Should I wait for colonoscopy ?

[dave101]

I am a 30yr old male. 5yrs ago, I had some blood in my stool, and cramps, had a colonoscopy done, they removed some polyps, and I was diagnosed with ulcerative proctitus. There were no symptoms for 5 yrs. Then suddendly, Over the last 3 months, I've had a variety of  problems. First, I had diareha for 10 days. I couldn't eat anything, even drink water, I would pass it down quickly. After it passed, I noticed, there trace amounts of blood from my rectum, no other symptoms. I took cortisteroid suppositories, it did not help, however after a period of a 2 weeks, I started getting bloated. I took mesalamine for a few weeks, that made the bleeding go away.   However, the bloating continued. Then, I would have cramps when I ate, and more bloating, this persisted for about a month. It was so severe, that I would just lie in bed in pain after meals. However, this symptom has passed. I also am passing gas a lot, and my bowel movements have been strange. Sometimes, the stool is very thin like a pencil. Almost every time, there are 5 or so smaller pieces of fecal matter accompanying the larger stool. The color of the stool the last few weeks or longer has been lighter color than usual. I feel discomfort (cramps?) 15-45 minutes after I eat, but it passes quickly.

I went to see a doctor 1.5 months ago, they scheduled me in for a colonoscopy this week. Unfortunately, I had no medical insurance, but I was willing to pay. I got a new job, and the medical insurance will kick on Jan 1.  Should I bite the bullet and pay the $5K and have the colonscopy this week, or wait until Jan 1 ?  If I have cancer, will there be much difference if I wait another month in terms of developing complications or spreading or generally getting worse ?

What do you think I am most likely suffering from ?

Also, one of my friends suggested eating flax seeds in the morning, and taking fish oil at night ? Will this have any effect on my condition ?  

Thanks for any insight you can provide

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Without examining you nor your records, I cannot make any recommendations whether to hold off on the colonoscopy or not.  I agree that it needs to be done sooner rather than later.  

It is difficult to say what is going on without examination.  However, with the history of ulcerative proctitis, a flareup or worsening of this disease is possible.  The biopsy via the colonoscopy would be able to further evaluate this.  

Although possible, I am not aware of flax seeds nor fish oil being involved in the improvement of ulcerative proctitis.  

You can discuss these options with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b

[geno1]

$5000 for a colonoscopy sounds high. My total cost a few years back was ~$2700 without insurance. That included everything.. procedure, facility, biopsy, etc... but im no expert maybe youre getting a really good one :)