Can being unwell cause ulcers of the bowel?

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basically I was in hospital for 6 weeks including intensive care almost 2 years ago now after just turning 17. long story short, they thought I had an infection, then after a couple weeks went by, my liver and kidneys started failing and blood platelets dropped, but the antibiotics didn't work, so they put the whole thing down to rare monno complications. one of the tests they did colonoscopy, where they found multiple ulcers so they took biopsies and everything came back fine. they put the ulcers down to being "unwell". before the hospital stay, I always had diarrhea and was going toilet quite frequently. but since then I feel like it's been worse and I've been going toilet at least 2 times on a good day. so because of the symptoms and the fact they found ulcers when I was in hospital, they want to do another colonoscopy to make sure they're still not there.

I know doctors know better than you guys but still have a few questions.

can being "unwell" really cause ulcers in the bowel?

the doctor I last seen said the symptoms do match up with chrons disease because I get stomach cramps, diarrhea, toilet multiple times a day and recently diagnosed with b12 deficiency. I told him when I was in hospital that I was tested for chrons and asked if they could have some how missed it? and he just shrugged his shoulders.

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    I would see a different doctor to get answers. Ulcerations in the bowel are one of the signs of IBD. See a gastroenterologist

    • Posted

      that's actually who i am seeing already 🤣 my gp referred me to them. I have most symptoms for IBD but I was tested in hospital and nothing came back. so wondering if its possible that they somehow missed it.

    • Posted

      I would go back to your GP and ask him to go over your test results to find out what was said about the ulcers.Having another colonoscopy as advised will establish if the ulcers are still there and if they have missed something. As you say, doctors do know better that people on this site because they have the medical knowledge that we don't have. So you are far better asking your doctor to explain any queries you may have. You will get accurate answers there.

    • Posted

      true, but in the UK it's not easy to get doctors appointment. basically they said if the ulcers are there again when they do the colonoscopy, then they'll do an MRI scan

    • Posted

      Sounds like your doctors have proper investigations in mind to give you answers. Focus on this and do not worry about getting a doctor's appointment. Even if it is difficult, that doesn't mean it is impossible. Take one step at a time. Ask for a cancellation appointment or ask for it to be brought forward. You will be able to see a specialist and get the tests, diagnosis and treatment you need. Consider a private consultation. I did this when I was too anxious to wait a month on the NHS.

    • Posted

      I'm not necessarily nervous, I just want answers. I had my appointment at gastro on the 3rd of this month, and 2 days later I had an appointment for a colonoscopy for the 3rd of may. from past experience, hospital appointments very rarely come that quickly so im guessing they want it doing sooner rather than later. I'm should be used to not knowing anyway, when I was in hospital they had no idea what was making me ILL. at first it was an "infection" then after the antibiotics not working they thought it was my gaull bladder, then when my platelets started to drop they though it was leukemia. they had a meeting with basically every type of consultant and doctor they could to try and work out what was making me so ILL. eventually they put it down to extreemly rare complications of glandular fever, although my outpatients doctor doesn't think it was that. but I recently found out I am b12 deficient which makes me think it's something like chrons because I eat enough meet.

    • Posted

      The colonoscopy should show whether you have IBD or not. Have you had a fecal calprotectin test which helps to identify IBD prior to a colonoscopy? If you have high/very high inflammation this is an indicator of IBD. Are they going to give you B12 injections for your deficiency because this could explain some of your symptoms?

    • Posted

      I've had stool samples that have come back fine? and I've had a colonoscopy before and it came back fine other than the ulcers they found. and no, I was given 3 months worth of folic acid tablets to take for the b12 deficiency. and from what I've read, something must be going wrong somewhere In my stomach. I eat enough meet so shouldn't really have a vitamin b12 deficiency. I also previously had vitamin d deficiency which can also be a sign on chrons I believe. I didn't realise but fatty liver can also be a symptom of it 😂 and I also have that. basically I have most symptoms of it, but I'm not sure if that's what causing these symptoms. either way I'll let you know when I've had the colonoscopy. my appointment is 3rd of may

    • Posted

      I'm coming to the end of my folic acid prescription and the diarrhea is still the same, so if it is that that's causing my symptoms they must not be working

    • Posted

      There are lots of other reasons for your symptoms other than IBD. The colonoscopy will tell you more. Try not to speculate too much about the cause until you get tests and your results. The less you focus on the cause, the calmer you will be. Your specialist will get you the answers you need; they have the expertise.

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