My battle with IBD

[MCPayne]

Ok, everyone, here's the deal with me.

I am almost 25, and have had Crohn's Disease/Ulcerative Colitis since I was 8. I was originally diagnosed in the Seattle area with Crohn's Disease back in 1992. However, when we moved to Southern California because of my dad's job, that GI doctor thought that it was Colitis. Then, after another job transfer, we moved to New Jersey and once again the diagnosis was changed to Crohn's, and eventually changed again back to UC.

We've tried just about everything, and I am probably going to start Humira in about a month or so if all goes well with authorizations. I have tried methotrexate and Remicaide, both of which worked short term, then the symptoms came back. The symptoms associated with my IBD are bloody loose stools and abdominal pain. I'm trying to remain optimistic about Humira, but when I told my GI that Remicaide only worked short term, he stated that the Humira may not work as well, so then we discussed surgery briefly if he was sure that it was Colitis.

However, that being said, I don't believe that IBD interferes with my life, because I still am able to go out to movies and dinner with family and friends, as well as other fun outdoor activities.

 

[My Butt Hurts]

Hi and welcome. Humira quit for me after 5 months. My GI doctor is trying to get me 2 shots every other week instead of one. Too bad too, it was a really great remission.
Can't a blood test say for sure if it's Crohn's or colitis? Either that or a biopsy?
Good luck.

 

[MCPayne]

Well they actually did a blood test, the ASCA ANCA, or something like that, and both of them came back negative, which might be the test you're thinking of, and the biopsies have never been that conclusive, even though the disease is confined to the lower portion of the colon.

Had either the ASCA or ANCA came back positive that would have helped with the diagnosis. I remember back several years ago when my family and I went to a CCFA event at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, that they had a diagram one circle was Crohn's another circle was colitis, and where the two circles intersected they referred to as "indeterminable colitis," or something like that.

 

[teeny5]

My blood test came back inconclusive too. None of the biopsies showed whether it was one or the other either. Kinda irritating. I only have disease in my colon as well my GI refuses to pick Crohn's even though I have skip lesions.