Crohn's or colitis? Help please.

[crappymadison]

I've had stomach pains since September. Diarreah set in a month ago a few days after Nexium. It got so bad, I wound up in emergency room. CT showed widespread inflammation. Doc says it's colitis. Labs showed abnormal results indicating bacterial infection. They're awaiting results of stool sample. Taking Flagyl and Ceftin.

My questions are:
Does a CT show Crohn's?
When a CT shows "widespread inflammation" why did they jump to conclusion is was colitis instead?
Can either be triggered by a bacterial infection?
Can a bacterial infection be triggered by acid blocking drugs used to treat general stomach pain? I think I read the acid blockers induce C. difficile.

Anyone out there treated for bacteria, but symptoms won't end?

BTW, family history of Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, as well as many other autoimmune diseases. I also have autoimmune thyroid disease and breast cancer survivor.

Thanks!!

 

[muppet]

Crohn's can truly only be diagnosed by biopsy, as far as I know. And it could take several biopsies and several years to show up. The types of cells that signal Crohn's aren't always found every time.

Unless you start developing fistulae, that is. That would be another indicator.

The treatments for Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's are nearly identical anyway, and the distinctions are really only important if/when you start fistulizing, so I wouldn't lose too much sleep over this. There's really no reason to nail down exactly which it is in order to begin effectively treating it.

I've never heard of reflux drugs inducing or antagonizing a bacterial infection. I guess it's theoretically possible but I'd want to see the research.

Yes, a bacterial infection could trigger widespread gastritis, but "colitis" is basically a synonym for that anyway. Did they say ULCERATIVE colitis, or just colitis? Have they told you it's chronic?

 

[crappymadison]

Muppet, thanks for information. Everything is in limbo right now until further results come back. I'm probably jumping the gun thinking this could become chronic due to family history. My instincts are telling me it's not just a matter of bacterial infection as that is likely secondary to initial stomach pain. GI doc is doing an upper endo so that may show more. Have done some research indicating acid blocking drugs like Nexium allowing C. Diff to proliferate as no acid = bacterial overgrowth. When I get stool analysis back I'll get back to everyone on what is going on. She's testing me for occult blood, parasites, C. Diff, Fecal WBS, etc. My serum WBC's were abnormal as well as few others. Wish me luck on finding out what's going on...3 kids--2 with autism...tired of having disease after disease.

 

[lookame]

Colitis is a general term stating general inflammation until they can determine the type of colitis it is. Several tests and visual ques have to go through before stating it is crohns or UC and on top of that the inflammation has to be deemed cronic and not acute and cause some sort of damage before it can be considered of worth to diagnose/treat. Even after all that a biopsy has to come back crohns positive and if it doesn't a serology 7 blood test can help persuade some doctors to treat for crohns or UC. Be aware also that crohns can be difficult to diagnose based on the way it presents itsself. It comes in patches and often has a cobblestoned appearance. Have they told you where the inflammation is located? Is it in the small bowel? Mostly in the colon? Have you had any other tests besides a CT scan? How does the insides look visually?

 

[lookame]

Also it is possible to have anouther disease which is treatable which causes inflammation of the intestinal lining. Gastritis can have the affect of inflammation as well as some other forms of colitis and crohns disease or UC don;t always mean a death sentance. Try not to get overworked and overly depressed it can upset the tummy.

 

[xJillx]

Hi and welcome! I know first hand being in limbo really stinks! As muppet said, you may be there for awhile; GI's really like to see postive biopsy results before making a firm diagnosis. Unfortunately, after several scopes, I still haven't had positive biopsies, so my diagnosis has been retracted.

But I hope what is going on with you is just a GI infection and it will clear up with the meds. However, if you don't see much of an improvement, I would highly suggest a colonoscopy and/or endoscopy. It will give your GI a better idea of what is truly going on in there and biopsies can be taken.

Keep us updated!

 

[Jessi]

Hi and welcome to the forum, Madison!

First of all, congratulations on being a survivor! :hug: I have a very close friend who also survived breast cancer. It was a long and tough battle.

I have a child with Asperger's, and have worked with autistic children for much of my life. That's another long and tough battle sometimes. But the big hearts they possess make it wonderful. We have a few other members who are very experienced with autism, so you'll be able to get support for that area of your life, as well.

My friends above seem to have answered your questions for you. Let us know if you have more. Again, welcome!