Thanks, I will definitely request for that in the future.

I'm surprised to hear of the flex-sig pain. I had a couple many years ago and had no pain. My 1st colonoscopy was excruciatingly painful even though I was more heavily sedated (I watched the walls move at 1 point) then in future ones. I think the G.I. used too much air, and it caused severe cramping. I don't want to scare anyone, my last 3 were all painless.

Usually a flex dig is more painful because of the no sedation and is done in the GI's office. If sedation is requested then it has to be done where they do colonoscopies. Some insurance companies will not pay for sedation on the flex dig procedure. When I say they knock you out it is drug that telax you and make you forget like with a combos of Versed, Fentanyl and Demerol. Because I had to have a ballon opening procedure last colonoscopy the doctor wanted me to have Propofol used which required anesthesiologist and more insurance approval. I would guess I have had 10 coloniscopies and 5 flex procedures. If you are going to have drugs for the flex dig then just request the colonoscopy. It will allow the doctor a complete examine of the whole colon which as a patient is peace of mind and if the doctor does not like what he sees with a flex sig they will request a colonoscopy meaning you have to come back and start over. A lot depends on what an insurance company will pay and the schedule of the doctor. If a GI only does Flex Sig and not colonoscopies he can bill more for his or her office. Always pick a GI that can do both procedures. If Propofol is used make sure it is at a hospital and not a colonoscopy center. After having years and years of GI problems and operation this is my personal opinion. I have Croons but UC can effect the whole colon so that is why I recommend the whole colon should be inspected plus a colonoscopy can catch colon cancer better. I have known people that were told they had UC and for a few years thought that until a colonoscopy was done and both the small intestine had scaring so the correct disease with a tissue sample was Crohns.

Sorry for the spelling mistakes due to Iphone typing and it is hard to review what is written. The keyboard is to small for my fingers :-)

I've never had a flex sig done in my GI's office; they've always been done by my GI in the GI lab where he does my colonoscopies.

I suspect any of this depends on the doc's protocol and what's likely to be covered under private insurance, national insurance, Medicare, etc, depending on what you have and where you live. Sometimes colonoscopies aren't considered medically necessary if the flex sig can serve the same purpose.

Lot of variables for sure. I've had s couple of sigs without sedation. For me, they didn't hurt; they were just uncomfortable which made me it hard for me to relax.

My GI 's office in is a hospital building so he has a large room right next to his office where he does all his procedures whether a colonoscopy or a flex sig it gets done right next door. I was sedated for both procedures and I'm glad, I wouldn't want to be awake, I guess It's a good thing my ins co was willing to pay for the sedation.
I hope you get good results from your tests

This is the first I've even heard of a flex sig. But I most certainly need sedating with anything going up there! I can't imagine why a full colonoscopy was not suggested based on your symptoms, and the spanning of 3 years.

ps. my last couple they gave me the memory eraser drug. I don't like that. I preferred the drug where I wake up half way thru and can look at the screen with them. the drug they use reminds me of the men in black memory eraser stick. lol

Thanks for all the responses!

The flex sig was fine. I've had four colonoscopies over the past three years, one fairly recently. My doctor wanted to take a peek for himself since I hadn't seen him before (insurance change meant I had to change doctors). I'm on prednisone again and responding well to it like I usually do.

My biggest trouble right now is that my new doctor won't completely fill out the paperwork for medical leave. There's a portion that estimates how much time I'll need off work, and he refuses to fill out that part because "Ulcerative Colitis is too variable - some people need hospitalization some never miss work." I've tried to describe what my experience has been for the last few years in missing work, but he cut me off and continued to say "I've done all I can do." Now my work won't accept the paperwork and thus far have not answered my calls. *sighs*

This makes me very very angry. My doctor will fill out any paper work for work leave and he filled out paper work for me being accepted for SSD. I was accepted for SSD on my first try but the payments were just to low to live on so I do have to reject it and I still have to work. You have a GI that has no clue what it is like to live with either Crohns or UC and the pain involved. If your insurance allows it find another GI or maybe the CCFA can help you find a doctor in your area. You can also check for Crohns and UC Meetup Grouos in your local area and many times other patients share information on good doctors. Can you tell me the reason your GI did not fill out any paper work. Is your doctor part of a teaching hospital. If so maybe you can talk to the GI chairman of the teaching group. What sucks is as patients of these diseases we have to fight for our rights. I personally live a hard life because of all the pain I have and the many bathroom visits I take during the day and my GI knows and understands that very well. Please do not give up and find a doctor that will work with you.

DreamOfFerrets, are you in the US?

I'm back in the States now, yes.

I also got a call back today saying I'm positive for C. Diff. So now I'm waiting for my antibiotics to arrive at the pharmacy.

Also, I'm not dreaming of ferrets anymore - I have a pair of ferrets who I've had for a year and do a wonderful job of keeping my spirits up when I'm stuck at home sick. ^^ I'm so glad I have my pets.

I know... Pets seem to make everything better!

I thought I recalled you being out of the US for a while. I wonder if your GP could complete paper work for possible leave from work? Are you looking at possible FMLA? What's nice about FMLA, if your eligible through your employer, is that completing the paper work doesn't mean you have to take leave, and you can take time as needed. It's just having it there in case you do need it. I can see a doc not doing paper work for disability if you're responding to meds. But I don't get a doc not completing FMLA paper work .

Anyway, hope you get rid of the c diff and feel better!

Sorry that your doctor is being such an ass about the paperwork, although it's true that we are all different he should take your word for how much time you have missed in the past and just fill out the papers. I hope this round of pred and the antibiotics help to make you better so that you can work.
I wish you the bets of luck!
Hugs, Jean

I am sorry to hear that. That is similar to the issues I had, which made everything in my life much worse. Because I didn't understand my mental/emotional symptoms were so related to the prednisone. I up and sold my house and moved somewhere cheaper, where I had to get new doctors. I finally realized I needed to be on disability, but the new doctors would have no part of it. They didn't take me seriously, they should have lost their licenses in my opinion, but it's too late for all that now, and I was in no mentality to fight for myself then. They are horrible horrible human beings in my opinion. They didn't order colonoscopy, they didn't sent for my records that I gv them info on, they didn't support my disability. all the jerkoff did was write continual prednisone prescriptions. I really think I could have gotten him into a lot of trouble for that. Later I found out through my primary, that they didn't believe me because I was overweight. Well duh! years on prednisone will do that to ya!!!!!! sorry this is your thread. I'm venting. I would say find another GI if you can. But if you cannot, insist on blood test showing the amount of inflammation, insist on other tests if you feel something additional is going on like bacterial infection of latest norovirus or rotovirus...whichever one is appropriate, etc. It's good you have the colonscopies. You will need good records if you have to go on disability. Also keep personal records of what life interuptions you have had based on it.