Colonoscopy results IBD

[sessions]

A big THANKS to everyone taking the time to read!

As a bit of background: Im a female in my mid 20's and have experienced moderate irritable bowel symptoms for the past 6 years. My symptoms include intermitted constipation and diarrhoea, regular nausea, mucus in stools, intolerance to fatty/fried food and little notice when I need to make a BM. Based on this, my GP clinically diagnosed me with IBS.

Recently, symptoms have gotten worse, resulting in internal and external haemorrhoids and blood in BM's. This triggered further investigation and basically, I am in the initial stages of testing for IBD.

Around a week ago I had my first colonoscopy and 3 internal haemorrhoids banded. I am experiencing bloody mucus in stools and am still experiencing some cramping pains.

My major concern came from the doctors comments after the colonoscopy. I was told i have a floppy, long, twisted bowel. Small Ulcers and inflammation were also found in a section of the bowel (I am currently unsure as to where). A biopsy was taken to which my doctor suggested would likely come back as inconclusive. I was told I would need to have another colonoscopy in six months to determine an appropriate diagnosis.

My questions are:
Firstly, with these findings would it be likely that I have IBD, and if so are these symptoms more consistent with UC or Crohns?
Secondly, is bloody mucus a common occurrence after a colonoscopy?
Finally, what is a floppy, long, twisted bowel? haha.

Any comments or experiences would be greatly appreciated! I must say - I'm feeling pretty nervous about the future atm. Thanks again and hope you are all feeling well!

X

 

[tots]

sessions-
It sure sounds like IBD to me. I have no idea what the floppy long twisted bowel means. What I don't understand- Why would they wait 6 months for a follow up?

My Bx did not show anything the two times I had them done. My Crohns was found with an upper GI.

Good luck and I hope you start feeling better soon.


Lauren
:ysmile:

 

[sessions]

Cheers for the reply Lauren!

I was told the reason for waiting 6 months for another colonoscopy is to see if the inflammation and ulcers were caused by the colonoscopy prep or if it is an indicator of IBD. I was told it could clear if it was just caused by the prep - which would lead towards an IBS diagnosis again. Fingers crossed this is the case - but I don't want the doctor to provide false hope if what he saw is a clear indication of IBD. Do you know what the likelihood is of not having IBD even though there is visible inflammation and ulcers?
From what I've read so far on the disease, it can be quite debilitating and the prospect of having multiple surgeries and life-long medication scares the hell out of me! Is everyones experience so extreme, or do some people go through life relatively normally?

Hope all is well, thanks for your time!

X

 

[archie]

Try not to worry yourself there are many different degrees of illness and not everyone with IBD follow the same path of surgeries etc. It's difficult to tell from your results what it is as there are different reasons for inflammation eg a bug that said I haven't heard of prep causing ulcers. Ulcers are in line with IBD and warrant further investigation. The biopsy results will give you more information as to wether it's active crohns or not. I do have crohns but my last scope showed mild ulcers / inflammation but the biopsies were clear and I too will get another scope down the line to keep a check on things. Ru having any other symptoms ie weight loss pain fatigue blood results etc that would suggest IBD?

 

[tots]

Sessions
I worked for a GI do doctor for 12 years, I never heard of the
prep giving you ulcerrations. That would be a very fast reaction
and it surprises me to hear that. It dosent seem right that that's
What the drs would be looking for and that's what the prep
gives you.

I hope things settle down for you.
Good luck!

Lauren

 

[FruitLoop]

Prep giving you ulcers is something i have never heard of either ?

At my first ever camera (sigmoid) the GI saw a cluster of ulcers and immediately said - there we go you have Colitis.

So as far as i am aware ulcers are indicative of IBD only ? My diagnosis was later changed to Crohn's after they found the ulcers all the way up.

I know quite a few Crohnies who are very unaffected by the disease - 2 people i know had an initial flare and have had nothing else.

Others (myself included) read like an encyclopedia of complications, symptoms and tales of serious complications. What you need to remember is most people visit sites like this and post a lot when they are not doing well or need support so the Crohnies who have little to no trouble are too busy running around to be on here posting!!

I always mean to come back during remission phases to post how well i am but i always forget and then just kind of slither in when im feeling down and start posting again.

 

[StarGirrrrl]

I agree, prep irritates intestines, and can well cause inflammation, but ulcers? No way.

I'd get a second opinion.

 

[sessions]

Thanks everyone for the info. Its so nice to talk to people who have experienced this initial anxiety that comes with an IBD diagnosis.
Currently I am seeing a colorectal surgeon, so I think I might take up your advice go to a GI for a second opinion.
Its really comforting to hear that not everyone experiences serious complications! And its nice to know that even for those who do, some normality is possible in periods of remission.

Archie: To answer your question, I have recently experienced weight loss, but this is in conjunction with a change of diet - so I'm unsure if the weight loss is as a result of lifestyle changes or illness. I had a general blood test fairly recently and from memory all came back normal. As for fatigue, regardless of diet, this is something I've always battled with.

Fruitloop: Im sorry to hear about your struggles with the disease - but your strength is very apparent in your post and is inspiring. I hope in the future things settle down for you.

Although a diagnosis isn't the best outcome, I can now see a light at the end of the tunnel.

:hug: