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Causes of intestinal inflammation

Posted , 4 users are following.

kayla1234
kayla1234

I am wondering what conditions cause inflammation of the intestines other than Inflammatory bowel disease. I have tried googling this many times, but the only thing that ever pops up is IBD. I have symptoms of IBD (diarrhea, severe stomach pain, blood in stool) and my doctor found inflammation in my lower intestine during a colonostopy but he insists I only have irritable bowel syndrome. From my research, I have found that IBS never causes inflammation. I have been on multiple medications for IBS with no relief and just need some answers. 

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  • etheremail
    etheremail kayla1234

    Posted

    When you say your doctor, do you mean a specialist who conducted the colonoscopy or your general practitioner? Blood in the stool (unless piles or an analysis fissure) is not a usual symptom of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I had IBS for years and pain and diarrhoea were symptoms and could be quite severe. Mine had a food element. Wheat, legumes and some nuts were the culprits if I had too much of then and in the case of broad beans any of them. But I had no actual inflammation except irritation in the ano-rectal rectal area which was just irritation and is not that uncommon. In the UK a colonoscopy will be carried out by a specialist and there will normally be some record of it like a film of it and a written report. Did he take a biopsy? When did he tell you this? I think you either need a better explanation from the specialist or a second opinion. If it is coming from your GP then I would ask to see the specialist's report. IBS is normally an exclusionary diagnosis when you have ruled out all other things like Colitis, Coeliac Disease and other such conditions. Good luck!
    • kayla1234
      kayla1234 etheremail

      Posted

      I should have been more clear, I am referring to my GI as my doctor here. He is the one who did the colonoscopy. He actually told me that my colonoscopy came back fine, it was a few weeks later before I went into my online health record and saw that his report said there was chronic inflammation in my small intestine. He said the biopsy also came back clear. Honestly I tried to get a better explanation from my GI, but he got mad and yelled at me when I asked about the inflammation in my colonoscpy, saying I shouldn't question a specialist..I am getting a second opinon in late October, just looking for some answers now. 
    • etheremail
      etheremail kayla1234

      Posted

      Good for you! The colonoscopy is of the large intestine so this sounds like an assumption. A good specialist shouldn't mind questions particularly as your questions sound very reasonable. I think there is a test now where you swallow a small camera which using a magnet from the outside they can take through the small intestine (which as you know is quite long) and see the whole thing. You are definitely right to get a second opinion.
  • Guest
    Guest kayla1234

    Posted

    If I'm understanding where you mean correctly, inflammation at Ileocecal Valve / Cecum (end of Intestine joining the Colon) means low grade Crohn's (IMHO) neutral
    • kayla1234
      kayla1234 Guest

      Posted

      The colonoscopy report said that I have chronic inflammation of my small intestine..I was pretty sure that points to crohn's but he just won't listen to me..
    • etheremail
      etheremail kayla1234

      Posted

      The bit I don't get is that a colonoscopy doesn't usually examine the small intestine. It examines the large intestine or bowel. But perhaps you have had other tests which show it. Anyway, get that 2nd opinion and good luck!
    • kayla1234
      kayla1234 etheremail

      Posted

      Apologies! I did meant to say large intestine, I was pretty tired when I responded and just got mixed up. 
    • etheremail
      etheremail kayla1234

      Posted

      Don't worry! Usually inflammation in the colon itself is Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Sometimes it is something called indeterminate colitis where they can't decide between the two. It is a pesky condition which flares up intermittently although I have a friend of a friend who seemed to have Crohn's all the time. Steroid treatment etc didn't work with him and he had a surgical resection. That was twenty five years ago and no trouble since but every case is different of course and specific to you. I would discuss with your next consultant (a) what precisely this inflammation is; (b) how severe it is; (c) whether it is treatable and (d) if so, the options for treatment and the advantages and disadvantages of each course. I like specialists to write to me or my GP because it is easy to forget exactly what was said and I like me or my GP to have a copy of the film in case I need to show it to anyone else. Very good luck to you. This can be a very debilitating and stressful condition (whatever it is called) and it helps to know the pathway you are on so you can make the best choices for treatment. At least you known the biopsies are benign which is brilliant news.
    • kayla1234
      kayla1234 etheremail

      Posted

      Thanks for so much information! I'll be sure to write down those specific questions for my appointment (which is unfortunately not until the end of october). This has definitely been very debilitating as I am a college student and also suffer from fibromyalgia. Hopefully there will be answers soon!
  • PaulBen
    PaulBen kayla1234

    Posted

    I'm confused also..

    A colonoscopy only examines the large intestine (colon) whch is what you said you underwent in your op. The endoscope travels up through your back passage as far as the Caecum where the colon meets the small intestine but no further. So how would your 'GI' know that your small colon was inflamed as you say later on, since presumably he would not have examined that throuh a colonoscopy?

     

    • kayla1234
      kayla1234 PaulBen

      Posted

      Sorry, you're correct it was inflammation in my LARGE intestine. 
  • etheremail
    etheremail kayla1234

    Posted

    Did he take any biopsies around the area of the opening between the large bowel (Colon) and the small intestine?
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