Possible IBD - lots of questions

[ani86]

Hello,

I've been having some health issues for some months now but can't get in to see a GI until late January. Not knowing what's going on is driving me crazy!! I've done a LOT of online research but am still confused about some stuff & am hoping for some subjective input.

I'll ask my questions first, then you can read my story below if you want

1. in mild cases of IBD, can a flare dissipate on its own? (at least the symptoms)

2. will a colonoscopy detect IBD in remission?

3. is it common to have normal blood work during and/or after a flare? (not IBD-specific, but standard things like white blood cells, iron etc.)

4. Do symptoms tend to ramp up gradually, like over the course of a couple months, then get really bad suddenly?

5. Is it possible to have IBD without pain?

6. is it common for symptoms to change throughout a flare? or have some 'good/ok' days during a flare?

6. If you care to read my story below and give me your opinion on whether this sounds like a mild case of IBD I would greatly appreciate it!!

My story:

I am a 29 year old, female. Throughout the summer months I was experiencing mild fatigue and bouts of sudden diarrhea followed by extreme nausea and sweats. These 'episodes' would last about 3 hours and then I would be okay. They almost always happened first thing in the morning or very soon after eating and occurred maybe 2-4 times a week. I was having pretty bad anxiety at the time so figured it had something to do with that. In fall I moved out of state to teach for a quarter and things took a turn for the worse. At first it was just increased anxiety, fatigue, loss of appetite, and feeling kind of unwell/queasy with continued diarrhea, but not more than 1-2x/day. On October 18th it got really bad and I was very sick with diarrhea and severe nausea for a week straight - couldn't leave the house at all, didn't eat barely anything etc. I started to feel a little better but continued having diarrhea every single morning for 3 more weeks and still not much appetite - I went from 127 pounds to 110. I still thought it was maybe all anxiety-related IBS or something so went on some anti-anxiety meds, which helped psychologically but not physically. They tested my stool and found white blood cells in it (30/HPF) but no bacteria or parasites.

I went on sick leave and moved back home. Since day 1 of being back I have not had diarrhea once. Instead there was nothing at all for 4 days, then it took an hour for a tiny stool with mucus (maybe with a little blood) to come out. A couple days later the same but this time with a very noticeable amount of blood on the stool and in the toilet water. In general, however, I feel pretty good, just REALLY tired still and my stomach is still rather queasy/noisy. My doctor here said it could be IBD but there is no way to know without doing a colonoscopy, which I have to wait months for.

I would love to hear any feedback you might have!!! Thank you for taking the time to read

 

[ronroush7]

I am not sure about a colonoscopy but earlier this year I had an enterography which told me that I was in remission. To answer one of your other questions, I just had blood work done and it was one of the best I have had. I have a feeling I could be in a flare although I don't know for sure. So it is hard to say if you can be in a flare with normal blood work. Can I ask a question? Why do you have to wait until January for a colonoscopy? Best to you.

 

[ronroush7]

Waiting drives me crazy too.

 

[ani86]

That is the soonest available appointment! I was shocked. I've been calling around to other clinics covered by my insurance plan but everyone is scheduling that far out...so I'm just jumping on as many waiting lists as I can :/

 

[ronroush7]

You could also ask if they have any cancellations to let you know.

 

[2010mustang]

1 flares can for some go away on there own. Some people are mild enough for no medications but most of us are not that lucky.
2 a colonoscopy will show how much inflimation you have so my guess is a doctor might beable to say if your in remission.
3. I have blood work monthly due to meds. Some dictors will say every 3 or 4 months just depends on the person and condition there in.
4. Flares are different for everyone. Some have sudden flares and others ramp up. Some people expierience both.
5. Yes it is. Some expierience little to no pain others have pain it just depends on where we are in our flare and how medication is doing. Also many of us expierience other problems like arthritis, other auto immune diseases, etc.
6. Idk with how wierd symptoms can be for each individual.

 

[ronroush7]

Once I had an abscess that drained on it's own.

 

[Clash]

A non invasive test you may want to have your GP run before the GI consult is a fecal calprotectin stool test. These results can be handy going into the GI consult as a fecal calprotectin stool test shows if there is inflammation in your bowels. This is more specific than say CRP or SED which are blood markers that show inflammation anywhere in the body.

The fecal calprotectin stool test can't determine IBD but can be helpful in determining if further invasive tests are needed. The GP can order this test and if your results are high it may help you get scopes or GI appt sooner.

 

[Lady Organic]

The answer to all your questions is YES, except number 4.: progression of disease activity can be different form one person to another.

as said above, I would ask for Fecal calprotectine stool test in the meantime of colonoscopy to your GP. Simple easy done test. If the result comes back abnormal, you could hopefully be able to have a colonoscopy sooner or have that result on hand when you meet the GI in Jan. wishing you well.

 

[ronroush7]

I agree.