In hospital just been diagnosed

[Jenny06xx]

Hi all my name is Jenny I'm 25 and been suffering diarrhoea and pain for 7 years I was never taken seriously and told I had ibs and it was all in my head!!
I've been in hospital 10 days with the pain and diarrhoea. Had my ct scan and it showed inflammation of the small and large bowel, the doctor then said this is probably crohns disease and I've been put on prednisone tablets loads of vitamins etc as I still can't eat solid food without being in agony.
I have to go for a colonoscopy Monday for biopsies and I'm wondering what the biopsies are for? As all infections have been ruled out and the ct scan has shown the inflammation so do I really have to be messed about anymore ?
Thanks all any advice is apreciated xx

 

[TMos]

Hi Jenny. Welcome. I'm sure someone else with more knowledge will chime in but I believe they're looking for inflamation in the tissue.

 

[Rebecca85]

I was told the biopsies are to 'rule out certain rare diseases'. Don't know which ones, they wouldn't tell me. They can also get a good look and see the extent of the inflammation, do you have ulcers, does the inflammation run deep or just surface? And so on.

 

[effdee]

There's other useful information your doc can get out of a colonoscopy, as Rebecca said. Knowing the location of the inflammation can be helpful, as well.

 

[Swirl]

Be glad they're running tests on you because a lot would rather guess what's wrong.
I don't remember what that test is for, I would ask the person who is performing it on me.

I've started drinking Miso soup from Stop & Shop and its helping with the diarrhea. Miso is great.
The diet can fix the diarrhea problem.

And ask questions about the pocket full of drugs they will give you soon.

Oh and the pain I'm trying raw ginger. If I'm off of Pentasa, I get a lot of stomach pain, so I'm seeing if the ginger helps. It should help is what I'm reading on the web.

I hate drugs.

 

[Crohn's 35]

:welcome: Jenny! Colonoscopies are one of the best ways to see inflammation and or narrowing. Some Gi's take many biopies because they have to get the exact spot. Most times (I have) you get the results right there and then for what can or cannot be seen. The biopsies take longer though. And lots of times they cant get to the Ileum because of inflammations and the curve of the bowels, happens to me alot.

Not sure what country you are in but that helps us know how to help you. If you are in the states, get some ensure for gaining nutrients and not be in pain. What kind of prep do you have to take for you scope? Everything will be fine. Just relax and stay calm. Keep us posted ok? Glad you are here!

 

[DustyKat]

Hi Jenny and :welcome:

A colonoscopy, as Pen has said, will allow the doctor to actually visualise your bowel and therefore more accurately determine the extent of inflammation and narrowing. Also by taking biopsies they will be able to tell you whether it is definitely Crohns. By that I mean, a doctor can say it looks like Crohns but pathology confirms it and as Rebecca said it can then also rule out or confirm other conditions. This is all provided they can get to the affected area.

I'm sorry to hear about your long lead up period to diagnosis and unfortunately that is by no means uncommon for many of the folks around here. Please keep us posted on how you are getting on. Good luck and welcome aboard!

Take care, :hug:
Dusty