Need Testing Advice

[Isla]

Ok I am supposed to have an upper endoscopy in 2 days, on Friday due to over zealous nausea. My previous tests colonscopy, biopsies, and pill camera all came back negative though I do have Crohns with symptoms. (This is no surprise to me as I am hypersensitive in these types of regards.) If I did not have the pANCA ASCA test along with improvement from Crohns medication I would never have been diagnosed. Now my question:

I had an Asthma attack a few days ago (Sunday) and was prescribed steroids to combat my immune response. Wouldn't mild Crohns (inflammation say) not be visualized in my stomach if I am on steroids. By the way, my nausea went away within 24 hours of starting the steroids.

So I want to know what you guys think about this, because right now I am not comfortable with getting the test done if it will be all for not. If the steroids are going to mask any inflammation that may be the cause of my nausea wouldn't I want to wait until I am off the steroids and regain my nausea in order to be sure it ISN'T Crohns. I just don't want to go down the wrong road when all it would have taken is me waiting a couple weeks for a more "normal" state. My Crohns has never even been moderate, you can't visualize it at all yet I still got a lot of the same symptoms that someone with visually active Crohns has. So why would I think my stomach would be any different if it IS Crohns as well??

:sign0085:

 

[RHOV]

I would call whoever is doing the endoscopy and let them know that the steroids could possibly mask visible Crohn's. See what they say. Maybe you should wait until you come off the steroids to do the endoscopy. Has the nausea returned? I would go for the scope if it comes back before the endoscopy, but if not, it's probably a sign that steroids helped alleviate the nausea!

 

[Isla]

I will still be on the steroids when I have the endoscopy. The nausea has not yet returned.

I don't trust my doctor too much if you can't tell. So if I really feel the steroids could mask something I will postpone it. I just want others peoples experience with steroids (as I rarely have taken them in my life.)

 

[RHOV]

I've only had 3 rounds of pred (didn't respond the last time so we switched to Remicade), but it did help with my symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. If your nausea was caused by inflammation, it makes sense that it would be reduced with steroids. I don't think I'm helping very much, sorry! I agree that you should get some other people's experiences!

 

[mrs. vr]

Sorry this is too late for you, but to let you know, my rheumatologist wouldn't put me on prednisone this time until AFTER I've seen the new GI doctor so it wouldn't mask anything.

 

[Isla]

I had an abnormal upper but the biopsies came back as nothing, so I don't know where that leaves me.

 

[Colt]

Here in lies the usual problem with tests. There's always something around to ruin them. Be it a remission after a 5 month waiting list for the colonoscopy, or the dilemma of treat it and ruin the test or leave it untreated and let you suffer. Oh, and of course the problem of other diseases/problems you have and treatments for them giving you false positives and/or negatives.

Asthma's a great example. If you have a high SED rate is it because your crohn's is starting to flare or because your asthma is starting to flare? Maybe it's both!

Sorry, I know the testing process is nerve wracking. Too bad there's not a simple 90%+ accurate yes/no crohn's disease test like with infections. It would save us all a lot of anguish.

 

[Isla]

Oh no the Crohns is confirmed, its the other stuff that is hard. Main symptom is nausea that could involve many different systems.

 

[ladyB]

isla
No matter if your doc is mr. bedside manner or the king of a-holes, go in there and tell him what YOU want.
We really have to do the research ourselves and take the docs by the hand when we want something done!
A lot of times their nurses know more than the actual docs do.
Give 'em hell

 

[Paulah28]

Isla....Have you thought about looking for another GI? This disease is confusing, frusterating and at times depressing and if you do not have a dr you trust and are comfortable it could make it that much more upsetting.