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Crohn's Diagnosis

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 7/23/2015 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Good evening. New to the forums and sure could use some help. I am in the process of being tested for Crohn's disease. I have had some gastrointestinal issues for a long time (embarrassing topic to bring up to a doctor. I know I shouldn't be embarrassed but just not my thing). Well recently the "issues" have gotten so bad I had no choice but to see a gastro. When I went for the first visit I saw the nurse practitioner who said I had symptoms of IBS (I'm sure we have all heard that before) which I am not doubting that I do have but it feels like a lot more than that. She sent me for lab work/ stool malabsorption test and mostly everything came back normal except the Amylase was fairly low and I have slightly elevated AST. She also sent me for a CT scan and I got a call back from the docs office saying I was "showing signs of Crohn's disease (weird to receive a call like that). The office said they wanted to do some more blood work and schedule a colonoscopy. They ordered a sed rate and crp which both came back normal. They also ordered blood work from Prometheus but we have not received those back yet. If sed rate and crp are normal can I still have Crohns? I do have a scope scheduled but if I'm having symptoms without inflammation, is it still likely I have Crohn's?
Posted 7/23/2015 6:02 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome. Yes you can still have Crohn's even if your sed rate and crp are normal. It's not the most common finding, but it does happen. Mine are both always normal, so I know! :-)

Do you know exactly what CT scan was run? Did you drink contrast? Did you have IV contrast too? What exactly were the findings? If you can get a copy of the report, that would help us help you.

The scope will tell a lot if you have Crohn's (or something else) in the colon, but in some people, the colon looks fine and the inflammation is only in the small intestine.

Do you take NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen)? They can sometimes cause small bowel inflammation that mimics Crohn's.

I assume when you mentioned "lab work/stool malabsorption" that you had stool cultures done to check for infectious disease? Did they find any white blood cells in the stool culture?

Good luck with the colonoscopy and keep us updated.
Posted 7/23/2015 6:18 AM (GMT 0)
I think the hard part is largely the same for most of us....I'd never even heard of Crohn's until I was told I ad it :( I was 22 just turning 23 when I found out and I was devistated and scared, terrified actually and the first thing I said was "And I suppose there's no cure eh?"

You'd think I'd have said "Crohn's?? What's that??" but I knew what it was cuz I was living the nightmare for about 4 months before I could build up enough nerve to even talk about my symptoms to a doctor.


And sadly, yes, beave's explanation is spot on and I'm sorry to say that. :(
Posted 7/23/2015 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
First, I would like to thank you both for responding so quickly, it's really appreciated.

I did a CT scan of the abdomen. I drank the barium fluid and they also did it with iv contrast. The doctors office was not specific when they called me regarding the results all they said is that there "were changes on the scan specific for crohns". I am going to pick up a copy of the results this morning and I will post the findings.

I do not take Motrin or anything like that on a daily basis. I do however smoke and I drink pop.

They did not test me for anything infectious with the stool tests only malabsorption which came back normal (not sure how).

Again, I really do appreciate the help.
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