Mri

[newdiagnosis]

Hi All,

I was diagnosed with Crohn's one year ago. My symptoms have resolved, knee arthritis resolved, and inflammatory markers normalized. however, I recently got an MRI after colonoscopy and the MRI shows active inflammation. If the MRI shows active inflammation, and everything else is normal what does that mean? I am a little confused because I thought I beat this thing.

 

[Anna's Bandit]

I dont have your answer.
I was given a CT Scan and not an MRI.
I had a full range of tests recently before my diagnosis, so my GI checked everything.....blood test, stool tests, colonoscopy/endoscopy with biopsies and CT Scan with contrast.
What medications are you taking for Crohns right now ?
Sending you my support.
Lynda

 

[Maya142]

It means there is still active inflammation in your small bowel. It could mean you need a higher dose of Stelara (more frequent infusions) or an additional medication like MTX to get rid of that last bit of inflammation.

Treating the inflammation is very important, so that scar tissue due not form. Once you have scar tissue, it can only be treated surgically.

 

[Scipio]

I was diagnosed with Crohn's one year ago. My symptoms have resolved, knee arthritis resolved, and inflammatory markers normalized. however, I recently got an MRI after colonoscopy and the MRI shows active inflammation. If the MRI shows active inflammation, and everything else is normal what does that mean? I am a little confused because I thought I beat this thing.

The sad fact is that the symptoms of Crohn's and the actual degree of inflammation going on in the gut often do not align very well. You can have no symptoms and still have the disease be quite actively damaging your gut. And the other way around is true too. You can have a medication that gets the disease under control but sometimes the symptoms have still continued.

This is why for moderate or severe disease the GIs have learned to treat the degree of inflammation present, as detected by colonoscopy, biopsy, or MRI, rather than simply treat according to how well (or not) the patient feels. They want the patients to feel better of course, but they understand that the real goal is to get the disease into remission to prevent further damage.

 

[newdiagnosis]

Very informative responses. yes, it is difficult. The issue is that my inflammatory markers, colonoscopy, and symptoms are improved. However, my MRI is equivocal. I think they will try to speak with the radiologist and determine what exactly is going on. The MRI read is almost identical to the one from 1 year ago.

 

[Anna's Bandit]

Thank you Maya and Scipio.

 

[newdiagnosis]

SO it seems that there is still evidence of inflammation on MRI. Weird thing is that my inflammatory markers and symptoms are normal. Colonoscopy was apparently also normal. What do you all think? I am currently on Sulfasalazine and Stelara (switching to q4 week regimen). Is it worth sticking with stelara or try anti-tnf?