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Difference between ibs and crohns

Posted , 5 users are following.

chantal_65714
chantal_65714

Hi , I keep hearing that drs are dismissing people with symptoms of ibd for ibs. O have elevated calprotectin , severe pain, mouth ulcers and anemia. I have a pillcam in July. Can you have calprotectin level of 400 with IBS? Thankyou . My mum has crohns 

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Alfielefoo
    Alfielefoo chantal_65714

    Posted

    Fcp can be raised for a variety of reasons, not only Ibd. 400 is not really very high on the grand scale. And the pillcam, scope and scans are good tests. Have you had these?

    Have you had a retest or stool since?

    There’s also a subgroup or Ibs which does cause mild inflammation , post infectious.

    Fcp is just a marker,not a diagnostic tool. 

    I hope you feel better soon x

    • chantal_65714
      chantal_65714 Alfielefoo

      Posted

      I’ve been tested for infections , immediately after stool test . All clear 
  • Hollaka79
    Hollaka79 chantal_65714

    Posted

    That does sound similar to IBD, more so than IBS. It’s such a slippery fish to catch so keep pushing & don’t let them palm you off with ibs xx 

    • chantal_65714
      chantal_65714 Hollaka79

      Posted

      Thankyou forbyour reply,  I’ve had ibs for years and my calprotectin has always been normal, it went from 30 to 400 in about 3 months, since then I’ve acquired severe pain in my right sided lower quandrant and belly button. 
  • craig84609
    craig84609 chantal_65714

    Posted

    IBS is a condition of the muscles that line the bowel. They don't work properly causing cramps and other issues, but it isn't associated with inflammation. So, you should have a normal Calprotectin test if you have IBS. IBD is an auto immune disease that causes inflammation, so in theory with a flare the level of Calprotectin should be high, but not always. In my case I had a normal level of 45, however after having a scope done, my doctor said I had severe bowel disease. I do have an elevated CRP, it is 24 and it should be less than 5. These tests are not always 100%, so it is good to have more than one to see if something is going on, but if you are at 400 I would say you probably have IBD or some type of infection that is causing your immune system to attack your colon.

    • chantal_65714
      chantal_65714 craig84609

      Posted

      Thankyou, I have no other cause for inflammation, they tested me for bugs and infections. Clear of appendicitis, all my organs are good.  I have been told that ibs does not cause inflammation but I’m so unsure about everything 
  • Sadly
    Sadly chantal_65714

    Posted

    Hi Chantel 

    i agree with others whove said ir sounds more like IBD - pain in that particular location so very familiar in disease onset. Are you having any other symptoms like weight loss, nausea? Please try not to worry too much about the tests you’ve had thus far the pill cam is excellent at picking up what others miss - I never get raised CRP levels in my bloods and calprotectin which is supposedly so sensitive had been negligible fir me then a pill cam follow up,showed quite active disease! Wishing you all the very best, trust this test it will find it if it’s there 💟

    • chantal_65714
      chantal_65714 Sadly

      Posted

      Thankyou, I’ve lost a stone in weight but that’s because sometimes I get too scared to eat. I get nausea sometimes in the morning 
  • Alfielefoo
    Alfielefoo chantal_65714

    Posted

    Have you had a colonoscopy or any other testing? 
    • Alfielefoo
      Alfielefoo chantal_65714

      Posted

      I guess that’s what they call the call ‘gold standard’ .... great if there’s anything there etc...

      See if they will repeat fcp see if it has changed, then they may do mri or ct.

      Have they discharged you or have you got a follow up?

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