New but not diagnosed, crazy symptoms

[lizzie67]

Hello

Im new and am very confused.

My story is I took a course of antibiotics on New Year.

Had major diarrhea, and to date my bowels are still not normal.

Im still going "loosely" once or twice a day.

Ive been tested for CDiff and bacteria. Negative.

I had a Calprotectin test come back at 35, which supposedly means IBS but my CRP has come back at 18!

Anyone have any ideas on whats going on?:sign0085:

Lizzie67

 

[ronroush7]

Maybe they should do some other tests.

 

[lizzie67]

Hello

Thank you for replying.

I do have a GP appointment on Friday.

What tests shall I ask for?

Lizzie x

 

[ronroush7]

What did your doctor say about your CRP? Maybe a colonoscopy.

 

[lizzie67]

The GP I did see was quite stern and said, IBS, no further tests are needed and my CRP may be elevated as Im overweight!

x

 

[ronroush7]

I might consider getting a second opinion.

 

[lizzie67]

Hi

Is my CRP bad?

x

 

[ronroush7]

I don't know. Are you having any other symptoms besides diarrhea,

 

[ronroush7]

Hi. I am still learning all of the terms
Your CRP is s non specific matker for disease.

 

[lizzie67]

Thank you x

 

[smt]

You have not mentioned the units of your CRP. Normal values range from 0-5 mg/l or 0-0.5 mg/dl (varies from lab to lab; these are conservative figures). I had 0.36 mg/l in December. It is a non-specific marker of inflammation, and can be elevated in infections or due to obesity etc. What are your other blood results?

 

[lizzie67]

Hello

The range for CRP is under 5 is normal.

All my other bloods are OK apart from a slightly low ferritin level.

My thyroid was also low, so I have to increase my meds.

I am very overweight.

My point is, surely the CRP is linked to my bad bowel?

The GP said it was IBS because of the normal calprotectin level.

Im so upset by all this, I really want a definite diagnosis. I cant live like this anymore.

Thank you for replying x

 

[smt]

The CRP is not necessarily linked to "bad bowel". It is a non-specific marker of inflammation.

 

[lizzie67]

Thank you.

I did try to find out about getting a colonoscopy done privately, but cannot afford it.

The lady I spoke to said she had spoken to her consultant husband and he recommends a colonoscopy because of the change in bowel habit and the high CRP. I told her the GP said the high CRP could be due to my weight and she told me no, that's wrong.

Im at a loss. Wont see the GP until Friday to ask about further testing.

Of course, bowel cancer springs to mind, first of all.

This is not helped by the fact that my poor cousin has bowel cancer at the moment.

x

 

[smt]

My suggestion is: stay calm. Please do not listen to ignorant people. Easier said than done.

High CRP can be due to obesity.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10591334

 

[lizzie67]

Thank you.

x

 

[ronroush7]

You are welcome

 

[JaimeM]

Antibiotics can really mess up your bowel. I would maybe try taking a probiotic? Eat a lot of yogurt. Try not to eat anything greasy or sugary for awhile.. Yeast and sugar can really cause the bowel bacteria to get out of whack. If you aren't having any abdominal pain, I wouldn't be too worried. I would try taking some immodium or an anti diarrheal when you are having episodes of diarrhea and see if that helps slow things down. CRP is a general inflammation marker.. If you have a bruise it can sometimes increase your CRP. It's not a great marker for bowel issues as it's not specific.

 

[lizzie67]

Hello

Thank you for the reply!

Im at home all day, now the kids are back at school after Easter.

Ive really become obsessed with my bowels.

I have just been sitting on the sofa, on the computer, watching crap TV.

I think today I was a little gassy in the tummy? I had sprouts yesterday.

I do have severe health anxiety too as well as my cousin gong through bowel cancer atm and I dont know if Im overthinking everything.

I will see my GP on Friday and ask (again!).

Is 18 a really high CRP value?

x

 

[smt]

You do not mention the units. If in mg/l, this is above the range. If in mg/dl, this is way above the range, in my opinion.

 

[ronroush7]

I just googled it and an especially high CRP is ten mg/l which could be an indication of IBD or other diseases.

 

[lizzie67]

Hi

The result was 18 and the range is 0-5.

Why would it be so high?

 

[lizzie67]

Just a thought - Ive had dermal fillers in my face and lips.

Could they be causing an inflammation?

x

 

[JaimeM]

It could cause it to be elevated yes.. Did you just have it done? It could be your body reacting to a foreign substance in your body..

 

[lizzie67]

I had it done in January.

I also had botox done in December, which has worn off now.

x

 

[JaimeM]

it could be a lot of things.. but that could probably contribute to your high crp.. I would think it would be down after that much time, but you never know.. the body is a weird thing

 

[lizzie67]

The filler can last up to a year.