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inflammation with swollen lymph nodes in abdomen

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 12/17/2014 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
I had a CT scan done two months ago looking for a kidney stone. Instead, they saw some inflammation in my small intestine and swollen lymph nodes. She also referred me to a GI who I saw at the beginning of this month. He said that he thinks I have irritable bowel syndrome, but I got him to schedule a colonoscopy because I'm having trouble gaining weight (had that problem my whole life). I also have mucus in my bowel movements sometimes. Nausea occasionally happens with vertigo. I know that I have GERD, and I currently take Nexium. I switch from constipation to visiting the toilet 2-3 times a day. I also have diarrhea once or twice a month. I'm just wondering if this sounds like anything any of you go through? I don't mean to come off as an idiot, but I really have no one to discuss this with.
Posted 12/17/2014 2:58 AM (GMT 0)
I think it's good you are having a colonoscopy. Your GI may also want to do a small bowel follow through test or a pill cam. The lymph nodes could be Crohn's, but it could be other things do. It's good you are checking things out and not just calling it IBS
Posted 12/17/2014 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
How would they test the lymph nodes to see what they could be? I will also bring up the pill cam. Are swollen lymph nodes common with crohn's? The doctor called them "tiny swollen", if that makes sense.
Posted 12/17/2014 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
Check out this article about different reasons for inflammation in your small intestine: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11894-010-0112-5

You can have swollen lymph nodes with Crohn's but also a number of other diseases, so by itself, it's hard to tell. You doc should be ordering blood tests for elevated white blood counts (infection) and CRP, Sed rate and possible fecal calprotectin to look at inflammation markers. There is also a blood test called Serology 7 that is sent to Prometheus labs in California that can also give you good info. Starting with a colonoscopy and going on from there makes the most good sense. Check out the Crohn's/colitis website at ccfa.org and there are good articles and webcasts about the diagnosis process. It is hard when you don't know what's going on. It's good to try to get good medical care and figure it out, but try not to worry. The flipping between constipation and diarrhea and mucus in your stool can easily be IBS, but the inflammation and swollen lymph nodes are a little more concerning.
Posted 12/17/2014 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
Should I request to see another type of doctor for the swollen lymph nodes? Just to see what they think of them? Or is that what the follow up CT scan is for?
Posted 12/17/2014 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
JR, are they planning on doing a second CT scan, or was the "follow up" CT the one you've already had?

Just asking because those tests expose you to a lot of radiation and there are often other ways of finding out what you need to know.

Hope you get things figured out quickly and feel better soon.
Posted 12/17/2014 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
The follow up would be in March.
Posted 12/17/2014 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hopefully the colonoscopy will help determine what's wrong and why your lymph nodes are swollen. You could ask the gastroenterologist if he or she recommends any further tests when you get your scope results. I spent a few minutes looking and saw that ultra sound is another way to have a look at abdominal lymph nodes, but have no idea if this is the best way to go about it in your case. I do know ultrasound testing is pretty safe. Maybe you could ask your doctor which test would be better if you need further testing.
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