Not sure how to interpret Stephen's test results... They were 'good' but I'm just wondering if there's any cause for concern or 'watchfulness'???
Stephen had an u/s at the beginning of Oct and then an MRE mid-November. Unfortunately, since then, his follow-up appointment has been postponed 4 times! From Nov 2 to 30 to Feb 2 to Feb 22.
As there haven't been any serious issues, I was okay with the first couple of delays, a bit more annoyed with the 3rd and, this time, ticked off! By the time we actually see the GI, the tests will be months out of date! Anyway... the IBD nurse called me back and offered to review all the results and put him on a cancellation list.
So, the results are:
In May, when diagnosed, his tests (endo-, colonoscopy, u/s, biopsy) showed inflammation/thickening in his colon, TI and a little in his duodenum.
October U/S showed some inflammation/thickening in his colon, cecum, terminal ileum and distral (spelling??) ileum.
6 weeks later, MRE showed no inflammation in his colon, cecum or d.ileum but still showed some patches in his TI and small intestine (altho smaller patches then in October).
She couldn't tell me if the fact that fewer/smaller areas affected are due to gradual improvement or if the disease is just moving around. She said the enteral nutrition seems to be keeping the disease 'at bay'. And she said, given the amount/level of inflammation, it was okay to wait until end of February for next follow up.
Does this seem right? When you are considered to be in remission, does that mean that there is NO inflammation? Or would it be reasonable to have 'some' inflammation that is 'at bay' with almost no symptoms?
The only symptoms he's had lately have been some constipation/hard stools with resulting fissures. But, with just at-home treatments (prune juice, sitz baths), these issues seem treatable. But, could they be an indication of other inflammation?
I'm not hugely worried as he has been fine but just wondering if you think I should be extra vigilant for any change before Feb. 22???
Thanks
Stephen had an u/s at the beginning of Oct and then an MRE mid-November. Unfortunately, since then, his follow-up appointment has been postponed 4 times! From Nov 2 to 30 to Feb 2 to Feb 22.
As there haven't been any serious issues, I was okay with the first couple of delays, a bit more annoyed with the 3rd and, this time, ticked off! By the time we actually see the GI, the tests will be months out of date! Anyway... the IBD nurse called me back and offered to review all the results and put him on a cancellation list.So, the results are:
In May, when diagnosed, his tests (endo-, colonoscopy, u/s, biopsy) showed inflammation/thickening in his colon, TI and a little in his duodenum.
October U/S showed some inflammation/thickening in his colon, cecum, terminal ileum and distral (spelling??) ileum.
6 weeks later, MRE showed no inflammation in his colon, cecum or d.ileum but still showed some patches in his TI and small intestine (altho smaller patches then in October).
She couldn't tell me if the fact that fewer/smaller areas affected are due to gradual improvement or if the disease is just moving around. She said the enteral nutrition seems to be keeping the disease 'at bay'. And she said, given the amount/level of inflammation, it was okay to wait until end of February for next follow up.
Does this seem right? When you are considered to be in remission, does that mean that there is NO inflammation? Or would it be reasonable to have 'some' inflammation that is 'at bay' with almost no symptoms?
The only symptoms he's had lately have been some constipation/hard stools with resulting fissures. But, with just at-home treatments (prune juice, sitz baths), these issues seem treatable. But, could they be an indication of other inflammation?
I'm not hugely worried as he has been fine but just wondering if you think I should be extra vigilant for any change before Feb. 22???
Thanks
