Confusing Test Results

[urbanmp82]

Hi Everyone,

I am so very glad I stumbled onto this forum. The wealth of knowledge throughout these pages has really been a service to me and my family. I would like to ask a few questions regarding my test results. Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

For the last couple of months I've been nauseas, bloated on a daily basis, and having changing stool patterns. I didn't think much of it because I take Topamax, for migraines, and know it can cause some pretty harsh side effects. Then about a month ago I noticed there was blood on my tissue paper. My stools were also clay-colored for about a week. I was also getting a lot of gas and stomach rumbling, which resembled "hunger pains." I wen't to a GI doctor and based upon my symptoms and family history (father with Crohn's and others with various cancers) an IBD panel was ordered along with an Endoscopy, Colonoscopy, and CT scan. My primary doctor diagnosed the bleeding as coming from hemorrhoids.

What confuses me are the results. The Endoscopy and Colonoscopy were both normal. Moreover, biopsies of the colon were also normal. I am still waiting on the CT scan to come back. The real confusing part is the bloodwork. I came back negative for Celiacs, but "questionable," as the nurse on the phone put it, for Crohn's. I see the GI doctor at the end of the month, but was curious if anyone could shed some light on these results. Would these results be consistent with Crohn's? Thank-you so much for reading such a lengthy post and taking the time to respond.

 

[UnXmas]

Do you know which blood test it was that came back "questionable?" An inflammation marker or something else?

I would have thought biopsies would diagnose Crohn's if it was there. Did they only take biopsies from your colon or from the upper digestive tract aswell?

I know it gets frustrating going through so many tests and not getting clear answers, but it dose take a while to reach a diagnosis sometimes.

 

[Ihurt]

I will say that the only reliable way to diagnose celiacs is through a small bowel biopsy. The blood test is not reliable at all.

What they do is they will do an upper enoscopy and take biopsies from the small bowel in order to diagnose celiacs. That or you can simply go on a strict gluten free diet and see if it helps. You have to give the diet at least 5 months to see improvements. Also, you do not have to have celiacs to be gluten sensitve. I have been gluten free for over 6 years now, I do not have celiacs, but I cannot tolerate gluten..

I would try the diet if I were you. That will give you your answer.

Hi Everyone,

I am so very glad I stumbled onto this forum. The wealth of knowledge throughout these pages has really been a service to me and my family. I would like to ask a few questions regarding my test results. Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

For the last couple of months I've been nauseas, bloated on a daily basis, and having changing stool patterns. I didn't think much of it because I take Topamax, for migraines, and know it can cause some pretty harsh side effects. Then about a month ago I noticed there was blood on my tissue paper. My stools were also clay-colored for about a week. I was also getting a lot of gas and stomach rumbling, which resembled "hunger pains." I wen't to a GI doctor and based upon my symptoms and family history (father with Crohn's and others with various cancers) an IBD panel was ordered along with an Endoscopy, Colonoscopy, and CT scan. My primary doctor diagnosed the bleeding as coming from hemorrhoids.

What confuses me are the results. The Endoscopy and Colonoscopy were both normal. Moreover, biopsies of the colon were also normal. I am still waiting on the CT scan to come back. The real confusing part is the bloodwork. I came back negative for Celiacs, but "questionable," as the nurse on the phone put it, for Crohn's. I see the GI doctor at the end of the month, but was curious if anyone could shed some light on these results. Would these results be consistent with Crohn's? Thank-you so much for reading such a lengthy post and taking the time to respond.

 

[Patricia56]

Sorry for the delay in replying to your post. It's the time of year when people are off the board for periods of time.

Anyway, you may have seen your GI doctor by now. If so please let us know what he said about the results and any further testing.

Crohn's isn't easy to diagnose, especially if it is only in the small intestine. They can't scope that area so they have to rely on CT's, MRE's and sometimes on pill cams to see what's going on in there.

It's hard to know what the nurse was referring to when she said the test was questionable. There are several possibilities ranging from common non-specific inflammatory markers. a combination of abnormal lab values typical of IBD to IBD serology panels which are only moderately successful in identifying people with IBD.

Keep us posted.

 

[StaceyC96]

Hi ihurt

Im the same as you i have had bowel issues for about 10 years and kept being told that its IBS, however all my symptoms point towards crohns

what are they doing for you ????

im very very confused as MRI came back with no crohns detected in small bowel and biospy came back clear and nothing found in colon after a colonoscopy

im very confused as i still have all the symptoms and fell no better

the consultant wants me to go see a dietritian to check if its a food intolerence to do a exclustion diet, but there is not much food that dont effect me

i have been keeping a food anyway just to help myself and i have already excluded diary from my diet and still getting the symptoms

is this gonna take months to detect whats wrong as already had a colonoscopy and a MRI
Is there any other tests they can do to find out whats wrong with me

or is it all in my head !!!!!!!

as the pain the blood the bloating the sickness after i eat anything is not right

Thanks a million

Merry Christmas
Stacey
xxxx