Testing for IBD without colonscopy

[dobong]

So far I had to cancel and reschedule 3 colonscopy test because of the prep. I get really irritable and light headed if I go without solid food for more than a few hours.

I really dont have typical UC signs, doc was just checking because of lipase levels. So far 2 abdominal scans (oral and iv contrast), ultrasound, and igm, ige/iga test and all normal. Also fecal test negative for wbc.

If those test exclude moderate to advance stages of IBD is there any blood test I can take to look for IBD?

All my symptoms point to peptic ulcer (gerd, bloating, burping, gas) after meals and Gerd and sinus issues in morning, so not sure if i should waste $1,200 and a few days without food for a test for bowel diseases.

 

[mikeyarmo]

Hi dobong,

I believe a blood test can be used to help support an IBD diagnosis, but I don't think it is usually strong enough support.

I know my doctor has performed blood tests to test my inflammation levels (to be honest I do not know what marker exactly they used to test this) but this alone is likely not enough to fully diagnose you. For example, if inflammation is thought to be occurring based on the results of your blood test, there is still no strong support that the inflammation is happening in your intestines.

A colonoscopy is usually the preferred procedure to obtain a diagnosis as it gives the practitioner an actual view of your intestines. The procedure has uses other than to diagnose IBD (for example, the procedure is typically done to help diagnose colon cancer). That is why it is fairly typical for a doctor to recommend that the general public undergo a colonoscopy as they get older to ensure that there is nothing suspicious being seen.

At the end of the day, the choice is yours. If you could do the colonoscopy, I think you would likely be able to determine if you have Ulcerative Colitis or not for sure. If you are confident that you do have a peptic ulcer though, you can try to figure out methods to confirm that first as at the option to have a colonoscopy will not go away.

Good luck with your diagnosis.

 

[Rebecca85]

Whoever gave you the idea that you would go without food for a few days?

I had a morning appointment, and had to stop eating the morning before. Like you, I can get light headed, dizzy, and stomach pains without food. However, I kept drinking water and fruit juice and kept my stomach full that way and I was fine.

If you're really struggling with the prep, you could ask to do it as an inpatient (they do this for diabetics) and they will monitor you and give you IV fluids and stuff.

 

[Rebecca85]

Oh, and I was eating solid food again the moment I came out of the scope room! As they wheeled me to recovery I asked for a biscuit