It has been 11 years since I've had my surgeries and ileostomy take-down. I have never had a pouchoscopy done. Are there MD recommendations on how often they should be done?
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I don't know if there is an accepted standard recommendation but my surgeon said that I should go every year for one but my GI said that they weren't necessary. Go figure, I would have thought it would have been the other way around with the GI saying every year because he would perform the scopes.
I had my j-pouch because of UC, if I had my j-pouch due to cancer then my GI said that I would need closer monitoring.
Scopes are quick and easy, you can have them with or without sedation. I'm planning on going every 1 to 2 years for a scope.
Thank you. I've been trying to find if there is any evidence-based research or solid recommendations. GI doctor doesn't seem to be too concerned, but my primary says there are standards (she just doesn't know what they are). Of course this comes up 11 years later, when I'm having unexplained GI symptoms, and have everyone puzzled.
It depends on your profile. If you have no inflammation, annual is not necessary. If you have chronic inflammation and a history of dyplasia in your colon, annual is absolutely necessary.