Colonoscopy results normal - Now what?

[KDaustin]

So I had my colonoscopy yesterday. Prep wasn't too awful, but results are normal with some internal hemmorrhoids. He thinks IBS. I'll have my follow-up appt with the GI in a couple of weeks.

But I just don't think it is IBS. I don't have many of the symptoms associated with IBS(gas, bloating, constipation, mucus etc.). I am considering demanding an upper-GI series. If he won't, should I try another GI or just treating it as IBS? Any suggestions?

My symptoms over the last 4-5 months have been:
-persistent diarrhea particularly in the AM, cramping and urgency prior.
-constant abdominal pain/discomfort usually in the 2-5 range, mainly in left side. seems unrelated to any BM or menstrual cycle. tender to touch. feels like a pulling or burning sensation.
-fatigue, overall and muscle
-joint pain, primarily in hands
-weight loss, almost 10 pounds over 4 months but only 110 lbs to begin with.

Sticking to a low-res diet relieves diarrhea but not abdominal pain.
Any veggies except steamed squash are only partially digested.
I haven't had any milk or wheat products in 3yrs so its not an issue with them.
I do have a vit. D deficiency which could explain fatigue and joint pain.
No iron or B-12 deficiencies.

I guess it could be IBS but from what I have read it doesn't seem to quite fit.:frown:
At this point, I have met my ins deductible and stuff should be covered 100% now. I am at a loss with exactly how to proceed. I know many of you have been diagnosed with IBS long before your IBD diagnosis so I am hoping to get the "inside" scoop.

Kim

 

[StarGirrrrl]

Yes yes yes push for more tests! One colonoscopy is no way enough to diagnose you with IBS, that is only looking at one place of many where IBD can occur.

Upper endoscopy, Barium Follow through, blood tests, stool tests, CT scan, Capsule Endoscopy (Pill Cam), are just some of the things you should be given.

IBS diagnosis should only ever be given after all tests have come back normal, not just the one! That happened to me and here I am years later, iller than I have ever been in my life and expecting a CD disgnosis soon.

 

[Cookie]

Hi Kim and welcome,

Sorry to hear that you are going through all of this. If you have a look around (esp. see thread "Undiagnosed Club"), you will see that you are not alone. The colonoscopy is just the start of testing and IBD can not be ruled out based on a clean colonoscopy. Have you had any blood tests done? There are a whole slew of inflammation markers that can be seen in the blood, but even still, those sometimes come back negative even with IBD. Also, keep in mind that endometriosis symptoms can also mimic IBS and IBD symptoms. Have you discussed this with your GYN?

Bottom line is that you know when something is wrong, so keep pushing until you get the answers you need. I hope you find them soon!

 

[KDaustin]

Whew, that makes me feel better at doubting the GI. I have a hard time questioning "authority" figures but I have a list of questions and demands to bring to the follow up. I think I am going to try to bring my partner as well to help me.

For blood tests, I have had ANA and sed-rate checked but not CRP or for the pANCA or ASCA antibodies. No stool test either. I'll be demanding those too. So far everything has tested normal.

Endrometriosis was brought up by my GP but not the GI. None of my symptoms change with the menstrual cycle but I'll ask the GI about that too. Would an ultrasound or CT scan pick any sign of that up? Or is it just only vaginal ultrasounds?

Thanks for the encouragement! My mom tends to trust the doctors implicitly so it is nice to get permission of sorts to question them.

Kim

 

[Mayflower537]

I'd say if your deductible is met then ask for some more tests, esp. if you're not comfortable with getting the IBS dx. I had one blood test come back positive for Crohn's Disease (Prometheus IBD 7 Serology) and while its results are often considered erroneous, it made my doctor look all throughout my GI tract. While I didn't have every test possible done (just the scopes - c-scope, EGD scope, and capsule endoscopy), when everything except the blood test came back normal, that made me more at ease with being told it was probably IBS and not IBD after all.