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Crohns/IBS/something else?

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elizabeth9201
elizabeth9201

I'm a woman in her early 20's. For the last 2 years I've slowly worsening episodes of diarrhea. At its worst I've been on the toilet most of the day, and left feeling very weak. It does seem to remit by itself though and then returns. Other symptoms I get are weight loss, mucous, very high freqency of bowel movements (sometimes in the night) and rectal pain. My Dad has Rheumatoid arthritis and I do quite often get joint pain and swollen fingers now I thnk of it, but I always put it down to water retention.

 I have had blood tests and I am negative for Coeliac disease, and my inflammaton levels were not a cause for concern in my blood test. I have also had a stool test which I provided after my last episode of diarrhea had cleared up, and it was normal. I recently saw the gastroenterologist and he wants me to provide another sample when I am in another episode.

Recently I've been having a lot of pain in my abdomen which is unusal for me as I don't usually get continual pain. I have had an endoscopy as I was suspected of having a stomach ulcer and this showed inflammation in my oesohagus and stomach + a large polyp. I have a feeling this has got worse seeing as I am having to take a lot of heartburn medication. I'm not really sure what to do, or what to think this is. My symptoms can be worse at certain times of the month and I also have noticed that caffeine, alcohol, and fiber make symptoms worse when I am having an episode.

Does anyone relate to this and do you have a diagnosis? I am thought to have IBS currently with a possibility of me having IBD. I do not get bloating or flatulence and I never really get constipated.

 

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • jo19531
    jo19531 elizabeth9201

    Posted

    Hi, I'm sorry to hear you are suffering. Unfortunately im still in the diagnosis stage so don't have that much to offer you. I waited for my stool samples to be checked when I was in the midst of bad pain and diarrhea and they came back raised past the marker for IBS which I have been told I have for many many years. Now I have had a colonoscopy (clear) scan (clear) and small bowel barium (clear). I do have B12 deficiency, malabsorption, lactose fructose and glucose intolerance and a bacterial overgrowth in my small bowel though. Yesterday I had a white cell scan as my consultant wants to find the source of the inflammation. All I can say is keep pushing for tests, don't be fobbed off. I never had any classic IBS signs no matter what they told me! I have good days and v bad days and a lot of pain in my lower right abdo. Good luck x
  • nannylin
    nannylin elizabeth9201

    Posted

    Hi Elizabeth I'm surprised the docs haven't given you anything for the stomach ulcer I was given meds the day of my scope whic has worked like a dream. Crohns can take a while to diagnose but your joint pains with the bowel symptoms do seem to indicate an auto immune condition. Try keeping a diary of what you essay and your bowel movements for a few weeks. You may see a pattern and it's handy for docs to see how many BMs you are having. Keep pushing the docs though it's your body and it's not right don't be fobbed off. It took ages for mine to be confirmed. Good luck
  • penny49988
    penny49988 elizabeth9201

    Posted

    Hi Elizabeth,

    It is never easy going through the unknown when it comes to your health understand how it can effect you. If I were you given your symptoms I would go back to your GP and request that he send you to a GI if they haven't already. Maybe  you should also see a Rheumatologist. I can't say for sure which it is but with your symptoms it really should be followed up on. 

  • stephaney28634
    stephaney28634 elizabeth9201

    Posted

    Hi Elizabeth, sorry to hear about your terrible time. I think it could be crohns, I suggest you seek advice from your gp. Hope this helps.
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