My GI Visit

[AgB621]

So, I saw my GI today, and he DOES think I have Crohn's, but that it's mild, and more of what he called a "nuisance disease" than anything else. I was positive for the Crohn's antibodies (a test I had awhile ago, so I was a bit confused when it sounded like I didn't have it). Anyway, we're going to do two additional tests: a bacterial overgrowth test and a CT enterography. The CT should let them look more closely at my small intestine (which is where we suspect the disease is) and the bacterial overgrowth could show, well, an overgrowth of bacteria...which is what he said could cause my fatigue, which he said, if this is the cause, a round of antibiotics could cure it :eek2: It might be only a temporary fix, requiring another round of antibiotics after 6 months or a year, but I don't care, even a day without the fatigue would be amazing. I'm not getting my hopes up though, I've had several doctors tell me that this or that could fix the fatigue and nothing has. He's also put me on Nexium to see if it will help calm my tummy.

Has anyone done either of these tests? I really want to do the bacterial overgrowth asap but it says not to eat any high fiber food the day before and I'd already had waffles for breakfast which (I checked) had 7.5g of fiber. Does that mean I can't do it tomorrow, does anyone know?

 

[butt-eze]

In the grand scheme of things 7.5g of fiber isn't anywhere near the daily requirement. I would hope that is ok as long as you don't have any more.

I have had the antibody test and mine was positive for Crohn's. A mild form is good news for sure. However, if you're having continued symptoms I'd say it's more than a nuissance. Doctors don't understand until they have it themselves.

I take Nexium and would say I rely on it. If I don't take it my heartburn is awful.

I would assume their idea with the antibiotics is because they may believe you have a superbug (i.e. C. Difficil). This often causes similar symptoms to crohn's and/or make it worse.

Please let us know how things turn out.

 

[AgB621]

I was a little unclear about the use of the antibiotics...I did have a superbug initially (probably C. Diff though we never knew for sure) but 7 weeks of vanco cleared it up, LOL. As far as I could make out, he suspected that an abundance of bacteria might be preventing absorption, which could cause the fatigue. In that sense, it's more of a chronic, subtle issue than it is a particular infection. That's my guess at least.

I'll do the overgrowth test tomorrow then, I want it done as soon as possible!

 

[butt-eze]

I've had C. Dif twice and was told I'm more susceptible to getting it again because I've had it. Also, Nexium increases your chances of getting C. Dif. However, taking vanco isn't the worst thing in the world. The pills could be smaller though!

 

[AgB621]

Currently, I'm not on any meds for the Crohn's at all, antibiotics or otherwise. Well, except the Nexium I guess...I asked my doc if it could get any worse and he said it's very likely it won't. Take care of myself, eh...I should go to the gym then! Haven't been in a few weeks, who wants to go when they're tired and naseous? The nausea isn't as bad as usual today so I guess I should take advantage of it.

We never knew for sure what I had, but it sure as heck looked like C. Diff. It was so awful though, I never want it again! Partly cuz the meds were so annoying...for the first 3 weeks of the vanco, I was on it 4 times a day, and I had to schedule it around my other meds (not 2 hours before or after a dose, or else it would affect the absorption) which I take 3 times a day. So I had to carefully plan to take meds 7 times a day for 3 weeks, then 6 times a day for 2 weeks, then 5 times a day for 2 weeks...and all through it, I felt very precariously stabilized in terms of the bipolar. Antibiotics basically guarantee a destabilization, and if I am feeling stable, it's not a rock-solid stable, it's more like being on a balance beam where I could tip in either direction if I'm not careful or unlucky. But it is very promising to hear that the antibiotics work for you, Pen. But work how? What do they do for you exactly?

Also, is that puppy in your avatar yours? Cuz it's too cute for words

 

[AgB621]

Thanks Pen! I did the bacteria overgrowth test yesterday and sent it off, I'm hoping it will give me some useful results. It was kind of an odd test, I basically had to breathe into test tubes (by way of a plastic bag) but it was impossible to tell if any breath actually made it in. Oh, well, I followed the instructions exactly so I'm assuming it worked out. I'll let you know the results as soon as I do!

 

[AgB621]

I just had a CT Enterography done, it was just godawful. Not just because the contrast tastes horrible and sits so heavily in your stomach...I have tiny rolling veins and they couldn't thread them so they couldn't even do the intravenous part of the contrast. He said I should still get some useful information out of it, but I have 4 holes in my arms, a smattering of burst blood vessels, bruises already developing, and nothing to show for it! Anyway, I should get the results in a few days, I'll post in here what they find. My doctor said it could show nothing but I could still have Crohn's and have symptoms, but I hope it wasn't all for nothing.