What tests did everyone have done?

[lookame]

Well I was determined to have crohns based on 2 colonoscopies and then a serolygy 7 blood test made it definitive(I guess the biopsies too?) The thing is I've never had any upper scopes done, they looked a little into my illium and I've had 2 or 3 CT scans done a couple months apart(easier to do in the ER than colonoscopies are so I got those then sent home) all CT scans came back with inflammation but not spafically stated where....Anywho I was wondering what re the normal tests they run to figure out crohns...Oh and I've also gotten the finger up the bum, and stools tests which determined blood wthout bacteria. Just curious

 

[Swirl]

The same as you. I had to go through all of that too. But the first colonoscopy said it looked like Crohns. I hated the CT scan, it hurts.
But it turn out to be left sided ulcerative colitis.

recently did a endoscopy and about to do another in 3 weeks.......
Had it since Jan 2009.

 

[ThanksP]

For diagnosis, it was on ER CT Scan which showed nothing. Then I had colonoscopy (with biopsies) which gave the Crohn's diagnosis. Since diagnosis, I have had almost every test you can think of...at least twice.

On a sidenote: be careful with the abdominal CT scans. One scan is equal to 500 chest XRays. So if there is any other option, try for that. You have to figure that we as Crohnies will experience a lot more radiation than the average person in our lifetime. So the fewer the CT's, the better.

 

[Becca1991]

18months before i was dignosed i had blood tests, ultra sounds, stool tests showed raised calprotection , 1st colonoscopy showed small macular ulcers in colon but biospies normal then i was diagnosed in oct 2009 by CT scan showed increased mucosa?? and mild wall thicknening of terminal ileum, blood tests showed white blood cells raised and crp was 71 and then i had my 2nd colonoscopy and that showed ulcers in my terminal ileum.

 

[lookame]

I guess my question is do I need any upper scopes done? Should I ask to have them done?

 

[25times]

I've never had an upper scope done.
I had a colonoscopy when I was 18 and flaring, and although I showed signs of inflammation, they didn't contact me after or anything. I didn't even find out the results until this year. When I was diagnosed I had bloodwork first, which showed elevated inflammation markers, anemia, elevated wbc.. stuff like that. Then I went to the hospital and had a CT scan, which showed inflammation on my right side, where the pain was. Then I had a sigmoidoscopy that turned into a full colonoscopy, with biopsies. They said, yeah, it looks like crohns. Then I got the results of the biopsies, and it was confirmed. I've also had an ultrasound and a vaginal unltrasound. That's how I found out about the strictures and ovarian cysts. I also had x-rays to confirm the spondylitis. Lots of tests haha but no upper GI.

 

[Grumbletum]

I think it probably depends on your symptoms and if they suspect any complications. I was having recurrent UTIs and had an ultrasound when antibiotics didn't clear them up. That showed thickening in the small bowel. Then had a Barium FT which got me the Crohns diagnosis. When the Mesren and Pred was still not solving the problem, I had a CT scan which confirmed an abscess and bowel to bladder fistula.

 

[lookame]

I guess they didn't think it was nesessary because as soon as they inserted the scope it was inflammation...severe inflammation of my entire colon. I had the serology 7 blood test done by a different doctor so my current GI goes back and forth on wether it's UC or crohns. Visually it appears to be UC but everything else states crohns...I guess. The first few inches of my illium are clear though. I've suffered from bad acid reflux for several years(since high school and it got increadibly worse when I was pregnant than a whole lot better after I had him) I'm still loosing weight although my symptoms are mainly gone (10 lbs in 4 months...not a whole lot but it's a good amoun for me lol) when he checked my belly it was flat and soft...IDK I just hear a lot of upper scopes andI've never had one makes me curious if it's nesessay or not but I guess it's not a big deal

 

[DustyKat]

Matt had a colonoscopy and endoscopy and that was followed by a CT Enterogram the following day to visualise the small bowel where the scopes don't reach.

It was actually an ultrasound that pointed to CD, these tests confirmed it and the extent of it.

Dusty. xxx

 

[ThanksP]

I had my first upper endoscopy five years into my diagnosis. I had it because I was having pain higher up than usual, and it came on 10-15 minutes after I ate. The UE came back ok, just showing some gastritis. I was then sent for an MRE which showed the Crohn's had spread to my TI.

 

[mike316atl]

I have had one endoscopy, upper GI w/small bowel follow-through, CT scan, and a colonoscopy. I have another colonoscopy this Thursday and a MRI in September.

Colonoscopy showed ulcerations and inflammation of the ileum. CT scan showed inflammation of the TI. Upper GI w/ Small-bowel follow through showed abnomal and irregular density of the stomach, and ileal loops to have loss of normal mucosa and narrowing.

Hoping for no surgery, but it may be necessary.

 

[mike316atl]

Hey ThanksP where do u live in Atlanta??

 

[ThanksP]

Hey ThanksP where do u live in Atlanta??

I live north and a little west in Acworth. How 'bout you?

 

[mike316atl]

I live near Dunwoody.

 

[archie]

I had ultrasound normal, CRP elevated (60-90), CT thickening of TI and duodenum consistent with crohns, upper endoscopy hiatus hernia and duodenitis, small bowel series narrowing of TI consistent with crohns, colonoscopy couldn't access TI all else normal 2x CT 1 month later then a resection pathology confirmed CD and recently another endoscopy and colonoscopy showing duodenitis still and a few ulcers at resection site. Looks a lot when you right it down!! I only needed the upper endoscopy as I was having pain there otherwise I dont think it's routine for the diagnosis

 

[Jennifer]

Before my diagnosis I had a barium swallow with x-ray, a barium enema with x-ray, CT scans with and without contrast, blood work, upper GI scope, colonoscopy, rectal and fecal exams, an ultrasound and an MRI. I was the first case of Crohn's in the area so I suppose that's why they ran every test under the sun. Plus I had some of those tests done more than once before the diagnosis. My diagnosis took 2 months and I was hospitalized the entire time so we did tests fairly often during my stay.

If your current treatment doesn't seem to be working and most looks good on the lower end then they'll likely look elsewhere via upper GI scope, CT scans and/or barium x-ray to see if there's another location causing the issues. Even though I've already been diagnosed, I still have both upper and lower scopes done every couple of years as prevention/maintenance because Crohn's can pop up anywhere. Its not a bad idea to have it done just to be sure.

 

[soretum]

I haven't had an upper endoscopy either....raised CRP, calprotectin >500 then colonoscopy which confirmed Chron's....had an MRI after that to check small bowel

 

[prettykitty]

I started with blood and stool tests. When those came back normal, I had a colonoscopy, which revealed inflammation in the terminal ileum. Biopsies were consistent with CD. I then had a lower GI series to see whether there was further involvement in my small intestine.

 

[xJillx]

I started right off with a colonoscopy (inflammation & ulcers in rectum and TI, but inconclusive biopsies), lots of blood work (always normal), lower bowel series (normal), CT scan (normal), pelvic MRI (normal), and 2 flex sigs (first was normal, second showed "redness" and biopsies showed "acute colitis"). Lots of tests in a year's time...