Inconclusive colonoscopy?

[Emkat8]

Ok so I had my first colonoscopy today, and all they found was internal hemroids and mild inflammation of the spot where my large intestines joins the small intestines. The Dr. said at this point she can't officially say whats wrong, but she took biopsys in various spots, including the inflammed area and so now I have to wait 2-3 weeks for those results to come back. She mentioned that the inflammation could be from a number of things, so I still have no idea whats wrong with me. I guess I was just expecting (or hoping) anyway to have some answers today so I could get meds to stop all this pain and constant diarrhea Of course I don't want to have anything wrong with me, but at the same time I know something in my body is not working properly and it would be so nice to finally have some answers.... Has anyone else had only mild inflammation in the terminal illieum and what did it turn out to be fore you? I guess I'm just feeling a bit discouraged now, that I will never find out whats wrong. I could use some advice/experiences from others who have been through this. Thanks so much

 

[David in Seattle]

Emily - I'm not sure what it could be, but I'm glad you made it through the procedure It's good that they took biopsies, hopefully through the whole length of the colon, to check for microscopic colitis, if nothing else. I did (do) have a similar situation. Colonoscopy was normal (unfortunately, my GI did NOT take biopsies) but a capsule endoscopy showed erythema and erosions in the small bowel, including in the area of the ileocecal valve in the terminal ileum. I had been taken NSAIDS occasionally just prior to this, which I have stopped for some months; my current GI thinks these may have caused the small bowel signs. Never mind I STILL have most of the symptoms. NSAIDS are notorious for this irritation, are you taking any (naproxen, ibuprofen, aspirin)?

David

 

[dreamintwilight]

Did she mention you going through any other tests like a barium follow-through? Perhaps your small intestine is what's giving you problems and it's hard to see that on a colonoscopy. When I had my colonoscopy it showed inflammation at the area where the small and large meet, but I also knew I had severe narrowing from when I initially went into the hospital and CT scans picked that up. Just recently I ended up in the hospital again for a partial obstruction, so obviously the narrowing is still there. And the surgeon seems to think I still have a fistula there, though the GIs say it's 50/50 that it's a fistula (I guess the scan wasn't 100% clear in that aspect).

My point in saying all of this is that if I hadn't ended up in the hospital in the first place, we might not have even known I had that narrowing in my ileum just based on my colonoscopy (which I had done later). Don't be afraid to push for more answers with your doc. I've learned on this board sometimes it takes being proactive to get a quicker diagnosis. Hang in there!

 

[Crohn's 35]

Emily I understand you are hating to wait but the biopsy results should be conclusive you have to wait. When I was hospitalized in Feb, they thought I had colitis or Crohns colitis, turns out it was an intestinal bug.. the biopsy took 2 weeks, and yes I was worried too, hang in there. Keep us updated.

 

[whysoserious]

Hi Emily! I had a colonoscopy and an EGD which showed irritation on my colon and terminal illium. I had biopsies done as well and like you I was dissapointed that I didn't receive a diagnosis the same day. I'm getting some x-rays done on my small intestines because my doc said that those are hard to see during a colonoscopy. I feel for you on the waiting, it's no fun at all and stressfull to boot. Did your doc mention anything about x-rays?

 

[Emkat8]

Thank you all for your kind words and support. I am not on any regular medications, but I do however, every once in awhile take Tylenol if I'm having a headache or something of that nature. But rarely. Maybe once a month. Do you think that could still affect my intestines and make them show up inflammed??? Prior to having the colonoscopy I did have an Upper GI with small bowel follow through, but everything showed up as normal on that. I guess that is maybe why I'm a little confused.... I had assumed the end of my small bowel would be normal on the colonoscopy since it was normal on the upper GI exam. But she did take biopsies throughout the entire colon and the inflammed portion of the ilium too, so hopefully I will get some answers. Thanks everyone for listening

 

[David in Seattle]

Thank you all for your kind words and support. I am not on any regular medications, but I do however, every once in awhile take Tylenol if I'm having a headache or something of that nature. But rarely. Maybe once a month. Do you think that could still affect my intestines and make them show up inflammed??? Prior to having the colonoscopy I did have an Upper GI with small bowel follow through, but everything showed up as normal on that. I guess that is maybe why I'm a little confused.... I had assumed the end of my small bowel would be normal on the colonoscopy since it was normal on the upper GI exam. But she did take biopsies throughout the entire colon and the inflammed portion of the ilium too, so hopefully I will get some answers. Thanks everyone for listening

Emily - Tylenol (acetaminophen) is in a different class of drugs from the non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAID's). I don't think acetaminophen has ever been associated with inflammation in the gut, though it can be pretty toxic to the liver.

Good luck, and let us know what the biopsies show.

David