I've had diarrhea with bloating for over a year. my stool is very soft and kind of orange most days. my gastro wants a colonoscopy, but that's going to cost a ton of money. what does this sound like? should i push for other cheaper tests first?

Sometimes people get these symptoms after infectious gastroenteritis and its called post infection IBS. The colonoscopy is a good idea as you are 49 years old and the Cancer preventive task force recommended that people get screened for colorectal cancer at age 40 to 45. Colonoscopy can rule out cancer as well as microscopic colitis which can give you these symptoms. You can negotiate the cost.