Confused about results

[dejavucandace]

A. Sigmoid colon biopsy
B. Sigmoid colon biopsy
C. Biopsy rectum
D. Biopsy rectum

History: See previous biopsy; persistent ulceration @ "C"; nodule @ D

Diagnosis: Fragments of colonic mucosa with chronic active colitis with focal ulceration consistent with inflammatory bowel disease, all four biopsies. Negative for dysplasia or malignancy. Clinical/endoscopic correlation is recommended.

As far as I know my specialist received these results but he advised me to drink mineral oil each day and come back in 6 weeks. (which is tomorrow)My regular doctor was surprised about this so she printed the results for me to take to the specialist along with more current blood work, since he blamed my low thyroid for my symptoms.

Really...I just want to know if anyone out there understands those results. My symptoms include:

difficult and painful bowel movements which cause at times profuse bleeding and the pain stays for about an hour.

bloating and cramps (often brought on by eating gluten and a myriad of other foods....even though the gluten test was negative.

I also get a fever often which I am sure contributes to the extreme fatigue I have almost all the time.

The specialist said that if there was no change in the 6 weeks after the mineral oil he would do a pill camera on me...which honestly im not excited about the prep of course but really just would like something to alleviate these symptoms.

I have been dealing with a multitude of issues going on over 6 years and maybe even more. But it has been debilitating since July and I have no life outside work and my bed. And all I can eat is potatoes, fish, eggs, avocados and bananas. Can anyone help???

 

[Scipio]

The results say that everywhere they took a sample of your colon and rectum it showed signs of inflammation and ulcers typical of IBD. This sounds more like UC to me than Crohn's, although Crohn's colitis is still a possibility. Fatigue, fever, and bloody stools are also consistent with IBD.

I'm not sure about the mineral oil therapy . That's a new one on me. I'm going to have to look that up to see what the doc is trying to do. Perhaps just to lubricate the gut to help clear strictures and blockages? I'm speculating.

 

[dejavucandace]

Yes you are correct in your assumption with the mineral oil and to be honest it has helped reduce the pain on elimination. But I still get blood and tissue and all the rest of my previous listed symptoms.

I really did think that the results pointed to IBD but my specialist said I "do not fit the criteria" as I do not have anyone in my family that has been diagnosed nor do I have chronic diarrhea or weight loss. In fact both are the opposite. Although I do have Hashimoto's and they cause sluggish bowel movements and metabolism causing weight gain. I really just want to go armed to this next appointment armed with all the information I can as this doctor is quite arrogant and intimidating and I have been brushed off by different doctors FOR YEARS! So finally having this piece of paper with the results and a picture of my bowels is a little bit like proof that I am not just making all these symptoms up. And then to have him send me home to purchase mineral oil was like another punch in the stomach.

 

[idlebrain]

. I really just want to go armed to this next appointment armed with all the information I can as this doctor is quite arrogant and intimidating and I have been brushed off by different doctors FOR YEARS! So finally having this piece of paper with the results and a picture of my bowels is a little bit like proof that I am not just making all these symptoms up. And then to have him send me home to purchase mineral oil was like another punch in the stomach.

Hi,
Please don't allow yourself to be bullied/distressed by doctors. I did the mistake once and I regret it. I would definitely consult another GI irrespective of what your current doc says. You can try Doctor Directory or Google for recommendations or leads. I have found that it is critical to have a doctor you are comfortable with in dealing with chronic conditions.

 

[Jabee]

Your biopsies show Inflammatory Bowel Disease. I am completely confused about how your specialist could possibly tell you that "you don't fit the criteria". Many people don't have classic symptoms (and this is true with many diseases). He can't really argue with biopsy results.

I'm not sure why he would want to do a pill cam since there is inflammation present in your large bowel biopsies. Pill cam's are generally used to detect inflammation in the parts of the small intestine which can't be reached via endoscopy or colonoscopy. If you do end up getting one, there is really no prep. For mine I'm on a clear liquid diet for 24-36 hours before and nil per mouth from midnight the night before. It's very simple.

 

[dejavucandace]

Thanks guys, your support and advise means more than you can know. I live in Canada and you must be referred to a specialist. You do not get to choose one. Which means it can take months to even see one. I waited a year to see an allergy specialist about my painful, burning, watery eyes to be told I have no allergies. But now I am finding out this may also be related to crohns/colitis.

I will be handing the doctor a copy of the biopsy results when I see him tomorrow for sure just in case he did not have it on his computer 6 weeks ago. I really just want something to ease me out of this flare....if in fact that is what it is. And then try to learn how to avoid them in the future. I had such a fear of the diagnosis at the beginning and at this point I really don't care what it is called, I just want some relief.

Interesting jabee that you didn't need to take the prep. Someone locally told me I would need too for the pill camera. No idea why he would want me to have that procedure but it might be because I have allot of nausea also. If it gets me closer to a diagnosis and treatment...ill do it.