I meant to add that if you have a "boutique" plumbing store near you, they probably have a number of models you can look at....
They're totally worth it. They are a little more complicated to clean, namely because of the angles on the molded plastic of most units, but not terribly so. The rear (ha!) of the seat hangs over the...
Sorry, I'd want to know the reason and the benefit to you. GIs in the US have two board recommendations for scopes in UC: 1. diagnosis and 2. cancer surveillance at periodic intervals after 10 years....
I had a doc who was pushing on the osteopenia diagnosis, and I did some reading. The jury's out on whether it should be treated at all. I wouldn't stress about it....
I was very happy to follow Quincy's advice several years ago when my LFTs were high. I opted to wait a few months (6?) and retest. LFTs went back to normal. ERCP (or biopsy) seem like an awfully big...
I've never used sedation, and I've never had a problem. Last time, my GI's resident did the procedure, and he was clearly still learning, so it was a little more uncomfortable. Still, not bad at all....
I developed terrible anxiety and had several panic attacks after starting Remicade. The only doc who thought there was a link was my rheumatologist. Once I stopped the Remicade, the anxiety stopped....
I go without sedation for all the procedures, with symptoms and without, and I've never had a problem....
It's mostly from the UC. That's the large joint pain (hips, knees). In my case, I have some other joint pain, and it's some kine of spondyloarthropathy, which is in my spine. That's different, and...
I've taken sulfasalazine for a long time. I've had some problems with low platelets, but it seems to work overall and be worth the extra blood tests to keep an eye on the platelets. It helps with...
I didn't have to stop Remicade because of the rashes, but they helped me make the decision to stop....
I'd get hives the day or two afterward, but they went away. Eventually, I got a terrible staph infection (non-MRSA) all over my skin. Bleach baths (a cup of bleach in a tub of water) got rid of it....
Keep in mind that research shows 40-50% of IBD patients will not have increased inflammatory markers. Good luck....
Here's a strange home remedy that might be worth a try first: put wax from the good ear into the bad ear....
I've never been sedated for a scope, never had a problem, and wouldn't do it any other way....
I'm lucky enough to have two hospitals nearby with IBD clinics. It's made a huge difference....
It sounds like the insurance company wants to ensure that the Remicade is effective, and the only way your doc will sign off on it is through a scope (rather than by symptoms). I ran into this sort...
There's been some debate about whether a nurse (or a even a GI) should administer propofol at all. Many nurses would prefer that an anesthesiologist administer it. The dosage is tricky, and there is...
New docs love to start over. I wouldn't. You've been diagnosed, you're being treated, you're feeling better, and I'd continue on that route and skip all the tests. It doesn't matter that your old doc...
I had the test in June or July 2013, and Prometheus and BCBS are still going back and forth on coverage. It was one more piece of information that helped me decide to discontinue Remicade. As far as...
I go without sedation and have never had a problem. As Sunny suggests, talk to the person administering it. You can always have the IV ready to go, and the sedation can be administered during the...
I go without sedation with no problem, no matter the state of my colon. In the research, patient education and expectation is one of the key ingredients to a successful scope without sedation. Pb4,...
Noncompliance with meds is why a lot of diseases and conditions progress. It's not limited to UC, but UC does have its share of ineffective meds that cause serious side effects or require...
Too many, too often -- and against the guidelines of the professional associations your GI probably belongs to. Most guidelines recommend scopes every 1-2 years after 8-10 years of disease activity,...
I had a thrombosed hemorrhoid a few years ago. It broke on its own, and the relief was instantaneous. I didn't find that many OTC/home remedies helped much, but three offered some relief: a squirt...
I started using the Symbio products in Germany, and a friend shipped them to me for awhile afterward. I used the E. coli probiotic for about a year but didn't notice much effect....
Interesting to know that you're already taking Flexeril, SG. The rheumatologist said it wouldn't work for the inflammation. He thought that a low dose at night would help relax the muscles around my...
