kind of guy, I rigged up a pinhole camera to a plumbers snake and wire it to my plasma TV. It takes a lot of KY Jelly and a big rubber bone between my teeth to bear the pain, and I hope no one walks in on me while doing it.

Just kidding, (I think). I am going to go in after five years. I will be fifty by then and they seem to like to perform this on anyone that age. Plus I really miss the joy of the prep.

I am also really curious to see if anything is going on in there. I do not think there is but it is not something I can really be sure of.

Dan

 

[mommy1st]

Since I am kind of a do-it-yourself kind of guy, I rigged up a pinhole camera to a plumbers snake and wire it to my plasma TV. It takes a lot of KY Jelly and a big rubber bone between my teeth to bear the pain, and I hope no one walks in on me while doing it.

:ylol2: :ylol2: :ylol2: :ylol2:

 

[sidney88]

i can't stand the 3 litres of prep drink.
just cannot drink the stuff.
2 litres is about all i can do.

I took the pills and it was much easier

 

[DownUnder4Life]

I took the pills and it was much easier

no one told me about pills - next time i'm going to demand the pills.

 

[Sojourn]

I haven't had one since 2004 when I was diagnosed, but I'm scheduled to have one in March. Oh joy.

 

[ErinDF]

I asked my doctor about the pills last time I had one and they said they don't like to use them anymore, especially for people with IBS, because of some serious complications they caused. I don't remember exactly what, perhaps someone else on the board knows.

Also...my Mom used them once and she said they made her vomit something terrible (so they may not be better for everyone).

 

[theone]

Every August

 

[drew_wymore]

They pulled Phoso Soda off the market for now. Half Lytely is half the prep and half pills. Go Lytely is the nasty prep but it works. Apparently Half Lytely is double the price of Go Lytely.

 

[Wiles]

I think I've only had 2 since being diagnosed 8 years ago.

 

[atcig]

I was diagnosed in September 2007 and have had 2. My surgeon said I need to have one every year but he just sent me to a GI and he said I only needed one every 5 so I have no idea when I need one. Half Lytely is soooo yummy!!

 

[GoJohnnyGo]

It's virtually impossible for me to arrange one, even if I wanted one. Despite numerous referrals from physicians, I cannot find a gastroenterologist willing to take on my case.