CD v. UC

When I saw my GI last week I asked him what my CD diagnosis was based on. He said that actually based on my colonoscopy, he couldn't tell if it was CD or UC. But, based on the blood work, my blood markers are more indicative of CD. Then he said, really I have indeterminate colitis. So now I'm just confused.... I'm kind of a control freak so I think a big part of my distress about this is that now I don't have a good clean answer about what is wrong with me. Doctor said at this point in my treatment is really doesn't matter if it's CD or UC. Has anyone else been a similar boat?

Jessie, you most definitely have crohn's if your colon is removed and you're still having issues...IBD is the term used for inflammatory bowel disease which is either crohn's or ulcerative colitis...being the 2 main types of IBD.

basil, indeterminate colitis simply means they couldn't tell if it's UC or CD via colonoscopy, if they took a biopsy then they'd likely be able to know for sure...regardless, if it's UC or crohn's colitis (which is simply CD affecting the colon) the same meds are used to treat both, just like when CD is affecting the rectom like with UC, the same rectal meds are used to treat that area.

With CD the inflammation is patchy with some healthy tissues in between inflamed and it can go through the many layers of the intestinal lining, but with UC the entire area will be inflamed (not necessarily the entire colon either, as that is referred to as pan colitis) but it stays on the surface of the lining unlike crohn's. The reason why CDers can get fistulas is because the inflammation can go through the many layers (even right through) and that's why fistulas are not involved with UC.

:)