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Colonoscopy and what else can it be?

First question, what are they looking for in a colonoscopy?

Secondly, I’m wondering what else it could be or if Crohn’s is pretty certain with me. I’ve had continuous diarrhoea for years. My backside is pretty messed up because of it. I also have very mucuous stool. I get cramps, bloating, sometimes as soon 1-2 hours after eating though haven’t figured out yet what foods. I have to run to the toilet when I need to go. And have had accidents. I think I may have been eating wrong, what I considered healthy might not have been right for me? Lots of vegetables and fruit, lots of fibre, fish, healthy oils, wholemeal, grains, nuts, seeds, as little processed food as possible. I’m also lactose intolerant.
Then about 1 1/2 months ago I landed in hospital with pretty bad cramps. Upper right corner. CT scan showed inflammation of the terminal ileitis. Bloods showed inflammation too. And stool sample result, which I didn’t see, had the doctor refer me to a gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy and endoscopy semi-urgent priority. And they diagnosed me preliminary with terminal ileitis and ascending colon colitis and told me they want to follow up on IBD. I also get bad joint pain. Mostly right wrist and elbow. But also knees. And when it’s really bad I feel my whole body is in pain. NSAIDS help, but then I read I shouldn’t take them if it’s Crohn’s.
My husband and I have been reading up on Crohn’s and it seems I fit all the symptoms. But are there other possibilities? I know IBS is in there too, but would that have inflammation show up in the terminal ileitis? And if it were a viral infection, then it would disappear again, right? And I have had it for years. Although the joint pain has become significantly worse this year. And it’s not always constant.

Anyway, I’m wondering what other possibilities there are or if this is fairly certain Crohn’s.

And maybe someone can help me with the joint pain. What are some non-medication suggestions? I’m taking Panadol, but not sure if there’s like other things I can do that help ease the pain.
Thanks!
 

my little penguin

Moderator
Staff member
Joint pain is common with crohns
Some have crohns related arthritis
Meaning if your crohns is flaring the joints flare
Others have crohns related arthritis but the arthritis can still flare all on its own even if the crohns is calm

colonoscopy they are looking for signs of inflammation either due to infection ,acute inflammation and chronic inflammation
This can be seen visually - they can take pictures during the colonoscopy (scope ) and take biopsy samples
The samples will be reviewed by pathology to determine if the cellular changes look like crohns

rheumatologist handles the joint pain so please see one for an evaluation

most meds used to treat crohns can also treat arthritis

my child was dx with crohns at age 7
And juvenile arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease at age 10
He is 18 now
He takes Stelara and methotrexate for both conditions
He does take Celebrex (a prescription nsaid ) but Celebrex is designed to protect the gut
He has a limit in his much he can take before his gut is affected but it helps his arthritis which is much worse than his crohns

Good luck on the scope
 

my little penguin

Moderator
Staff member
Non med things to help joint pain
Swimming
Warm water pools
Hot tubs
Warm bath or shower
Ice packs
Hot packs
Tens units
Parafin warm wax can be placed on hands etc
Nsaid gel such as volteran my child has used on his ankles
Acupuncture type (plastic discs ) cheap mats
Exercise daily /stretches daily
Gel inserts in shoes for heel pain
water heat foot massage bath things
Massage mats
Roller massage tools
 
Joint pain is common with crohns
Some have crohns related arthritis
Meaning if your crohns is flaring the joints flare
Others have crohns related arthritis but the arthritis can still flare all on its own even if the crohns is calm

colonoscopy they are looking for signs of inflammation either due to infection ,acute inflammation and chronic inflammation
This can be seen visually - they can take pictures during the colonoscopy (scope ) and take biopsy samples
The samples will be reviewed by pathology to determine if the cellular changes look like crohns

rheumatologist handles the joint pain so please see one for an evaluation

most meds used to treat crohns can also treat arthritis

my child was dx with crohns at age 7
And juvenile arthritis associated with inflammatory bowel disease at age 10
He is 18 now
He takes Stelara and methotrexate for both conditions
He does take Celebrex (a prescription nsaid ) but Celebrex is designed to protect the gut
He has a limit in his much he can take before his gut is affected but it helps his arthritis which is much worse than his crohns

Good luck on the scope
I was just wondering since Celebrex is a selective COX-2 inhibitor/NSAID if it also would reduce inflammation and pain related to Crohns/proctitis.
Of course that would be an off label use.
 

my little penguin

Moderator
Staff member
My kiddo has had bloody stools with nsaids
He had to try many different kinds
And has to limit how much he takes
Above a certain amount and he gets abdominal pain /stool issues /bleeding
His arthritis is much worse than his crohns right now so we try to minimize the risk by taking lower doses and scoping to verify the inside is still ok

there are pain relief gels that the GI can prescribe for rectal pain
 
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