I am one who resisted having a colonoscopy for years. I am speaking here from my own experience, observations, and life experiences:
I had a high school classmate who died at age 43. She assumed that she only suffered from IBS (self-diagnosis). It ended up that she had colon cancer. She had refused the colonscopy until it was too late to help her overcome a very invasive abdominal cancer. (Lesson 1 for me!)
My cousin at age 50 finally agreed to a colonoscopy for her symptoms to rule out disease. It was found that she had more than two dozen polyps in her colon (pre-cancerous, though a time-bomb for cancer), and there was no point in scoping any higher to see just how many there actually were overall. The gastroenterologist did not even finish the procedure... there were to many polyps to 'snip' out during the procedure.
It was explained to my cousin that she needed this section of her bowel completely removed, and there might be risk for a permanent colostomy if the polys went too high up in the colon and the section could not be re-anastomosed. My cousin agreed to the surgery to save her life, and fortunately she did not end up with a colostomy. Removing these polyps saved and extended her life today.
(Lesson 2 for me)
It's not always ALL about IBS symptoms. Many other things mimick strickly IBS criteria. If you don't want any further tests that's okay, though please do have a colonoscopy to rule out other obvious and potentially fatal things. This is the only test a true IBS suffer needs, and it's far better to be SAFE rather than SORRY when it's too late to overcome something far more serious!
From there you can go on with your IBS diet in peace.
Blessings to all IBS sufferers. May you find the right path to better health and joy in life.
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Senior female, IBS-D, presently stable thanks to Heather & Staff
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To those resisting a colonoscopy...
