Another colonoscopy?

I was diagnosed with UC in late 2007. Since then, I've responded well to treatment via Rowasa enemas typically every other night, and nightly if I have a flare (of which I've had one since 2007).

About 8 months ago, I started experiencing abdominal pain that is very difficult to pin down. It doesn't appear to be relate to what I eat and doesn't appear to be in a specific spot (general abdominal discomfort and what sometimes feels like swelling). The pain is pretty much always there, but varies from very mild to severe (causing me to leave work on two occasions). It's frequently worst right when I wake up and I’ve noticed that sleep/lying on my stomach will cause severe pain after a while. I'm becoming disillusioned with my current GI who always pulls open his laptop upon arriving and skims through a bunch of notes and then asks me why I'm there. Every time I see him, he just sends me for a different test. It’s like we're on autopilot and not getting anywhere or looking at the “big picture”.

• I’ve had Heart-burn/GERD medications (didn’t help the abdominal pain)
• I’ve had an upper endoscopy and abdominal ultrasound (came back all good)
• I’ve had an abdominal CT scan (came back good - but with mild diverticulosis and a "stable punctate left lower pole renal calculus" which I understand to be a harmless liver stone)
• We added Lialda to my treatment about 2 weeks ago (upon my request) which I’m now taking along with the Rowasa. I wanted to do this because I’d like to switch to oral treatment in the next few months.
• No current signs or symptoms of UC

He now wants me to get another colonoscopy. Now I love colonoscopies as much as the next guy - but it really feels like he's just going through the motions at this point. My question is does it make sense to get a colonoscopy at this point based on this (I understand they do carry some small degree of risk)? Should I be seeking another option? Any other advice in general?

Thank you,

-C

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
A repeat colonoscopy is needed only if you  do not respond to the medications, if the symptoms are out of proportion.
So I would suggest a colonoscopy may be done for evaluation of your present symptoms.

[cburke98]

I forgot to say that my last colonoscopy was the one used to diagnose UC in late 2007. The imflamation was limited to the sigmoid colon which was why we were using the enemas for treatment.

[cburke98]

Any answers/advice on this?

Thanks,

-C