Advise please, recent diagnosis

Hi Lauren

So sorry to hear about your problems, and I can totally relate to you regarding your fears and worries considering your past history.

Can you remember the exact test you had done on your stools. For the doctor to say that it seems you have inflammatory bowel disease the I'm guessing it was the faecal calprotectin test. This test is not conclusive on it's own, and will require other lines of investigation. Depending on where you experience the majority of your pain you will more than likely be sent for a endoscopy, colonoscopy and/or small bowel MRI, with biopsies taken during the scope(s) to look for signs of inflammation scarring if the cause isn't obvious.

I've done quite a bit of research into faecal calprotectin after I had two, quite high calprotectin results in separate stool samples. Calprotectin is an indicator of inflammation anywhere along your gut, and your gut is defined by being the full digestive tract from your mouth to your anus. Yes, IBD can cause positive calprotectin results, however my research have discovered that there are so many other causes, sore throat, stomach ulcers, inflamed haemorrhoids, food allergy and intolerance reactions, certain medications and gastroenteroitis to name some. My follow up colonoscopy with biopsies after getting the positive calprotectin results came back fine, apparently my rectum, colon and terminal ileum looked very healthy and the biopsies were fine. One doctor has said that there could be a small chance of IBD of the small bowel, and two other doctors have said that IBD is extremely unlikely. I've changed my diet in recent months as after having an intolerance test done, it found that I was intolerant to dairy products, sesame seeds and yeast. I submitted a stool sample on Friday to see if the calprotectin levels have reduced, if they have then great I know why these levels are raised, if not then I guess the next step is a small bowel MRI.

If a diagnosis of IBD is confirmed you will be put on medication, usually steroids, to get you into remission, I can also imagine you will have regular check ups to keep an eye on your insides. As long as it is dealt with early you shouldn't have to experience any severe complications, and could live a very normal life, however surgery is usually an option to remove severely affect parts of your bowels.

Not actually being diagnosed with IBD myself I can give you a full insight into what your life may bring, but my fears of having it have made me do quite a bit of research so I had an idea what to expect, and this knowledge I thought I'd share with you. I do wish you all the best for a positive future, take care.