Sigmoidoscopy?

[misty14]

Hello everyone

Just wanted to ask your advice. My recent calprotectin test was normal showing my treatment for U.C is working. Several before had been high.

I've been put in for a Sigmoidoscopy test soon , last one was 4 years ago.

Do I still need to have it?. I really don't want to so would appreciate your thoughts.

Hope your all as well as you can be.

Many thanks

MistyX

[Amethyst1986]

Maybe just to be on the safe side? Better to have it done and there be nothing wrong than to not have it done and be something wrong!

[misty14 in reply to Amethyst1986]

I know Amethyst, thanx for your reply. That's exactly what gets us and why we go thru these things. Keep well and safe. X

[Dalebury]

Hi I know these tests aren't pleasant but a few minutes of discomfort is worth going through to be on the safe side. These tests are done routinely for all UC patients, none of us like them but just grin and bear it.

Take care.

[misty14 in reply to Dalebury]

Thanx for your reply dale bury, I've had several of these so I know what it's like. As I've got other health problems to cope with at the mo , it's one less test to have to go thru if not needed. Keep safe. X

[Dalebury in reply to misty14]

I completely understand how you are feeling, of course if you really don't want to have the test and feel well then it's absolutely your choice, talk to your Doctor and tell them how you feel. We all know our own bodies better than anyone else and I am sure if you felt you needed this test you would have it.Take care and I hope your other health problems get sorted soon

All best wishes.

[misty14 in reply to Dalebury]

Thank you dalebury for your good wishes. Your replies and others on here have helped me decide whats best to do so many thanks.

Im going to keep options open and can speak to my gp this week and ask his advice.

Keep well and safe too. X

[bantam12]

It’s your choice, if you don’t want it then just decline.I’ve had UC for 50 years, in remission for 25 years with treatment, I only have a colonoscopy if there is a problem and I’ve only ever had one sigmoidoscopy when I was pregnant and couldn’t have the colonoscopy, otherwise if it ain’t broke don’t fix it !

[misty14 in reply to bantam12]

Thanx for your very helpful reply bantam. I'm glad I can just decline it. I agree re 'if it ain't broke etc. I'm glad treatment has given you such a long remission. Can I ask what you take?.

Do hope it continues for you. X

[bantam12]

I take Asacol and I manage my own dose so can take more or less if needed. Good luck with whatever decision you take 🙂

[misty14 in reply to bantam12]

Thanx bantam for your good wishes. Hope Asacol continues to work for a long time to come. Its good you can adjust the dose yourself.

Best wishes. 🤗

[Gloria814]

I would hold off on the sigmoid scope for now since you seem to be doing fine. You can always ask for that at a later time. I have multiple health issues so I can relate! Good luck, Misty

[misty14 in reply to Gloria814]

Thanx gloria for your lovely reply. The timing of it at the mo is just awful so thats what i want to do ideally. Im talking to my gp on weds about it and hopefully he will agree.

Im sorry you have multiple health problems too. It does make it hard for us doesnt it?.

I hope your bowel is settled and it stays that way.

Best wishes X

[Gloria814 in reply to misty14]

Thank you, I am on Stelara which has it's on set of serious side effects but it really helps with my Crohn's. I also have rheumatoid arthritis and so I am trying to deal with that too. I have colonoscopy every 1 to 2 yrs as it visualizes the whole large intestine. I am not awake so that is better than sigmoidoscopy in my opinion . I live in the US

[misty14 in reply to Gloria814]

So glad Gloria your Crohn's treatment works well as you have RA too. It really is a lot to cope with day to day. What do you take for the RA?.

I do sedation for colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy because it's much more comfortable. It's good your getting such regular checks .

What part of U.S are you in?. I have a penfriend in New York , just outside it really in Suffern.

Keep safe and well. Xx

[Gloria814 in reply to misty14]

I live in Massachusetts about 30 miles outside of Boston. I only take Tylenol and occas. aspirin for RA. I was on 2 biologics that treat RA and crohns in the same medication but they didn't work for the crohns. I am very much sedated for the colonoscopy and was not for the sigmoid so I hated that.

[Valbaty54]

My advice is to have the scope even if you feel well. They should be done as a routine check every few years (at least) as they also look for and remove polyps which can turn into something more serious. Nobody likes the experience but it's an important part of monitoring our disease! X

[misty14 in reply to Valbaty54]

Good point valbaty , thanx for your reply. My last one was 4 years ago which is a long time i guess and 'nasties ' can develop .Its because im unwell with other things that i want to delay it.

Im gping to talk to my gp on weds and see what he says. He gives good advice.

I hope you keep well.

Best wishes.