Have any of you found a relationship between a colonoscopy and increased IBS symptoms
#56569 - 03/31/04 02:54 PM
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Roz
Reged: 02/29/04
Posts: 35
Loc: New York
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My hubby feels that his IBS got worse or was exacerbated after a colonoscopy he had several months ago. Wondering if any of you have had a similar experience?
Roz
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No, I certainly didn't have that experience... which I'm glad about, 'cause I've never been sicker than I was before that dang colonoscopy! 
Is he particularly stressed about what happened with the colonoscopy? With the results? With other things...? I know that a seemingly dumb question, because we're all stressed, right, but I think you know where I'm going with that. I can imagine for some (most? all!?) people, the diagnosis of this ambiguous and potentially long-term syndrome with no pill you can take to cure would be stressful... and stress aggravates the IBS as we all know.
If you think stress is a possible cause, would he be open to trying the hypnosis?? It's really benefitted a lot of people. (Weird, that's the 2nd time I've recommended this today! But I really love the relaxation I'm feeling from it so far, and so many people have been helped. I can't be stopped with the recommending!)
Anyway, food for thought...
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a colonoscopy, especially if he wasn't fully sedated, can definitely be an insult to the gut. It's actually possible for a bad colonoscopy experience to cause IBS - so I'm sure it could certainly exacerbate the condition once it already exists.
- H
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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!
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Thanks for your response Heather; he wasn't fully sedated as it was done in a doctor's office. Is it possible for him to now recover from this colonoscopy ( by following your guidelines) or does it mean there was permanent damage done.
Roz
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Hi Jen,
He was stressed about taking the colonoscopy but not about the results. The doctor removed a benign polyp but did not find anything else. To add insult to injury, when he still had IBS symptoms, we went to see another GI specialist who recommended doing another colonoscopy and endoscopy, this time including the small intestine, (which evidently the first doctor did not do.) This was about 7 months after the first ones. Again, other than a few tiny benign polyps, this doctor did not find anything either. The problem is the IBS ( which he's had for years) got worse. 
Thanks for your suggestions!
Roz
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It most definetely is possible. I had a colonoscopy that "caused" me to have IBS all because the Dr. was in a big hurry and caused my bowel to be irritated. Now because of him I have suffered every day. This scope has cost me $3,000 in tests and medications. I do not recommend them as a "routine" test as mine was.
Sorry if I sound bitter, but I am having a hard time dealing with this life changing problem.
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As I understand it, they expect to see a little inflammation when they look at the results because the procedure itself causes inflammation. Shouldn't be permanent but I'd pay attention to symptoms just in case.
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Oh, that is such a shame!!!! How awful and frustrating!
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Laura
Keep it simple!
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Georgie, you have reason to be bitter. Did the tests you had reveal that the colonoscopy caused your problem and were you fine before you had this procedure? My husband had IBS before the colonoscopy but thought it got worse after.
Hope you feel better soon. This website will offer you some good coping techniques as well as a way to eat for IBS.
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Yes, my family Dr. said it was caused by the colonoscopy. I was feeling just great before having it done, no stomach problems what so ever, not on any medications. Just had a Dr. that was in a hurry and not enough regard for the patient at hand.
I am sure this type of thing happens more than we hear about
But because of this my sister has refused to get one as a general health check up.
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I don't blame her for not going to get it. After reading these posts, I'm not so sure I want to have one done now. If this got worse on me...I think I would want to die. Are you feeling better now Georgie?
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Yes, I am thanks to Heather's web site. I have learned so much about something that I did not know existed.
But I have a question about something that I do not understand. What are Probiotics and who should take them and how. Is it a medical or natural?
Sorry if it's a dumb question, but I am still trying to find what is most helpful, I tried Robinul and a couple other medicines, but did not help.
Thanks
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This is a scary thought. We are supposed to get colonoscopies to rule out other serious things and it can actually cause IBS or make it worse?? I haven't had one in like 8 yrs or so (since my hysterectomy) and was just getting my nerve up to have one again, now I'm not so sure. 
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Oh I'm sorry that it effected him that way. I also was told I had some mild irration seendurng my colon. procedure. I was told the solution could of caused it. I on the other hand recovered with no D after the procedure was done. So stable after it and been that way since. Diet definetly improved my condition. Hope some relief will come soon.
Sherri
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Roz, I agree that it's certainly possible. I had a sigmoidoscopy about a year ago and it seemed to exacerbate my gas and bloating, too. Luckily (or in some cases not so luckily) our symptoms are always changing, so hopefully the problems caused by the colonsocopy won't plague your hubby for too long. Tell him to hang in there!
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"Anyone can exercise, but this kind of lethargy takes real discipline." -Garfield
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Hi Sandy,
You need a colonoscopy every 5 years if you're over 50. I know you're not that old, but pretend you are. In that case, you'd have another since your last one was 8 years ago. It's really the wise thing to do, and doctors will strongly recommend it -- when you're over 50, that is.
You want to know if there's something seriously wrong "up there" so they can "nip it in the bud" and you can get on with your life. Ignorance is NOT bliss, Girlfriend. I often wonder if we wouldn't have our beloved Charles Schulz with us right now if he had gotten a colonoscopy in a timely manner.
Okay, there I go rambling again. I need to sign up for a "head-oscopy."
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Thanks all for your responses. It is scary to think that we go for a colonoscopy as a screening for colon cancer ( or to rule out other bowel diseases) but then can end up with IBS or making the IBS we already have worse.
I guess though that it is better to have a colonoscopy in order to prevent colon cancer. Just be sure you find a good GI, preferably one who has been recommended by someone you trust.
As Kree says, IBS symptoms seem to be constantly changing, so hopefully no permanent damage was done and the IBS will eventually stabilize.
Roz
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I actually had a colonoscopy to determine why I had such bowel problems. The test results wereall negative other than a mild case of diverticuosis. My symptoms never really changed for better or worse until recently when I introduced the acacia fiber and enteric peppermint into my daily regime. Don't think the colonoscopy has a real bearing on symptoms, other than the fact that for a couple of days your system could be irritated from the results of the prep for the procedure. 
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One solution would be to have your primary care physician refer you to another gastroenterologist for capsule endoscopy. With this procedure, you swallow a small capsule which surrounds a mini-camera that travels throught the entire digestive tract, taking pictures and recording them throughout. Requires very little prep, does not require any inanimate object inserted below and covers more territory than any other test. Another option is called virtual endoscopy, conducted throught the use of a multi slice CT scanner. Most of the hospitals in your area should have this technology available, however, due to low or inadequate reimbursement, the tests are not usually offered by physicians. If you let your doctor know that you can not tolerate regular colonoscopy, he should rrefer you for one of these less invasive options. Just a thought. 
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