The sulfasalazine didn't work so hot for SI pain, but I only noticed it if I did something like sit in a car or airplane for a long time. I guess that's to say, if I went about my normal day, I...
My GI talked it up yesterday. Apparently, she's had luck convincing insurance companies to cover it for her UC patients. At any rate, she thought it would be approved and ready to go by the end of...
I used sulfasalazine for many years. It's great for the peripheral arthritis. It doesn't do much for the spine. Just saw the GI today, and we're going to try sulfasalazine again, this time with 6MP....
I have UC and spondyloarthropathy, most likely AS, but since I'm HLA-B27 negative, the rheumy didn't want to jump the gun. Imaging shows changes in my neck and hips. The worst symptoms are at night...
Fruitgirl: pertussis isn't deadly among adults, but it isn't pleasant. Hallmarks include coughing to the point of vomiting and urinary incontinence. With UC, I suspect pooping one's pants isn't...
I did. It wasn't very helpful. Before I even got the results, I ended up with psoriasis so bad that I stopped anyway. It's just a blood test, but if it isn't covered, it's terribly expensive. You...
Apparently, whooping cough is making a come back, and it's clustered around schools with the most waivers for vaccinations. Adults are not immune, and it only works as intended if children are...
I think you answered your own question, AZ. Flex-sigs are 1/3 the cost. You're right, though, that many, many GIs ignore the guidelines of their professional associations. There are probably few...
I'm past the ten-year mark, and my GI recommends every year, but she's fine with every other year. My GP thinks every other year is plenty. Even the tradition numbers for cancer risk aren't all that...
As a society, sometimes we have to bear some burdens for the greater good. My taxes certainly go to things I find questionable. I still pay my taxes. Improved contraception and maternity coverage are...
If you're talking University of Michigan, they have a dedicated IBD clinic, which you might check out. They're pretty pro-sulfasalazine, which got me through IBD-related arthopathy for many years....
Hereabouts, BCBS is known for crazy price hikes. My employer has always offered BCBS as a somewhat expensive option, which I chose, but this year we dumped them because the rates were going to go...
I'd say it was the opposite in my case. The UC/inflammation was causing low T. I supplemented for about a year, and when my UC was under better control, weaned off the gel. My T returned to normal....
I've decided to postpone/stop Remicade because of pustular psoriasis. It wasn't so bad on my hands or feet, but the legs were worse, and groin was just awful. It was getting worse with every...
I had it awhile ago. The GI's office, BCBS, and Prometheus are still hashing out the payment. The GI's office says they always get it covered, but it will take some time. In the event BCBS won't...
Speaking of sedatives and resistance to pain, I have a theory that versed actually intensifies the experience. While I'm waiting around for my scope, the other patients are perfectly lucid, pleasant...
I'm on a once-a-year schedule. I've never had sedation, and I've never had any problems. I'm usually up and out of there in 15 minutes and on with the rest of my day (although it usually includes a...
I've been having a red, blotchy rash with blisters, though not nearly as serious or widespread as yours. It's painless and dries out in time. The GI says it's pustular psoriasis, a side effect of...
Thanks. I've been on it about nine months, I guess, and I first noticed the rash last week. It's very mild, three small spots on my shins, so I don't have too much to complain about. I don't want it...
about four to five hours. The fastest was about three to four hours, I think. A little while ago, I asked everyone here if doubling the dose would increase the amount of time it took. I asked my doc...
I saw my GI yesterday, and it looks like I'm going to double the dose and have it more often. She was a little taken aback at how long the infusion is taking and says it should really take just about...
Yes, of course. At this time, IBD folks have a need for somewhat frequent scopes at a certain point in their disease history, and the frequency (and probably sticking with the same GI for many years)...
It's pretty amazing that we devote so many resources to a test that hasn't proven to do what it's supposed to do or that isn't any more effective than two simpler and less expensive procedures. The...