Diagnostic laparoscopy for Crohn's Disease

[Mitchy]

I was told today by my GI consultant, that I will probably have to have a diagnostic laparoscopy to take a proper look in my abdo, as although he is 90% sure I have crohn's, there are some conflicting things which have come out in my recent tests. What does this involve ? Is it conclusive in what it finds, will it say once and for all whether I do have crohn's or not? I am fed up with all the tests etc they have been doing, and just want to find out one way or the other.

:depressed:

 

[D Bergy]

It seems to be a diagnosis based on a culmination many tests and figuring out what it is not. There is no conclusive test like for some other diseases. The more information they have, the more accurate the diagnosis is likely to be.

While all the tests suck, it is rather important to get a correct diagnosis. Sorry you have to go through this test but it really is not all that bad. More of an inconvenience than anything else. I would rather have five of these procedures, than one spinal tap.

Let us know how it goes for you. Hope the news is on the positive side.

D Bergy

 

[Cara Fusinato]

I had one of those -- well, when I had my very first flare-up, it was SO bad that they didn't dare ignore the remote possibility that it was appendix. So, they did a laparoscopic removal of my appendix. It was a breeze. Even the recovery didn't need any pain meds. However, when the surgeon was in there, he noticed signs of Crohn's from the outside of my ileum. It was the clearest picture (and he DID take pictures) of the illness. I have also had colonoscopy, upper GI with small bowel follow-through, and TWO CT scans. However, the direct visualization by the surgeon was really helpful. It's not a bad thing to have done.

As to what it entails, they put you under, they make about three small incisions, stick a tube in and inflate your abdomen with carbon dioxide. They look around, they can take pictures and video, they can remove things as well. When you come out of it, it's no big deal and you can go home a few hours later. I can do laparoscopic procedures all day, cause it's nothing like a big open incision (which I have had when they took my gallbladder out).

Best wishes for obvious results. Mine sure were. My surgeon said it was the worst he'd ever seen in a live patient and he had been in practice for like 30 years.

 

[laurabelle]

I completely understand what youre going thru Mitchy! It's like youre copying and pasting my story. All my tests are positive for Crohns, including endographys and crps, two colonoscopies in two months and sigh....because my biopsies only show "mild to moderate inflammation" he can't call it crohns. in the same breath he'll say "this is how we're going to treat your crohns". so this means no intermittant FMLA to protect my job and feeling like i have no right to go to local support groups, both of which i need. My specialist said that he is sure it is crohns but can't call it. and yes, not knowing for sure is in a way worse than knowing for sure. meanwhile youre doing everything in your power to get that diagnosis so you can get treated including mooore tests and more expense.

My advice, keep your head up and fight! i am doing all that my gi recommends. whatever it takes!

Good luck!

 

[UnXmas]

An exploratory laparoscopy was the first surgery I had, though for different reasons. It's really very minor as surgeries go. I was discharged from the hospital the same day I had the surgery. My stomach was a little sore, and the anaesthetic made me feel like I had a mild 'flu bug or something for a couple of days. It left me with a tiny scar that was hardly visible (though I've since been cut open more times so that tiny scar has become lost under my bigger ones ).

I understand the frustration of being undiagnosed. I'm not sure that a laparoscopy will be absolutely conclusive, though it may well help to rule out other possible causes for your symptoms. I do know that my surgeon feels that no amount of endoscopies, scans, etc. give as detailed and accurate a picture as laproscopic surgery does.