Rosacea & colonscopy & IBS

[Catherine]

Hi Everyone

Went to the doctor for a patch of rosacea, come out with scripts, referral to skin specialist and order for bloods tests.

This GP would also like to me to have a colonscopy as I was dx with ibs 20 years ago and Sarah has crohn's.

Is there any point as I only have slight pain in the lower left region. All previous blood tests have been normal and faecal calprotein to also normal.

Looking for opinions on having colonscopy.

I am a big chicken.

 

[David]

Have the colonoscopy. No question about it.

I'd also ask them to test you for SIBO and vitamin D deficiency as both can play a role in Rosacea.

 

[Kev]

Have the scope. The scope procedure is nothing. A total cakewalk. The prep is the ordeal. And, although I wouldn't make a hobby of it, it is totally doable. Scoping, as a diagnostic tool, really gets to the bottom of things (sorry, I couldn't resist typing that). But it's true.

 

[motheroftwins]

Hi Everyone

Went to the doctor for a patch of rosacea, come out with scripts, referral to skin specialist and order for bloods tests.

This GP would also like to me to have a colonscopy as I was dx with ibs 20 years ago and Sarah has crohn's.

Is there any point as I only have slight pain in the lower left region. All previous blood tests have been normal and faecal calprotein to also normal.

Looking for opinions on having colonscopy.

I am a big chicken.

Hi Catherine, I am a big chicken too! My colonoscopy was done just last week. For me, the prep was the worst part but I was afraid to. I have a lot of empathy and understanding. Sending good thoughts your way.

 

[Ckt]

I too am a big chicken!thats why I get propofol and fentanyl during the procedure...she's in and out and I don't even know it until I come to!the prep is a mother though! just sayin!

 

[Catherine]

Thank you for SIBO link. Vitamin D is on the blood test order. Interestly my B12 is low according to David's research at 251 and has remained at this level for the last 5 years. Made an appointment with the skin specialist today.

 

[Kev]

Had my scope today at 2... All is well. Easy peasy. Celebrated with real pizza for supper.

 

[Catherine]

I'm moving forward had blood test today.

 

[Catherine]

Vit d level very low 28 nmol/L (75-250).

 

[David]

Did they tell you what to supplement or give you supplements?

 

[Catherine]

1000 iu Vitamin D, 1 tablet 3 times a day, retest in 2-3 months.

 

[David]

Is it a white tablet?

 

[Catherine]

Yes it a small white tablet.

 

[David]

Be sure to take it with some sort of fat.

 

[Catherine]

Will do, many thanks

 

[Catherine]

Since starting vitamin d my skin is very itchy and face is more red that normal, glad I see the skin specialist on Wednesday.

 

[Catherine]

Skin specialist wants me to take doxyclcyline hydrocholoride 100 mg once a day for the next 6 months to get rid of a patch of rosacea which is now 2mm after 2 courses of tablets from the gp.

Also had a pre-cancerous piece of skin on my face frozen. Wants me wear sunscreen all of time, this will do wonders for my vitamin d.

Will spend the next few days considering my options.

 

[Catherine]

All symptoms went away with doxycycline.

Rosacea is now back started another 6 month course of doxycycline last Friday.

Colonscopy is booked for 4 December.

 

[David]

I wonder if it is SIBO related since it went away with doxycycline.

 

[Catherine]

My symptoms this time are worse with doxycycline. All my blood tests have come back fine this except for iron, have appointment with gp tomorrow.

During the last year also took vitamin b12 and got level to over 1000 with in a couple months of supplements so had to stop.

Also looking at SIBO, which kind fits as symptoms cleared two year ago for a while on the FODMAP diet. Lactose gives me heartburn.

 

[Catherine]

Blood tests back

Need to reduce my intake to red meat as my iron levels are high.

D borderline at 51 nmol/L (>50)

B12 360 pmol/L (150-700) told not to supplement down from 1068 in March.

Total bilirubin 28 umol/L (<15)

 

[David]

When your B12 was 1068 they told you to stop supplementing and now it's 360 pmol/L? How much were you supplementing in March and what was the delivery method?

 

[Catherine]

I was taking a 1000mcg tablet per day. I took them for maybe two months.

 

[David]

Have you thought about taking a B Complex every couple days? That way you get all the B vitamins and make sure that your B12 stays at a nice level as well since you seem to absorb it well.

 

[Catherine]

Hi David, sound like a good idea to take multi b.

Will not be making any changes or starting any supplements until after seeing the GI on the 4 December.

And moment I am trying to understand my iron results:

Ferritin 80 ug/l (15-165)
Iron 29 umol/l (7-27)
Transferrin 2.3 g/l (2.5 -3.8)
Transferrin sat 50 % (13 - 47)

Gp thinks this could be hemochromatosis but usually the ferritin level would be higher.

 

[Catherine]

Saw the nurse at the GI office today, going ahead with colonscopy and possibility higher scope as well. Appointment confirmed for 4 December.

 

[upsetmom]

Good luck

 

[Catherine]

Thank you

 

[wild_one353]

i was afraid too, and it turned out to be super easy.

 

[my little penguin]

hugs
good luck on the scope
no fun but hopefully you will get answers in the end

 

[Catherine]

Colonscopy appears normal with biopsy taken. Had good look at ileum due to daughter's history.

Gastroscopy, oesophagus and duodenum normal

Stomach, mild atrohpic gastritis with gastric intestinal metaplasia noted affecting the Antrum. Biopsies taken assessing for dysphasia and helicobacter.

 

[Catherine]

My official dx is gastritis caused by bile reflux.