Confused about diagnosis/treatment

[lisa21]

so my GI diagnosed me with Crohns even though the biopsies from my colonoscopy were ok. I do have some ulcers, strictures, inflammation and a fistula. I had swelling in the joints dermatitis, nausea and nocturnal diarrhea but he put me on pred which help all that. He wants to start me on Humira and Imuran. My concern is what if its not Crohns. I trust him and believe that it is Crohns but reading peoples stories on here make me wonder. Maybe I am just one of the lucky ones that has a doc that is not quick to dismiss my symptoms. I guess that if it isn't then the Humira wont help. I am now tapering my pred and hoping that my symptons don't come back before I start the new meds.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

The inflammation coupled with strictures and fistula are very indicative of IBD. You really don't see those coupled for other illnesses.

 

[autoimmune queen]

ya, you need to keep your doctor. They are seriously not all that good. I was scared to death at first and didn't want treatment. But everything can get worse. What you don't want is the doctor who does nothing.

 

[alyssa519]

Did your doctor say anything else about your scope? If i remember correctly, my biopsies weren't really all that abnormal...but it was all the inflammation and the skip lesions and the bleeding ulcers that tipped them off.

 

[chuckmya]

Weird! I had bleeding ulcers on the TI revealed with a colonoscopy. But no biopsy was taken and the GI who did the procedure and the surgeon thought it was due to NSAIDs! Really? I really don't think so! I don't understand why biopsies weren't taken!!! Too easy???? If it lead to me finally getting a diagnosis!! Ugh!!!

 

[rrhood1]

My biopsies were negative but my GI said she'd bet her house, kids and husband that I had Crohns. She was right and the Remicade helped immensely. Good luck!

 

[lisa21]

Weird! I had bleeding ulcers on the TI revealed with a colonoscopy. But no biopsy was taken and the GI who did the procedure and the surgeon thought it was due to NSAIDs! Really? I really don't think so! I don't understand why biopsies weren't taken!!! Too easy???? If it lead to me finally getting a diagnosis!! Ugh!!!

My doc said NSAIDS could cause things to be worse. but since they were in there why didn't they take biopsies.... hmm

 

[lisa21]

My biopsies were negative but my GI said she'd bet her house, kids and husband that I had Crohns. She was right and the Remicade helped immensely. Good luck!

my doc said if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then its probably a duck.

 

[lisa21]

Did your doctor say anything else about your scope? If i remember correctly, my biopsies weren't really all that abnormal...but it was all the inflammation and the skip lesions and the bleeding ulcers that tipped them off.

he didn't get to far with the scope because of the stricture. he even tried to use a pediatric one. they did a CT which showed multiple strictures lots of inflammation and the fistula. no plans as of now to do anymore test just treatment.

 

[maile]

In order to diagnose Crohns, I thought your biopsy had to show granulomas? Does it say anything about granulomas on your biopsy? Did they rule out mycobacteria? parasites? I don't know, you could always get a second opinion before you opt for the biologics.

 

[kiny]

In order to diagnose Crohns, I thought your biopsy had to show granulomas?

Sometimes there are no granuloma. When people are diagnosed very early in the disease state it often just involves lymphangiectasia or inflamed lymph follicles , there's a few studies about it in the multimedia section.

 

[lisa21]

UGH...... its frustrating that there is no quick/easy/straight forward test. but i guess its like that for most illnesses. they never took a stool sample. could that have showed anything?