Colonoscopy at 45 , repeat?

[Anonymous]

Hi , I had colonoscopy when I was 42 for other reasons and it came out clean, 10 year follow up. This year I am turning 45 and my PCP suggests I do it. Would you do it 3 years from prior because it is now fully covered? I do not mind, especially if there is slightest chance something changed over three years. But if it is too soon, I would wait maybe another year?

[Anonymous]

I would if it was fully covered, yes.

[Anonymous]

If nothing was found, 10 year follow up is fine

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi , I had colonoscopy when I was 42 for other reasons and it came out clean, 10 year follow up. This year I am turning 45 and my PCP suggests I do it. Would you do it 3 years from prior because it is now fully covered? I do not mind, especially if there is slightest chance something changed over three years. But if it is too soon, I would wait maybe another year?

If you eat right and exercise regularly and are of normal weight, I wouldn't get it just because it's free.

[Anonymous]

Does your PCP have your 3 year old colonoscopy results ? I might call the gastroenterologist office and ask them. This might be an insurance coverage question too. I feel your confusion OP.

[Anonymous]

No, not on the PCP's recommendation. PCPs don't have any actual knowledge about it, they just recommend them at 45 because that's when you are supposed to get one. The PCP is checking their boxes and figures better to recommend one because you are at the screening age than to assume the one you had at 42 is fine.

Agree with PP that I would talk to your gastro and see what they recommend and go with that. I would not schedule what is technically a surgery, and where you'll have to go under and likely take one or two full days off work, just based on what the PCP said.

[Anonymous]

If you had concerning " other reasons" maybe that's why PCP suggests a repeat.

[Anonymous]

wait for the follow up

[Anonymous]

Why did you have it done at 42? That's the worrisome part. If you had symptoms, I would not skip standard screening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why did you have it done at 42? That's the worrisome part. If you had symptoms, I would not skip standard screening.

I did not have any particular symptoms, mostly inability to move bowel on my own. We did colonoscopy and endoscopy. Both reports came clean.

[Anonymous]

You are fine for 10 years based on your actual test results.

[Anonymous]

No your doctors sounds like an idiot. Your gastro said come back in 10 years.

[Anonymous]

Did you say to the PCP "I had it done 3 years ago and the gastro said come back in 10 years?" And what did the PCP say to that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi , I had colonoscopy when I was 42 for other reasons and it came out clean, 10 year follow up. This year I am turning 45 and my PCP suggests I do it. Would you do it 3 years from prior because it is now fully covered? I do not mind, especially if there is slightest chance something changed over three years. But if it is too soon, I would wait maybe another year?

No, unless you have special risk factors.

[Anonymous]

I'd do it, but I have family history.