Time to findout whether its just ibs

[Catherine]

Hi Guys

This is my story.

20 years ago I was told by a doctor that I had IBS, no tests were done. It was the result of stress or being in the relationship I was not ready for. Low grade stomach ache all of the time.

Three years later my then doctor decided to try and find out the cause of painfully period and ovalution pain. And tested for endometriosis. The surgeon found adhesions between the ovary and fallopian tube. There was no cause found for the adhesions.

Next had six hours of microsurgery to remove the adhesions for pain relief and increase my chance of having children from 2% to 40%.

Result 3 great daughters.

On to January of this year my 16 year daughter is dx with Crohn's.

Have spoken to her GI it is unlikely that I have IBD as I am so healthy but should start with blood tests and maybe colonscopy.

I don't know how severe my stomach pain is I have had them for so long.

What blood tests should I ask for? It time I tried to rule out IBD.

 

[lseibert]

Welcome to the forum Catherine::welcome:

I see that your daughter has Crohn's, it's always hard to see you child go through some like this. I wanted to offer you support with her and yourself!

You will find many wonderful people to offer support and advice on this forum, I have!

Wishing you well!!

:hug:

 

[Angrybird]

Hello Catherine and welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear about your daughters diagnosis I hope she is now on a treatment that is helping her feel better? It is definetly time that you get an answer for yourself for once and for all especially in light of this recent diagnosis. Blood test wise based on what I usually have I would say full blood count check, liver function tests and something called CRP and ESR, these will say whether there is any inflammation in the body. Do you get pain every day? Other than this do you get any other problems? I assume over the years you have looked at your diet to rule out any food intolerances? Have you got an appt booked with your doc yet about this? Sorry lots of questions! Will be keeping my fingers crossed that you can an answer soon, please keep us updated.

 

[archie]

I agree with angrybird and u should also get your b12 levels checked as these are commonly low with IBD. Good luck

 

[Catherine]

Angrybird

We have messaged before on my daughter thread "Sarah's Story". A moment I am just trying to get Sarah sorted out.

I have mild ache in my stomach everyday which is not effected by food. My children comment everywhere we go I am always looking for a toilet.

I was getting heart burn and was to medication. I went on the FODMAP diet with Sarah and my heartburn when away. I believe it was caused by diary products now avoid diary.

I also have chronic sinusitis, which results in pain around my left eye. Problems with my back but generally I am a healthy person.

There was so many people in my family with DX of IBS. Sarah is the first with DX of IBD.

I don't really believe I have IBD. My symptoms do not seen severe enough.

Diet when out window pretty much with Sarah's severe weight loss, stomach issues are bit worse at moment and I think lot of than is stress.

Catherine

 

[Angrybird]

Hi Catherine, I did wonder if you were the same 'Catherine' from the other thread I have been reading, thanks for the confirmation I can completely see how diet has gone out the window recently with the worry you have had which will definetly have an affect on your tummy. Perhaps still pursue this when Sarah is more settled and back to an ideal weight. I hope the steroids are still working well for her.

 

[Catherine]

First step done had blood taken yesterday. Tech didn't like the look of right arm,so then tried the left arm missed. She then wanted to try the back of my hand. I would n't let her and waited for the other tech. Who had no trouble doing my right arm, yes it did take while for her to get the vein up.

My left arm is still sore is this normal? 24 hours after the test.

 

[DustyKat]

Even when a blood test is spot on first go you can experience discomfort for a couple of days after. Now since she has missed I imagine she did a bit of "digging around" while the needle was in so yeah, miss = digging = sore.

Dusty. xxx

 

[Catherine]

Hi Everyone, all my blood tests have come back normal. My low level pain has remained constant in the lower left side of stomach.

Any other tests do you recommend having? I am still thinking IBS.

Catherine

 

[David]

I'm not seeing that you've had a recent colonoscopy or any imaging studies. Have you?

 

[Catherine]

No I have only had bloods tests. My dx of ibs is from 20 years ago. As daughter GI said my problems don't seem severe enough to be ibd as has been going on for 20 years.

 

[Catherine]

I think my next step will be to ask for faecal calprotectin test as this is pretty cheap at $40

 

[Catherine]

Hi Guys

My calprotection has come back normal. <19.5 range 19.5-50 ug/g

Infammation Comment
Low/Absent inflammation of the GIT.
Patient without GIT inflammation and untreated IBS sufferers have levels below 50 ug/g.

I have received a copy of all my bloods tests which are normal according to the doctor and will have a closer look.

I don't know if I will go in further with testing as still believe I most likely have IBS. Will begin a trail of the FODMAP diet.

I initially started this diet in November, but stopped as Sarah become very ill but continued avoid milk products as I found they give me heartburn.

 

[David]

That's great that is came back normal along with everything else! Certainly a good sign

How are you feeling these days?

 

[Catherine]

David I have very low level stomach pain maybe a 1 out of 10.

There are a couple things out range on my bloods test which I am looking into.

Iron 29 umol/L (7-27)
transferrin 2.3 g/L (2.5-3.8)
transferrin Sat 50% (13-47)

Total Bilirubin 29 umol/L (<15)

B12 251 pmol/L (150/700)

The B12 is low normal hss been so for 5 years

I am now taking a b multi vitamin and will start working more on diet.

 

[upsetmom]

Hi Catherine
Just wanted to tell you my story sound similar to yours
5 years ago i started to get a pain on the right side near my belly button
it's there all the time.
Had bloods done, colonoscopy, gastroscopy, ultrasound you name it and they couldn't find anything wrong apart from telling me i had endometrosis which shouldn't be causing pain i just learned to live with the pain.
No diarrhea and it's not related to food.
Then early this year my daughter also was diagosed with ibd.
Had never heard of this disease before.
I too am worried it might be ibd but what do you do if all the tests keep coming back normal?
I wish you all the best and i hope you get down to the bottom of your problems.
Take care.

 

[Catherine]

My pain is low on left hand side mainly. Yes our lives are running the same pattern.