How often do you need a colonoscopy?

[jarmummy123]

Hi All

My IBS symptoms have flared up again........ had a negative colonoscopy in April 2014, nothing was found. Do I need another?

[ricardo]

I doubt it, but best to have a word with your doctor.

[nomorepanic]

Mine are every 5 years so I doubt they will give you another one so soon

[hoppipolla]

Why do people normally have them?

I've never had one (I'm 30) and am scared stiff of them ._.

What are they even FOR? Like... they never seem to find anything in there that can be the root cause of problems, like bacterial imbalances, Candida, parasites or anything like that... so is it just to survey potential damage?

Mainstream medicine is so silly if you ask me ._.

Sorry to moan haha - the NHS and mainstream medicine is a sure-fire way to get me moaning xD

[nomorepanic]

I have Crohn's and it was diagnosed this way. Now I have them and have polyps removed and recently got a bowel tattoo as well !

So basically they are keeping an eye on my crohn's and making sure nothing nasty is growing in the bowel!

[Fishmanpa]

Unless there's a reason to do so, a colonoscopy is not needed until the age of 50 (at least in the US). If all is well, then it's every 5 years after that.

Positive thoughts