Possible IBD? Thoughts?
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi there,
I have a somewhat odd history of GI issues that have been worsening and are now accompanied by persistent low grade fevers, an elevated WBC count for over 2 months, elevated CRP and ESR for 2 months (though only mildly elevated CRP:15-19 and ESR: 31), joint aches, and fatigue.
As far as GI symptoms go, I’ve had chronic constipation since childhood. My constipation was eventually managed on a regimen of miralax but as a teen I experienced frequent stomach aches and then developed rectal pain and bleeding. I had a workup at that time and after a colonoscopy I was diagnosed with solitary rectal ulcer syndrome attributed to constipation. I was given mesalamine enemas for 6 weeks and the bleeding and rectal pain resolved. I continued to struggle with constipation into adulthood which I managed by titrating my miralax doses. I had several episodes of rectal bleeding and pain over the years but didn’t follow up with GI. Constipation remained an issue and I started pelvic floor physical therapy for spasmed pelvic muscles which did help the constipation eventually. Last year the bleeding and rectal pain returned and weren’t resolving on their own. I had also lost over 100lbs without making much of an effort at all. I saw a GI and had a colonoscopy and the diagnosis was solitary rectal ulcer syndrome again. They recommended I increase my miralax and continue with pelvic floor PT.
The bleeding and pain continued despite a strict regimen of multiple miralax doses daily to keep my stools soft. In August I had a sudden worsening of pain and was found to have a peri rectal abscess. It was drained under anesthesia and I was treated with 3 days of IV antibiotics. The doctors said sometimes infections like that just happen and didn’t seem concerned.
People keep mentioning IBD as a possibility to me but the GI I saw last year didn’t feel that was the issue. I wasn’t having the joint aches, fatigue, and abnormal lab tests at that time but still IBD doesn’t usually present with constipation.
Should I push for another workup given the new symptoms?
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!
0 likes, 2 replies
steven_87185 jessica73510
Posted
Hi Jessica defo would push for a check up sounds like all the symptoms I had ,when I was diagnosed with colitis my symptoms go so sever because I left it and just kept on brushing it off ended up that ill my colon had to be removed in emergency surgery . Would go and get it checked out .literally anything you need to ask just drop me a message hope your ok
brooke22 jessica73510
Posted
Hello Jessica,
If you feel like you need more investigations then it is better to be safe than sorry.
During my diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis, I did not suffer from loose stools at all - I was almost always constipated. And if not, I could only pass mucous. One of the main problems with IBD is that the symptoms are so varied and personal to you that it is difficult to catagorise or list them all! Constipation will only make IBD worse - take it from me. Biopsys will confirm if you have the disease or not, so it is best off to discuss this with your doctor and put your mind at ease:)