Crohn's, UC, or IBS?

[kdlalib]

My name is Kathryn, I'm 30 and I've been dealing with IBD/IBS related symptoms for 8 years. I have chronic diarrhea, severe abdominal cramping that sometimes lasts 24-48 hours after an "attack," bloody stool and blood in stool, and low-grade fever. I also have many extra-intestinal symptoms including chronic uveitis, mouth ulcers, arthritis, particularly spondylitis, gallbladder involvement (now removed), and a partially fatty liver. Due to the arthritis, I've coincidentally taken many of the Crohn's/UC drugs to treat the arthritis, including humira and methotrexate. My GI symptoms did improve on those meds.

I was told for years by my doc that my GI problems were just IBS, despite not having any tests performed. In February I started to experience blood in my stool and completely bloody stool. My GP referred me to a GI who suspects Crohn's based on my symptoms. I had a colonoscopy on Tuesday, and they found "non specific inflammation in the sigmoid colon proximal to rectum." Biopsy results are pending. I saw a pic of the inflammed area, and it was blood red, compared to the more pepto bismol pink of my normal sections.

As you can probably suspect, I'm really nervous to get a diagnosis or some idea as to what's going on. I'm afraid because my inflammation is "non specific" that I'll be told I have IBS again. Is this possible?

What does "non specific inflammation" mean, especially in terms of whether or not I have an IBD, esp Crohn's or UC? What does it mean that the inflammation is only found in the sigmoid colon? Can I have colon inflammation, but no IBD?

 

[Keona]

Hi Kathryn
I dont have the information to your questions but wanted to welcome you to the forum. Someone will be by to answer them in due time who are much more knowledgeable. I think if you have blood red stool than that is indicative of UC.
I have no idea what "non-specific" inflammation means .. are you having follow up tests? Hang in, there are a large majority of us here who are still struggling to get the answers to what is going on. Seems to me that Crohns UC is really difficult to diagnose unless you are admitted with a medical emergency.
Welcome to the forum, you have come to the right place.

 

[DougUte]

:

I was told for years by my doc that my GI problems were just IBS, despite not having any tests performed. In February I started to experience blood in my stool and completely bloody stool. My GP referred me to a GI who suspects Crohn's based on my symptoms. I had a colonoscopy on Tuesday, and they found "non specific inflammation in the sigmoid colon proximal to rectum." Biopsy results are pending. I saw a pic of the inflammed area, and it was blood red, compared to the more pepto bismol pink of my normal sections.

As you can probably suspect, I'm really nervous to get a diagnosis or some idea as to what's going on. I'm afraid because my inflammation is "non specific" that I'll be told I have IBS again. Is this possible?

What does "non specific inflammation" mean, especially in terms of whether or not I have an IBD, esp Crohn's or UC? What does it mean that the inflammation is only found in the sigmoid colon? Can I have colon inflammation, but no IBD?

:hang:

I am not a doctor, I just have personal experience with Crohn's.

I was also told for several years that I had IBS. I know where you are coming from. You should be aware that IBS is often diagnosed when they have no idea what gut problem you really have. The night the ER doc told me I have Crohn's he told me that my IBS diagnosis really meant they did not have a clue.

Bloody Stools are a symptom of Crohn's. I'm not sure if they also happen in U.C.

U.C. only occurs in the colon, while Crohn's can actually happen anywhere from the mouth to the anus. Crohn's usually happens in the terminal illeum (the end of the small bowel where it meets the colon).

My guess is - from what you have said, is they are trying to determine if you have Crohn's or U.C.. I think you have blown IBS out the window by now.