Hi, *Jen* -- I was actually thinking of you yesterday because of what Trixy wrote in the "Pharmacy is out of Rowasa" thread (original enema vs. generic)! On the subject of c-scope timing: I tend to pay attention to what gastro Dr. Daniel Present advocates because at the time I was 1st diagnosed in 1980, he & colleague Mark Chapman were about
the only U.S. doctors writing/publishing reliable info on IBD for patients. (He has long experience treating IBD & does not rush to judgment on issues just to keep up with the latest trends.) It seems from his writing that he does not push annual c-scopes until the patient reaches 20 yrs post-diagnosis, UNLESS they have complications at earlier stages. He is also conservative in attitude toward dysplasia-- so, definitely not out to rush patients to major surgery for no good solid reason. C-scope is no pleasure; apart from the prep there are issues surrounding types of biopsies done + sedation administered. Generally the latter is a combo of Versed & Demerol; I believe that Versed is a no-no during pregnancy, also it can be problematic for seniors post-procedure. That being said, I have tried to get by having it done about
every 2 1/2 yrs because I did have 2 polyps when initially diagnosed with UC, but otherwise responded to existing meds so that my UC did not become pancolitis. Quincy, who has long experience with proctosigmoiditis, writes that her gastro, who sounds very reasonable, favors c-scope every 3 yrs as long as biopsies come out clean. You will likely get a reliable assessment from Uma Mahadevan that will be based on your particular physical condition, which is how scope decisions should be made. I don't think there is any one pattern that fits all, but 1-3 yrs btw scopes is the soundest interval based on current medical knowledge of IBD & CRC. / Old Hat (nearly 30 yrs with left-sided UC ... [etc.])