I was diagnosed with UC in late 2007. Since then, I've responded well to treatment via
Rowasa enemasBarium enema 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
spotBirthmarks - pigmented
Liver spots
Measles, koplik spots - close-up
Mongolian blue spots (general abdominal discomfort and what sometimes feels like
swellingAbdomen - swollen
Ankle sprain swelling
Breast - premenstrual tenderness and swelling
Foot swelling
Foot, leg, and ankle swelling
Gums - swollen
Joint swelling
Mastoiditis - redness and swelling behind ear
Scrotal swelling
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 "
stableStable angina
Unstable angina punctate left lower pole
renalAcute kidney failure
Addison’s disease
Adrenal gland biopsy
Adrenalectomy
Cancer - renal pelvis or ureter
Catecholamines - blood
Chronic renal failure
Dialysis
End-stage kidney disease
Kidney diet - dialysis patients
Kidney stones 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